The Thirteenth Princess

The Things That Lurk in the Shadows

That night I dreamt of pain, anguish and also pure joy. Allow me to explain; I was alone, back in my tower, and it appeared to be the same day as when Zoe appeared. But it felt, different, somehow. Fog had settled around the base of the structure, and the sky was overcast. I ventured a glance towards the window. Like the day I found her, or she found me, whichever you prefer, I saw a hand grasp the window's edge. I walked over to the gaping hole in the wall, and watched her pull herself in. Except, It was so mesmerising that I had completely forgotten that I was the one who pulled her through the window. I watched her gradually drag herself beyond the forbidding walls, her face shrouded with mystery and silvery fabric. I noticed her struggling, but I couldn't move. I couldn't bring myself to go help her. Her head emerged, and her eyes were streaming. She gasped for air, and a small squeak escaped her lips.

"Please, help, me!" Her words were jagged and weak, but all I could do was stand there and watch her fight against the suddenly ferocious wind. I finally summoned the strength to move, and I sprinted over to her, but it was too late. Just as I reached the window, her foot slipped, and she was blasted out of the window by an unseen force. All I could do was watch her fall, and a last noise escaped her lips.

"I trusted you" I took a step back, but the walls turned to mirrors. All I could see was myself, but I didn't look like myself. I no longer had one green and one orangey-hazel eye, but one burning red eye, bursting with flames, and the other just an empty socket. My skin was like paper, and I wore a black cloak. My hair was still long, but it was black and wispy. The only things that remained, were my slightly pointed ears, which people always said make me look like an elf, though now I looked more like a vicious and murderous demon. The walls began to close in. I tried to shut my eyes, but I still heard her voice echoing in my mind.

'I trusted you'