The clicking of my steps echoes around me. I occasionally stop for a few seconds and scan the area with the flashlight. There is no one. Thankfully, it was only me but I feel like someone is still watching me. I'm not quite sure why.
The air is becoming colder. I'm not sure why. It's much colder than when we found this building.
Halting halfway through. I hear running water. I look up to see a fountain of some sort. There are piles of bones and rotting bodies scattered across the floor.
The fountain is made of stone has the face of a gargoyle in the middle of it. There is some type of liquid pouring out of its mouth. Was it water?
Walking closer to inspect it, I notice the color of the water. It's dark red. A bone crunches underneath the sole of my shoe and Jump. I look down at the bloody bone and sigh. This place is like a messed up graveyard. One I'd rather not be in.
I stick a finger in it and take it out quickly. Putting my red-stained finger up to my nose, I sniff. Nope! It wasn't red-colored water at all. It was definitely blood. The metallic smell and all. Were there sacrifices here something?
I freeze and hear an echoing grumble than a growl. My eyes widen and I glance around me. I hear the grumble again and this time its a voice,
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"Drink itttt. I dare you. I've been watching you. Prince of Blood. There is no shame here. Drink it!"
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The voice is slurred and heavily demonic. I couldn't help but keep quiet. My brain was basically screaming for me to run but, I didn't.
I hear loud footsteps then a claw scraping up against a stone wall. I cover my ears and kneel down. My eyes follow a pair of white piercing eyes.
I take several steps back and turn around, booking it. I sprint past the fountain and run out. Behind I hear the roar of an unhappy beast.
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***
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I dart out of the exit of the cryptic place and place my hand on the book. I pull it and the bookshelf slides back into place. I lean up against it and wipe my forehead. I take a couple of breaths and slide down, sitting on the ground.
I hear the door of the library open and there stands Thando. She smiles at me but then her face shifts to concern. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost?" She asks, raising an eyebrow.
I quickly shake my head "No. No, of course not. I was...reading and you caught me off guard. That's all. I get frightened easily" I respond while laughing nervously.
She eyes me with suspicion and shakes her head. "Well my child, everyone's up now. We're having a special breakfast. You can return later. Now, come one" she chuckles and heads out the door.
I rub my face and sigh in relief. Thank goodness she didn't know. Maybe she did but didn't want to mention it. It doesn't matter now. I just need to see Ophira and maybe show her the note later.
No...I can't put her through danger again. Not here or anywhere. She seems like she's beginning to trust these people. Maybe the note and the body are a joke. I can't decide what to do.
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***
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I walk into the dining hall to be greeted by everyone. I sit down and fold my hands on my lap. Looking down, I let out a silent cough. I look up to see Cia frowning at me. I look away in embarrassment.
"Julian, where were you earlier? You weren't in your bed. I searched nearly everywhere" Ophira asks, looking at me in concern.
I felt stiff and uncomfortable for a moment. I couldn't tell her everything. Not in front of them. I wasn't even sure if I could trust these women now. Especially the elderly woman, Thando. The note and the beast stalking in the darkness was enough for me to be afraid here now. Only if she knew this before me. Maybe it wouldn't be as stressful.
"Uh...nothing really. I found a library and was too invested in it. Sorry to make anyone worry" I apologize, looking down at my hands again.
Platters of food are placed on the table and the sweet aroma of waffles fills my nose. Oh, what the? This is strange...I don't remember having these in years.
I slowly glimpse up at Ophira, watching her devour the food in front of her. I laugh to myself. Then I blink and turn my head. Did I have feelings for her? It has been only a few weeks but...ever since I actually saw her I felt this odd attraction.
A sudden realization comes over me. I'm in love.
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***
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After breakfast, I quietly follow Cia and Mika to one of the bedrooms. Mika opens her room and we head in. I slowly shut the door behind me.
Mika sits on her bed and ties her hair up on a bun. She pulls a crystal out from her sleeve and holds it up.
I stand there awkwardly and look around the room. The walls are plastered with an oriental looking wallpaper. There are a few pictures of people hanging on the walls. I wonder if they were her family?
There are also few flower decorations hanging on the walls and masks. There was a white kitsune mask with red markings and two oni masks, red and white.
I glance back at her and smile. Cia sits on the other side of the bed, humming some tune I never heard of. Mika finishes and sits up straight. "So, Ophira was it? How long have you been with him? Well like as friends?" She questions, smirking up at me.
I freeze and my heart skips a beat. What?! What is she implying? I've only known Julian for a few weeks. That doesn't always mean...oh god what is happening?! I like him as a person but could it be more? I'm extremely calm around him and I've hugged him. Does that mean something?
I sit down crossed-legged on the floor in front of them. I clear my throat "Like a few weeks. Three and a half now maybe" I quickly answer.
Mika giggles and Cia rolls her eyes at her. "You realize he gets super flustered sometimes? This morning he was awkward and a little skittish. He was glancing at you but you didn't seem to notice. You were too busy demolishing the food that was one your plate" Cia laughs.
I gulp and turn my head to the side. "Oh...I hadn't noticed. We hadn't eaten in awhile okay?!" I protest trying to defend my unyielding stomach.
Mika gets off her bed and sits in front of me. She stretches her hands out, holding the white crystal in front of me. I hesitant for a moment and give her a questioning look. I look up at Cia who nudges me on. Then I take the crystal and close my eyes.
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***
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I find myself standing in a weird floaty room. The hue of the room is a light pink and Mika stands in front of me.
She lifts her hands and crosses her arms to her chest. Then she let go and peeks up at me. "I know you might find this odd. I entered your conscience. This will make it easier for us to speak in silence" she calmly informs me. "I was born under the famous Wolf Moon. My aunt taught me how to enter a person's heart and mind while my wolf quirk is being swift and healing the weak. Lyla has natural fire powers and Cia has an endurance to some attacks" she adds.
"Sounds a lot better and more interesting than mine. So, what do you want to talk about?" I ask half lying. I knew what they were getting at. People always love to scope information from others.
Mika raises an eyebrow and I huff. I then sigh and reword my question "Okay. Nevermind that. I'm guessing you want to talk about Julian?"
Mika smirks and nods her head. "Yes, him. You both are rather comfortable near each other. Poor thing seems lost without you sometimes. How do you think he feels about you?" She asks gazing at me. I ponder for a moment. We're just friends. I mean we did seem to have an odd connection when we met. I had the urge to protect him. Was it out of pity or something else?
I shift my gaze to the wall and the pink turns a little darker. I stare at it for a moment then I look back at her. "Is the changing color?" I ask in confusion. Mika smiles and nods her head "I'm tracking your body temperature and heart rate. It's increasing...although your mind is rather tough to break through at the moment."
I glare up at her and open my mouth to protest. Instead, I close it and snort. They really were trying to break through me. I doubt he even felt differently about me. I was like his guide in this weird messed up world. All I really wanted to do was help him. Did I?
I close my eyes and then turn my head towards another wall. I then open my eyes. The wall is red.
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***
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Opening my eyes, I sit there in silence. Mika takes her hands away and the crystal.
She presses her hand up to her chest. "I could feel it. You have a strong attraction to him. More than friends. I know it's a lot but when the time is right you will know" she assures me. I look up and sigh in frustration. "I-I don't even know what to say...I've never had feelings for anyone before. It's so weird."
Cia huffs and hops off the bed. "Guys are weird in general. My brother was like that when he liked some girl from his school. I haven't seen him in three years but I could tell. That's all he thought about. Just act natural of course and tell him" she adds.
I turn my head and silently look at the ground. Placing my hand on my forehead, I sigh.
I'm in complete astonishment. Speechless even. How was this even going to go down? I never imagined that...I would fall for someone like him. It amazes me how that odd night would lead up to this. He's so weird but I guess that's what I like about him. He's not rude or stuck up. He's not even snobby. He's just Julian. The weird confused man that woke up in a completely different time era.
I feel someone grab my hand and look up to see Cia. She helps me up and I brush my pants. "Sorry. I'm just thinking..." I respond, frowning down at my hands. I take a breath then look up at her. "I've had odd crushes before but this feels different."
"Don't worry about it. Just take your time. Don't try to rush it if he doesn't feel the same. If he doesn't than that's fine. The least you can do is be there for him" Cia assures me.
I hear Mika snort and look up at her. "You're such a 'love guru' aren't you? Just let her do what she thinks is right" she says, rolling her eyes at Cia. "Now if you excuse me, I have better things to do. Not that this wasn't interesting".
I nervously laugh and head towards the door. They follow after me and we go our separate ways.
I glance back at Cia and sigh. I hope she's right. This is probably going to be the most painful thing I'll ever do.
***
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I spot Julian from afar. He's leaning up against a wall with his eyes closed. I stare at him for a few seconds then turn around. I can't do this. I think he's asleep. That would be rude to wake him up.
Shaking my head I turn back around slowly creep towards him. I stand a few inches away from him and sigh. I guess he heard me because his eyes shot open. I jump back and watch him. He looks at me and raises an eyebrow. "Were you trying to scare me or something?" He asks, laughing a little.
I shake my head "No...I just wanted to make sure you were feeling well. Apparently, you were acting strange this morning" I say, watching his hands. They're slightly shaking. Is he okay?
Julian stares at me for a second and quickly grabs my hand. My eyes widen and I stand there in astonishment. "Are y-you okay?" I ask frightened by his quick movement. He looks down at our hands and closes his eyes. "I...we need to talk. Privately that is. Can you follow me later tonight?"
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