I had no idea how long I followed the twisting, turning tunnel. At some point, I realized my pain was all but numb, either from healing or exertion. My breathing became stronger, and my legs weren’t so wobbly. Didn’t Blake say we heal fast?
I decided to test it and gingerly stretched my wings out. They bumped into the ceiling, letting me know that it was indeed lower than I hoped. I’d been deluding myself, trying to keep the claustrophobia at bay. I focused on my back muscles, flexing each one carefully… waiting for the stabbing pain. It never came.
I swallowed hard and flapped them, slowly at first. Again, nothing. I’m healed! I soared up, bumping right into the ceiling. In my moment of clumsy elation, I snuffed out my precious flame.
I swore at my own stupidity, and then cringed when I heard it echo down the chamber. Stupid, stupid, girl, I berated myself, what are you doing? Shut up and get out of here! Nothing I could do now but fly as fast as I could and pray for the best. I dropped the hot wax from my hand and took off, my wings smacking cold walls along the way.
With my sight limited, I opened up my other senses. I hoped my sense of smell would help lead me. I didn’t want to imagine how bad it’d hurt if I flew straight into a wall.
When the air shifted cold and smelled of iron, I halted. I felt for the walls; there were none close enough to feel. Must be some sort of large cavern. I flew slower, terrified now to have a decision to make. Which way do I go? Becoming disoriented, I decided my safest bet would be to land. My bare feet pressed down on sharp, broken fragments. I gasped and lifted back up. Crap. Can’t walk through that. Felt like broken glass. I flew a bit further and decided to test it again. Same result. I cursed under my breath, terrified I’d make the wrong decision and never leave this forsaken cave. Then I heard it.
A wailing sob.
I froze, my ears calculating the distance and direction it came from. Sounds like it’s on my right. Do I head to the left then?
The moaning began again, and this time, I could tell it was definitely masculine. It was hard to tell from the crying if it was someone I knew. Could it be Blake or Mack? The racking cry began again, and I decided definitely not.
Whoever he was, he sounded miserable. And even if he was the one who threw me in here, he was probably my only hope of getting out. Maybe I can sneak up on him… if only I had a weapon.
I almost gasped when I thought of it, but bit my lip instead. Lowering myself down, I tried to be as silent as possible. I couldn’t tell by the way the cavern echoed how close my sobbing friend was.
My fingers fumbled to find a lose shard, amongst the dagger-like surface I encountered. Finally, one chunk gave way and I hefted it up. I ran my hand along it. Felt like stone, maybe six-inches long and a few inches thick. To my delight, and pain, I discovered one end was extremely sharp. I wrapped my hand in my dress for a moment, trying to stop the bleeding from the injury I’d just given myself. I knew I didn’t have time to make a bandage. My hand could wait. I needed to move now, before my captor knew I was coming.
The wailing continued, and I focused to hone in on my target. It took me a second to be sure; the sound bounced off the walls so much that it confused me at first. Feeling confident, I flew toward his crying. My wings hit walls, and I was comforted to be back in a passageway. Especially if this leads out. Just have to get past whoever’s making those horrible sounds.
From the racking torment, the person sounded remorseful, which didn’t exactly fit what I’d learned about bugs so far. Didn’t they delight in killing? Have no conscience?
I slowed when I spied a splinter of light up ahead. As much as I wanted to beeline for it, like a moth to a porch light, I needed to be cautious. I slackened my pace. When I got close enough, I saw that the light seeped out from around a closed door. I inched forward, and the door opened just a crack.
I hesitated, weapon drawn, and then I stared ahead, the dark tunnel leading on. Maybe I could just keep going. I felt a surge of hope at the prospect of not having to face the beast within that room.
Then the crying became more distinct, words erupting out painfully clear. “How can I do this to him? He trusted me! I was all he had! For so long!” He sobbed; it sounded pathetic. “I am a monster! I should be destroyed!”
His words cemented me to the floor. I stared at the light before me. Who’s in there? I didn’t know if it was curiosity, horror, or just plain stupidity that kept me there listening.
His words were growled, like the anguish of someone damned to eternal torment. Still, I sat there, captivated by his sobbing.
“If I do this, I won’t go on. I will find a way to end myself,” he muttered between cries. I heard a scuffle from within, things falling to the ground. Was he with someone?
Time to go! No way am I facing two monsters! I rose up, ready to bolt, when he roared, “Blake will never know! Now shut up and let’s enjoy her!”
The voice was the same, though the timbre had changed. It was like listening to Gollum arguing with himself. Or, I realized, the man detesting the dragon within him. Maybe there was some good left in this bug. The human part. The part that wailed at its own actions, that knew it was going to hurt Blake if it killed me.
That human part pleaded, “No! It’ll destroy him! He needs her!”
I knew I should go. I was a complete idiot to stay, but I gravitated toward the door. It was open at least an inch—large enough for spying. I leaned in, desperate to glimpse within. The light blinded me a moment. Then my eyes adjusted, making out a figure standing, its back to me. No wings. Human.
Brown hair, tall, decent build from what I could tell. I didn’t recognize him, and disappointment shot through me. I wanted answers. Who was this person who’d caused so much pain? Is this who swore I’d love him in the cabin? I didn’t even know him. Nothing made sense.
The man clutched at his stomach, hunched over, and sobbed. “I refuse! I won’t do it. Not this time.” He gasped and doubled over, his words barely audible. “Anyone but her!”
Instantly, the man straightened and growled in a deep tone, “Already played that card! All those other girls can’t compare to her! We’ve never hunted such a prize. Why deny us the satisfaction now? Nothing will quench this thirst but her, and you know it. Quit stalling. I’ll kill a thousand others and still want her. Think of it as mercy. You’re sparing them. Let me have her!”
It horrified and fascinated me. He was having an argument with his dragon side. And it’s over whether or not to kill me!
And then, before my eyes, the man began morphing, a shriek tearing from his lips. His height shot up, his body tripling in size. His wings ripped out, tearing the flesh anew, blood splattering down his back. I saw then all the red, ragged scars marking him. Morphing tortured him.
I’d seen enough. Channeling the horror and adrenaline, I bolted, my eyes watering from either the speed or the terror I felt. Blind and in unfamiliar territory, I scraped against rough surfaces, dragged my legs through what felt like razors at times, hit my head, and slammed my body into hard rock more than once. I kept doubling back and pushing on. I had to get out even if I broke every limb doing it.
I heard the door crash open. It echoed down the chamber, ricocheting into a perverse surround sound. I wasn’t sure if he followed after me. Did he go back to my room, hoping I was still unconscious there? How long did I have until he realized I was gone?
I pushed harder, faster.
Then I heard it. The roar of vicious anger coming from behind. He flew without light. He knows these tunnels. I didn’t know why I hadn’t thought of camo before. Digging within myself, while flying scared to death, I found my center. I had no real way of knowing if it had worked. Even if I held my hand directly in front of my face, I saw nothing either way.
But on the off chance my camo had worked, maybe it would help me hide. It was all I had… and the hard shard I’d hung onto.
I heard him approaching. The whoosh from his wings reverberated off the walls behind me. The air pressure changed with h
is flight pattern. Strange, but I could almost sense his movements from behind. When he turned to the side or angled down or up, I felt it within me. Like a sixth sense, I opened myself to it completely. Feel him. Follow his movements. Track him.
I only wished it worked as well with me. I couldn’t sense the tunnel at all and, concentrating so much on the bug, I’d left myself too open to error. The impact of my skull smacking rock dazed me. My wings kept going, but I suddenly couldn’t tell which way was up or down. My wings dragged my body haphazardly across a wall that felt like sandpaper before I could refocus on his movements. Once I felt his location behind me, I pressed forward.
“This is better than I’d hoped for, Samantha!” he yelled out to me. “Makes it so enjoyable.” A wicked laughter flooded the tunnels.
He’s so close! I darted to the left as my body grazed solid rock, trying to navigate the underground maze.
“Do you like it here?” he asked, his voice right behind me now.
I shrieked and he continued, each word sounding closer than the last. “I’ve always wondered what lay under abandoned mines. The outposts look so foreboding. Like rundown shacks with ghosts and goblins. Imagine my delight to discover the underground labyrinth. Home sweet…” Sharp claws grabbed at me, slipping off my arms, leaving gouges in their wake. “Home.”
It happened fast, his body overtaking mine, wrapping me in his clutches from behind. His legs snaked around me, and my arms were instantly pinned, my wings crushed by his chest. I thrust my arm down, trying to spear him with my small dagger.
I hoped to hear a wail, but instead, the rumble of his laughter shook my frame. My weapon clattered to the ground, apparently bouncing right off his tough hide.
“Nice,” he purred into my ear. “Now, let’s get you back to my room for some fun.”
Hidden Monster Page 53