Chapter 10

Gold

*John*

My eyes open heavy and foggier than usual. It's now dark out but the sky is lit by a bright half-moon. It almost makes this place look normal and peaceful…. But I'm definitely not going to take my chances by sleeping here all night. I quickly pick myself off the bench more than ready to leave when a glimmer of something suddenly catches my eye. "What the?"

On the bench right next to where I was sitting moments ago is Caleb's ring. But I remember putting it in my pocket…. I take a breath. Relax John. It probably just fell out when I was sleeping. I pick it up. I've never really gotten a close look at it before. Even though it looks like it could be any simple piece of jewelry it's not. Not in the slightest. Behind this mask of gold is great power. Enough to control a person's heart, mind…. And even body with just one command. Anything is possible… And that's why I have to get rid of it.

All this ring is is Caleb and every evil, twisted thing he's done to Sam. The only reason I took it in the first place was to make sure Caleb would never come back. I slowly roll the gold around in my hand before making a fist around it. "You will never get that chance." Without needing a second thought I throw the ring as far as I can. The last thing I see is a small splash and the ring is gone.

A certain weight is lifted from my shoulders. I take a quick look at my watch to realize it's almost 3:30 AM. I'm surprised I haven't already frozen to death. I need to get out of here.

*That Morning*

I got back to the penthouse around 4 in the morning feeling like an icicle. But obviously that's of my own doing. Sam had gone to bed so the couch is all mine. I waste no time collapsing with a thick blanket. And before I know it I'm out like a light.

Black. I'm surrounded by it. Some would call it darkness but it's not how you would expect. A room with no corners, no windows or doors. Only black.

"Hello?" My voice echoes. Nothing but a small whistling in the distance. "Hello?" I say again. The whistling begins to grow louder and louder until it's almost piercing. After about a minute of continuous whistling it finally stops, leaving me with that odd ringing in my head. Suddenly I hear my name from behind. "John."

I quickly turn around to see Sam totally dressed in white, almost angelic looking. "You're finally here" she says. I'm confused. "Where exactly is 'here'?" I ask. She smiles blankly and walks over to me. "With me." Sam gently places her lips on mine refusing to let go. How could I object?

Her skin is soft and smooth. Practically perfect to the touch. When she finally releases I'm left nothing short of breathless. Sam rests her palm on my cheek as those big brown eyes hold steady to mine. "I want you" she whispers. It's almost like she has me in a trans. I feel as if I'm sensing every desire she aches for. Quickly I force my lips back with hers unable to control myself. It's amazing how incredible she feels. I want nothing more than lose myself in her touch. Her fragile body becomes tangled with mine… until it's not.

I open my eyes and she's disappeared. Nothing but black once more. "Oh Johhhnn…" I hear her call from behind. But as soon as I turn around, I face something that I never expected. Sam wearing only white lacey lingerie and 6 inch heels, with a large pile of pillows behind her.

"John. I'm ready for you." I have no words. She smiles with grace. "What are you doing?" I ask. Sam takes my hand and gently kisses my wrist. "Giving you what you want….. What we both want." She swiftly begins to lead me towards the bed of pillows. "Take me John. Right here. Right now." We stop right as we reach it. "Sam…" I start to say something but I'm cut off by her lips. She eagerly pulls me down to the soft cushions below. "Shhhhh… The Time is now."

Her body is warm against mine. I can't fight the urge any longer. "Yessss…" I softly whisper in her ear. My lips find the next closest piece of skin and just begin to go at it. A loud moan escapes her mouth as I kiss her neck over and over. Sam's nimble fingers slowly unbutton my shirt then gradually find their way to my torso. "The time is now" she repeats. My lips return to hers as I rest my hand on the back of her neck. Everything feels right… Except….

I slowly pull my head away when I notice something strange. "John? What's wrong?" I remove my hand from her neck to reveal a tattoo like mark on her skin. "What's this?" I ask her. "I don't know what you're talking about." I gently run my fingers across it and realize it's not a tattoo, but a burn. "Yes you do." I look closer at it. It looks as if something had been seared into her skin…

My heart skips a beat when I come to see the form of a bat shaped figure marking her. "The time is now" she repeats once more. Sam attempts to go back to kissing me but I refuse. "Where did you get this mark?" I ask sternly. She doesn't even seem to comprehend. "The time is now." "Sam please" I beg. "I need you to answer me. Where did you get this mark?" "The time…" I cut her off. "SAM!"

Suddenly I'm thrown across the room and land 10 feet from where I was. "JOHN!" She screams my name at the top of her lungs. I don't spend the time to think. Instead I jump to my feet and begin sprinting back to her, full force. I half expect myself to tackle her. That is until I stop dead in my tracks only an arm's length away to the feeling of being choked. My airways are almost completely blocked and I'm paralyzed. I drop to my knees coughing and aching for air. "JOHN!" she screams again. A few seconds later I can breathe again but am still unable to move. I look up hoping to see her calming down but instead I see my worst nightmare.

Sam lays on the bed of pillows like sleeping beauty with non-other than Caleb at her side. "You…" I choke on the word. "Me" he returns. "Get away from her." He smirks at my weakness. "Now why would I do that?... She is my bride." I take some more breaths. "No" I say.

Caleb's head turns down to her. "I see you've noticed my mark…" Easily he runs his fingers across her neck. "Why?" I ask. "Why!" He smiles at her as if she was a piece of meat. "How else are people going to know what's mine?" His views are twisted and psychotic. "She's not yours." Gradually Caleb slides his hand down to her chest revealing second marking directly over her heart.

"The mark tells all John." Caleb slowly takes the ring off his finger and shows me the bat crest. It's glowing. "Anything I want… It's mine..." Holding an evil glare Caleb places the ring to Sam's stomach. "…Forever."

I struggle to break free as the ring glows brighter. "CALEB!" I shout praying for him to stop. He doesn't. "CALEB!"

Caleb gently removes the ring to show a third identical marking.

"NO!"

I'm shocked awake.