Holding up a hand in front of her, Evony realized that it was darker than she had originally expected. Nothing could be seen in the tunnel: not the walls, or the uneven floor with jagged rocks, let alone the hand positioned just a few inches away. The dark was not her ally nor was the eerie quietness of the underground prison. Every gasping breath she took would bounce through the walls directing Him to her, betraying her location. Evony had no idea how long she ran blindly through the tunnel but the burn in her legs and lungs suggested a long time. Would he know by now? Surely he would have gone into her cell by now and when he found it empty he would send his servants. A tiny voice in her mind whispered that maybe he would come for her himself.
A shiver ran through her, fear swelled and expanded in her chest making her gasp louder. It raced through her whole body, distracting her from the uneasy terrain forcing her to stop when she nearly fell. If he found her, what would he do? She would be helpless against his strength, and even her power could not take out all of the soldiers that he kept in the tunnels, especially with her weakened body. Shaking her head she tried to get rid of the paralyzing fear that overwhelmed her, or at least suppress it until she was out of her personal hell. She forced herself to continue running, but kept her hand against the wall for guidance. No, he could not find her again. This time he’d strip her mind leaving her useless,and that was too dangerous. She’d kill herself before letting him take control over her.
So, taking a deep breath she kept running every few seconds stopping to listen for any sounds.
Just as a source of light appeared ahead of her, a low dark laugh resounded throughout the tunnel making her whole body sway. She knew that laugh; it was the laugh that promised pain, fear, and endless hours of torture. It was Him. Her pulse roared in her ears as she pushed her tired, battered body full speed toward the light as the sinister laugh grew closer and louder. The bleeding gash on her arm began to throb, signaling his closeness. The laugh mocked her from the darkness, tormenting her. Through the rocky floor she kept running, panic now the only thing fueling her body to go faster. The light was closer now, but the closer it was the rougher the terrain got. Stumbling over a rock, she felt the sickening caress of his breath against her neck, increasing her ever present fear. Her arms and legs burned from where the rocks cut into her skin but the pain did not compare to what he did to her. Just a few feet away from the source of light she could see her city, busy with people. Evony tried to yell out for help but she was grabbed by the shoulders and pushed onto the floor making her shriek. Much to his delight.
His stench filled her nose as he laughed and began to effortlessly drag her back. No matter how much she kicked, screamed, and clawed, he would not stop. Instead, amused by her, he laughed even louder, mocking her for even thinking that she could escape. She extended her bloodied hand out where she felt the contact and let a shot. The blast of energy did nothing to his hold, but lit the tunnel for a second before disappearing. One second was all it took to reveal the creature’s rotting skin, hollow eyes, and sharp teeth covering half of his face. She closed her eyes trying to block the image but the damage was done. All she could do was scream in terror as he carelessly dragged her through the sharp rocks that cut into her skin drawing blood. Somewhere along the way she hit her head against a boulder and the familiar metallic taste of blood filled her mouth as she soon lost consciousness.
Evony woke drenched in her own sweat, her sheets tangled around her legs, just as they had every other night for the past month. Her hair was sticking to her forehead as she sat up against her bed frame in attempt to try to calm her pounding heart and erratic breathing. Afraid of closing her eyes to see the creature in her nightmares, she focused on the storm that was currently roaring outside. The thunder and sound of heavy rain calmed her nerves as she turned her attention to her almost empty room wondering when the storm had begun. Her dresser and desk casted shadows as the lightning briefly lit the room before leaving her in darkness once again. Oddly she felt safe in the dark despite her dream, maybe it was because she knew that the dark wasn’t the evil one. It was her second month in this apartment and she still woke confused as to where she was, at least she did before the nightmares started. Now she was glad her room was almost empty, it didn’t leave many places for a monster to hide. Evony was aware that it was childish to think a nightmare could come true, but she couldn’t help it, the nightmares always left her jumpy. The terror she felt after she woke was thick around her heart, even if it was the same dream every night.
