Novels by soft_marsh

REN'S POVAs my restraints come unbound, my body collapses like a marionette with severed strings and my relief is overshadowed by the overwhelming weight of fatigue. In a haze between consciousness and oblivion, I teeter on the edge of awareness, my senses dulled and my movements sluggish. I feel myself slipping as my strength wanes.In the midst of my descent, a firm yet gentle presence intercepts my fall, arms wrapping around me with an unexpected steadiness- becoming my sole anchor in the swirling abyss.Though my vision blurs and my mind swims in a fog, I sense the solidity of his embrace, a lifeline tethering me to the realm of wakefulness. There's a fleeting moment of relief as I lean into his support, my body finding solace in the warmth of his touch amidst the numbing chill of semi-consciousness. Yet mixed emotions surge within me - fear of what lay ahead, anger at my helplessness and a profound sense of determination to escape my destined fate in this hell hole.His face -et

REN'S POVA primal shriek laced with fear escapes my lips as chains descend from above, their metallic coils snaking toward me with ominous intent, halting my less-than-graceful descent with a jarring force. The scalding embrace of the hot steel encircles my wrists and ankles, stretching me to an agonizing limit. All the while keeping me suspended.I voice a strangled hiss of pain as I clench my eyes shut, the oppressive darkness pressing in on me like a suffocating cloak. And each passing moment seems to intensify the searing heat, a phantom sensation of flames licking at my skin. Tears well in my eyes and fall, tracing a solitary path down my cheek. But they feel scorching hot, their fiery touch igniting a torment of their own against my flesh.In the depths of darkness, I envision it as an unrelenting force; red flames leaping and roaring with a vicious fervor. Its ravenous appetite knows no bounds, intent on devouring all I have to offer. It sears the rough pads of my feet, ignit

REN'S POVI slowly regain consciousness in an unfamiliar room, my surroundings shrouded in a haze of disorientation as a low throb reverberates against my temple. I notice the subdued lighting casting eerie shadows on unfamiliar walls, I feel the softness of plush beddings underneath my back and... something cold encasing my wrists. Panic sets in as I lift myself off the bed and set my gaze on the cold, unyielding cuffs binding my hands and adding to my growing sense of vulnerability. The room's details –unknown pieces of furniture and muted colors– come into focus as my senses sharpen and bleary eyes begin to clear.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to steady my breathing and calm my racing heart. My focus shifts to the cold metal cuffs encircling my wrists, glinting in the dim light. Tracing their path, I find that they're connected to thick black leather straps that snake their way down to my feet, where they join with another set of cuffs, tightly restricting my movements.Minutes r

REN'S POV;A memory flashes in my head, no, not the bad ones that I so desperately wish to forget. Rather, this one is one of the very few peaceful memories I find hard to come by. I remember gazing out the window through the swollen eyes of my thirteen year old self, giddy with excitement as my finger subconsciously bunched up the ends of my plaid skirt. The windows of the sleek black Mercedes my father had bought that week rolled down, the autumn breeze blowing cool against my skin.I remember the car skidding to a stop and my mother rushing over to my side to help me out, smiling gently at me as her nimble fingers worked to quickly brush back my wild strands of hair. We walked to the very front of the church; hand in hand with my mom whilst my father led the way with confident strides, my smile never fading as we settled into a row and listened to the preacher's powerful voice booming loudly through the speakers. Vividly, I recall his parting words before the service was conclu

AÏDON'S POV;“Must you be so loud?" Hints of agitation linger behind my words as I eye the skinwalker seated beside me, today he's decided to wear his human skin. A mass of dark hair lays atop his head in disarray, smoky orbs observing the scene playing out before us as he noisily slurps on his milkshake. My presence in such gatherings is highly unlikely especially as I am neither demanded nor welcomed at such events, but seeing as the tiny devil was found in my territory, I - against my better judgment - am seemingly involved in the investigation process.“Mathias." I snap, irritated by the loud noise. He stops mid-sip and turns to me, wide eyes gleaming with mischief as he cocks his head to the side in mock confusion. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" "You should be burning in the depths of Tartarus at this ungodly hour." At my comment, he grins and lifts a shoulder in a half shrug, unbothered with the glare digging into his skull. "As long as there's an abundance of dick then

REN'S POV;I am ruffled awake by a burning sensation in my arms and wrists. There's a persistent throb in my head as well. My first instinct is to rub the sore spot in relief, however, my hands seem to be stuck. Fear grapples me and my eyes flutter open, suddenly aware of the uncomfortable hardness prickling at my back and neck. This isn't my apartment, I think to myself as my squinted eyes roam the small, dimly lit, stone-walled cell. The air is thick with a musty scent, and the cold, damp floor sends shivers through me as I slowly pull myself to a sitting position. The chains around my wrists clinking together at my sluggish movements.“Hello?” I call out once, twice, thrice. No response.I try desperately to recall what had happened to me... how I ended up here. Blurry images flash behind my eyelids, the loud rumble of thunder resounds and I clench my eyes shut as pain spikes at my skull.Fuck.It doesn't take long for me to make a couple of observations about my absurd situatio