~VICTIM OF GLUTTONY~

CHAPTER 7: Never seeming to Escape

That familiar voice rang in her ears. That raspy laugh, that scent of smoke, the burning of the brand, everything. Wren let out a small whine as she held her talon. Willow was away, going to a nearby pig village for their berry and carrot farms. She would be home tomorrow. Yet, Wren was so afraid to go to sleep in fear he would come back. The shadow peered over her shoulder, as her frills clacked with fear. Her eyes were wet with thick tears, as she instinctively held her arms.
Songbird?
More laboured breaths. Whimpers, strained sobs, pleas begging for mercy. Animosity knew exactly what was happening.
Songbird, wake up, come on..
Wren could only make out a quiet cry, her claw digging into her forearm.
"Please.. Pleasepleaseplease, don't hurt me, please, let me go.."
The shadow was no stranger to fear. In fact, it leeches off of fear. Yet, this was unfamiliar. Did it feel remorse? They sighed, rubbing her back comfortingly. Wren only responding with a small tic, jerking away from the touch.
Wren, let me help you.
Of course, they wanted to help. But how could you help someone with severe PTSD?
"Please, Maxwell, I'm so sorry, I'll be better, please."
The answer is? You can't.
Wren, come back to me. Wake up, he isn't around.
A few faint cries, as she curled up. The brisk air filled with faint, dual toned whimpers, with hushed, cold whispers from the shadow. They sighed, tugging on her shoulder.
Songbird, let's go to bed. You need sleep. Please.
Her eyes darted to the tent, then back at the inky, black figure. She was somewhat there, but any touch and Animosity would lose all of their progress to calm her down. She sighed, standing up. Wren held herself, a few more hushed tones coming up. The two walked to the tent, and Wren collapsed into the soft grass blanket. She wrapped up, and all went quiet. Soft breathing, and Animosity thought she fell asleep. Or at least she did, until.
"Anni, could you talk to me? Or, at least something?"
The shadow sighed, rubbing Wren's head. They had an idea, maybe it would work. It always calmed down that screeching voice in the codex, maybe it would work on Wren.
"What a sick, sick feeling.."
The shadow gently scratched behind her ears, making her a bit more submissive to sleep. The beast prayed this would work, or else they'd both be screwed. Wren's sanity was dangerously low, as an inky black tar traced up her hand. It had covered her fingers now. The call was getting stronger. Yet, Animosity ignored it.
"To let you go, my dear. Cuz I was not prepared to let you go.."
Wren's eyelids slowly shut, her breaths growing even and slow.
"Let you go.."
And then it fell silent. Animosity smiled, looking down at the exhausted woman, before dissipating back to their natural, hidden form. Just Wren's shadow. But they felt a wave of remorse, knowing what was to come within four days.. The call would be too strong to ignore any longer.