Fate: Diabolical

Frenzied Fumblings

I had tried to make good use of the time alone, but my body was weak and refused to cooperate. My knees knocked together as I pressed against the dresser, hugging at it with my left arm to steady myself as my right arm dug through the drawers. My search so far hadn’t uncovered any secrets, but it had added more doubt to his story. This place could not possibly be my home, not unless I’m a very unmaterialistic person because there was not one thing in this room that could possibly belong to me. And let’s see about the clothes in the dresser… yup, all men’s, all musky. I know he said he let the cleaning go, but this is next level! I crinkled my nose in disgust as I dropped a pair of rotten socks back into the drawer. Kicking the drawer shut with more force than I had intended, I hobbled to the bed, because the room had picked up motion and began spinning out again.

I wanted to throw myself down, every muscle crying for sleep, but somehow I managed to hold my resolve and simply sat, my feet still firmly on the ground. I knew if I were to lay, I probably wouldn’t be able to get back up. I squeezed my eyes and clutched the sheets in my fists to give me power to fight the overwhelming urge to hurl. Even through this intense sickness, my brain kept working in the background, trying to piece together all I knew. Not much. The only actual piece of solid information I had got from that bizarre conversation was that I’d been sleeping for four days. What else do I know? I know the door is locked, having tried that first - a bad sign. And I know the windows can’t be opened as part of their design. Whether that be to lock people in or to keep people out, I cant be sure, but it certainly didn’t feel good to be the one trapped in. The window hadn’t offered any further information, much to my dismay. The view had been a stone wall of another building. Seems like the only way out would be to break my way out, but that was a foolish idea that I discarded quickly. My obstinate body was still weak as a lamb and I could see snow on the ground outside which required provisions I didn’t have. No, there’s nothing else for it. There was only one viable option out of here and that was through him. The intense man with the vile temper… and the alluring aura that also set my head spinning, albeit in a nicer way. I’d kicked myself when I realised I hadn’t asked his name. It seems like everything in my life was now nameless.

As my stomach settled and the spinning room had downgraded to a wobble, I opened my eyes and breathed deeply, filling my lungs to the brim and holding it there before releasing slowly. After a few of these I feel somewhat better. I shifted slightly on the lumpy mattress and rolled into a dip in the bed, lurching my weight and throwing me flat on the mattress. Great, just what I had been avoiding. Resting felt so sweet and I succumbed to its embrace for a moment, but I continued tracing out the hollow curve that had sent me off balance with my foot. It felt like a broken slat. Not too odd really in this room where everything was either ancient or broken, but something about it niggled me enough to pay attention. Forcing my unwilling body to my command I gingerly eased off the bed, using my complaining arms to lower myself to the ground. The rickety world threatened to pick up speed again, but a few quick breathes and I was back in control. Bending my stiff neck, I peered under the bed.

There was indeed a broken slat, but something more interesting caught my attention. There was something else under here, a curious lump clinging to the underside of the bed. Intrigued I reached my hand under, feeling something hard and cold, like metal maybe. It moved under my fingers, rattling within something. My fingers traced against strips of tape holding it in place and as I gently tugged, it came easily. The shining handle came first, pure silver with intricate patterns carved in twirling motions, followed by the wicked blade with cruel jagged edges. A lump formed in my throat as I noted stains of dried blood, my own blood draining from my face. Waves of terror washed over me as I considered how this changed things. Cold seeped across my skin as my brain played horrific videos of me, the man and the knife. The man, the knife and me. The man and the knife in me!!

Completely engrossed I didn’t hear the steps approaching the door. My hair whipped wildly around me as it flew open, wind and icy air assaulting the room. A deer caught in headlights, I gawped, mouth open, at the figure filling the doorway. His beautiful face was stunned as he stared down at me, still sitting on my knees with the bloody knife held out before me. A beat passed as we gaped at each other. This man is dangerous. I know that now, I can feel that now! The heavy knife bit down against my palms as I took it into my fists. Surging to my feet, adrenaline coursing through my body like electricity, I held the knife out toward him in trembling hands. He froze mid-step as I turned the glinting weapon on him. I looked at him, my eyes full of frenzy and fear and tried to ready myself. I can’t die here; I refuse to die like this, as a nameless waif with no answers and no substance. Fight building up inside I growled viciously

‘STAY AWAY FROM ME!’

The blade glimmered between us, but he never even looked at it. His look of shock had already disintegrated, and I couldn’t read the complicated expression on his face as his cold eyes bore into mine, judging the seriousness of them. His eyes never left mine as he started to slowly roll his  shoulders and his neck around in their sockets, as if preparing to use his muscles. Sweat trickled down my back as I watched bewildered, unsure what to do next. I brandished the blade around a bit to show I was serious, feeble threats tumbling from my frantic lips.

Finished stretching, he paused a moment longer, a familiar look of challenge in his eyes. Then, to my surprise and to my terror – he smiled.