So, I updated. I feel pretty special. I edited this one alot, so I'm actually pretty proud of it. I was a little sad I only got one review for last chapter but I really don't mind. So, if you're reading this you should check out my new story "Saving Me." The name may change. Now you don't have to but I'm just proud of what I have planned for it. It makes me giddy.

So, I am going to dedicate this chapter to all my reviewers especially to Myosotis13.


Chapter 8

Inferno


Turning around she saw the unforgettable face of Adria distorted in a twisted smile. She cackled as Vala pulled herself up and began to run. Instead of going through a path she bursts through a group of trees and pushed branches out of her way as she went.

"Go ahead, Vala. You can run for only so long," she cackled appearing in front of Vala. Vala dashed around Adria and kept on running; the sting of the scratches from the trees felt numb. Her heart sped faster as she heard Adria close behind her. "Hello, Vala" she whispered into her ear as she grabbed her shoulders forcing her to a stop.

"Let go of me!" Vala hissed and turned around pushing Adria from her and sped off again. Finally she began slowing down as she reached a small clearing at the edge of a mountain. Walking around it she held her chest as she saw a cave almost covered by overgrowth.

"Help me," a whimper followed by a cry echoed from the cave. "Someone please…I can't breath. Its so hot in here."

"Hello?" Vala yelled into the cave as she pushed away the overgrowth. For a moment she bit her lip as she weighed her options. Looking behind her she didn't see Adria but she knew she was there. Slowly she walked into the cave, taking a moment she let her eyes adjust and she began to trek through the cave's hallways. "This looks like the cave from my dream" she said distantly as her eyes scanned the walls.

"Help," there was the whimper again.

"I'm coming! Just wait right there." Cautiously she went forward going right at the first fork then straight forward at the next intersection. She let a deep breath out as she saw a little bit of light coming from the room at the end of the cavern. Rushing forward Vala stumbled into the room and surveyed it for a moment until she met the face of the faceless women. A face she thought she would never forget but when she looked into her eyes all she saw was an inferno of fear and sorrow.


Vala felt herself fall into another memory. It took place in the clearing, the Oak tree standing strong and proud. A woman walked slowly towards the tree and rested the palm of her hand on it. Suddenly Vala was hit with a feeling that this was not one of her own memories.

"Hello little sister," another women walked into the clearing making the breath in Vala's throat catch.

The women turned around and smiled, "Adria. What a surprise, who do I owe for this unexpected visit?"

"No one," she chuckled, "a little birdie told me you had fallen ill. I've only come to check on you."

"Yes, I was attacked here awhile ago. Whoever it was kidnapped me and held me in a cave for a good while by the time I was able to escape I was sick and terrified. I decided to finally tell the village the truth that the forest doesn't cause the fever but they insisted I had it. I came out today for a break, they probably think I left in a state of delusion."

"Have you?"

"No! That's just silly, I'm perfectly well." Turning around she smiled.

"That's to bad sister, I thought I would have done a number on you last time," she cackled and grabbed her wrists and pushed her to the ground.

"What are you doing?"

"You've always had everything! You have the beautiful daughter and the doting husband and I have nothing! Nothing! I've been forced to waste away my life in this godforsaken forest. Now I will take from you what I never had!" Grabbing her hair she lifted her up. Once she stood on her feet she slapped Adria hard.

"Adria, get a hold of yourself. Are you saying you kidnapped me last time?"

"Yes, that's precisely what I'm saying. I thought you would have died but no little sister you had to be resourceful and strong willed." Grabbing her wrists she squeezed tightly leaving bruises. "This time little sister, I will succeed!" Grabbing her she threw her at the tree causing her to whimper.

"Not if I have anything to say about it…" turning around she punched Adria causing her to stumble. She tried to run to the right but Adria got her wrist and squeezed causing her to cringe then she kicked her in her lower back forcing her down on the ground.

"Come on little sister, fight. I know you can do better than that!" Rolling over she got up and tackled Adria biting into her shoulder causing her to scream out trying to push her off. Grabbing her hair Adria pulled her head back and sneered then threw her down onto the ground hitting her head on a rock.

"Adria stop it!" Vala screamed and tried to run towards her but she couldn't. Neither of the women could hear her; a tear ran down her cheek.

"Now little sister, to make sure you never see the light of day again." Grabbing her hands she pulled her sister away from the clearing. Everything melted away into a new scene. Vala followed Adria as she pulled her younger sister into the lit room. Pushing her against the wall she chained her wrists to the wall.

"Adria…" she whimpered as she woke. She attempted to move forward but the chains only let her move so far.

"I didn't want this to end this way, I really didn't. I will return soon to put you out of your misery but first I would like you to suffer. Knowing I will be marrying your husband and as for your daughter…"

"Don't you dare hurt her!"

"You wont be there to protect her this time. By the time I'm done she'll be wishing she was where you were." Cackling she turned around and walked through Vala out of cavern.


"Mother!" Vala screamed and ran to the women who looked up at her with pleading eyes.

"You shouldn't have come," she said simply as she lifted her hand to her cheek. "She'll hurt you and I don't want to see that."

"How was I not supposed to come, you told me to meet with you."

"That's before I knew Adria had come to full power. She will hurt you."

"Mum, what did she do to you?" she asked as she looked around at the blanked walls. Looking back at her mother she was only charred bones with very little flesh still on her. Small tuffs of black hair fell along her head.

"Does this answer your question?" Vala covered her mouth to hold back a cry as her mother slowly turned back to normal.

"Mum," she whimpered and threw herself into her arms and let out a small cry, "I remember waiting for you to come home. I was so angry that they wouldn't look for you." Tears glistened as they ran down her cheeks, "and all along your murderer was right there with me."

"You couldn't have done anything, my beautiful little girl." She ran her hands through her hair and looked down at her lovingly. "I'm proud of you," she said happily as she cupped her face her hand and made Vala look her in the eyes.

"I'm nothing to be proud of," she looked at her feeling lost.

"Oh but you are. You've grown up strong and you've found someone that will protect you and stay by your side. I feel you must go now."

"Why?"

"Vala," she whispered as she touched her forehead gently sending her into another dream.


Vala found herself running, no matter what she did she couldn't stop. The vision of the village was getting closer. Her mother appeared at the edge of the forest and gave her a sad smile. As she reached out she fell forward into the mud. Trying to pull herself up she looked to her side and screamed.

"Daniel!" she cried as she grabbed him. His body was cold and his face white with a tinge of blue. No pulse. "No, Daniel please no!" she cried as she fell onto him smoothing away his hair feeling his clammy skin. "Oh god no!"


To be continued…


Now, I hate to say this but this story may not be that much longer. One or two more chapters. Maybe three, it all depends. Ah, so sad.

Reviews are loved and saw are you readers!

-Shinki