I know its been super long since I last updated. It has been rather chaotic these past weeks. Moved back to my university and started equestrian team practices which are time consuming. I'll try to update AT LEAST one a month if not twice. If y'all had to choose would y'all prefer shorter chapters sooner or longer chapters later? Enjoy this chapter and please R&R.
I was exhausted and yet unable to sleep. Leila was probably asleep, but if she wasn't then we were both just staying silent in our sadness. No way to tell what is night and morning in this place. I haven't seen any windows. Now it is dark in this room of ours, but it has lanterns and candles that make it bright like when we were awake yesterday. We just assumed we were supposed to blow them out when we went to sleep. I also struggle to sleep with lights on.
I don't want to get up. I never want to get up and face where we are. Occasionally strange noises and growls can be heard outside the door faintly. It's been a struggle between momentary panic every time and my mind rationalizing that we won't just be killed based off of our treatment so far. Even back home I was never able to sleep easily. Not even the horrors of this place give me forced exhaustive rest.
Time is like sand. Endless. I wonder how long I'll have to wait here for someone to come or for me to fall asleep.
-2 hours later-
My heart started racing and in confusion I blinked away my tiredness taking in three of the lanterns lit and someone at the fourth one. I knew I was too exhausted from my lack of sleep when my heart rate went even faster after Leila startled me by grabbing my hand.
"who is that" I whispered looking at the black haired being turn towards us.
"I don't know, but he was the one who flung me across the hall. He is very dangerous" Leila squeezed my hand tight in fear. The red eyes were locked onto us emotionless and empty. I narrowed my eyes at him and then bit my lip wondering if I went too far. I looked at Leila again and made a confused expression. She just stared at me like I was crazy. He was still just looking at us all expressionless and weird like. Now it is just getting comedically awkward, but I'm too afraid to laugh.
"Come on, lets us put back on those over robes" I suggested quietly. Leila nodded and I slipped out with her following me. Have to say I was a bit relieved she followed me rather than have us separated by the bed. We quickly helped each other put them on properly and then turned back to the guy, but he was already heading towards the door. Leila looked at me and I shrugged. Obviously we are meant to follow.
He walked a little bit fast for us. We almost to jog to keep up with his long quick strides. It was getting hotter than normal the more continued this direction. I don't think it is just from keeping it either. The air is literally turning hotter each step and sweat is starting to drip down my face and neck. Leila looks to be the same, I see the perspiration dripping down her face too.
"Why is it so damn hot" Leila panted out of breath. It was like being in oven. I raised my eyebrows and nudged Leila hard. After a whispered curse at me she looked up. The entire corridor looking like it was illuminated down on the far end around the corner. They must have a fire going or something, I guess. I don't know why we have to move towards it, its getting unbearably hot.
"if we both stop" I whispered "they might punish us, but also might realize the temperature is getting insane." I suggested feeling like I needed to pass out from heat stroke. Leila looked hard at me as if in conflict about moving closer to the heat or corporal punishment. After a long moment she nodded her assent and we both stopped. He didn't stop for several steps and then turned very slowly and just looked at us. No emotion on his face, just looking, kind of like a statue. Well, if statues could kill you in one second or toss you around like frisbee from what Leila told me.
This guy's staring and no movement is almost scary then Tar-Mairon. Almost. I just extremely dislike not being able to know or predict what he will do. It's probably the mystery of his behavior that makes him terrifying. It still felt like it was getting hotter. I think the heat was moving towards us. The hallway was getting brighter so whatever is making it hot is moving toward us.
"Chloe, oh my gosh. Look!" Leila gasped, but I had already seen it and was just frozen. It was horrifying nightmare become reality. Worse than the disfigured monsters. It was like shadow and fire wrapped into a single being exuding flames. It almost looked like it didn't fit into the hallway and the ceiling was very high. It must have been like 6 of me stacked on top of each other to get anywhere near its height. Red eyes had turned and pushed out one of his hands gesturing away. Was it holding whips? We grabbed each other hand extremely tightly and I used my other hand to try and wipe away the sweat dripping down into my eyes. He spoke back to Red eyes! It can speak! They sound like they are arguing. Or maybe it's just the pitch of its voice because Red eyes sounds exactly the same which is toneless. It stepped closer and I moved back several steps to match the difference dragging Leila with me. Then, at its next step, we turned and ran.