Carnal Helotry

[Orin]

An inhuman scream quaked through the air, over the deafening crackle of the inferno with an ear piercing tenor. The girl tottered through the room desperately, stumbling over a fallen rafter and smashing into the floor. Her head connected with something solid and she spun to her side, inhaling smoke and fighting unconsciousness as she lay panting on the ground. She brought a hand to her head, her fingers coming back before her eyes wet with blood. She moaned helplessly and shut her eyes; she just needed to rest for a second.

Her body was suddenly soaked, a rush of liquid spilling down from the ceiling and quenching the flames to an extent. She gagged on a mouthful of water and fought to push herself above the ebb, but her arms wouldn’t move. Her head was still spinning from the contusion; body dead to her control. She gasped hopelessly as the water rose, taking in a horrible breath of half water, half smoke and air. The shallow tide slipped above her mouth and nose and her thoughts went into overdrive. Second after second passed as she held her breath, lungs ablaze as they pleaded for oxygen. A rush of h2o swished through lips and nostrils and into her airways as she surrendered, down her chest and into her lungs; the girl coughed and choked uselessly as the moments clocked by. Darkness flickered in and out as she grudgingly accepted it, her mind shutting off one pathway at a time.

Suddenly, her shoulder cried out in pain, snapping her into clarity as she was heaved upright and dragged towards a doorway. She gagged again, wheezing for air as water spilled out of her stomach and lungs. Her eyelids blinked a few times in an attempt to focus, a trickle of pain induced tears sliding down her cheek as her left side burned in agony; the thought crossed her mind that the jolt had dislocated her shoulder. She turned her vision to the unknown being, her heart skipping a beat as the blurry figure turned its head towards her, fiery eyes gleaming a demonic red as it trudged through the shallows. Her mind willed her to faint, but the searing ache tore her back to reality. She shivered as it towed her into another room.

The young woman flew through the air at the being’s might, bouncing into a jumble atop something that gave to her weight and sprung back at her collision. She rolled over to her back and made a note to keep her left arm limp, bringing her gaze back to the silhouette in the glowing doorway. The figure lurched forward, its eyes ripping through the girl’s countenance as it raised a leg onto what she know identified as a bed. Her thoughts were in panic mode now; fighting to move, she heaved herself over and grasped a large shiver of wood lying to her side, raising it up and thrusting it into the dark stranger’s chest.

“Aghh!” She squealed in surprise and pain as the makeshift spear hit its chest and stopped cold; painful splinters driving themselves into her hand, she dropped the instrument and withdrew her arm.

Her eyes squeezed shut reflexively in response to the stinging haze, oblivious as to her next move. A shadow slipped over her body and she shuddered in terror, waiting for the unknown to tear her apart. She sniveled as a razor sharp jab sank into her skin, starting at the bottom of her throat and gliding down her chest, belly, then between her legs. The girl choked out a scream as her garments were torn to either side, leaving her bare and bleeding beneath the living nightmare. She smashed her eyes together and sobbed as the event drudged by; her pupils rolled back under their lids, her heart willing it all to end.

The being lifted itself, bringing those seething eyes to her own as she opened them slowly, despite her mind telling her not to. A slather of noxious saliva dripped down onto her face, searing her lips and chin with what felt like thick acid. A midnight black limb drew back suddenly, glistening spikes extended and hovering above her head. The girl swallowed hard and shut her eyes for a final time as the air shrieked with motion and the daggers fell.

---

Sidney’s eyes shot open, wide and bloodshot, her body drenched and wet. She bolted upright, surveying the room in an instant. No fire, no smoke, no demon; she breathed a sigh of relief again. The dreams; or nightmares, rather; wouldn’t leave her alone. A gentle rush of air rustled her hair as she flopped back down on the mattress.

The door clicked again and opened slowly, Carsten entering with something over his arm. He smiled a greeting and hung it on a wall to his left.

“Sleep well, I hope?” He spoke quietly in realization that she had just awoke. “I’ll leave you to it, but please, come out if you will when you’re ready; someone will show you the way.” Carsten offered. “And wear this, if you would. I think it would be lovely on you.”

With that he turned and left her alone again, wondering what on earth he was talking about. She hopped to her feet and gingerly stepped over to the hanging object, unzipping its face to reveal a crisp and beautiful indigo dress, long and flowing with a vibrant shimmer. A smile couldn’t help but find its way to her lips as she lifted it out of its case carefully. What was going on? She had no idea, but all she could do was play along.

She stripped quickly, tossing her clothes to floor, and carried the garment to the bathroom with her to get cleaned up.