CHAPTER 3 Nightmare

　　Abigail's POV

　　"You know, a gentleman would offer to take the case for me." Pulling the case awkwardly behind me, I half teased, trying to break the silence after fifteen minutes.

　　"What makes you think I'm a gentleman?" He mussed, looking over his shoulder with a wink while watching for my reaction, only to be satisfied by the burning of my cheeks that heated under his intense gaze.

　　"My apologies... I was mistaken... you're an ass!" I grumbled.

　　Pulling the squeaky case behind me, I could see that he was smiling, which only ignited my anger. I don't know why he got under my skin so much, but he did. As if sensing my mood, he leaned over, his fingers softly brushing mine as he took the suitcase handle off me and pulled it himself. When our fingers touched, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of familiarity, although he seemed completely unfazed.

　　Relieved to not be pulling the case, I looked around as I walked, admiring the beauty of the town. I had merely walked twenty steps when I walked right into the back of my escort, quickly pulling away as the familiar sparks shot through me again, shaking me to my core.

　　"We are here." He chuckled, handing me my suitcase; my eyes looked at his hand that held it out to me and then up to him, too scared to touch him again in case that unsettling feeling returned.

　　"Red, I am not the one who looks and smells like they've been dragged through a bush… backwards." He grinned, holding the case out to me. Blushing scarlet, I quickly took the handle, careful not to touch him. I could hardly disagree with him, I felt and smelled disgusting. Still, I didn't like him looking down at me.

　　"You're right; you are no gentleman!" Sensing something behind me, a dark power I could not place. It seemed to come from nowhere, I turned slowly, but the streets remained as empty as before, except now the sun was setting, casting mesmerising shadows over the exquisite town. Narrowing my eyes into the shadows, I couldn't shake the feeling of eyes upon me, assessing me, analysing me more than I was comfortable with. It was usually me in the shadows being on the receiving end had me feeling incredibly nervous.

　　Seeing a flash of purple in the distance, I shook my head slowly, trying to squint to get a better view, but whatever it was had vanished.

　　"Just your imagination," I grumbled, looking at the building, unable to hide my frown at the feeling niggling deep inside me that I was being watched.

　　"This is it?" My eyes widened in shock, and unable to keep the disappointment from my voice, I felt my heart sink.

　　"There must be a mistake?" Looking up at the building that had clearly seen better days, its once red shutters barely hung on, the cream paint peeling off the walls. Dust and filth as high as my waist coated the walls. A sign above the door scarcely visible from the grime and paint flakes read 'Alice's.'

　　"It's… charming," I lied, hoping inside was better.

　　"Glad you approve, Red; I don't know how we would survive if you didn't." Taking a deep breath, I rose above his taunts, pushing the door open, pulling my case inside the old worn out B&B.

　　I was out of luck, inside was worse! Swallowing my pride and frustration, I glanced around the room; China dolls, stuffed dolls, and antique dolls lined glass cabinets, shelves, and walls. There had to be more than a hundred of the nasty things. My eyes widened in shock. Feeling a body behind me just before hands pushed me forward and further into the reception room, I tensed as tingles spread through my body, he was too close, and it was unsettling! Turning to see my mystery 'helper' standing behind me, I opened my mouth to speak but was silenced by his incredible scent. It was like winter at night. Dark, crisp, and smoky, like someone had a coal fire burning somewhere.

　　"What is this place?" I whispered to him, but it was too late; he was clearly in his element, given the sing-song tone to his voice and mischievous grin that crept onto his lips.

　　"The bed and breakfast, it's beautiful right?" He asked. The smile plastered on his face told me he was getting far too much enjoyment out of my misery.

　　"I hate dolls!" I groaned, looking back at the room.

　　"Don't let Alice hear you say that, or you'll be back on the bench!" Narrowing my eyes at him, I went to open my mouth to snap that the bench was a better option when out of the corner of my eye, I spotted movement. Groaning, I turned, half expecting a doll to have come to life and be running at me. But I was instead greeted by a plump older lady in her 60s, her grey and wild hair pulled up in a bun, but there was no denying she was once a great beauty.

　　"Ahh, you must be Abigail! I have been waiting for you, my dear; I am glad Damien found you. I have just finished setting up your room. Don't worry; I have added a few of my dolls to your room, so you don't feel so lonely tonight; I know how scary it can be when you don't know anyone in a new place." She explained; my heart raced, opening my mouth to protest, I was jabbed in the ribs by my helper, who I now knew was called Damien.

　　"Damien darling, thank you for finding our visitor; you're such a good young man; your Father must be so proud of you." She cooed, her voice full of admiration and love. Scoffing, I rolled my eyes and went to protest when the ass spoke.

　　"Nothing is too much for you, Alice. Abigail here just told me that she loves your collection of dolls; she is hoping you would show her them properly." His voice was so full of sincerity that it had her beaming from ear to ear and me stamping on his foot with my boot. Seeming unfazed, he pulled his foot away, pushing me forward, and waved to me sarcastically as Alice took an iron-tight grip of my arm and pulled me over to her collection of creepy dolls or, as she referred to them… her children. She was reeling off each name as if I was meant to mesmerise them.

　　"I must go, Alice. I have taken Abigail's case up to her room. I will see you tomorrow at the town meeting." Damien smoothly cooed to the older woman who had my arm linked with hers in an unnaturally tight grip. I tried to turn to beg him to take me with him, but Alice was having none of it. An hour later, I finally closed my bedroom door. Taking a deep breath, I moved to the dolls that sat proudly on the fireplace, placing them in the wardrobe with a shudder.

　　Turning slowly to drink in the room, I saw my case had been placed on the bed. Unzipping it, I pulled out my wash bag and fresh PJs and headed for the ensuite. The toilet covered in pink ruffles and matching toilet seat warmer made my skin crawl. Even the bathroom screamed for saving with its worn wallpaper peeling off the walls, most likely from the steam.

　　'Don't drink or eat anything Ab's, or you will get eaten by pink lace ruffles.' I mused to myself. Turning on the shower, I nodded appreciatively, hearing its wine as it started to heat up. Feeling its pain, I smiled at its musical protests while I twisted my hair into a bun to keep it dry, not having the energy to dry it tonight.

　　Stepping in tentatively, I groaned loudly, feeling the heat soothe my aching body; it had been years since I had felt things like exhaustion, hunger, and other human feelings; it must have been this travel sucking my strength out of me. After a long shower, I quickly changed and collapsed on the bed, grinning at my Disney PJs, amused that despite my insistence to be treated like an adult, I still owned Stitch pj's. A picture of stitch looking bedraggled plastered on the front of my top with a quote saying, "I woke up like this" Rather accurate, I chuckled inwardly as I snuggled under the covers, sleep taking me within minutes as exhaustion got the better of me.

　　***Everything seemed off like all the goodness had been sucked out of the room. Unable to draw in air that didn't feel polluted with hatred and sinister intent, I held my breath. Panic seeped up my spine, yet I couldn't pinpoint how or why. I could feel an unexplained evil creeping over my body, smothering me as if trying to suck every ounce of purity from my soul. I opened my eyes wider, trying to use my divine gifts to see through the darkness, only to be stilled by the realisation that this was more than nightfall; no, this was a menacing darkness, something different entirely. Tall hooded, and corrupt. I could feel the presence lingering in the room, watching me; it felt like evil itself. Lucifer? No… this was personal. The panic seemed to become more electric, radiating through my core.

　　I had upset a lot of creatures, good and evil, in pursuit of my father. This is the very reason I found myself in this town- hidden, isolated, and entirely off the grid, so to speak. At least, that's what I had thought! From the corner of the room, I could sense the malice coming off it in waves. Adrenaline taking over, I stepped forward just as purple eyes flashed from the darkness in the corner, freezing me to the spot.

　　Unsure if it was a warning or introduction, I could only stare blankly. It appeared as curious about me as I happened to be about it- or its intentions. Each move seemed calculated as it silently edged towards me, sucking all energy from my body, weakening me dramatically. My legs buckled under me, and I hit the floor with force, finding myself paralyzed by fear.

　　Completely aware that this thing could snuff me out as quickly as blowing out a candle in this fragile state- If it wanted to, that is! It just stared at me; its deep purple eyes seemed to sparkle with blue flickers like a fierce fire drinking in my energy and fears thriving off them. Just as I prepared for it to strike, a loud bang on my door startled it, its head snapping around, seemingly accessing the development.

　　With the malicious being's attention off me, I watched, jumping as another bang came on the door, accompanied by a familiar voice grumbling on the other side of the wood, moaning about something inaudible to even to my ears. I didn't want it to leave before I understood it, seizing my chance I reached into the darkness, only to fall forwards into darkness, my head colliding with something sharp seconds before everything went black.