CHAPTER 004
1602 Words
CHAPTER 004
SELENE MURPHY’S POINT OF VIEW
I didn’t really belong here. This was not my place. Not tonight.
The forest was still and quiet when I stepped into it. Too quiet. The silence was so dense that it enveloped me, giving the impression that someone was observing me. I felt and heard every step making a crunching sound in the dry leaves. Each breath was intense, as if I was taking in another person’s fear.
I noticed Zara and the wolves then. A cluster of them encircled her, appearing poised to strike. She stood against a crooked oak, holding a sharp stick as if it would help her. Her face was as white as a sheet, her lips shook and her eyes looked as if the sky were crashing down on her.
The moon made the ground look shiny, and that’s when I felt something inside me break.
I walked into the open area. The wind stopped blowing. Just… stopped.
She was shocked to see me. She was taken aback not because she was familiar with my identity. Most people don’t truly understand who I am. The wind shifted, seemingly delaying time. I hardly felt the ground beneath me. My long, white hair blew about me, making me look like I was swimming in the air. I could feel the light trying to grow in me, nudging my ribs. And then—
I put up my hand.
The wolves stopped moving.
Snarling was replaced by whining. They lowered their heads. They bowed.
Zara couldn’t stay upright; her legs were trembling. She dropped to her knees and started breathing heavily. “What… what are you?” She said this almost fearfully, worried that her words might c***k her teeth.
I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. Not yet.
I walked toward her at a steady pace, leaving a starry wave behind me. She was still. She couldn’t. I got down by her side and put my hand on her forehead.
I said, “You are not ready to die,” my voice barely audible. “Not yet.”
Thereafter, the light enveloped both of us.
I could feel my body burning up from within. I’d never tried to pull someone along before. That’s not how it works. I was barely able to keep my stance. We landed on the cliffs, where the boundary between sea and sky was visible and the stars were lower than usual. I got down on my knees next to her.
Zara did not move. She took short and shallow breaths.
I pulled her hair back from her face. Her skin was frigid. Too cold. I whispered, “Stay close to me.” “Please.”
That was not normal. I don’t ask for money. I don’t beg. Still, there was something about her that warped things inside me.
She blinked her eyes slowly. “Where… are we located?”
I said, “Safe,”, but it wasn’t. It doesn’t exist.
She looked at me as if she couldn’t figure me out. “What are you?”
I hesitated. Then I said, “I’m not from this place.”
She managed to stand up, trembling all over. It was you who prevented them. The wolves. I thought they were going to kill me.
“I know.”
She looked at me once more. She was really looking at me this time. She saw the silver lines on my arms, the glow in my skin.
“I’ve met you before,” she told me. “In dreams. In flashes. Always, the moon should be your light.
That was a real shock to me. “You remember?”
She gave a slow nod. She didn't cover all the details. However, the final decision rests with you.
I turned my head. As a result, everything is starting to happen.
“What is?”
We could hear the trees behind us making a noise. Wind blew rapidly and with enormous force. I jumped to my feet and looked over the cliffs.
I said quietly, “Something was following us.”
Her voice was not very loud. What do you mean by something?
We could hear it then. There was a noise that resembled the sound of bones rubbing against each other. Subsequently, we perceived a sound that resembled a whisper, yet it lacked volume. It felt more akin to a gentle caress on your innermost being.
Zara quickly stood up. “It’s not something people would do.”
My response was, “No.” “It’s worse.”
Shadows were moving across the rocks. It was too quick and easy. I held Zara’s hand. Let’s run for our lives.”
She didn’t question why. She simply remained beside me during our sprint. Barefoot. Bleeding. Terrified.
The cliffs went on for a long distance, and every step made me think we were off course. The shadow was getting nearer. I sensed it pulling at my light, hoping to put it out.
Zara stumbled. I grabbed her, and we both fell hard to the ground. I hit my head on a stone. Blood. Stars. Pain.
The shadow arrived at our position.
I wrapped my arms around her and sent all my light in her direction. Yet, it wasn’t sufficient. Someone touched my shoulder. The chill enveloped me like a toxic mist.
Zara screamed. At that point, something unexpected occurred.
She held my hand, and I noticed the heat between us. Real heat. It felt like fire beneath our skin. Her chest brightened.
There was a symbol there, shining like magma.
The shadow hissed and pulled away, like it had encountered the sun.
I looked at her unblinkingly. “You… you’re part of our group.”
She yelled, “What are you saying?”
I gave a little shake of my head. No, I don’t believe it. The time hasn’t come yet.
The wind got louder and louder. The shadow moved around, observing. Waiting.
I said to them, “We’ve got to jump.”
She blinked. Are you crazy?
“Trust me.”
She glanced over the edge of the cliff. Thereafter, look back at me.
Her eyes became filled with tears. “I haven’t even met you before.”
I leaned in and gently touched her face with my fingers. Yet, I know you well.
I quickly grabbed her and we jumped before she could say anything.
Loud wind rushed through our ears. The ocean came crashing in, filling the sky with its black waves. She clung to me tightly, as if letting go would mean her departure.
I moved close to her, so our faces were almost touching. “Keep your grip,” I whispered in her ear.
“I’m scared.”
“I know.”
That’s when everything turned white.
We both brought light to the situation this time.
We didn’t land in the water.
We ended up in a different place.
Marble covered the entire floor. The sky looked very darkly violet above us. The stars were moving in unusual ways.
Zara gasped. What is the nature of this place?
I refer to it as the Hollow.
She moved back. Do you think we are dead?
“No. However, we’re almost there.
We were quiet for a while. I could hear her heart beating quickly and loudly. I walked over to her, moving slowly so I didn’t make her nervous. She didn’t stir.
She looked at me with her eyes. “Why me?”
I wasn’t sure what to say.
I leaned closer, and my lips barely touched hers. It’s not exactly a kiss. But close.
She shivered. “What is it that you are doing?”
I reminded him, “How it feels to be alive.”
She put her hand on my face. “This isn’t actually happening.”
I said softly, “It’s more real than anything else.”
Her breath became uneven. She gave me a kiss. It was gentle and unsure. Then again—harder. It felt like she’d been carrying it around for a very long time.
I kissed her in return.
For a moment, all I could feel was heat, light and my breath.
But a voice interrupted everything.
“You don’t belong here.”
We both pulled away quickly.
A tall person emerged from the darkness. She wore a silver dress. Burning eyes.
Zara gasped. “Who is the person over there?”
I stood directly in front of her. “A mistake,”, was my reply. “One I never wanted to see again.”
The figure leaned its head to one side. You committed a crime, Selene.
Zara put her hand on my arm. “What law?”
The figure spoke in a deep voice. A dormant creature must not be awoken by a Moonborn until the Solstice.
I lifted my head. “I didn’t mean to do it.”
He laughed. “That’s never true.”
Zara looked at both of us. “What topic are they discussing?”
The figure pointed in her direction. She is a danger at this point. To all of us who are here.”
I walked closer to her. “No. She belongs to me to look after.
He came closer. Then, you will die together with her.
Zara whimpered. I could tell she was getting more nervous.
I tightened my grip on my fists. Light appeared from my hands. You’ll have to deal with me first.
He smiled. “Gladly.”
Next, everything was filled with bright light and flames.
What happens when a person who isn’t prepared becomes the world’s greatest fear?
- Writer
