Chapter 8

Helen changed out of her nightclothes quickly. Her hair was pinned up and out of her eyes, messily but effectively. She wore riding trousers and a hunting jacket. It would be easier to hunt for Nikola without worrying about catching her petticoats on branches or fallen trees. Besides, she was not going to waist time lacing up a corset. Time was of the essence and Nikola was only getting further away.

Helen marched out of her bedroom and into the living room where her compatriots were waiting. John, all dressed and hair back in place, was on his feet first the moment she entered.

Helen gave him a secret look that could cut through wood and he stopped his approach, whatever apology or words he had to share were melted instantly. He wisely closed his mouth and gave her a silent acknowledgement that he understood her wishes.

"We'll split up into pairs, John and I will check the bridge. Helen, you and Nigel will take the forest. He can't have gone too far, I'm sure we'll find some trace of him," James instructed.

Nigel came up beside Helen and handed her a large lantern.

"Found these in the workshed, figured we could use some sort of light out there," he handed another lantern to James who accepted it gratefully.

Helen nodded at the three of them.

"Be diligent, gentlemen, we need to find him before he hurts himself...or worse."

~~~~Elsewhere~~~~

Nikola was running in circles. He could've sworn the path had gone a different direction but it was like the forest had changed on him, like the trees moved their roots behind his back. He couldn't reorient himself he just had to keep on running.

The panic had risen in his throat and it took all his effort not to scream with desperation. This was wrong...this was so wrong!

Nikola paused, heaving in a deep breath.

It was that book! John did this, that bastard! He knew something would happen if they fiddled with that book but John just had to push it.

A piercing sound bit the air and Nikola clutched his ears. The sound was powerful, nearly crippling him, sending him to the ground as he tried to hold back the pain.

He could hear a crunch of leaves under foot, it was miles away but he could hear it as if it was barely a foot away. They were looking for him.

Nikola weakly crawled behind the trunk of a tree, still clutching his head. He did not want to be found, he had to get out of this place, he had to make it to the river and as far away from that cabin as he could.

He could hear voices...breathing...leaves crunching underfoot...and he could smell. The damp smell of freshly wetted earth and the sap in the trees, but most of all, her. She was walking close by, he inhaled her deeply, sucking it through his nostrils and deep into his chest before slamming his head against the tree causing himself to let it all out in a big sorrowful sigh. His eyes stung.

He couldn't do it anymore! He couldn't sit there and pretend he didn't notice, that it didn't matter. She was the love of his life and he couldn't deny it to himself anymore.

So he ran from it instead.

Silently, but deathly fast, he began running, his feet eventually landing on a path, and his attuned ears picking up the sound of rushing water. The river!

He reached the banks they had visited not more than a few days ago but it was barely recognizable. The water had risen significantly, and the current angrier. From the shoreline he could see falling trees with jagged edges poking out of the waters surface.

What was happening with this place?

Nikola looked behind him, contemplating returning to the cabin in favor of searching for another exit out of this godforsaken forest. Then he looked forward to the raging river he'd have to cross if he wanted to get any measurable distance between him and his heartache.

He had to chance it.

Without another moment's thought he dove into the frigid stream. He broke the surface with a ragged gasp as the cold knocked the air out of his lungs. The current wasn't as strong as it looked, nor the water as deep, he was nearly towards the middle and it was barely chest deep. He'd see freedom yet!

Then, suddenly the water seemed to take on a whole new characteristic. It didn't feel like water anymore, the smell was headier too, he couldn't quite place it but he couldn't help the way it seemed to crawl up his nostrils and into the pleasure centers of his brain.

Nikola paused and breathed in deeply, where did he know this smell?

He'd closed his eyes to try and picture where he'd smelt this before. His mind conjured up images of Helen, fantasies more like...her lying in his bed, resting against the headboard, her arms above her head provocatively. Her neck was bared, as well she was only wearing a thin chemise to cover her modesty. Nikola's throat went dry as the images flashed. His focus in the dream going quickly from the entire tantalizing view of her to her throat. He placed kisses there, soft and teasing; she let out a laugh and raised her hands onto his head, stroking his hair. Suddenly he sank his teeth into the artery lining the column of her neck and red velvet came pouring out.

Nikola threw his eyes open. It was blood he was smelling.

He looked down to see the entire river had turned into a raging river of blood, deep and dark, staining his hands.

Nikola convulsed in revulsion at the horrifying red. He turned and began to return to the banks before something wrapped around one of his ankles...a hand or...or maybe a tentacle. It yanked, jerking him back slightly. Nikola looked down into the deep red depths in panic, quickly yearning to get out of the river. His mad scramble seemed futile as, as soon as he began to run to the shoreline, he was violently pulled under. The water was thick and black, and Nikola felt himself fighting, pushing, against some unknown entity. It attacked with sharp claws and cloying kicks and scratches but Nikola fended off each one with a swipe of his own, all the while feeling himself being dragged deeper and deeper.

Nikola swiped once more, striking his foe, hearing an unnatural screech and then suddenly he was released from whatever hold had been put upon him. Even in the inky blackness he could feel he was alone. Without thinking he frantically swam back to the surface, spluttering into the air, madly grabbing for anything, his hands coming across grass and earth.

He hefted himself on to the banks, releasing a gurgled cry of desperation as he fell against the grass, nearly sobbing into the dirt. There was no way out...there was no way out...