how can you see into my eyes like open doors

leading you down into my core

where I've become so numb without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold

until you find it there and lead it back home

-amy lee-

Once again I opened my eyes to darkness. This time it didnt take long to be fearful of what I couldnt see. I moved to struggle against my bindings to find that I wasnt bound. Instead I was enveloped in warmth and softness. As I thrashed soreness filled me and I cried out (also not bound) in pain.

In my minds eye I saw steel and it frightened me.

My breathing was ragged and broken. I was out of breath by time I felt the presence in my room.

"Who's there!" I cried out.

No answer.

"I know someone is there. Please answer me." I tried to sit up but only failed. I was in so much pain. My whole body pulsed and throbbed.

I heard a swish and felt the presence of the room gone. In defeat I laid back down and tried to asses where I was. It felt damp. Luckily I was piled with luxouriiously soft blankets that I didnt feel the negative cold effect of that. I also smelled spice. Warm old spice.

Then there was darkness again.

The next time I woke up I immedietly felt that same presencse in the room.

"Please" I whispered... sobbing without tears. Everything was still black. So dark. I didn't want darkness anymore. I wanted happiness and warmth and Phillipe and how things were. And where was Phillipe. I must be with Phillipe even though he isnt talking. "Phillipe..."

A throat cleared and I heard a little sigh. But it wasnt like a normal sigh. This sigh was full of music. A sad music though. This clearly was not Phillipe, because he did not have a bone of music in him.

"Madmuazelle, I brought you tea"

It was like something recently uncanned. YOu could tell this voice was hardly used. It wasn't unpleasant like you would imagine, it was gorgeous and I wanted thsi voice to envelope me from all over.

"T-thank you." I replied, straining to sit up.

"I wouldn't recomend that. Just rest. Please."

"But your voice... it's so gorgeous. Please...keep talking."

There was silence and it was so profound and long I thought I lost the voice. Maybe it was in my head and I was really alone. OR maybe I was dead or crazy I don't know. I started to cry.

"Please Madmwahselle, please dont cry. How are you feeling"

I tried to comose myself. I couldnt imagine behaving badly in front of this voice. It was so beautful. HOpefully this voice wasnt in blackness like me and could see and hopefully my modest beauty would be enough to please him. I did not want it to go away.

I realized my situation. The constant blackness.

"Blackness... Monsewer. Why am I enveloped in blackness?"

"You...you better drink your tea. It's still piping hot.I'll let it cool and I'll be back shortly to assist you." and with another swish he left.

But the blackness!

---

Erik

---

The blackness!

What am I to tell her of the blackness? Why am I to tell her?

Because you're blind.

No that would be a lie.

A lie because I saved one eye.

I still cant comprehend the seen I saw that night. I didnt even know what she looked like she was so covered in blood. I didnt think she would make it within the next hour let alone be on the road to a speedy recovery now. I had intended to bury her in my undeground cemetery I had for "visitors" who came floating by water. To give her a dignified death instead of rotting in a gutter like a rat.

The man, I couldnt let him go. I snapped his neck with my lasso, but not before making it slow enough. So he felt a fraction of what she felt. And all his did was laugh. That laughter. I knew pure evil that moment. I cant imagine anyone killing for the sole purpose of killing. Even killing for self defense, I couldnt imagine that.

I carried her back to my lair and part way through I realized she was still alive. For a second our eyes met, something exchanged that i can not explain. And then it passed. She began coughing and shaking and instead of letting her go like I thought at first, I did everything in my power to save her.

After washing her off I realized she was beautiful. Or at least once beatiful. In my eyes she still way beautiful, except broken, like a broken beautiful doll.

What was naturally pale features were now a deathly palor. Even her plump full lips had a bluish hue, not a good sign. Her hair was long and full and striaght and black. I could imagine how it shined in the sunlight. It was so full of volume.

And her eyes... A shade of green that was not common. Except...

Whatever he did to her, I cannot imagine what she endured. He had destroyed her right eye, there was no way for me to reattach it. Not even with all the skills I had learned through the years traveling the continent. I did what I could to make things... aesthetically pleasing.

Her face and body were cut up in numerous othe rplaces. Her face endured the most but she was still beautiful. I learned many things in my travels and most of the scars will be minimal I feel. Though I will try to show her it doesnt matter...

One day though I know I will have to remove the bandages and she will have to see me.

I know it cannot be blackness forever.