Lost In The Dark

Scarlett:

" Mine! No! You're too weak to be mine,"

The darkness engulfed me as the outrageous deep voice echoed through my ears. I hurdled away, cuddling my body on my bed. I tightly shut my eyes, the freezing atmosphere blending with my anxieties. I could hear my heart drumming against my chest like raging war. Cold hugging onto me yet I felt my body drenched in hot sweat. Why was he after me again? That one question I had been asking myself but couldn't get an answer.

" I am not for you,"

His deep voice torturously added to my anxiety.

" Please...leave me alone,"

I cried out, my voice filled with emotions, tears raining down my face, exhaustion claiming my fragile body that I felt like I would pass out any moment from now.

Ah!

Now, I could feel his toxic touch against my pale skin. His touch on me felt like needles piercing my skin. His touch on me felt like I am drenching in ice, it feels like it could kill me any seconds from now. It felt threatening yet comforting, it felt strong yet smoothen.

I felt his presence loomed over me, his fingers trailing down to the side of my neck sending chills down my spine. I shuddered in response, staying where I was, my head went blank from the fervent feelings I began to get.

" You don't know how tempting you are, little one. I could bite you now for all I care. But I cannot mark a weak monster like you, can I?"

No! I couldn't hold back the loud cry that threatened to drop out of my mouth so I let it out. I screamed as loud as I could, my voice filled of terror as I abruptly jerked my eyes open, waking from the usual nightmares I got. I looked up at the ceiling while I tried to calm myself.

The evening light engulfed my room. The cold breeze swishing through my windows, blowing my curtains aside and meeting my sweaty skin.

That was yet another nightmare I would be having for the second time today. I got them nearly everyday with different scenarios, either the man appearing in my dream and saying what I couldn't comprehend or something that was more terrifying. That was how I had been living my life. My nightmares and personal struggles were all based on my obscurity. I didn't want to let anyone know about it.

I climbed down from my bed, going to turn on the light switch before making my way into my bathroom. I rinsed my face for the hundredth time today and dried it with my small face towel.

I left my room, going down to the living room. The visitors became scanty as time passed by. Their gaze fell on me, one which I ignored as I decided to go into the kitchen wanting to divert myself from their additional traumas. Behind me, I could hear footsteps following up. I didn't need to look back to know who it was.

I or rather we got to the kitchen. I pulled out the stool that was permanently kept in here and gently sat on it while I rested my arm on the counter, my fingers played on it. The person came over to me, a sharp sigh left his lips, one which did no justice by fuelling my pain, reminding me of the most tragic moment of my life. I pressed back my tears but to avail. It came running down my face.

" It's going to be okay,"

He told me, Sam was his name. A short term to Samuel. I looked up at his pitiful eyes, a tiny smile lined on his lips matching those drab black eyes of his.

" Thank you for making time for me,"

He said nothing as he looked down at the envelope he held before stretching it towards me. I arched my brows in confusion.

" It's to recompense you for the loss of your beloved sister. It's from the company. We thought we could do something to assist you and your family for time you'll be vacating from work,"

How thoughtful they could be. I forced a smile on my lips and collected the envelope, grateful that mom wouldn't need to worry about working for the meantime. She was persistent in resuming her work tomorrow since we barely had any money to sustain us after the funeral of my sister.

My sister! My heart tightened with agony just by remembering her little face.

" Thank you,"

Just when I thought he was done, he pulled out another envelope from his pocket and handed it to me. Now I am confused.

" This is specifically from the boss, Scarlett,"

I sigh.

" I don't want it," My voice trembled.

" He has ordered me not to return to the company without delivering this to you. I'm sure you'll need it for the time being,"

He was right. I collected the envelope and dropped it on the counter then ruffled my hair away from my face.

My glassy eyes spoiled my eyesight as I tried to blink back my tears.

" Tell him I said thank you,"

Sam nodded, pulling me into his chest for an embrace, one which I gladly accepted. My tears soaked his shirt while my cries became louder as seconds ate away.

If there was anyone within our family who didn't deserve such a cruel death was my little sister. Why was the world filled with cruelty? Days ago, we received a call saying she was dead. Somehow, someone managed to find her body and rushed her to hospital. She died even before we got there, she didn't even get to see her family for the last time before she died.

Everytime I remembered this, my hatred for the heartless murder grew. A murderer we didn't know of. But I suspected only one person. That cruel beast who everyone residing in Baridona feared. That one who killed for what reason? No one knew, the only time he attacked was at night time, midnight to be precise and after killing a person, he leaves a trail on the dead body and wandered away, uncaught.

No one believed it was him who murdered my sister because there was no trace of his sign anywhere but I solely believed he was the beast behind all this. I always wondered, who was he and why was he doing all of this? Even the corps feared for dear life when they were on the mission to haunt him down so they decided to cut things off with the mission after they had lost thousands of police officers.

That was how bad that heartless monster was. There was one name they called him though, Mr Strange.

Soon enough, all the visitors including Sam all left, leaving my family and I seated in circles in the living room making us feel like we are falling into an abyss of despair then my brother, Max got on his feet and trotted towards the door.

" I need to clear my head off some things,"

The terror that gripped my heart when he neared the door was too obvious to be hidden. I glanced over at my mom who lounged on the couch, devastated. Her swollen eyes and unkempt hair made her look more like a wild creature than a person.

" You shouldn't leave, it's almost night fall,"

I had to stop him from going anywhere. Who knew, that fucking bastard could ambush tonight.

" I won't be long,"

" Max,"

" I promise,"

Sure, my brother was a problematic project already. He would never listen to me. I went over to my mom and pulled her into a hug, a moment of solace was what she lacked from her family right now.

After mom fell asleep on the couch, I headed back into the kitchen to make a little something that we could have for dinner. Just as I made my last step into the kitchen, my phone beeped with my usual BINGO tone indicating that I had a message. I retired to get my phone and came back to the kitchen. As I pulled a glass of milk from the fridge and kept it down on the counter, I unlocked my phone to see a message from a person I least expected to see, my boss.

My stomach twisted sickeningly as I read the message.

' Resume work in two days or make out with me in my office, the choice is yours, Scarlett.'