Turning

CHAPTER 1: PROMISES, DEMONS & BIG BAD WOLVES

I had no time to think; before I knew it I was back at the entrance of my run-down house, not knowing anything. My head working overtime, I haven't even told my mum where I'm going, or even who this strange guy is. That's because, on the whole, I don't actually have a clue what is happening.

"So can you please tell me who the heck you are, and why you are dragging me off like I'm some sort of damsel in distress?" He laughed fondly; coarse and seductive.

"You will find out soon enough little damsel in distress," he teased.

"But I need to know no - w..." he cast his warm hand towards my mouth, cupping it gently as he forced us to move forward - body's connected. For some strange reason, it felt good, like we were meant to be. My thoughts were quickly driven away by a hoarse croaky voice that sounded in the distance.

"Move quickly and do not speak a word," I nodded in agreement as he gradually stole his hand away from my mouth. I breathed in his sweet smell, when I began to hear a fast rhythmic beat; pulsating through my body, right to the core. "Now Willow," his soft russet eyes delved deep into mine, "this may hurt, just a little, but it will be over in a few seconds!"

"W-What are you g-going to do?" I whispered weakly.

"I'm going to...ugh I'll explain everything when we get there. Just promise me you won't let go until I tell you," somehow I felt comforted by his calm tone.

"I promise," squeezing his muscular arm in reassurance.

"OK, let’s go" and with that he entwined his fingers into mine, looking me steadily in the eyes. I felt like a young girl again, looking into the eyes of my idol. Butterflies threatened to escape my enclosed stomach, but I held them there in an unbreakable seal.

That's when he started, a chanting, strange words lubricated his mouth as his tongue embraced every letter with a flick:

"Engok nuĕbe slãvïc toopark," his ruff voice clinging to every letter, forming them perfectly so that they imprinted themselves into the air. I understood one way or another, what he was saying:

'Open the gates.'

But open the gates to what? Unexpectedly, an orange hue spread through his eyes, triggering a hidden memory from last night. My dreams seemed to be coming true! This strange guy, his eyes with that fiery orange tint. I wanted to scream, turn and run away from his warmth. But every time I tried the bond between me and him grew stronger, so much so that it hurt to move.

An abrupt wind stormed around us; whipping my hair into a shiny snow storm. My limbs began to ache, I felt as though my life was going to be sucked right out of me. A chasm of pain thwarted my mind, sending it into a sensation of exploding fireworks. He was right, that guy, it did hurt but a lot more than what I had expected.

Then a sudden blur took shape. The colours of my dreary hometown road mixed like an artist's paint pallet, something was happening. I felt like I was being torn apart, limb from limb, my flesh ripped but still all I could do was stare into the eyes, those beautiful eyes of the stranger. I was being possessed by a demon in disguise; there was nothing I could do, just stay true to my promise.

The promise.

My mind still raced further and further, deeper and deeper into the core of my network system. A brief bump brought me round to reality, just before I relocated myself into a pit of darkness. Voices, just voices, all in my mind; their never-ending drivel.

A deep man’s voice rings in the darkness, repeating my name over and over it pleaded with me, a desperate call.

"Willow, Willow can you hear me, Willow?"