Deep Down (UNEDITED)

Dress Like Me

Here I was now, sitting on the back seat of a black SUV, alone. After many objects from Rosaline, Max, and myself, Vladimir had dragged me by the arm to the car. You would assume that when someone pulls you against your will to a car, the person would at least keep company, but no, not Vladimir.

He dumped me like a young child at the babysitters. The babysitter was the driver who had introduced himself as Nikolayev. In the corner of my eye I could see that Vladimir had sat down in the car behind us.

I had tried several times to strike up a conversation, but Nikolayev neglected me as if I were an irritating fly on his head. I gave up and let my head lean against the car window and closed my eyes. 

Tears dangled down my cheeks as I glanced at my mother’s lifeless frame. With small steps, I approached her. Her straw blonde hair that ever shone so bright in the sun was now stained a vivid crimson, around her neck writhing bluish spots as snakes wriggled for their prey.

Her dull eyes stared aimlessly at the ceiling. All over the kitchen lay broken pieces of glass, not reaching my mother. Without considering, I crouched down beside her, my knees touching the glass and the sharp pieces cutting into the tender flesh. But the pain didn’t affect me.

“Mommy?” my voice was only a whisper. Somehow, I hoped she would answer. That all this was a sick joke. But it remained silent. The only sound in the room was my soft crying. My school backpack slid off my shoulder and plopped down next to me in the glass.

I reached out to her pale face, but a hand caught my wrist in a firm grip. My eyes widened; it was Mom’s hands. Her long red nails, some of which had broken off, drilled into my wrist. Her neck twisted at an abnormal angle. I wanted to scream, but nothing came out of my throat. This can’t be, this isn’t real. I closed my eyes, hoping everything would go away.

“Amara,” a raucous voice cried out, “Open your eyes” it was as if someone had control over my body, my eyes opened by themselves. I peered straight into mom’s brown eyes, her face only inches away from me. The dull smell greeted me, the smell of death.

“Not to be trusted” It came out as a deep rumble. What did she mean? I needed to ask her, but before I could ask anything, the kitchen disappeared and all went black again. Panic struck repeatedly, and I hyperventilated. My tears kept coming as I realised she was gone again.

“Amara! Wake up” I jolted right out of the car seat and hit something solid with my forehead. I opened my eyes and peered into Vladimir’s concerned golden eyes.

“Sorry, I must have fallen asleep,” I murmured as I rubbed my forehead, reflecting back on the nightmare. Why was I dreaming about my mom, it had been over five years since I had dreamed of her after the incident? Vladimir studied me as if there was something wrong with me. I only now noticed that his hands clasped around my upper arms. As if only now it occurred to him. He released me.

“You cried in your sleep” he studied me without sympathy in his eyes. My hands shot to my cheeks and truly they were wet. Had I cried? I had to snicker at the thin line between reality and dreams. How embarrassing this was. I gawked at my feet.

“Come” was the only thing he said before he started striding away without waiting for me. I unbuckled my seatbelt, which was holding me back, and practically stumbled out of the car. I cursed, and my eyes shot around the territory.

The hot summer sun illuminated the weeping willows that stretched as far as the eye could see. In the middle stood a fairly imposing mansion with round arches that rested on marble pillars. It was one of those mansions you simply see in the movies. I stared wide-mouthed, but I didn’t care. But it felt like I neglected something. It hit me like a train. Vladimir. Who you don’t want to keep waiting.

My eyes ran around the area, seeking Vladimir, but he was nowhere to be seen. Nice going Amara losing your “fiancé”. I used my logic and walked to the entrance of the mansion. The heavy doors stood wide open without hesitation I entered. A sweet fragrance filled my nose.

The mansion was more classically furnished than I had expected. They adorned the marble floor with a turquoise mat, and there were several portraits on the wall. When I reached a painting that drew my attention, I stopped for a moment. The painting had a graceful frame of colored bronze twisted into curls that edged in roses.

Right in the center of the painting stood the figure of a man with harsh features. The black hair with golden accents here and there was combed back. The jawline was firm, but that was not what caught your attention. It was the golden eyes that looked much like Vladimir’s, but different. They were filled with happiness while Vladimir’s always seem so empty.

“Beautiful painting, don’t you think?” I almost had a heart attack when I heard a warm voice coming from behind me. I spun around and had to look twice before I could believe my eyes I looked back at the painting for a moment and then back in front of me. The man in the painting was standing right in front of me. Not in ink, but in blood and flesh.

“Yes?” I stammered the man came closer. Without thinking, I took a step backward the aura he was emitting did not suit me “exquisite painting.” I said under my breath.

The man grinned and held out his hand to me

“Who may this beautiful apparition be?” Beautiful apparition I looked at him confused I stood here in an already somewhat white worn summer dress and my hair stood wild. After wavering a bit, I took his hand and looked straight into his piercing, gold eyes.

“Amara, the name is Amara” he had a crooked smile on his face that I didn’t like.

“Nice to meet you, Amara”

“And you are?” He was still holding my hand.

“The Whisperer” the wolfish grin returned to his face.