Chereads / Grounded One / Chapter 22 - Chapter 20

Chapter 22 - Chapter 20

Quinn had told me it was best to sleep, he said time flew faster that way but only if you knew how to tweak the game, that is your mind. Roar thunder and ripples of lightning striking across the sky weren't much comfort to this anxious heart. Each time the sky's screamed, I held my breath for a moment, not know if it was a sound beyond the clouds or an attack sounding, off. I had been swallowed by thoughts; my mind payed ignorance as tears swell at lids, threatening to pour. Each strike caused a skip in the rhythm I've grown to love yet in the back of my mind there was sick laughter; it taunted and laughted at my predicament as they melodically whispered, 'You are the correction, don't you see the wicked nature left to thrive? Are you going to let them, continue to harm, destroy.... take?"

As the words swirl in my brain, a heat grew, rushing through my veins and the voice infested more than my brain. My vision grew blurry as hues of red coloured them and I check myself, finding no injury. A strike of pain ran cross my temple and it was, as though something had settled in. I didn't feel like myself anymore, as a new power flowed through me. It came hungry and thirsty, trying with all it's might to convent control over me. Quinn's distorted voice met my eyes as I search blindly for his form.

"Ashlin, you need to calm down...you'll expose our location. Your power's spilling out!" Quinn's worried words did nothing for my current state.

"I.....I....ca....I...ca..n't"

There was a sudden blinding flash before black covered my vision and I sank into the peaceful abiss of unconsciousness. Lyra awaited me with a concerned frown, she rushed to my side before embracing me in a hug. I cried in her arms, Lyra didn't say a word instead she simply held me.

"He found you, didn't he?" her voice faded at the end.

"Yes, he did" her body shook slightly, pulling away I saw her crying face, "Lucan, Layton and Cleus stayed and fought him while I escaped"

"They'll be fine" she presented a small smile, "They are protected, Neil isn't capable enough to kill them, at least, not yet" she assured me with another embrace.

I hadn't seen our surroundings crumblings until the darkness seemed like a viod ready to swallow us. We looked at each other with worried eyes as we started to drift apart unable to stop the sudden departure. We hadn't said our farewells when my body jolted awake suddenly as concern eyes gaze around it was met with destruction as parts of the floor and multiple furniture laid in pieces. Quinn's unconscious, wounded body was propped against strong legs of a wooden bar stool.

Groaning at the pain in my chest I tried to gather the strength and crawled over to Quinn, trying to shake him awake. I gasp in horror at the large gash on his left side; deep red liquid spilled onto his clothes, damping the material in it's colour. Placing my palms over his wound and closing my eyes; I concerntrated on gathering natural energy and healing his injury. After a few minutes his injury had been completely heal and I sighed in relief as his breathing became strong and steady.

I sat there in a statue position for what felt like an eternity, afraid of the pain that'll rupture through my chest at any movement. Lucan had plagued my him and when his voice echoed in my ears, I summed it up to my imagination until he emerged from the cave's opening. Once midnight eyes rested on my form, Lucan rushed forward with Layton, Cleus and Cerberus following closely behind. His palm immediately laid over my chest before a force shattered the pain causing me to inhale deeply. My eyes welled up as I jumped into his arms. Lucan rubbed my backing comforting circles as I cried into his chest.

"I'm safe, little angel" Lucan chuckled causing me to smack his chest.

"It's not fun, I was worried about you" I looked up into those iries I've longed to see.

"I'll never leave you" he embraced me lovingly, "unless you make me" he joked once more causing me to glare at his chest, "I missed you too, my little chaos"

I missed this feeling of his warm lips against mines, their softness infesting my brain and their taste causing me to become addicted. My lungs begged for air yet I refused not bteak apart from him. I deny my eyes sight afraid this lucid dream may end, Lucan pulled away, holding me at shoulder length. My eyes gazed to him yet stayed suspicious of the darkness hidding behind candlelight's reach as I stare closer flashes of black and blue hair flickering in the swaying of candlelight as lightning blue eyes pierce through deadly still atmosphere. My heart raced as he came into view pale porcelain skin with bolts stuck in different areas of his being. Blood dripped from slender fingertips while a crazed, malicious smile spread across his strong features. His sinful smile spread as he neared and ,from his arua I already know this character. Neil's eyes never left me and mines never left his but fear kept me frozen, fear kept me staring and with each footstep, fear locked my lungs.

"Lucan?" my worried voice caused him to turn immediately turning in the direction of my line of sight.

"Cleus, Layton" he called warning of the oncoming danger.

"Don't fret all I want is that...gem" crimson soiled fingers pionted to me.

"We humbling decline" Cleus said in a less than amused tone.

"She'll be mine either way, she's meant to be mine!!" his deep tone felt like being swallowed by quick sand without any escape.

As I gasp for breath, Lucan held me tight and though he whispered assuring words my soul felt unraveled. My body tremble and shook uncontrollably causing everyone to grow worried. The floor began shaking before a barrier emerged from unknown source and once again all I saw was red as Neil surprised expresssion contoured into anger.