Cacophony - Zayn Malik

~Twelve~

Arthur Murphy:

The sun had set, throwing long shadows of buildings on the cement as it slowly seeped under the horizon. I tense up a little. This dimension is still a little new to me, I had never known what the somber of night felt like.

The day crept into the arms of night as the sky above me darkened. I retrieved in the shadows of the night, in dirty alleys protecting myself from the danger lurking in this world.

I have to get back to Chesstica, I know the portals should be in one of these alleys. It has got to be. Theodre was never wrong about finding a way back home, he can't be wrong this time either. 

I brush the cloth on my shoulder which was torn by Theodre's vulture. His message had to be true.

If only I could track the portal's location soon enough. I walk towards a small garbage bin and settle myself in its shadows.

Before the stench killed my sense of smelling I cast a spell on my werewolf perception. Surely, I won't need my amplified senses this night. 

I take out my quill and a small notebook from the safety of my coat, my hand roams on the empty pages as I struggle to figure out what I want to capture in between them.

I need Gloria to know what I went through to get to her, I long for her eyes to bore into mine. How can I tell her that I remember? I remember everything about her. Her smile, the way the crown fit perfectly on her head back in Chesstica. 

I shake my head to get rid of her image from my mind. I can't let her see me like this. I can't tell her about Theodre sending me letters through his vulture. She'd get so mad if she knew I, Arthur Murphy, Prince of The World Of Magic, took help from her brother who had sold himself to The Dismals.

I can't remember the spell to locate the Book of Veritas. She must have it, even though she was thrown out of the Kingdom by His magic, the book would always find its way to her. Protecting her, informing her.

The concussions I had received in these past three years, jumping from dimension to dimension trying to find Gloria, must've affected my memory.

If I only I could remember the spell to send her a message, a message to the Book of Veritas.

I press the tip of the quill on the browned paper formulating my thoughts, when I hear a distant bursting of a cracker. It startles me, I move closer to the bin trying to hide my shadow. 

As I peep into the dimly lit street from across the dark alley, a distant smell of burning roses graces my nostrils. The spell I had cast on my senses had been weakened, I realized, as my heart raced high on adrenaline.

The smell of burning roses broke my spell.

He is here.

I shove the book in my coat, clutching the quill in my hand tighter. I have to run away. 

How did He find his way here of the million dimensions? He has grown stronger.

"Have you not found her yet, my dear...Prince?" 

My eyes burned. I knew that voice a little too well, my throat clenched with pure fear. I could feel droplets of sweat accumulate on my forehead. I couldn't move, I was dead in my seat.

"Turn to me." The voice bellowed.

He shouldn't have found me. Not like this, not when I didn't have Gloria by my side. I can't defeat him-

"Bow to me Prince," came a voice, I tremble as I raise my head to look at the wall on the inside end of the alley.

There he stood, on top of the wall, the light bending around his figure. I didn't need to see his abominable face to know his wrath. He is right here, in front of me and I am helpless.