Chapter Thirty-five

The fog was choking me, burning my lungs and making my eyes water. I tried to strike him, but I only hit empty air, and his harsh laughter came from the opposite direction. I tried to run, but my feet wouldn't move. I was frozen in place. A piercing scream rang in my ears.

Wake up, I heard my own voice say. You have to wake up now. Then, I opened my eyes, and the screaming stopped just as suddenly as it had begun. As I rubbed my sore throat, I realized I had been the one screaming. Tears started forming in my eyes, but I impatiently blinked them away. I didn't have time for the luxury of crying.

Wait... I blinked. Why can't I see? Panic began bubbling in my chest. Where am I? Slowly, I rose to my feet. I extended my arms and moved forward. If I could only find a light switch... I reached a smooth surface, a wall that felt like it was made of brick. I shuffled to the side, running my hands over its surface. Come on...

"That won't do you any good," came a voice from above me. I stiffened. I knew that voice. "Let me go, Raoul!" I shouted furiously. "How many times do I have to escape for you to realize that you will never have me?"

Suddenly, I was blinded as a bright stream of light hit my face. Despite myself, I winced and hid my face.

"You won't escape this time," he said matter-of-factly.

I managed to open my eyes to a squint. Looking around, I realized in horror I was in some kind of hole. The circle was about twelve feet in diameter, and the brick walls were at least three times my height. Raoul stood at the edge of the hole with a flashlight in his hands, expressionless. "What is this?" I demanded. "You've put me... what, a well? A grave?"

He shook his head. "You won't be in there for long," he assured me. "I just have to tie up some loose ends first."

Something in his voice made my heart stutter and ice run through my veins. "What have you done with Erik?" I asked him very quietly.

"Nothing."

"I don't believe you," I snapped. "Tell me. "What have you done with Erik?"

"Nothing," he repeated. Then, a sadistic smile began spreading across his face. "Nothing... yet."

"Leave him alone!" I screamed, truly terrified now. "Please, Raoul! I'll... I'll do anything!"

He cocked his head. "Anything?" I nodded furiously. "You'll never go to his world again?"

I couldn't stop the tears now. "Yes, I whispered brokenly. I'll stay in the world always. Please, just don't hurt him."

He started laughing softly. Then, it rose along with my trembling. Finally, he calmed down enough to say, "I'm afraid you've left me no choice. I can't have you being unfaithful. No, he'll have to go."

"No! Don't you touch him!"

"I'll be back before you know it," he continued as though he hadn't heard me. "Don't go anywhere," he added with another laugh before turning off the light and leaving me in darkness again.

"Raoul! Please!" I cried as his footsteps faded. "Raoul!"

No answer.

I sank to the ground and wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm my frantic breathing. He was going to kill Erik. Or, Erik was going to kill him. Either way, Erik would die, and I would lose him forever.

Unless, of course, I could fall asleep. But, I was shaking with adrenaline. By the time I calmed myself down enough to sleep, it would be too late. Raoul probably wasn't far from the mirror, and it was only a matter of time before he found his way to Erik, or Erik found him. The clock was ticking. I stared at the wall hopelessly, sobbing.

And, as I stared at the brick wall, I found my answer. It was a mad, improbable answer, but it was my only one. I would quite possibly die, but if I did, Erik would still be saved.

On weak legs, I crawled to the wall and placed my hands on its rough surface. It won't hurt for long, I lied to myself. Just do it quickly.

I took a deep, shuddering breath and slammed my head against the wall.

Pain shot through my head. I screamed, but I was still conscious. One more, I spurred myself. One more to save his life. I hit it against the bricks again, and as my body crashed to the floor and the blackness took me, I felt myself being spirited away. All I could do was wait and see if my sacrifice had been in vain. "I will save you, I whispered." Then, I was gone.

Posted on September 19, 2014