Apophis had led me to a bathroom, one that was made for a king. As I looked around at the wide space I couldn't help but gape. The whole room was black marble with gold decorations. The gold tub was bigger than a hot tub, maybe the size of a pool. The water was already warm and up to the brim of the tub. The more I thought about it the more sense it made. He is an Egyptian god..
I walked around the room, looking at the hieroglyphics that were embedded in the marble with a thin gold band on the top and the bottom. The thin bands stayed parallel, trapping each image between them. The stunning gold shimmered in the fire light, drawing me closer as I watched, perplexed and amazed. The curves and grooves of each picture had an inlay of gold, the flickering of fire making it look alive; as if the birds and squiggles were dancing. I let my fingertips slide across the smooth engraved gold as I walked around the room. The four columns in the corners of the room the only difference in appearance. There were strips of gold going horizontally across the black marble surface, the marbles mix of white and grey adding a look of mystery and magic.
"I never knew you would be so enchanted with such ridiculous designs." I spun around, the gorgeous beast watching me with a wide grin.
"What do you want Apophis?" I narrowed my eyes as I watched him move to a bench I had overlooked. He set the two piles of clothes down on top of the black marble bench.
"I figured you would want some company." He started walking towards the pool, his hands reaching up to unbutton the black buttoned up shirt he was inhabiting.
"You figured wrong.." I stuttered, averting my gaze to look at the pictures again, my face growing heated.
"Well, then I came to enjoy myself with a nice bath." His steps grew closer to the water, soft sounds of clothes dropping following.
"I haven't finished my turn." I stuttered, crossing my arms as I stared at a bird that was engraved into the wall.
"I never said we were taking turns." The sounds of him slipping into the water resonating through my body as my heart thudded in my chest. The panic rising slowly.
"I..I'll let you bathe in peace then..." I whispered, looking at the ground as I quickly walked towards the door. I grabbed the handle and tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge.
"Keep me company." His voice was almost soothing, enchanting.
"N..No, I..I'll wait until you are done, then i'll go.." I yanked on the door, a numbness licking at my head as I rattled the door.
"Kasey... Keep me company." The numbness spread into my mind like dye in water, twisting and twirling as I slowed. "Let go of the door." I did, my body straightening itself as I froze up inside, my mind screaming yet numb. "Come here, come join me.."
I slowly turned, my feet moving before I could rethink my opinion. I met the blue enchanting eyes, the depth inside the color swallowing my temptations to flee.
"Good girl..." I stopped at the edge of the tub, my body freezing in place as I screamed at myself, no sound leaving my lip. "Now..Tell me.." He slowly rose slightly, stopping when the water reached his hip bones. "Are you afraid of me?"
"Yes." The monotone voice renovating from me making me choke on the inside.
His eyes were filled with a deep emotion as I continued to fight the serpent coiled around my will. "I see. Is it because I am a demon?"
"No."
He watched me, his head tilting slightly like a cat watching its next meal, "because I am powerful? Dangerous?"
"No."
"Why are you scared of me?" His eyes stayed locked on mine as he moved closer, the water height sinking from his body slowly. My eyes stared into his eyes as my mind started to close itself off.
"I am scared of how you affect me."
"What do you mean?" He mumbled softly, stopping in front of me, our faces mere inches from each other. I fought against the numbing beast that was drinking me, my fists pounding furiously as I struggled against it.
"I am scared of how you make me feel.." The serpent loosened its grip, shock flashing through Apophis's eyes as I took my chance; ripping away the darkness that numbed my thoughts.
"What do I make you feel?" His voice resonated with shock as I struggled with the last thin strip of darkness.
"You make me feel-" my body paused, my mind finally seeping back into my will.
His eyes narrowed slightly, "how do I make you feel?"
I hardened my gaze, my hand moving faster before I could think. The loud clap jumping around the room. Apophis froze stiff, shock taking him, I growled. "How dare you.." I stared at him, my anger seeping from the chains I used to control it, its wrath burning my body as I fueled it. "Do not, ever, control me." The red hand print marking his cheek as I turned, stomping towards the door as I flung it open; slamming it shut behind me. I leaned back against the door, my gasp of air subsiding both the pain and the anger that had scorched me. I winced and carefully peeked in my shirt, a wide, dark burn spreading from over my heart. I slowly ran a finger over it and winced as the piercing pain shot through my whole body. My heart was pumping faster, the molten heat running through my veins as I gasped in pain. I looked at me wrist, the once blue and green veins suddenly glowing a bright red. I stumbled towards the staircase Apophis revealed to me, my legs seeming to boil as I stumbled down the stairs. The familiar dirt a slight comfort as I took a few steps before collapsing, my breath growing heavier as I felt my lungs burn. Steam seemed to rise from my body as I laid on my back, staring up at the ceiling, my vision fading.
I took a heavy deep breath as I fought against the pain, the familiar darkness swallowing me again. And then, I was there again. I screamed as the fire grew and reached towards me, the familiar figure in front of me starting to get licked up. The flames roar like laughter as a pained scream hit my ears, I reached forward, reaching towards his shoulder. I wanted to help him, I wanted to save him. My fingers mere millimeters from the denim cloth of his jacket, and then...a hand grabbed mine. Her body bursting with flames, I looked at her hand on my wrist, the image of blood seeping onto my hands.
"It's your fault he is dead. You could've saved him. You let him die."
"No!! It's not my fault!" I wheezed, gas racing through my lungs as the figure turned to ash, all that was left was the flames, and smoke.
"Then why is he dead? Why didn't you move forward? You easily left that prison of fire, yet you left him there. For what? What reason was there to let him burn alive?" I sobbed as her words sank inside me, the ocean of sadness becoming a tsunami. "You are the reason he is dead." The wave crashed down upon me, the small flicker of light suddenly going out.
"Everyone you love always dies. Because of you." The hand disappeared into the water as I was swallowed by the deep pit beneath me. "Just give up, you're the reason everyone is suffering."
I slowly closed my eyes, the salty tears swimming away as I sank.
"You are a burden."
"Forever.....
and always."