All I Ever Needed

Chapter 21

I was yet again placed in a metal cellar, underground. I could tell from the multiple roots of plants breaking through the ceiling, it obviously wasn't a safe place. I had woken again with a slight head ache and bruised wrists. But, instead of being tied down to a metal table I was chained to the wall. Chases shirt that I still wore began getting dirty and scratched up. There were multiple holes around the bottom due to my sitting on hard rocks and dirt, and it was slightly wet from and odd substance that was dripping onto me-I didn't care to look up to see what it was. It was warm and keeping me from frostbite.

I lifted up my small and bruised hand to inspect the metal chain around it. The chain had multiple cracks stretching across it and if I was to shake if a little I would imagine the cuff would fall off its chain. But where would I go if I didn't free myself? Not back to Chase, he would get hurt, and just because of me. The irony of it all was stuck in my chest and I fell into a stage where crying felt good, letting out all the emotions you bottled up inside and tried to forget. My parents faces flashed behind my eyes and a memory of Chase, when he made love to me in the sweetest way.

A loud bang escaped me from my thoughts and I lifted my weak head towards the sound. The metal door was creaking open, oh I could not see him now.

I began kicking out until my back was pressed against the wall, I started screaming then my eyes closing so I couldn't see his haunting yet beautiful face. The door opened completely then shut roughly behind him after walking in.

A low voice caused me to stop screaming-it didn't belong to him, "Take some food."

I lifted my head up at the intruder and gasped, "Lola?"

Lola bowed her head and placed the tray in front of me, her gray hair was matted to her face and she had multiple bruises lining her face and arms. I grabbed a hold of her shaking hand, "What are you doing here?"

Lola adjusted the apron hanging from her small body and gave me a deadly look, "Don't use that sympathy towards me. If you would have known what I'd done you'd be trying to kill me now."

I raised an eyebrow at her and dropped her hand, "Then let me in on the knowledge."

Lola laughed her menacing laugh and turned to walk towards the door, "You're smart, you'll figure it out soon." She slammed the door behind her and left me all alone.

"Lola!" I screamed, "Lola!"

She could have been my only hope. But what was she talking about? What she's done? I've only net her twice and the only time she did really harm is when she spoke of the man. Could she possibly be working with him?

I looked down at the breakfast at my feet. It was well prepared and neatly organized. If a slave was frightened of their master could the possibly make the prisoners such a good meal when they were scared for their life? Was Lola scared for her life?

Placing the food in my mouth I sighed in content. Lola is definitely not scared for her life.

I hiss came from in front of me and I quickly shot my head up, he was standing right in front of me. His snake-like tongue darted out of his mouth and kicked all his razor sharp teeth. His red eyes were beaming down at me and his eyebrows were scrunched together, as if he was debating something. His deep voice made me jump, "Have you ever heard of what type of creature I am?"

I shook my head and placed down the tray of food. I sat up straight and looked him in the eye, showing him I wasn't afraid.

"Humans call my people the 'shadow people'. You often mistaken us as ghost and not real beings, but I do assure you: we're real."

I nodded my head in understanding but didn't quiet understand what he was getting at.

He smiled widely, "My name is Uccisore."

"Italian?" I asked, peering at the rest of him. His body was tall and his arms were even longer.

"It means killer."

I sucked in a breath and broke eye contact with him, staring at his tattoos instead. He laughed, his breath blowing across my face-it smelt of blood. Another tear escaped my eye and I turned my head away from him, hoping he didn't see.

Uccisore chuckled and grabbed a hold of my face, "You've met Lola, no? She's a good worker, she's excellent at covering her tracks."

I jerked my head from his grip, "What do you mean?"

His red eyes twinkled as he looked down at me, "She brought your parents to me. I have been watching you for years, sitting by your bed side as you slept. You woke up multiple times catching me, you never screamed-just watched."

I closed my eyes at the memory. I did remember those times, I would awake from a nightmare feeling as if someone was watching me.

It was another stormy night and it felt like it was impossible to fall back asleep. I had woken up multiple times during the night from nightmares, every time feeling as if someone was in the room with me.

I opened my eyes, frustrated that I couldn't go back to sleep, and turned on my back. My night light lit up the room with stars. As I looked at the stars I caught something move in the corner of my eyes. Turning my head, I lost my breath at the sight. It was a man wearing a cloak, it looked somewhat transparent, like a ghost. It's red eyes stared at me but didn't move or try to leave.

It was sitting right next to my bed, playing with my favorite stuffed wolf. I ripped my wolf from its grasp, "He's mine."

The figure smiled at me, it's sharp teeth making a gritting sound, "As are you."

I looked at Uccisore, "That was you that night-all those nights. Why are you so attached to me?"

Uccisore merely shrugged, "I felt your power the first time I saw you-at you grandfathers funeral. I wanted you as mine-your power."

Tears spilled from my eyes, "If you just want my powers than take them! I don't even know what they are! You don't need me."

He laughed and twirled a piece of my hair around his long finger, "Oh but I do. You see, it gets lonely-"

"You're sick." I whispered, scooting back against the wall.

"When Lola brought me your parents I was grateful that they could finally get out of my way and that I could get to you. When I killed them your mother kept whispering that you were a warrior, she knew your destiny, but I'm not going to let you fulfill."

I frowned, "I don't even know my destiny." I told him truthfully.

"But I do, and that's all that matters."