COMFORT IN THE DARKNESS

I sprinted down the dimly lit castle hallway, my heart pounding in my chest as I heard the heavy footsteps of the guards behind me. I knew there was no way I could outrun them but I had to try right? Besides, I held onto a sliver of hope that I might run into someone who could help me,

You'd the oracle would have mercy on my poor soul and save me from whatever evil fate was about to befall me but nope, no such luck! To my dismay, the castle seemed eerily empty, with no sign of any other soul in sight. I felt a surge of panic rise within me as I tried to round a corner when I was suddenly yanked backwards.

I fell to the ground on my butt as I stared into the guards who have caught up with me. I knew they were going to catch me eventually but fuck if I thought it was going to be too soon! I immediately picked myself up from the ground because I didn't like the way they were staring at me.

My heart sank as I realized the gravity of my situation. I was alone, cornered by guards who had no qualms about hurting me. Suddenly I got another bit of luck, the gods above finally decided to smile down at me at that moment. Flora passed by, holding some blankets she probably wanted to use for the night.

"Flora!" I breathed smiling at her.

Flora's gaze widened when she saw me and who the guards were. Instead of helping me as I had predicted, she dropped the blanket and ran as fast as she could towards the opposite direction which made the guards snicker.

Seeing Floral run was like a punch to my gut, this was the last straw. First, Corion, now her? Well, what was I expecting her to do? Conjure up some flowers in the air and hand them to them. She was a fairy of nature so there was nothing much she could do which meant it was just me against two grown werewolves who are assholes by the way.

"There is nowhere else to run little lady." Bad breath Larry sneered at me.

"Who says I was going to try and run again?" I smirked at him.

 I was afraid, I was really afraid but I was angry! Angry at the guards for picking at me because they think I'm weak, angry at Corion for leaving me to this cruel fate instead of him deciding to help me, angry at Flora it's because of her I was in this mess anyway!

"Go get her!" Bushy brows ordered the other guard and I braced myself as the guard lunged towards me.

Instinct took over, and I grabbed his arm, using it as a momentum against him. With a swift movement, I threw a punch to his face feeling a surge of adrenaline as my fist connected with his jaw. Before he could recover, I twirled around and delivered a powerful elbow to his face. The impact was satisfying and I watched as he stumbled backwards, his balance lost.

As he fell to the ground, I felt a mix of relief and empowerment. I had stood up for myself and fought back against the threat in front of me. I took a deep breath, my hands still clenched into fists, ready for whatever challenge came next and that was bushy brows who smirked at me, clearly unimpressed with skills.

"So that's how you want to play huh?" He asked me and something about his tone made me feel fear but I still stood my ground.

I watched as he reached for the belt holding his scabbard and pulled it off. The belt fell to the ground with a clatter and I watched in horror as the man advanced towards me, his claws glinting in the dim light of the corridor.

Oh shit! I thought to myself as he took a swipe at me, I instinctively moved backwards just in time, feeling a rush of relief as his claws scratched the wall instead of my skin. But it was short-lived because bushy brows were relentless and he took another swipe at me, this one managed to leave a scratch on my cheek, not too much damage was done and I couldn't dwell on it because I had to continue dodging his attacks. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I danced around him, trying to find an opening to escape.

Just as I thought I had evaded him once again, I felt a strong grip on my arm, pulling me back and trapping me in place. Oh no! I looked up to see the guard I thought I had knocked out grinning at me.

I struggled against him but my efforts were futile. I turned to see bushy brows advancing towards me with a sick smile. I gulped in fear as he moved closer but before he could near me, I reached out to kick him but he smacked my legs to the side so hard I released a small scream which was cut off because he grabbed me by my throat.

He raised his hand, pointing his index finger at my first, "Now little mouse, you will scream for me!" He says, bringing the claw closer to my face and temple.

No, no, no, no! I tried to move backwards not even caring that I was pressing against the guard, all I wanted was just to get away from the pain I knew was about to come, but it was inevitable. I felt a searing pain rip through my face as the claw slashed across my skin, from my temple making a C curve to stop on right under my eye.

The pain was like a white fire burning through me, leaving a trail of agony in its wake. I tried to hold back the scream that threatened to escape my lips, but the pain was too intense, too overwhelming and then it happened. The scream tore free from my throat, a primal, gut-wrenching sound that echoed in the hall. It was a cry of pure anguish and terror that I couldn't contain.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt warm blood trickle down my cheek. The guard smirked at me again, getting some sick satisfaction from hearing me scream, he then moved lower, his claws lingering on my shirt before he pierced my chest with his claw. I released another anguish cry out loud.

The pain was unbearable, like nothing I had ever experienced before. I continued to scream out loud wishing the pain would end, wishing that anyone would save me at that moment. I felt the pain like a thousand knives stabbing through me, each one sharper than the last. The agony was unbearable, searing through my body and leaving me gasping for air. I knew that no one would come to help me and that I was alone in this moment of torment.

With a heavy heart, I found acceptance in the inevitable. I closed my eyes and clenched my teeth, determined to keep the screams locked inside of me. I could feel hands tugging at my shirt, pulling me further into the darkness that threatened to consume me whole.

As the pain intensified, I felt myself slipping away, the world around me growing dim and distant. Shadows danced at the edge of my vision, taunting me with their dark embrace. And then, as the darkness crept closer, I knew that my time was running out.

A sense of calm washed over me, a strange serenity in the face of such suffering. I forced a smile, a bittersweet expression of resignation and relief. Finally, I wouldn't leave to bear witness to the horrors unfolding around me.

I shut my eyes, the darkness enveloping me in its cold embrace. And as I drifted away, I heard distant screams of terror that didn't sound like mine. In that moment, I found solace in the knowledge that my suffering was coming to an end, and that I would soon be free from the pain that had haunted me for so long. And with that thought, I let go, surrendering to the darkness and allowing it to carry me away from the world of agony and despair.