Mis's Version---
I slowly opened my eyes and saw only darkness and darkness. I was confused and slowly I remembered falling in to the secret passage. I realised I fainted, out of shock for not more than a few minutes as I could still hear Natasha's voice. "Hold on Mia, don't be afraid. I will be right back". I heard footsteps fading away followed by silence.
I was scared, my knees hurt when I tried to stand up but I gathered all my courage and stood on my wobbly feet trying to figure out a way to get out of this. "Stay strong Mia, you can do this. You didn't break when you lost your parents at an early age. You didn't break when your Uncle and Aunt tortured you day in and day out. You didn't break when they sold you to that Ugly man just as if you were a possession that could be sold against money. You didn't break when you ran away from the man that day with no belongings. You didn't break when you had to work hard for food. You didn't break when you were kidnapped. So stay strong and you can find your way out!" I could hear my inner self speak to me.
I looked around and now I could see the surrounding slightly better as my eyes got gradually used to the darkness and there was a faint beam of moonlight that lighted the walls of the passage slightly.
I slowly walked towards the stairs and all I could find was moulds and mosses that have grown over the years… may be hundreds and thousands of years, I assumed. I slowly tried to climb up the stairs which were wet and cold, feeling the wall with my palms. I reached the top when I heard a sound "hissssss" I was shocked and I realised it clearly what it was without even looking at it. I stood planted and checked the creature with the side of my eyes.
"Mia….aaa!" Natasha came running with a torch and rope towards me. "OMG! You are fine ! I got so scared, why are you so stupid! I told you.." without finishing what she started, she stood staring at me in surprise trying to figure out why I was not moving. "Shhhhhhshhhhh…" I whispered and pointed towards my legs with my eyes without moving an inch.
Natasha looked at my feet and her jaw hit the ground, she covered her mouth with both her hands with a frown, fear evident from her eyes. The big black snack crawled along my legs and creeped higher towards my waist crossing my thighs. My heart was beating fast and I felt like it was almost about to explode. I slowly closed my eyes and stood still like a dead. It was silent all around with the sound of a slight cold breeze that brushed my free flowing hair. Slowly I felt the cold skin of the reptile crawling up my chest slithering against my bare skin. I stood quiet, my fear was gone and there was some sense of calm that grew within me. I felt as if the nature was caressing me, my wounds hidden deep inside. After almost half an hour the snake crawled away and I still stood there in silence for another 10 mins when someone hugged me tightly. I opened my eyes and hushed Natasha who was sobbing now…. "It's ok Nat. It was just a poor creature" smiled saying. I looked into her eyes. She stood there dumbfounded.
Gordon's Version—
We went back to New York and I went straight to the club since I wanted to see the girl who sold flowers once before leaving. I don't know if I was sad or happy that we couldn't find my mate. All this while we looked every corner of the world and she was nowhere to be found. May be she doesn't even exist. I am happy that although I could not find my mate but I found this girl. So innocent, so fragile. With hopes to find her once again I quickly disappeared in the dark alleys and waited near the Club. I waited for hours. There were many people walking hand in hand smiling. Couples leaving the club. Girls and Boys entering the club together. They laughed with Joy. But she was not there. Time passed and soon it was late night but I couldn't see her again and I returned to Ray with heavy heart. I realised that I have lost her and it was better to forget her forever!
I returned to our Mansion and saw Raymond waiting for me, when suddenly my ring glowed in the dark and I read the message. It was from Marshal who has asked us to meet him.
I and Raymond were to reach our secret meeting place. The ancient Mansion and hence we rushed to the ancient Mansion as soon as we received message from Marshal, and I soon forgot about the girl completely. We sat in the Balcony attached to my room having soup prepared by the cook, waiting for Marshal. It was already late night.
Although I normally don't relish human food much but the soup tastes really good, and I finished it quickly.
"You must have been hungry Don!" Ray chuckled.
I kept the bowl aside and licked my lips and smirked at Ray. Soon tension rose as the thought of not finding my mate yet flooded back in my mind.
Within few seconds Marshal joined us. We both stood up and he hugged me tightly and asked "what happened here?"
Just I was about to open my mouth, I tumbled back with a sharp pain and sat on the chair with an impact. A chill ran down my spine and my heart started racing. There were beads of sweat on my forehead. My stomach twitched and I was having visions. I stood up in an instant. "what happened Don?" Ray asked worried.
"I can feel that she is in trouble. Her heart is calling out to my heart" I replied with anxiety.
Ray was shocked. But Marshal seemed pleased.
And it is when we all heard a girl scream…. "Mia….aaaa!"
I smiled to them and said "I have found my mate".