Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Arborview - October 4, 1:43 p.m.
Something was terribly wrong and I needed to go on. Be brave, Moss. What was this place, tucked away in underground Arborview? I held onto the ladder and closed my eyes, this was the most adventure I ever had.
The ladder wobbled as I descended and I wound up in a dark, brick room, webbed with blood, gauze, and lit candles - it was cramped. A cauldron bubbled and steam rose, making the room glow shades of amber. The air smelled putrid, overwhelmed with the scent of chemicals and gore. Skeletons lay in shackles on the ground but each was labelled with a note like a museum exhibit.
Paper clung to the wooden floor panels, the dried blood held it in place. "Shadow," one read. The rest read either "Prisoner" or "Traitor." Cobwebs consumed the skeletons, they had been there for a while, no flesh rested on any bone.
What kind of joke was this? I didn't get it. Why would this be beneath the shed? Did my parents know of this place? Suddenly, I had the urge to go back up the ladder but muffled voices caught my attention.
I kept my back to the brick wall while the voices continued in the next room, easily audible through the doorway.
"You're like the ring leader of a circus, you know," cackled one.
"Just remember, once the beast fails to follow her act, she will get punished," laughed another. The voices echoed against the cold walls.
"Truly, you are like a beast master - such a powerful animal and you manage to keep it tame. No - You are better than a beast master because the beast doesn't even recognize that you are its captor but follows you anyway, like a dog."
"Yes, she is like a dog. Too bad the other one wasn't as obedient and I've his skeleton to prove it." The women laughed together. "That stupid boy."
"I'm pleased to see that our dark magic continues to thrive outside of Eastvale, stronger than ever before, because of your kind contribution to the Dark Council."
"Anything for the Dark Council, Adene. Anything."
"Thank you again, Ines. Soon, we will be able to seek revenge for what Eastvale has done to us. The Dark Council is eternal, I'm glad that you haven't forgotten."
Ines. Mother? I barely recognized her voice, I had never heard her speak in such a confident tone. Who were the beast and the skeleton boy she spoke of?
"I will notify both you and the other high-ranking dark witches if that trash ever comes again, looking for her. It's a good thing I've trained her to stay indoors at all times."
"She won't find what she wants, Ines. The Dark Council will make certain of it," Adene smirked. "Don't hesitate to communicate if anything else happens, I know you wouldn't mind putting this one in shackles too if it meant us keeping our dark magic."
"Of course, you know very well of my loyalty," my mother replied and looked down at a lofty book, "I suppose I should start preparing the spell to keep that filth off of our property, Remi is walking to the store to purchase reagents as we speak."
"What a great husband indeed, do tell Remi that the Dark Council gives him its respect. Farewell." Sparks illuminated from the witch's body and engulfed her. Within seconds, she had disappeared.
My mind raced, my heart pounded, I had an infinite amount of questions to ask. Mother - who is your pet beast? Why are you the ring leader? Why do you keep your beast inside so often? What about the blood and skeletons? Are they real? Why did you hide this place from me? Are you a dark witch? Do you really belong to the Dark Council?
The more I silently questioned, the more I could answer. It dawned on me - I was the beast she held captive and she had been the master all along, keeping me inside for her convenience. The hunter and the hunted, oblivious to her capture. I gasped, my life in sudden animation.
Note: I apologize for my extreme absence. Over this long period of time, a lot in my life has changed but I will continue with Through Her Eyes. My computer has been fixed as well so I'll be able to play The Sims 2 (at last!) once it re-installs. I've yet to even try playing The Sims 3 and will use The Sims 2 for all following chapters of Through Her Eyes.
Feeling lost? Check out the Chapter Guide, I know it's been a while. The next chapter should be posted either tonight or tomorrow.
Return to Chapter Nine
Continue to Chapter Eleven