Darkness shrouded Elsa's vision. She couldn't place exactly where she was. The mist that surrounded her was bitterly cold, and it seemed like this was the first time in Elsa's life she shivered. She twisted in circles, looking for a light, something to guide her, something beyond this night. Nothing but a sheer void met her eyes.
Somehow, the veil wrapped around her seemed all too familiar. Like a dream she woke up to find was the truth.
Out of the silence, she began to notice whispers; imperceptible at first, as murky as the air around her. But they got louder- closer, and she could begin to make out some of the words they said.
Give up.
You're alone, like you've always been.
You're no good for your sister, and you're no good for your kingdom. They'd be better off without you.
Elsa ran her hand up the scars on her arm, where the jagged ice had ripped through it like paper.
Where she had destroyed herself in futile pursuit of control.
Here, she had no control. She tried to use her powers, but it was clear that wherever she was, her powers were controlling her. Icy demons, the voices, whatever they were…. They surrounded her. Clawed at her, like they always had. Only here, she couldn't wake up. There was no escape from the storm that whirled in her mind. Here, a power gripped her with icy claws; it wasn't going to let her wake up. She had been too weak. Too cowardly to use her powers, and she had destroyed her body in the process. All she was left with was this frozen tomb.
Exiled to somewhere deep in her own mind, no escape, no hope for warmth of love.
You belong here.
Monster.
Lies are easy to believe when they are the only words spoken. When truth gets shut out, silenced. Lies become reality.
Elsa tried to run, to get away from the voices, but the ground around her swayed and clung to her, tried to pull her down. She fell to her knees, weeping. "Stop, please. You're wrong." Before her was a puddle, and the face reflecting back contorted in a demonic grin, taunting her. Elsa's voice quivered, and she could barely manage the words, "You're wrong."
She remained there, helpless, hands over her ears, rocking back and forth in hopes that somehow the voices would give up.
A wave of warmth jolted Elsa. She sat up and light streamed around her like sparks in the night.
A voice pierced the air like a ray of light. "I'm so sorry, Elsa."
Ribbons of fire twirled around Elsa, revealing dark beings, indescribable, twisted forms, who shirked from the light, skittered into the darkness.
Elsa stood slowly, her eyes fixed on the blaze which encircled her.
"Come back to me."
Elsa felt strength returning to her, like fire rushing through her veins, melting the ice that held her.
The fire bellowed in an inferno above her and in the midst, blurred through waves of heat, she could see Anna's teary face standing over her.
"Wake up," Anna's cry was desperate and soft, healing.
Elsa reached towards the flames, towards her sister. She could feel herself waking from the dream. Realizing where she was. Laying in an infirmary, her sister's hand gripping hers.
Warmth spread across her face where Anna's hand brushed against it. With what little strength she had, she gripped her sister, holding tight to her like an anchor, the only thing tying her to reality.
All too quickly, her strength began to fade and the darkness once more clouded around her.
The last thing she heard before the light faded to black was a lullaby and a whisper, "I'll find a way to bring you back; I swear."
Elsa clung to those words like living water, the only thing between her and the void. A candle's flicker resting in her palms.
Ya'll are spoiled this week. This is like a legit miracle. The good news for you guys is that I'm working part time as an EMT in the mountains. As a result, I'm on 24 hr shifts with a lot of down time, which gives me plenty of time to sit and write. Hoping to crank out at least a chapter or two a month until this dang thing is done lol.
This chapter was inspired by Demons by Imagine Dragons.