The Divide Between Us | Book Two of The Judgement series

Chapter 24

Cora’s Point of View

I don’t know how long it’s been since I heard my mother’s voice but I do know that Error is back. I heard my guards talking about the punishment he received from Nightmare. Apparently, all of them were forced to touch the skeleton until he crashed. I learned that he suffers from haphephobia from that conversation. Jammy hasn’t tried to return and for that I’m grateful. That poor boy doesn’t deserve this torture.

Speaking of torture, the skeleton known as Dust was standing outside of my cell again. Just, staring at me. He wouldn’t even acknowledge the transparent skeleton that stood next to him, trying to get his attention. This guy's intent rolled off of him in waves. He wanted blood. From what I've noticed, three of these skeletons wanted me dead. Some more so than others. The one with the least amount of bloodlust when it comes to me is a skeleton with a gigantic hole in his head and a bloody axe. This guy, Dust, has the second most bloodlust. The third guy, I felt myself shutter at the thought. He had by far the most bloodlust I've ever encountered. I've heard Nightmare refer to him as Cross. Cross had a transparent friend too, but this friend looked oddly like Chara. The clothes are different but everything else was the same. White hair, red eyes, posture, facial structure. Everything.

"Dust, open the cell. Error, tie her up and take her to the throne room. Nightmare wants to see her." Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear. Both Dust and Error followed instructions, though Error's strings were looser than before. I looked at him suspiciously and he started moving his hands around. The movements were clunky, unpracticed, but I could instantly recognize the sign language.

'Help coming soon. Rescue mission not ready yet.'

I nodded discreetly, acting as if I had to move my hair with a jerk of my head. It was all too soon when we reached the doors to Nightmare's throne room. Cross lifted my chin with a bony finger and glared into my eyes, "Be good and you won't get hurt." I remained silent and this earned me a slap across the cheek. It didn't faze me. I wouldn't let these skeletons break me. All I did was smile at him and nod at Chara. I think this bewildered both of them.

"Are you done now? Or do you want to delay this meeting further?" Cross growled and raised his hand again.

The throne room doors opened and a chilling voice spoke. "Cross, I would rethink that decision if I were you."

Everyone tensed up at this voice. My smile widened and I let my voice take a sickly sweet tone. "Ah, hello Nightmare. I see you cleaned up nicely. Though a bit more saliva would be nice. Do you need my help with that?"

Nightmare growled and Error tightened his strings around me. His expression told me to stop while I'm ahead. Nightmare stroked my cheek as he talked, "Have you reconsidered my offer?"

I felt myself shutter at his touch, but it wasn't in a good way. "You already know the answer to that. You ordered the death of my mother. Why would I ever join you and your posse of murderers?" 

Nightmare clicked his tongue at me. "You're just like Dove and Raven. She said the same thing to me, you know. Before I made her mine."

"Don't you dare speak about my mother," I snapped, biting at the tentacle that was touching me. "You didn't make her yours. You tortured her pysche and made her fear for her life."

"I saved her life, you ungrateful brat! If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be here right now," Nightmare snapped at me. "But, I digress. Error, bring her into the throne room. The rest of you are dismissed." Error followed Nightmare's orders and let me dangle in front of the dark throne. My instincts told me to get away, right now. Something bad was going to happen to me.

The heavy doors of the throne room slammed closed and Nightmare started chuckling. It was eerie and I could tell he held horrible intentions towards me. Things that will scar me. The corrupted skeleton's smile widened as he came closer. He could sense it. He could feel my fear. I shot a look towards Error, who stood stiff in the corner. His fingers were positioned like he was going to snap but I feel as though there's another purpose to this.

Nightmare's tentacles started exploring my body and I cringed. The slimy appendages seemed to like this. "You don't believe me when I told you that I made Dove mine. How about I show you exactly how I did it?"

I was shaking but I managed to muster up enough BRAVERY to spit at him once more. I closed my eyes and let out a breath as one of the tentacles smacked me. He clicked his tongue again. "It really is a shame to hurt you, Crescent, but you can't do that. I'll have to punish you." The corrupted skeleton turned to my holder. "Pull out her soul."

"ThAt CoUlD dAmAgE iT. aRe YoU sUrE?"

"Do it. I don't care if it hurts her." Error reluctantly followed orders, but not before he snapped his fingers. Yes, more strings popped out of his fingers but I couldn't help but question the purpose of that. Nightmare was focused on my soul, allowing my mother's killer (and I guess my savior) to communicate with me.

'When he starts, yell for help. Yell for PJ'

PaperJam. Whenever I thought about him my soul both pulsated and ached. A soft pink color illuminated my soul and Nightmare scowled. He grabbed my soul roughly, which caused me to cry out in pain. "For your sake, I hope you're thinking about me. Otherwise you'll have a bad time."

Tears streamed down my cheeks but still I found myself chuckling. I looked Nightmare in his eye, "Go to hell."