It can’t be the same one. With that thought, Sarah went to bed, trying to get some sleep.
Sarah looked out and over the area, scanning it. The wildflowers grew around her along with brambles at the cleaning edges. She could count it, mint, lavender, daisies, marigolds, (blank), and (blank), and the sight amazed her in a way that she hadn’t felt in a long time. As if she was young again, and then the cawing started.
Sarah looked up to the blue sky, looking at the black clouds that started to roll in, but something seemed off so she continued to stare. Squinting her eyes, she heard another caw ring out, coming from the clouds. That’s not a cloud. She thought, and her body froze in fear as she realized the black clouds were flocks of crows and ravens.
Sarah wanted to run, but she knew there was no way that she could run away from them fast enough, and the brambles at the clearing seemed to have grown larger, scarier. They’d stop her if she tried. Fear seized her heart but not her body. Sarah shot to the ground, hunkering herself down in the lavender, fearing it wouldn’t help but not seeing an alternative.
Before too long the flock was upon her, pecking, clawing, cawing, and she wanted nothing more than to scream but it seemed as if her very screams were ripped away before they were born. The warmth of blood running down her arms was gut-twistingly obvious. The smell of copper and filth met her nose but the pain blinded her.
Then it just stopped. Sarah didn’t dare look up, but she wanted to desperately. The blood on her arms began to dry and become sticky. She felt like she was going to be sick to her stomach, bile biting at the back of her throat. Her whole body was still shaking, but she wasn’t sure if it was from adrenaline or fear. She stayed still and listened, waiting to see if the crows would come back, but nothing could be heard.
Forcing herself to look up, her body protested the act. She didn’t dare look at her harms but the corner of her vision was filled with drying blood. Across the meadow the brambles were still high, and feathers littered the ground around her, but that’s not what Sarah was concentrating on.
Across from here stood a boy with black hair and piercing blue eyes. His skin was pale, so different than the skin that she grew up with. It looked almost like paper, almost as if he was dead. It’s the boy from the streets, my house. Her panic rose inside her again, but she could see the curve of his lips lifting into a smile, and a shudder overtook her.
“Sarah.” He said simply, but it seemed to echo around her.
“Who are you?” She asked, but all the boy did was laugh and shake his head. His laugh was like velvet wrapping around her, and she couldn’t help but to think that there was something amiss. Her fear was lessening, but she knew it shouldn’t be.
“That’s not the question, Sarah. That’s not the right question at all.” His tone was cool, and her eyes were glued to him in a way that left her mesmerized.
“Who are you?!” She shouted this time, anger burning through her veins.
“I told you. That’s not the question.” His gaze grew dark, and Sarah’s fear returned. The beating of her heart increasing, thudding in her ears. Her body began to shake again, and she just couldn’t stop it. Sarah felt helpless.
“Then what is the question?” She cried out, feeling helpless.
“Who are you, Sarah? Who are you?” With that he stepped into the clearing, and Sarah found herself scrambling to get away from him. As if something in her body was telling her that she should run.
“Now, now. Sarah there is no need to run. This is a dream after all. You control it. I’m just a visitor.” His tone seemed a mixture of sincerity and mocking, and that was something that she just couldn’t understand.
A dream? She thought, and Sarah started to look around. Of course. This isn’t my neighborhood. Where are we? I’ve never seen this place before. All the while she kept her eyes on him, and the boy stopped a few feet away from her.
“See. No harm.” He told her, and he sat down cross legged, eyeing the blood that had dried on her back and arms. For the first time she realized that her clothes were now shreds, and she went to cover, feeling positively embarrassed, which only caused him to chuckle more.
“Oh. Now, the modest one. Not on the bike, of course.” This time Sarah could tell that he was mocking her, as his eyes roamed up and down, her cheeks went red, from embarrassment or anger she wasn’t entirely sure.
“If this is my dream, get out.” She exclaimed, in a moment of child-like disbelief and anger at his audacity.
“Now, now. You’re bleeding. Don’t you think that I should help you first?” He smiled at her, and she noticed an elongated tooth as his lips curled, there was one on each side. Fangs. She felt puzzled, but then Sarah reminded herself that this was only a nightmare. He can’t be real. Just wake up. Wake up. For some reason she couldn’t, and Sarah settled into the fact that she was stuck in this nightmare if she liked it or not.
“What’s your name?” She demanded, eyeing him up and down. He was dressed rather finely, as if he didn’t belong in this place. He wore a button up shirt made of the darkest forest green. The buttons were an ivory that made her think of bone, and immediately she wished she hadn’t.
“Arthur.” He stated simply, and it seemed as if the name had come right out of a storybook. For a moment, Sarah smiled. This is ridiculous. She tried to tell herself so that she didn’t have to be afraid any longer. Arthur reached over to grab her arm, and she yanked herself away, causing pain to shoot through her.
Arthur tsked at her actions, wagging his finger at her. He went to reach for her again, but she shook her head.
“Now, now. You can’t bleed out. Let me help.” He motioned her to put her hand in his. When she did he smiled at her, looking into her eyes. His seemed so cold, an ice blue that would never thaw.
His fingers moved over her skin, and a warmth spread through her. Looking down she could see the skin healing itself under his touch. Sarah wanted to freak out over it, but she continued to remind herself that it was just a dream.
It doesn’t feel like a dream. Not at all. Sarah could feel the breeze, crisp on her skin. She could feel his touch, warm and yet uninviting. She felt the crows and ravens before, and she was sure that if she tried to run she would feel the brambles digging into her skin, but despite the horrors that she had encountered, the sky remained blue.
“Now, who are you, Sarah?” He asked her, his look becoming all too serious after he had healed her skin. The question seemed to echo around her, and Sarah wished that she could answer him.
“You just said my name. I don’t understand.” She insisted, and Arthur just shook his head.
“No, no. Sarah isn’t who you are. It’s a name, just a name given by your parents. Who are you?” He asked again, but she was no closer to understanding what he meant. Arthur sighed in frustration, as if everything she said was a bother.
“I’ll be seeing you around, then.” He said as he got up, glancing over his shoulder. She could see the way his hair curled around his ears and the nape of his neck. Sarah tried not to stare, but then when he caught her he smiled. That smile struck the fear right back into her heart as her gaze settled on the fangs protruding from his mouth.
“Stop stalking me.” But it came out no more than a whisper, and he was already stepping over the brambles that shrunk in his presence so he could get by.
“I’m watching.” Was the only sentiment that echoed around her in Arthur’s voice, and that’s when Sarah woke up.
She woke up in a cold sweat, glancing at the clock. It read six a.m., but she couldn’t get back to sleep. Sarah made her way to the shower, wanting nothing more than to get clean. She could still feel the blood dripping down her skin, the pain from where the claws dug in and the birds pecked. She wanted nothing more than to wash that away.
The hot water was welcoming, but her mind kept drifting back to the blue eyes that pierced through her very soul.
Sarah started her ways down the stairs, but as she did she heard her sister’s voice.
Drake’s voice followed.
“Adriana, it’s so nice to see you.” His welcoming voice made Sarah sick. Of course. My dear sister Adriana was visiting. She wanted to vomit, but she knew that she had to make her way down there. I need my damn coffee.
Storming her way down she bypassed her brother and tried to do the same for her sister. She could see the curve of her sister’s smile resting on her perfect face.
“It’s nice to see you too, Sarah.” She said, and it seemed all too genuine. “You aren’t still mad at me for leaving are you? I got a job, Sarah. It’s what adults do, and you’ll be an adult soon enough.” Her sister lectured, but it didn’t seem in ill will.
“I just want my coffee, dear sister. Not a lecture.” Her tone was sharper than she meant it to be, but she was still angry. It’s not like her sister had told her she was moving out. If she did, that probably would have been different to Sarah. Instead, she woke up one morning with an email and her sister completely gone to go off with models and do photo shoots. You’re not just pretty. You’re inconsiderate.
Drake rolled his eyes and ushered them both to sit down. He was already making them breakfast, obligating Sarah to stay.
“You seem tired.” Drake addressed Sarah, not making it a question. He eyed her suspiciously, as if something was off. “Did you get rid of the doll?” Out of the corner of Sarah’s eye she saw her sister eying her with the same suspicion that her brother did.
“It’s put away.” She said coolly, sitting down with her coffee in hand. Her brother’s frustration was evident.
“I told you to get rid of it.” He said, coldly. For a moment Sarah was taken aback.
“You’re not mom or dad.” She shot back at him. Adriana just arched an eyebrow.
“Speaking of. Where are they?” Adriana asked innocently. Both of them turned their eyes to her, a little angry at her for interrupting.
“Vacation.” Drake answered. “It is summer. I told them I’d watch Sarah.”
“Not that I need watching.” She quipped back. “I’m almost an adult.” Adriana smiled at that, but Drake just rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah. You’re still my little sister. Now eat your breakfast.” He said as he dished out some eggs and bacon. Toast on the side, as usual. Adriana only ate egg whites and a little bit of bread, and that just seemed to infuriate Sarah more.
The rest of the meal was ate in silence, but Sarah’s siblings seemed to be sharing a look that she didn’t like. This made her eat as quickly as she could so that she could get away.
“I’m going off with my friends.” She said as she made her way to the garage.
“Be home for dinner!” Drake shouted at her, and she finally conceded just to get him off her back. It’s not like I wanted to spend the money on dinner anyways. She convinced herself. With that she was on her bike and heading to the park. It was always a great place to clear her mind and get away.
Sarah wanted nothing but silence. Yesterday was too much for her to handle, and she wanted to just scream. As she rode her bike she was happy that she was in shorts today, too creeped out by what Arthur had said to her in her dream. It was just a dream. She continued to try to remind herself. The daylight comforted her.
She didn’t want to be stuck home with Adriana or Drake, but she also didn’t want to deal with Vince’s smile, Riesa’s obliviousness or Draven’s piercing gaze. That’s why she rode towards her destination now. So that she could have a few moments piece. She felt safe in the daylight.
The park started to come into her vision, Willow Grove Park. It was her safe haven, with miles of trails that she could get lost in, but she remembered the warnings as a child. Never deviate from the path. Every child knew it. It wouldn’t be the first time a child got lost in this park. Most were always found, but there are some that just weren’t. It was a sad fate, but it was a true tale.
No one seemed to be there this early, and for that Sarah was truly thankful. She locked her bike up, and then she ran for the trails, as fast as her feet would carry her. It was as if something was compelling her forward more than her desire to escape the crazy world that had become her life. The trees seemed to welcome her, and the sun disappeared behind the thick canopy. Wavering sunlight would come and go through the leaves, but Sarah kept running.
Her feet took her further into the forest, and she could feel her heart beating in her chest. Everything seemed so surreal around her. The clarity of the world was sharp and even colors seemed too bright. It was as if Sarah was looking through her eyes in a dream, but she knew that she was awake.
Even when her legs began to quaver and it felt like the entire world was falling away from her she still continued to run. Sarah couldn’t make herself stop even though her chest was aching and her breath was coming labored. The trees started to blur together in her vision, and the cawing of birds sounded through the air. In the sides of her vision she could see the black feathers. The world starting to spin, and Sarah landed her feet in muck. Her hands clutched unforgiving bark that cut into her skin, scraping it open.
The cawing settled, stopped. However, Sarah knew that wasn’t the end of it. Her vision was blurry. Her chest ached. Slowly, Sarah sunk to her knees, seeming to be in a marsh. She glanced around for the path, but in her blurry vision she could no longer find it. The path. The path. She panicked, looking for it, but it was nowhere to be seen. Sarah was truly lost.
Black spots danced in her vision and the cawing picked up again, almost as if a song was playing in her head. A black feathered raven flew beside her, but it didn’t seem to want to hurt her. It almost seemed familiar, but the black spots grew. One of the raven’s feathers floated through the air down to her. She went to grab for it, but as her hands closed around it her eyes closed as well.
She felt herself sinking into the muck, but there was nothing that she could do. Sarah awoke somewhere else. She was dressed in a gown that was black, morbid, but flowing around her like waves. Sarah thought that it looked like the black sea had come to swallow her whole. Then she heard the laughter.
Looking around, Sarah saw the trees bleeding. It looked like it at least, as red sap sprung from every tree, making pools of blood looking sap at the bottom, bleeding into the muck where she stood, to look like blood had formed the water.
But across from her she saw him. He sat on one of the tree’s branches, and Sarah shook her head. She trembled in fear once more because this time his eyes truly looked piercing, like on the first night that she saw him.
“Sarah.” Arthur said, smiling at her, but the smile was not kind.
“Arthur.” She tried to keep her voice calm, but it wavered still. Sarah tried to stand as tall as she could, but she could feel herself sinking in the muck, but something kept her from taking a step. He chuckled at her false bravado.
“Oh, Sarah. You aren’t brave. Don’t try to be.” He tsked at her, but his smile never wavered. Sarah wanted to feel insulted, but she was too scared, and she knew that he was right. I’m not brave. She wanted to cry, wishing that she could stand as tall as her sister Adriana or be as fierce as her brother Drake.
She watched as Arthur dropped down from the branch with a grace that made her heart skip a beat. He started to walk towards her, slowly, as you would a frightened animal. But his smile held malice and his eyes the cunning of a hunter.
“Come now. I’ve been patient with you thus far, Sarah. Do you have an answer?” His voice was cool, and he continued to march steadily towards her. Finally Sarah was able to yank her foot back, wanting nothing more than to get far away from him.
“Stay away from me.” Her voice came out strong, despite the fact that she felt like she could just break down and start crying. His gaze turned angry as he saw her backing away, and Sarah realized that her other foot was stuck.
“Now, now. Just stay still, Sarah. Answer the question.” His voice sounded deadly, but Arthur had stopped his march towards her, but he was only about seven feet away now, and she wanted to continue running f
rom him, but Sarah couldn’t get her foot undone.
Arthur watched her as she struggled, and then his smile resumed when he saw that her foot wasn’t going anywhere. His eyes met hers.
“Didn’t your parents tell you not to play in the muck?” He tsked at her again, and Sarah yanked at her foot angrily, it finally coming lose. His eyes widened, and Sarah began to run. It was hard, but she started, and a cry of frustration sounded behind her, and Sarah couldn’t help but to think that it sounded too much like a hiss.
Sarah didn’t dare look back as she ran, trying to find the path. Where is it? Where is it? Her thoughts were just as panicked as she was, but her gut told her she’d never truly find the path this way. There was something wrong. This wasn’t the park that Sarah had come to know and love.
“You won’t get away. You belong to us. You’ll belong to me!” She could hear Arthur’s screams, but she didn’t dare contemplate the meaning behind his words as she ran as fast as she could. The trees started to blur again, and the sun started to fade behind black wings. Not again. She internally cried as she saw the crows descending upon her.
Even if Arthur couldn’t catch up to her, those birds on their wings would certainly do so. Just as the first claw started to catch her arm, causing warm blood to trickle down her skin, she screamed and the world began to shake. Pieces of it falling away, and blackness consumed her.
Sarah woke to voices speaking softly around her. Her head felt like it was swimming with cement, and her stomach felt like it was all the way in her throat. Still she forced herself to open her eyes, and she saw that she was safe in her bed. All a dream? She asked herself, but she could still the claws of the crow as it had taken her arm. She could still hear Arthur’s voice.
Thrills: Vol.2 Page 2