Thea

Chapter 1. The lesson.

"Wake up Thea,"

"I wasn't asleep, I can't get to sleep when you are around." said Thea as she curled up in her silk sheets.

"Time for another lesson."

"I don't want another one."

Thea pulled the covers over her face.

"But I want you to see the truth.", the creature spoke in a raspy voice.

"What truth?"

"The truth about who you are. Who you once were. What you are destined to become."

The creature placed a clawed, twisted hand on her shoulder. Thea looked up at the creature, she saw his beady yellow eyes. She could see his many rows of sharp yellow teeth, it reminded her of a great white sharks teeth. She had read about them in her uncles library. Thea stood up and put on her slippers. Then turned on her dusty lamp. She saw the dark silhouette of the creature against her cracked blue wall. It's twisted bony fingers beckoned towards her.

"I told you, I don't want another lesson. I am getting a drink of water and going to sleep."

"You will come...now.", Thea felt a strong pull on her nightdress, she tried to back away but it was pulling her towards the creature and its grotesque snarling face. Its teeth shone, as it pulled a large sinister grin, which made Thea's skin crawl, and a shiver go down her spine.

"Follow me, Theodora. Unless you want to be eaten alive by those who lurk below?"

Thea shook her head violently.

"Good then." Its cold wrinkled hand grabbed hers. It was as cold as death. Its long fingers clawing around her wrist. The creature took her down the wooden stairs, past the servants quarters, past the kitchen, and into the entertainment room, where uncle Herbert hosted most of the gatherings. The creature pointed at the old piano, which she was absolutely forbidden to touch. It had belonged to her mother, before she had died.

"To meet your people, your army. You must learn not to fear what is beneath us. What lies under there is much more than me. Much, much more.", the creature said with a giggle.

The creature put his hand against Thea's warm cheek. The cold hand felt as cold as ice. The creature looked deep into her eyes. Then whispered into her ear.

"Are you afraid, little girl?" his foul breath smelt of decay and death.

Thea gulped, all the hairs on her neck stood up.

"Don't be. He has a very special place for you. You...are their salvation.", the creature pointed to the ground. It took its foul hand from her face. Thea nodded.

"Play the piano. Wake them up.", the creature smiled.

Thea walked to the piano. She pressed on the ivory key. Worms and mould started to emerge from the keys of the piano. Cockroaches and bugs, black liquid oozing from the keys. The black substance stuck to her hand and turned her veins black and it crawled up her arm like an infection. Thea started screaming at the sight of her arm. The creature started laughing. She started crying. Her arm was covered in the black substance.

"Thea, what are you doing in this room, why aren't you alseep?!?"

It was uncle Herbert, with a lamp in his hand. Thea looked at her arm. It was normal. The creature was gone. The worms were gone.

"You should not be touching that piano. You know that!"

"I-I'm sorry." Thea stammered. Tears streaming down her face.

"Up to your room. NOW." Uncle Herbert pointed to the staircase. The stood up and ran upstairs to her bedroom and pulled the covers over her face.

"You are never to scare me like that again." She sobbed.

"The world is more terrifying than any heaven or hell dear Thea." The creature spoke. "I will return tomorrow night. Remember you are almost a woman now. When that time comes, you will lead them and all of the darkness will be gone. This I promise you."