Chapter Four

Run!

That's exactly the only word my muddled up mind has been screaming but I couldn't will my legs to obey the command, and even if I do, to where? I remained rooted to my spot while my heart continues to drum crazily in my chest.

It talked! I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the creepy foghorn voice, a voice that could make the strongest of men crumble with fear, until I heard it speak again. 

The voice sends shivers of fear down my spine whilst the temperature around me drops and the atmosphere became freezing cold.

"You're growing. Faster than I had imagined," it said, pausing for a second before it continues, "It's almost time and I can't wait to do it all over again." I flinched.

I can feel its burning gaze on me although I don't know what its face looks like and the voice of it I cannot distinguish, all I could do is to stay rooted to where I stand while I shake with fear like a lost puppy in the rain. Nervously, I swallowed a lump in my throat and stiffened a cry. I'm not a fan of fairytales but I found myself wishing for a knight in shining armor to come to my rescue and save the day.

I searched around in the darkness with my eyes for the source of its voice but it seems to be coming from all directions. Its presence can be felt everywhere. 

If my heart was beating crazily before, it's going wild now. The whole of me is freezing from the drop in temperature and that its doing too. It's making me suffer for only the gods know why.

"Wh-y?" That was the first word I could force out of my quivering lips. "Who a-re you?." I asked, letting the words escape through my gritting teeth. I have so many unanswered questions but that was the little I could force out, the rest remain stuck on my tongue.

"Who am I?" It mockingly asked before I felt a cold breath of air fan my left ear, followed by its low sinister response, "Oh ye little mortal, you will know who I am, surely when the time comes but For now," It chuckles wickedly, "I enjoy tormenting the weak little thing you've found yourself, so weak that it couldn't protect itself."

Its shrilly laughter filled the air and I was forced to bring my shaky hands to my ears.

Somehow, I felt the last response wasn't meant for me, like it wasn't directed at me, it's more like it was directed to someone, or maybe something invisible like it. Then I felt it.

I felt something stir within me. I was so sure it wasn't there before. I don't know what it was but am thankful it made me feel warm and the cold vanished, but only for a moment. 

The warmness didn't last as I wanted. It faded away just as fast as it came and I was subjected back to the cold that surrounds me.

"That's more like it. I always knew you were in there." It remarked in a deadly tone.

Silence.

Everywhere went silent after its last words. The only assurance of its presence was the increasing drop in temperature.

"Plea-se, let m-e leave, you got the wron-g person." I pleaded in a tiny brittle voice, breaking the silence.

"No mortal, I didn't," it said with a hint of anger etched to its tone, "I say these things verily unto thee, I shall kill ye and trap thy soul so it may not rise again." I felt my wrist being grabbed by an invisible strong hand the moment those words were voiced and I was forcefully dragged.

I know too well than to fight it. It will be a wasted effort if I try freeing my hand so I let myself be dragged. It drags me on what felt like rough stony ground but it didn't hurt, I felt no pain. 

It suddenly hissed in pain and freed my hand, moving away from me. I knew it moved away because the temperature around me no longer felt as cold as it was before. The warmth returned.

I picked myself up from the ground and I behold something magical. 

Floating in front of me is a beautiful ball of light. I poked it with a finger and the ball exploded into tiny floating particles, swirling above me before coming together to form a large circle of light in front of me. Out of curiosity, I stepped into the circle and watch as the light wrapped themselves around me, making my feet to slowly leave the ground.

I will be coming for you very soon! This isn't the last time! 

The disembodied voice screamed but I was already too far up in the dark sky to care about its ranting.

I knew I was free.