The Fallen Valkyrie

Bianca: The Runaway Sisters.

Layla stormed into Bianca's room, determination etched on her face. The abruptness of her entry startled Bianca, who shot upright in bed, her eyes widening with surprise. Her hair cascaded around her face in disarray, giving her a wild appearance that mirrored her inner turmoil.

"Wake up, you lazy slug!" Layla's voice pierced the air, laced with frustration. She yanked the blanket off Bianca's bed, leaving her exposed to the cold room.

Bianca blinked, trying to process the sudden intrusion. Layla's outburst had caught her off guard. No matter how cranky she was, she had never lost control like this before. Confusion clouded her expression as she struggled to understand the reason behind Layla's anger.

"Layla..." Bianca's voice quivered, her words half-formed as she attempted to gather her thoughts. She couldn't comprehend why her sister was so upset.

Layla clenched her teeth, her frustration unabated. "Are you out of your hare brain?" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Do you know what time it is? Are you even aware of the work we have for today?"

Her words resonated in the room, each syllable hammering against Bianca's head. A surge of frustration coursed through her veins, fueled by Layla's relentless scolding. Without thinking, her hand lashed out, connecting with Layla's cheek in a resounding slap.

The impact of the slap made Layla stumble backward, her face caught somewhere between anger and disbelief. She composed herself, her gaze meeting Bianca's cold, unyielding eyes. In that moment, Layla saw a stranger in her little sister. This sudden change in Bianca's usually composed demeanor struck her deeply.

Bianca gasped, her hand instinctively covering her mouth. Her eyes widened with shock as the reality of her actions sank in. "I'm so sorry," she stammered, her voice trembling with remorse. "I don't know what came over me."

Layla spun wildly on her heel, storming toward the door. "You better be," she called out, her voice laden with a mix of hurt and frustration.

Bianca rushed behind her sister, still grappling with the realization of her uncharacteristic behavior. She watched as Layla made her way down the stairs, the thudding of her footsteps echoing through the foyer. The weight of her actions hung heavy in the air, suffocating Bianca's spirit.

Layla swung the front door open with a forceful shove, the sound reverberating through the house. "Don't follow me," she spat, her voice tinged with a combination of anger and sadness. "I'm going for a smoke. You better be ready before I come back."

Bianca stood rooted to the spot, her back pressed against the closed door. She slumped down, letting out a long breath as she resisted the tears that threatened to spill. Clutching her head in her hands, she sat there for a while, contemplating the events that had unfolded.

Thoughts of the dream she had the previous night flooded her mind, intertwining with the sharp voice that had whispered in her ear moments before she woke. It felt as if a dark presence had taken hold of her, commanding her to act against her will. The piercing stares and haunting images from her dream replayed in her mind, driving her closer to the brink of madness.

Yet, in the midst of the turmoil, Bianca found a flicker of resilience within her. She refused to let herself be consumed by fear and uncertainty. With a deep breath, she rose from her position on the floor and made her way to the bathroom for a much-needed shower.

The warm water cascaded over Bianca's body, washing away the remnants of the unsettling dream. As she stood under the stream, she couldn't shake the feeling that what she had experienced was more than just a mere dream. It felt real, too vivid to be dismissed as mere figments of her imagination.

Determined to regain her composure, Bianca let the water soothe her troubled mind. She let go of the confusion and fear that had gripped her, allowing the gentle caress of the water to wash away her doubts. Slowly, a sense of calm settled over her, rekindling her inner strength.

Stepping out of the shower, Bianca wrapped herself in a plush towel and made her way to the kitchen. She decided to make pancakes as a peace offering to Layla, a way to apologize for her outburst. Cooking had always been Bianca's way of expressing her love and care for others, a gesture that transcended words.

As the pancakes sizzled on the griddle, filling the kitchen with a tantalizing aroma, Bianca's thoughts turned to Layla. She reflected on their bond, the years of shared memories and unspoken understanding that had shaped their relationship. Despite their occasional clashes, their love for each other remained unwavering.

Minutes later, the front door swung open, and Layla returned, her footsteps softer this time. Bianca turned toward her, pancake spatula in hand, her eyes filled with remorse.

"Layla, I'm so sorry," Bianca apologized, her voice filled with genuine regret. "I don't know what came over me earlier. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Layla's expression softened as she looked at her younger sister. She could see the sincerity in Bianca's eyes, the genuine remorse etched on her face. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to the kitchen counter and pulled out a chair, taking a seat.

"It's okay, Binnie," Layla replied, her voice laced with a mix of forgiveness and concern. "But what happened earlier was... strange. Is everything alright with you?"

Bianca hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed on the pancakes before her. She knew Layla wouldn't easily believe her if she shared the details of her unsettling dream. Layla had always been practical and grounded, dismissing anything that ventured into the realm of the supernatural.

"It's just... I had this really weird dream last night," Bianca began cautiously, her voice trailing off. "It felt so real, Layla, like it was more than just a dream. I saw these haunting lavender eyes, and there was this presence, like something was trying to control me."

Layla sighed, a mix of understanding and impatience evident in her voice. "Binnie, you know I don't believe in all that supernatural stuff. Dreams are just dreams. Maybe you're letting your imagination run wild. You need to get out of your head and focus on the real world."

Bianca nodded, knowing that Layla's skepticism was deeply ingrained. Despite their differences, she respected her sister's perspective and understood that sometimes it was easier to dismiss the inexplicable than to confront it.

After breakfast, Bianca helped Layla prepare for the Halloween party they were attending later that evening. They worked together, transforming Layla's appearance with creative makeup and elaborate Wonder Woman costume. The act of creating and playing brought a sense of normalcy back into their lives, momentarily pushing aside the unsettling events of the morning.

As they stood in front of the mirror, admiring their handiwork, a chilling breeze swept through the room, causing the flames of the candles to flicker. Bianca's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Layla, hoping she had felt the sudden shift in the atmosphere too. But Layla seemed oblivious, focused on adjusting her costume.

Bianca's unease grew, a nagging sensation that something dark and inexplicable lurked just beyond their perception. She couldn't shake the feeling that their Halloween night held more secrets than they could fathom.

With a shared glance, Bianca and Layla exchanged a knowing look, silently acknowledging the uncertainty that lay ahead. They were bound by a bittersweet bond, forged through a lifetime of shared experiences and unspoken understanding.

After helping Layla with her preparations, Bianca retreated to her room, seeking a moment of solace amidst the chaos of her thoughts. She sat down at her desk, flipping open her laptop, and began searching for information about the Falling Valkyrie. The search results flooded her screen, displaying various images of the renowned haunted villa.

Scrolling through the images, Bianca's eyes were drawn to one in particular. It depicted Amaela, the legendary myth of Fallen Valkyrie which was said to haunt the halls portraying the norse mythology around this town. In the picture, Amaela wore medieval attire, her ethereal beauty juxtaposed against the backdrop of a chaotic battlefield. Amaela was depicted escorting the chosen souls for the great hall of Valhalla. There was an air of mystery and elegance surrounding her, a haunting presence frozen in time.

Bianca studied the image intently, captivated by the intricate details of Amaela's attire. The flowing robes, the delicate embroidery—it was a stark contrast to the modern world Bianca found herself in. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if Amaela were to exist in the present day. Would she wear clothes similar to those Bianca was wearing now?

A playful smile tugged at the corners of Bianca's lips as she glanced down at her own outfit—a casual ensemble that couldn't be further from medieval fashion. She chuckled softly to herself, imagining the ghostly Amaela attempting to navigate the complexities of modern style.

Lost in her musings, Bianca's attention was abruptly snatched away as a flicker of light caught her eye. It was the same light she had seen in her dream the previous night, the one that had guided her through the mysterious corridors of the Falling Valkyrie. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched the ethereal glow dance across her room, casting an otherworldly glow on her surroundings.

Fear and curiosity warred within Bianca as she stared at the shimmering light. It was as if the boundaries between dreams and reality were blurring, merging into a surreal experience that defied explanation. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and a chill ran down her spine.

Unable to tear her gaze away, Bianca's heart raced with a mixture of trepidation and fascination. The light seemed to beckon her, whispering secrets she longed to unravel. What lay beyond that radiant glow? What secrets did it hold?

Bianca was happy that Layla was here and together they would face whatever darkness awaited them on this haunting Halloween night.

After moving here, away from all the haunting images of their parents, Bianca was certain that their journey was far from over, and the mysteries that awaited them would test the limits of their sisterly bond. As they stepped out into the moonlit night, a sense of foreboding gripped them both, the weight of the unknown settling on their shoulders.

With each step they took, the air grew heavy with anticipation, and the veil between the ordinary and the extraordinary began to fray. Shadows danced in the corners of their vision, whispering secrets that sent shivers down their spines.

As they ventured into the unknown, Bianca and Layla's bond would be tested like never before. The darkness awaited, ready to reveal its secrets and unleash a chain of events that would forever change their lives.

Bianca's lips carved into a wide smile after concocting this amusing scenario in her head, "only if my dear sister would be drawn into the fantasy driven world like me." She said to herself and closed the laptop.