Chapter 3
Why was it always so dark, why did no ounce of light ever touch this place, and why didn't I ever notice before. Once there was a time when this was all beautiful to me, when all I ever wanted to do was escape here and leave my world behind, but not anymore. Now this was a place of evil and everlasting darkness, a prison from which I could never escape. It wasn't supposed to be this way, it should have been different, but it isn't, and there wasn't anything I could do, but sit here and stare into the nothing.
I was locked in this crumbling castle made of black stone and iron. The walls around me stood taller than giants, and they encircled me, making me feel small, weak, and cramped. I've been here ever since the night of the Grim Facade, but I couldn't say how long it had actually been. In this realm days feel like weeks, weeks feel like months, and months feel like years. Every day she comes to see me, asking me the same question, and every night I give her the same answer, then I am left alone all over again.
I wish this wasn't real, that it was all a really bad dream, and for the first time in my life I wished I was back home. More than anything I wish I could see Isobel. The very thought of her soothes a small part of my soul and continues to pump the small sliver of hope I still carried in me that she would come back.
"I promise!" Those were the last words I heard her say, and I yearned for more. I think back to all the time I spent with her, why hadn't I listened and remembered what she said more? If I had, the memories would push me not to give up.
I sat in a corner of my cell, doing what I did every day, wrapping and re-wrapping the satin pink ribbon Isobel gave me around my hand. I've never let it out of my sight, it's the only thing to prove to me that it was real, that Isobel was real, and that she would come back for me.
"If you keep doing that, one day it's going to rip, and I can't wait to watch." Damn it
"Leave me alone." Pinfeathers had a habit of visiting me (more like torturing me) whenever he had the chance, usually I would ignore him, but I wasn't in the mood today.
"Someone is angry today, I mean, you're pretty much angry every day, but especially today. But I bet I can turn it around!" He said in his usual mischievous tone.
"Not interested." I didn't even turn to make eye contact with him, hoping he would take a hint, but like usual, he didn't care.
"Too bad, that girl is risking her entire existence to help you, and you don't even want to know about it." Girl? It couldn't be.
"Isobel?" I asked, trying not to sound too interested.
"Ugh of course you would think that, but no I'm talking about Victoria." Pinfeathers rolled his eyes.
"That's not possible, and although I know you enjoy torturing me, that's low even for the likes of you. Victoria is dead, now go bother someone else." I turned back to staring at the wall, why did he have to bring that up? Probably because I've gotten used to everything else, he's thrown at me.
"Now when have I ever lied to you, but if you are so sure, then it will be quite the surprise when she executes her plan." I felt a surge of anger beginning to boil inside me.
"What the hell are you talking about!" I screamed
"Victoria has been a prisoner of this realm for the last sixteen years, hiding in the shadows and hunting Lilith's demons. Now I've never seen her, but her reputation is renowned. The human girl trapped in hell, but never a true prisoner. She has been trying to capture her for years, but Victoria is a little more reluctant to hand over herself then you. Once Lilith got ahold of you, we put a pause on our bounty hunt. Now she has this pathetic little plan to try and help rescue you, isn't that sweet." Was he lying, or could this really be true?
"Although I've no idea why she'd want to help you since she hates you, and you clearly don't care for her. Maybe I'll introduce myself, show her she's on the wrong side. A little stroll, some dinner, an exorcism or two." Pinfeathers began to laugh, and I rushed at him, falling short when the shackle around my leg reached its limit.
"IF YOU LAY ONE HAND ON HER I SWEAR TO GOD I'LL KILL YOU!" Pinfeathers deepened his laugh and transformed into a crow, flying away.
Victoria was alive, and she's been here all this time, and she hates me?
I laid my head against the cold stone wall, and just like clockwork the whispers began. Growing louder and louder with each step she took down the stairs to my cell. I had to cover my ears and await the silence that I knew would come once she entered. A glowing light came through the door, the only light I ever saw while being trapped here. I knew she did this on purpose, to lure me, to change me, but I wouldn't allow it to work, I couldn't. I stood up straight and stepped forward, not wavering, and looked her right in her dead white eyes.
"Hello Varen, miss me?"