Remedy

Chapter Three Escape-1

Chapter Three

EscapeTaya was unsure how long she had sat staring unseeing into the mirror placed upon the dressing table, but her awareness slowly began to return. Her mind felt sluggish, and her head throbbed. All indications suggested she had received one of Sunniva's more intensive treatments. They were worse on waking. Often she would find herself gaining awareness partway into a morning routine, such as cleaning her teeth, or brushing her hair. Her body responded to any summons on instinct, while her mind remained clouded. She saw she was already dressed, and had a vague recollection of eating before being escorted back to her room.

A figure at the door cleared their throat, reminding her of their long-forgotten presence. It seemed to be time for evening prayers. Since her last treatment Taya had lost the freedom Sunniva's trust afforded. She was now expected to attend each prayer session and, except for the time she spent in isolation within her room, was never unaccompanied.

It took a few moments before Taya's body responded to her demand for it to move. Her limbs felt strangely heavy. She knew part of her body's response was from the dreadful anticipation of what loomed in her future. Treatments only became this intense before Sunniva thought it necessary to send her away. Taya felt the slow tingle of fine hairs as they stood upright upon her flesh, sending an icy chill deep into her core at the thought of returning to Mirage Lake.

In the temple, as Taya knelt with her head bowed to mirror the posture of those in service of the Gods, her mind drifted. She had spent almost the entirety of her life within these walls, and had been raised from infancy by Sunniva to worship her deities. Yet kneeling and praying to these gods seemed wrong, somehow unnatural. She felt no warmth or comfort, no connection to those who ruled over the mortal realms. She simply felt empty, lost.

When all was still, and the barely audible breathing of the clerics had become as one, Taya raised her head. She stared at the statue of Artemis. Questions she dared never voice circled her mind until she felt the teasing fingers of a soft breeze through her hair. She turned slowly, seeing the temple door had been left ajar, and instantly berated herself for wondering if she could leave unheard.

A flash of movement caught her eye. The glass of the lantern reflecting the light from within as it was thrown, with precision, through the opening. She heard herself gasp in foreknowledge of what was to come. The echoing sound of the shattering cylinder was almost concealed by the roar of fire. The brilliant flames snaked across the ground as if igniting invisible oil. It burnt without mercy, devouring all within its path.

The clerics sprung into action. Each one casting a glance in her direction, as if believing she was somehow responsible. The panicked chorus quickly changed to organised instructions as they tried to bring the spreading flames under control. They rushed through to the kitchens to fill pails with water. Some doused the flames, while others pulled the curtains from the plain windows, using the cloth to smother the fire. But nothing seemed to sate its relentless hunger.

Taya stood staring, rooted to the spot captivated by its slow, almost hypnotic dance as it consumed all it touched. She watched it sway with the breeze from the door, until she heard someone calling her name.

“Taya!” Sunniva called again, relieved when her posture finally stiffened in response. “Take the children to safety and wait until I send word,” she commanded before continuing to issue instructions to those around her.

At her words Taya seemed to regain focus. She shook her head as if to dispel the trance and, returning to her senses, nodded. She picked her way through the winding fire towards the rear door. Its blistering heat singed the fine hairs on her arms as she was forced to pass too close to its insatiable heat. A splash of water drenched the bottom of her dress as it was flung in her direction. The fabric clung to her ankles, yet her steps showed a grace her disorientation should not have allowed. Through the commotion no one noticed the dark figure slip quietly through the temple's door, concealed by the thickening smoke.

Taya hurried through the rear door, using the small corridors and connecting buildings to reach the children's sleeping quarters. They were the furthest from the temple and were interspaced with smaller rooms belonging to the clerics and acolytes. If there was a design to their room assignments it was one Taya had not discerned. She ran as quickly as she could, rousing the tiny figures one at a time. She checked their numbers repeatedly to ensure they were all present and accounted for. She tasked the older children to do the same, in case her own count could not be trusted. By the time she had gathered them everything was blanketed with thick smoke. Echoes of tiny, gasping coughs filled the air as Taya led them outside to safety.

The youngest amongst them was barely a toddler. She cried against the forceful stirring of her sleep and pressed herself closer to Taya as she sobbed. Her tiny voice calming only to cry out louder as the cold night air forced her to wake further.

The other children, seeing where they were heading, now pushed their fear aside. Never had they been permitted entry into the place Taya led them.

The small building had been constructed with a stone foundation. As it rose it became panelled with wood, the grey stones still set at uniform intervals until its composition was lost beneath a heavily thatched roof. The structure lacked any windows and allowed access through a single, heavy wooden door. The door, Taya knew, could be locked from within, but there were also a number of wrought iron hasps fitted to the outside.

Set on the furthest border of their land, beyond the crops and gardens, it seemed to stand as a lone sentry before the forest. It was thought to have been constructed around the time the land had been purchased, but none of them remembered seeing it constructed. The children all swore it had simply appeared one day, but when they spoke of this miracle to the clerics they were warned against the harm of lies and living in a world of make-believe. These words had caused great unrest, and when Taya heard she had taken them aside, quietly explaining that most adults could no longer witness miracles and magic.

Fortunately her words never reached Sunniva's ears, and the children were happier for believing in a magic lost to all but them.

The children had always wanted to explore this small building. Taya had, and she loathed it. For all the intrigue the children displayed, she felt an equal measure of dread. The memories of it alone were enough to bring the stinging taste of bile to her throat. She had spoken of magic and fantasy but, given the time she had spent here, this place had become her own personal nightmare. She would admit it to no one, but she still awoke soaked in sweat, having dreamt she had once more been imprisoned within. In her dream she had never been alone. Another had come to her, twisting her to their purpose. Regardless of her own personal feelings and experience she knew the children would be safe here.

The inside of the room was just like she remembered, empty, except for a few woven mats which were placed at intervals upon the floor. There was one for each of the temple's clerics, and an additional one at the front, a place Taya assumed Sunniva would sit. Just to its right, near the rear wall, stood a small wooden altar. The children seemed disappointed to see the bland nature of this structure, but bringing them here had indeed silenced their sobs and questions.

“I'm going to need you all to be very brave,” Taya whispered softly, swallowing her own fear as she placed the youngest child down on one of the mats. “There's nothing to be sca—” Taya froze. An image of terror filled her mind with such vividness she felt her stomach tighten. The children, who moments ago looked to her with fear-filled eyes, now lay dead. Their tiny bodies slashed and mutilated beyond all recognition. It was a scene of c*****e, complete and merciless slaughter.

“You can't hide forever Daimon.” A cold steely voice called out through the fragile silence. For a moment she saw an image of the temple, reduced to its bare bones, devoured completely by the now sated flames. She knew, without a doubt, the unseen figure was the one responsible for this horror, and that he had come for her.

“Taya?” a small voice questioned cautiously. She blinked, seeing the worried looks of the children as they all focused their attention on her trembling body. They all knew she walked a different reality. Just as she watched over them, they too had been given instruction to keep vigil on her. They didn't see her differences in the same light as most. They loved her like family, after all, she had been here as long as any of them could recall and, although she was often taken ill, she told tales of magic and wonder.

“It's okay. I'm okay,” she reassured through gasping breaths, unable to hide the relief at seeing the figures once more animated with life. Although perhaps her relief was premature. Whilst Sunniva referred to what she had just experienced as a relapse, Taya knew in her heart that if she failed to act such things would come to pass. She had stopped so many terrors and disasters by acting on such images, or at least she thought she had.

Taya twisted her ring as she chewed her bottom lip in consideration. She knew what was happening now. Her mind was trying to convince itself that such things were real. If she allowed herself this belief she would sink deeper into the madness, and be consumed by the disease that thrived within her blood. She knew she should not believe the images, but with such potential consequences how could she deny them?

“Taya?” the voice questioned again, seeing the concern crossing their big sister's face. Taya gave a reassuring smile. She knew what had to be done.

“Holly, you're the eldest so it falls to you to take care of everyone. If anything happens, or you get really scared, there's a crawlspace behind the altar.” Taya knew this crawlspace well. Had it been lighter she had no doubt the children would see the claw marks etched within the walls from the times she had been imprisoned here. Times when she had relapsed so violently there had been no choice but to detain her within these walls. Here she could cause no harm to anyone but herself, and here she would remain until the escorts arrived to attend to the situation. Sunniva always said that believing the things she saw, and her impossible fantasies, was the first step of decline. Her fear of such things usually caused her to lash out, hurting those who only wanted to watch over her.

“Taya, aren't you staying?” Holly questioned, her big brown eyes fixed on Taya pleadingly. At ten this young girl was the oldest of the orphans, and with the fiery temper attributed to all red-heads none questioned her seniority. Even the boys never challenged her. She was fierce and loyal. Taya knew she would protect them. The young girl had proven her ferocity numerous times when the older children visited for lessons from nearby towns. They had thought they could exploit those without a home or family, that they were weaker, and no better than the Demi-human they cohabited with. They had been wrong.

“No, beautiful, I can't.” Taya kissed the top of her head affectionately. “I have to help the clerics. There's someone here who means us harm.” Taya stilled her words, her mind warning against pulling the children into her own imaginings. “The fire is a nasty predator, he must be doused,” she added in haste. “I need you to be brave. I'll be back soon, but if you get really scared, lead your brothers and sisters to Herne's Rock. Do you think you can do that?” The young girl nodded. “Okay, good. Now, lock the door behind me. Do not open it for anyone but the clerics.”