THE DARKNESS WITHIN

Chapter Ten

Hello again guys😊

We're at, *drum roll please*, 500 reads🤗🎉🎉

It's not much, at all, but it's way more than I anticipated. I'm eternally grateful loves💕💕
I apologize for the late update though, I've been really busy. So here goes....
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Noel's POV

It's pitch black outside, and yet, I just can't seem to be falling asleep.

I feel mildly unsettled, for some unknown reason, the cool breeze of the night causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin. I pull the covers up to my shoulders, looking out the window at the starless night sky.

Shifting uncomfortably on the small, hard bed, I try and fail to get some much needed shut eye.

It was a little after eight, when Luca bid me goodnight. I've been awake for hours since then, with an unnerving feeling in my gut. Initially, I thought it was due to my weird, new environment. But after two sleeping pills and a glass of warm milk, I'm worried that's not the problem at all.

Thump!

I turn sharply towards the source- my bedroom window. It made a similar sound earlier, when I tried to pry it open for air. Behind it is a silhouette of a man, sneakily trying to open it up further, probably so he can pass through.

My first thought is that it's Luca trying to sneak into my room. But Luca isn't that huge. And why wouldn't he just knock on the door?

Hide, hide now!

I quickly chuck the extra pillows under the blanket, so it looks like I'm still sleeping beneath it and sneak into the small bathroom, locking the door behind me. I hold my breath to avoid making any noise as beads of sweat seep out of my skin, soaking up the front of my thin night dress.

Watching from the small space under the door, I see the man slip into my room and edge quietly towards the bed. He pulls the covers next, mumbling lowly to himself in anger. Should I scream for help? It'll give me away, and he might just kill me before I'm able to invite anyone into my room to help.

How the hell did he even get in?

I watch as his feet move away from the bed and turn to face the bathroom. He inches closer while I move away from the door, pressing myself into the wall. After a short pause, he continues towards the window and his shadow disappears altogether.

I inhale and exhale sharply as I slide down the wall, looking up at the ceiling. My breathing finally evens out, my body relaxing slightly.

The low buzzing sound of a housefly filters into my ears, as I watch it pass through the small space under the door. The beating of its two wings the only sound in my deathly quiet room.

The fly drops right in front of me, and I notice it looks rather big for a fly. I don't have the energy to shoo it away though, so I don't even try.

Right before my very eyes, the small fly slowly metamorphoses, growing substantially into a giant dark skinned man who looks down at me with a sickening wide smile.

I scream!

I scream loudly enough to wake a whole village, before the man clamps down on my mouth with his big hands. Tears stream down my face as he pulls me to himself and gags me.

"How the fuck are you able to scream so loud?" he says, his voice really deep and scary, his face contorted in anger. More tears roll down my cheeks as I pray someone at least heard me.

"Don't be scared now, I won't hurt you," he continues, throwing me over his shoulder and unlocking the door.

I can't just sit still and let this man take me to God knows where. I'm supposed to have some sort of power, where is it when I need it? I can't scream again, because I've been gagged, my hands held together behind me. I'm utterly helpless in the face of my impending doom.

I'm not giving up!

I start kicking and hitting, thrashing and squirming, trying desperately to get out of his hold. He drops me harshly and I hit the floor with a loud thud.

His boot clad foot collides with my stomach, knocking the air out of my lungs. He kicks me again by my side, and I swear I hear something crack.

I twist and turn on the ground, screaming from all the pain racking through my body. Only muffled sounds make it out of the gag though and I'm reminded of how helpless I am.

"If you don't stay put, I'll just have to end your pathetic little life before we get to Ginerva," he threatens, leaning close to my face. "In other words, behave!"

I try to scoot away from him, but he drags me back by my legs, and slaps me hard across the face. Black dots cloud my vision as my head makes contact with the wooden floor. He towers above me, watching as I tether on the brink of consciousness.

Then, he reaches out with both hands to pick me off the ground, still flashing that inhuman, sadistic smile of his.

Instanter, something foreign vibrates deep within me, taking control of my body, and forcing me to the back of my own mind. I watch as my hands lift up, and rest lightly on the outstretched arms of my abductor. My mouth opens on its own accord, and the voice I hear next is mine, but doesn't belong to me.

"Well hello there.... Axel!"

And I lose myself to the darkness.

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Voices.

I can hear voices.

They're whispering frantically, obviously in a heated argument, but trying to keep their voices low while at it.

"I haven't seen anything like this in all my years alive. She didn't just kill him, she sucked the life right out of him. Absorption of life forces hasn't been heard of since the Great Purge and you know it Marilyn!"

"What are you saying Rosaline? The girl couldn't have possibly done that! She is a child. Only masters of dark magic back in the days were able to absorb another beings life force, much less a hundred year old shape shifter of Ginervan descent."

"So what do you assume happened then? You and I know the tell tale signs of a person who was killed through this means. And we're both certain that's how he died. What other explanation do you have for this? I really want to hear it!"

Marilyn sighs deeply, but doesn't say a word.

I open my eyes, in an attempt to gauge her reaction. But there's someone else standing by my side, keenly studying me . It's the handsome guy from the other day, hand on his chin, staring right through my soul. Ace, I remember that's what he was called.

"Well, it's about time," he starts, absently stroking his neatly trimmed stuble. "Someone has to give us answers."

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Long ass chapter😄

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Thank you for reading, sweet angels😘💖💖💖

Till we meet again, remember, I love you all💕