Hercules (Rated R)

Chapter 2.

My heart stills with every crunching branch under my feet, the sound of the singing owl doesn't help my anxiety. I should have been home by now, I don't have much time left, I still have to text the bossy Greek girl before she starts a wildfire. Normally my routes are quick and easy, but as for right now I can't help this feeling of dread, eyes are following me. Images of that dark void earlier plays like a broken record, every time I blinked all I can see was the silhouette. My brain definitely does not help me at the worst of times.

A branch suddenly broke from behind me and my pace halted, neck nearly snapped in half, breath shuddering, "H-hello?" silence. Nothing, only that of a hot feeling of eyes. Was it a deer I really saw? everyone steers clear of these woods, could this be a prank? "I-It's not funny, I know you're out there."

Who exactly am I speaking to? Mentally I sigh, this is what I get, Pheobe was right, I love to read about the ancient mythologies but will have a heart attack at the slightest noise that I hear later on. Does not help that I happen to live in the most said haunted forests in the country, leisurely I turn but my pace quickens, I'm almost there. But that feeling never left, if anything the dread only seemed to get worse when I turned around, having Lived here for so long the flame in my chest finally cooled down when I spotted a familiar bush, my cottage is right around the corner.

Another crunch behind me made me squeal, Neck nearly snapped off, Yea ... Let's put some more pep in my steps, hastily I proceed and so does the sounds behind me, gaining up quickly, bushes rustling furiously. Spotting my home, I dived to the front door, fumbling within my purse digging around, of course my keys are hiding from me. Frantically I fumble until my fingers met cold metal, the jingling sounds put me at ease, but of course they can't go in the hole properly, this is something only seen in movies what the hell, I mean at least I didn't trip on air so self-five ... wait no dammit focus.

Triumphantly the door opens a wind hits my back and I nearly get blown into the wall; my dress rode up to my face, dropping my belongings I make hast inside slamming the door behind me to lock the door, my whole body shaking in fear, legs wobbly yet still found the strength to push my couch to shield the door. My back plants onto the wooden wall, awaiting any movements from the outside, what was that? my eyes scan everywhere until they land on the window, a questionable darkness in the shape of a person. The dreadful feeling bearing down heavily but with a blink the dark figure was gone, in poured the luminescent of the moon. I can feel my body shuddering, temperature dropping to an unbearable chill while I blow out through my mouth, I'm not alone.

Moments go by of me remaining still and silent, my heart rate started to even out, the cold temperature lifted while the light of the moon seeped in through my windows, was it safe to move again? feeling the wooden walls behind me I use my palm to stabilize my footing, can't make too many excessive movements, what if that was an animal? they don't have thumbs so they can't open the door, right? I take the same route every day going to and from society, maybe it was Pheobe getting into my head.

Wait. ... Oh s**t. Pheobe.

Has 45 minutes passed? how the f**k should I know I was being stalked, can't tell her that though. Forgetting my worries, I flung to my book-pack by the door, praying I made it on time while shuddering to the thought of what happened the last time I accidently overslept and missed three of her phone calls.

Those poor police officers, scared for their lives.

I have exactly one minute left, the phone rings while I try to catch my breath.

"I am literally here at the authorities." her voice out of breath, a static voice of a walkie talkie made me wince. Goddammit.

picking up my belongings "You said 45-minute I'm not late" I rolled my eyes.

"So, if you see someone dying on the street, fighting for their life and someone told you to call an ambulance in 45 minutes, what would you have done?"

What kind of comparison is that? "Uh call the ambulance?" I can't believe I actually answered. "But what kind of - "

"Exactly, normally you text me within 25 minutes of your route, I counted and now your late? what took you so long to get home?"

That question alone made my heart leap, in confusion I glanced around my surrounding? what does she mean late? I take the exact same route every day for almost two years. Everything goes dandy except for ... "I'm fine, sorry I just couldn't find my key." A quick excuse my brain conjured. "And you gave me 45 minutes to -"

"Test you! Don't ever take this long again, you have 25 minutes to call me every day, not a second more you got that!"

I walked over to the couch, eyeing my window; the light of the moon was so captivating I couldn't help but take a peek behind the curtain, I am still however completely confused, but deep down I knew this was a set up. She was looking for any way to go to the police station and only stated 45 minutes just to say it out loud. In some way it's clever, that's the Phoebe way, unpredictable and smart, a dangerous combo.

The moon sat high and full, the glow nearly hypnotized me, mesmerizing site to behold while I drink in the astronomical sky of stars, comets and darkness, distracted from my worries. "I'm alright, you can leave the police station now."

"You're lucky this time" with a tone of disappointment.

Giggling to myself, "Sorry I robbed you of your excitement in tearing the place down." Eyes still drinking in the night life aesthetic.

"No worries, like I said next time. Set your alarm tomorrow cause its brunch," the noise of the police station got further and further until her breath started getting staggered with a heavy wind, a strange static sound almost made my ear bleed.

Cringing hard I pull the phone away, "Yes, of course I know that I'm actually about to head to bed now." I felt chills run down my spine, I was still gravely uncomfortable in my space at the moment, for a second, I tore my eyes away from the moon to look around my home, trying hard to not focus too much on the dark corners, something was making my blood run cold and I shivered.

Phoebes voice make me refocus "I still think you should -" the static on her end became unbearable, it was like listening through broken earphones. Where was she going? Where was she walking towards? I have walked the same direction for weeks and the static isn't that bad.

For one final glance I look out the window, "Phoebe? - Phoebe I'll just text you tomor-" my eyes caught sight of something and my voice faded out, sharp chills ran up my spine, in the middle of the woods right underneath the moon that lighted a bush stood what I assumed was a figure, clothed and tall, two silver dots facing right towards me.

It wasn't there before.

Is what I'm seeing correct? I try not to make any quick moves, slowly pulling the curtain to hide the rest of my face and body, eyes locked on whatever it was I was seeing or looking at. Tears brimming, backing away from the window, unsure of what I'm seeing. My heart hammers, only the Heat of my phone helps me look away, "Phoebe?" "Phoebe?" I try to act normal.

Silence, but she's still on the phone. "Phoebe? Can you hear me?"

"Mmm Yess" a voice slithery and rasp. How is she doing that?

Exhaling a breath, "Quit doing that voice,"

"What's wrong? ... Is it scaring you?"

Fuck yes, it is. "No, I just - I just need to know you get home safe." I never moved my eyes from the window.

Silence.

"Phoebe?"

I was taken back by soft growls, soft Latin chants in the background. Something was off, "Are you alright pheebs?"

"Have a goodnight little lamb" The line instantly ends. My footing begins to wobble, In the darkness I stay, frozen in fear and confusion. Lamb? Chanting? And that voice, I know I heard it before but where was it? Back to the wall I crept, gliding down with whimpers, Pressing my knees to my chest I protectively Wrap my arms around my legs, a single bead of tear escaped, I'm scared, something is off I don't feel right, maybe I'll hang up the scary mythologies for now.

*************

*Clink*

My legs jerked, in fear I snap my eyes open, what was that? A sound coming from my ...kitchen? I fell asleep. Peering around my dark cottage, nothing was amiss, it was as the way I left it, my heart froze for a moment, I couldn't remember, did I leave my backpack on the table?

*Creak*

My head whipped to my 'Red Room', it's closed but where was that creaking coming from? Another sound picked up but before I could whip my head to it, I gasped at the sight of a moving silhouette, with great speed it flashed from a dark corner until it disappeared into another one. Like a ghostly apparatus it appeared and disappeared like a fog. Doors rattling with aggression, a wind ready to shatter my windows. My heart thundering while tears fall like bullets, digging my back further into the wall, my skull nearly shattering.

"Pl -please"

Though my words were soft and barely noticeable to anything, an unsettling silence fell through the atmosphere, a pin drop could be heard, has it stopped? "Meghan" spoke to soon, with a gasp I grew frantic, eyeballs bouncing to every dark corner.

"Meghan" low and slithery, just like it said through the woods and Phoebe's phone.

Something is calling out to me in the darkness, it was coming from the red room, low Latin chants play a tune in my head, mixing my name with a ritual. I feel my soul and conscious slowly slip, cornering the sane part of my soul into an isolation. I lost control over my body, but I still watch through my orbs. The red room slowly creeks open, no one touched it, a blank void inside, the door opens wide until the handle touched the wall. The slithery chants grew louder, I could almost hear the ritual.

Blood, it kept saying and dark Prince before reciting the whole chant over again. I can't move and can't defend myself, it's like I'm under a paralysis, sleep paralysis. But a sleep paralysis would mean I'm asleep, so this here ... is a dream?

"You catch on quick" From the dark room it came, mindlessly I watch a what looks like a clothed figure slowly emerge from the room, no sounds of feet but moved by the wind, floating. Yellow eyes with vertical pupils look right at me, a demon? A sickening crack of bones made me nauseous, but I could not move, in horror I watch the robe drop lifelessly as if it was held up by a wind, a rattling noise followed by a hiss Came from underneath.

"Little lamb" The slithering hiss of a snake. Out it slithers, a large black snake, flat back like a cobra with a rattle in the end. I feel my eyes gloss up, blurring to the site coming towards me.

I watch it slither across the room, blending into the darkness heightening its frightful demonic eyes, no, please Wake up Jane, Wake up.

"I can hear you, Lamb; I can smell your blood pumping furiously."

It hears my thoughts. A sudden lightning bolt cleared up the room, where did the snake go?

"Right here."

In front of me it appears, rose high to meet my face, the sinister smile it casted almost killed me, snakes aren't supposed to smile. "No lamb, we need you alive" the tongue breaks out, I can see it coming closer.

It coils around my leg, gliding up until it's around my waist, "I see you lamb, I see your blood," The constant flickering of its forked tongue increases my anxiety. "Your perfect," the snake than looked at me suddenly, I swore its eyes started swirling, all I could hear was its voice while all sound faded away. "You're the sacrifice little lamb, birth the next prince."

Birth?

Cold scaly skin glides around my skin, goosebumps coat my body, "Yes lamb, birth, make my Lord proud, breed with the subject."

I feel woozy, the words I replayed in my mind slurred and distorted, Breed? Birth? I can't move a single limb, the pain of my heart hammering against my bones made deep breaths impossible. By now the snake has all the way slithered around my body, the rattling of its tail skyrocketing my anxiety.

"Your Essence tempting" through my canal it speaks, forked slimy tongue made me whimper, slowly it darts out its long tongue trailing it inside, digging its snout into my ear I feel it inhaling.

Snakes don't have noses; this was a different kind of entity. Through my shuddering I am able to move my tongue discreetly gliding it under my front teeth, "Bad Girl," I feel the tip of its tail trailing from legs until it reached in between my legs. Was it aware of what I was trying to do?

"I won't keep you for long. After all - " Its voice trailing away while it moves to my neck, tail moving my panties to the side. My blood running cold.

"Despite how appetizing and vulnerable you look." I whimper feeling its tail against my c**t. "You don't belong to me; I can't have you the way I want, but -" the suddenly tail digs inside. I choke on tears.

"It won't stop me from playing" through the air I heard it speak as if it's voice coming from all corners. Before I can think, A silent cry erupted from my chest, like a vibrator the snakes tail rattles within, plunging deeper into my core expanding into a thickness filling my walls. Tears fall uncontrollably, my eyes crossing from the violation. It hits the spot, rattling faster and harder, Liquid splurging out from me.

I need to wake up, am I being violated by a snake? this is not real, a horrible nightmare. But the shaking of my legs made it feel almost like reality, in a last resort I throw my head back trying to hit a nerve that could help, whimpering from that karma. Why does the pain feel real? I bite my tongue harder finding anything to awaken my brain from this nightmare, than it suddenly paused.

My legs wobble, while I calm my tears, sniffling. Silence, calmness, except that of my heartbeat, I don't know what was scaring me more to the bone, a talking snake that just violated me? or the snake staring at me. Eerily the snake glanced towards the window, the sound of what resembled rubber made my bones queasy watching the snake turn fully. It's tail never left within.

It appears to be waiting on something. It makes no movements, leaving me on edge as to what its next move might be, I remain still, I'm still in its clutches and I can't move my body. My heart rate picked up exponentially when I suddenly heard it growl before emanating the loudest hiss. Coiling tighter around my waist, tip rattling wildly inside, I felt a ball in my stomach, like lava the urge was hot wanting a release when the snakes head whipped back to me, a wide Cheshire smile, eyes crimson red.

Before I can comprehend the fear, long daggers of its fangs extend as it opens its mouth revealing rows of mini razor-sharp teeth, I can suddenly hear my silent whimpers before I cried out. My skin breaks open feeling its fangs dig into the crane of my neck, I feel my blood being drawn, liquid leaking slowly down my neck.

With a jerk of my leg my body jolted, on the floor I awaken before wincing while I slap away my body. Morning sunlight peering through my window, beads of sweat running down while I catch my breath. My eyes darting around the room, nothing out of place, everything is at should be. My body trembles wildly to the memories; Snakes? Snakes with human characteristics? downright satanic.

Why would I have a dream like that? Collect yourself Meghan, collect yourself. What did I eat? what did watch? what did I - shoot, those mythology books, but I always read them why now? Why would I have a dream like that? No matter, nothing is here. The more I looked around the more normal and clearer everything became.

"I'm alright, I am ok it was just a nightmare, everyone has those". I speak to myself reassuringly, astonished by how my voice was so low and raspy. "I'm safe, there is no such thing as a talking snake" - My hands fly to my neck, it bit me, didn't it? it touched me, its tail went into my - I shuddered before finishing my inward sentence but shook my head instead.

looking out into the light sun rays touching the ground from my window. "There is no such thing, for now I should focus more on my photography to clear my head." Today is a new day, but strange I feel there is something amiss. Why was today important? Glancing at the clock.

"Hmm almost ten." Wait, ten? son of a b***h, Pheobe. Brunch. I'm almost late. I need to know if she was alright from last night, launching myself upwards for my phone the sound of liquid caught my ears, liquid pooling down my thighs. Couldn't be. This wasn't a wet dream. My legs wobbling standing upwards, more and more does my mind debate with my body.

Was this all a dream?

My cellphone loudly rings, I thought I put it on vibrate.

"He - hel-"

"Girl, you are testing my patience." I winced from the loud response; her accent only added more salt to the burn.

"Sorry I oversl-"

"If you say overslept Ill march right over with the swat team. Did i not tell you to set an alarm?"

Did she? "I - I guess."

"You guess? I don't stutter, you are lucky bae was in a mood this morning, so I set brunch back, also there is someone I want you to meet, says she part of photography school in the states and you're a photographer so ... meet and greet." she laughs.

Ah, someone new? Pheobe isn't normally welcoming to anyone new to me ever since I have been blacklisted from Greece. "Oh perfect! I'll bring my Camera."

"Now get here. Before I come get you."

"Oh wait, Pheobe!"

"Ugh, why are you yelling I'm right here."

"Sorry" I giggled. "Are you ok?"

"Uhhh, yea I'm fine, the police won't be if you don't get here in a timely manner."

Rolling my eyes "I'm coming, but I'm talking about last night."

"What about it?"

"Well, I mean, you left the station and from there I guess you were walking somewhere cause the signal started to falter."

There was a silence "It did?"

"Yea, it's like you were about to say something but then you said Goodnight."

"Goodnight?" there was something quizzical in her tone, as if she was looking into outer space thinking back. "I never said goodnight to you love? you did."

My finger randomly jolted, "What?" I laugh nervously.

"Yea, girl, after I left the station, you were talking to me perfectly fine and then just started talking like you were daydreaming about something. Then started randomly humming before the line cut off, I tried to call back went to voicemail, you know love if your sleepy its ok to tell me to shut the f**k up sometimes" she laughs.

I hear her laughing but I can't seem to move, processing every detail. "I-I'm coming." was all I said before hanging up. My chest is ice cold leaving goosebumps on my arms. Should I call my mother? No, she'll make me come back home. Despite me being in my mid-twenties, to the eyes of my Caribbean mom, I'm a toddler.

It was just a dream, it was only a nightmare, I will get over it. The montage in my mind helped get me to my bathroom, assuring myself it was all in my head until the scenes of dread washed through me when I pass by the red room. A cold wind coming from underneath.

Shaking away any negative thoughts, I need to snap out of it, it was just a nightmare.