Deceit

Chapter 3

CHAO

Well before the sun came up I awoke from a dream. This is not an uncommon occurrence but, this dream was different.

The girl from school was in it. We were in the woods and I found her laying in a pile of snakes. Her green eyes glowed in the dark of the forest. When she saw me she started screaming I think. But it didn’t seem to be coming from her because it sounded miles away. My hearing is excellent, I would know. I picked her up off the ground and began to carry her to safety when she suddenly became an old decrepit witch. The witch looked me dead in my eyes and said, “Behold the new moon in a fortnight. I am coming for her majesty. A debt I am owed at 18 and a debt will be repaid. Find her, quickly. Much danger approaches her. No debt will be paid if the mother is dead or compromised.”

And then she vanished in a cloud of smoke and I awoke.

I went on a run to clear my mind. Shifting in and out of the shadows blending into the forests shadows. Especially with the moon waning like it is now, my shadow had been begging to get some freedom. It was elated to have the darkness and the warm damp forest floor underfoot.

I was heading eastward when I thought I heard someone call out. I stopped, I listened, I didn’t hear it again. I continued to run in the same direction when I heard it for sure again. I began to focus on where it was coming from. It was right outside town maybe a mile to the southeast. Not inside pack territory. I changed direction swiftly. I know I can get one mile in approximately 45 seconds. It may be nothing. Just some kids skinny dipping in the lake or something. But it might not be. If another rogue is in the area, I need to take care of it now. Most rogues go crazy after only about a year of solitude. This could be a threat to me.

I arrived at the location and realized there was a house. A huge one. Kinda hard to miss actually. I stayed in the shadows. If for any reason I needed to shift to the defensive it was easier with my shadow out. I quietly approached the residence and noticed the front door was wide open. The screaming started again. This time I could definitely hear it accompanied by sobbing and heavy breathing. I entered and followed the sound into the living room where there was a door of bookshelves open. I peaked around the corner and I could not believe what my eyes were seeing… and all I could see was red.

DAPHNE

I was in a full blown panic attack. I was helpless. How did this man get inside the safe room with out me even seeing him come through the door? I had a gun. How did this turn out not in my favor? I did all the right things. What have I done to deserve this? I couldn’t breathe. I was hyperventilating tears rolling down my face. I was begging for him to stop before he did unrepairable damage. When suddenly I heard crunching and skin tearing. Flashes of shadows in the darkness of the room. And in a moment, it was over. My attacker was gone and I lay on the bed still bound and gagged. My confusion began to stroke my anxiety again. What if it’s another threat. Someone who wants me for even worse things than the first man. I could feel my heartbeat rising again in my chest when I heard the deepest, softest, most commanding voice I have ever heard. It startled me and I jumped.

“Do not be scared. I mean you no harm.” The voice said.

“Who are you?!” I said in a panicked voice.

“I have saved your integrity and likely your life and the first thing you do is interrogate me?” He said almost amused. “What is your name?”

“Daph… Daphne. But my friends call me Daph. Please untie me!” I begged. I was vulnerable like this. Completely naked and all my defenses bound together.

“Hmmm. Daphne, I will. I promise. And I will not hurt you. I don’t not wish to step into the light where you can see my face. I wish to remain anonymous at the moment.” He spoke in such a kind and sweet tone, in some ways it put me at ease despite what I had just gone through.

“I do not understand. You have saved me. Why do you wish to conceal your identity. My family has money. They could pay you a generous re…” The man interrupted before I could finish.

“I do not want nor need your family’s money. I heard a cry for help and I came.” He sounded insulted.

“Do you rescue a lot of women?” I asked.

“No… not really… only you.” A twinge of sadness in his voice.

“How did you hear me? You couldn’t have possibly. The closest neighbor is a mile and a half away.” My brain was whirring with questions. This mysterious man showed up out of no where to rescue me from a r****t in the literal middle of no where. Claims he heard me screaming despite my gag. None of it adds up.

“I do not wish to go into details at the moment.”

“Ok fine! Could you at least untie me so I can get dressed?!” I snapped. Irritated at the lack of answers.

“Oh! A bit feisty are we?” He said with a smile on his face. I couldn’t see it, but I could tell he was smiling. “Fine. I will untie you now. But you have to promise to close your eyes.”

“Whatever! I promise.” I said as I closed my eyes. Suddenly, my hands and feet were free. I scrambled to find clothes to cover myself but was disappointed to only find tattered pieces. I looked around but couldn’t see a thing in the dark. I reached out to feel for something to hoist myself up but the room seemed to be getting darker. Not just a normal dark though. It was as if it had a mind of its own completely enrapturing the room in the darkest black I had ever seen. Only long enough to make me question my sanity and then the lights flickered on. I found a metal shelf and used it to get up. My body was still shaking from the adrenaline. It was only then that I realized there was blood and pieces of what I am assuming was my attacker laying all over the safe room. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Had that man done this? How do I explain this to my parents? However, it seemed my savior had left already. He was nowhere to be found. I looked out the front door to see if I could spot him but everything was undisturbed. None of this made any sense. And I am in so much trouble… but at least I’m alive right now.