While opening the door of the house, I could tell that it looked quite similar to the one I'd been living in for the past week now, however, there were some major differences.
Besides the dissimilar interior of the house, the air was a little ominous, making it feel a lot less lived in.
Looking left and right, I tried to be more attentive to my surroundings, making sure there wasn't anyone in sight. God knows what would happen if I came across anyone in the state I was currently in.
I could feel Nix's presence beside me, but when I turned to look at him, he wasn't there. Feeling a little unnerved, I tried calling out to him but without warning, I felt a hand on my shoulder.
Before I could react, a voice sounded in my head, "It's alright, I am right here. I'll only make an appearance when you are in dire need of some help.
Manifesting myself in person requires a lot of energy, and takes a toll on Igraine. As long as you can feel my presence, you'll be fine." he said in an unhurried voice.
He sounded as if he was whispering directly into my ear, I could almost feel his breath against them, making them feel a little ticklish.
I sighed in relief knowing that there was at least someone there with me. In that moment, I began to really miss Donellan.
Was he okay? Was he angry, nervous or anxious?
I couldn't help but worry for him, but I knew that I couldn't afford to do so for anyone but myself right now.
I soon made my way around the house, trying to spot anything amiss.
Taking note of the lack of unordinary downstairs in the foyer, or upstairs, I decided to check the one place I hadn't been, even during my visit in the main estate.
The basement. I mean, I think it's pretty obvious why I've been dreading going down to the basement this whole time.
Basements don't exactly have the best reputations, as we've seen in countless slasher films and psychological thrillers.
They have always given me creepy vibes and the basement in this place was no different.
It didn't help that I had to go down several flights of stairs, the only source of light being the dimly lit lamps that lined the walls of the staircase.
With every step I took, I would make sure to slow down my movements, ensuring that I could still feel Nix's presence.
When I did, I would keep going. There's no way in heck I'd be going down this dark and creepy place by myself.
"You really have to stop doing that." Nix spoke, "It's not like I have anywhere to go. I am stuck here just like you." He said in exasperation.
I glared back at him. Even though he wasn't there physically, I could somewhat pin-point his general position, so I made sure to externalize my discontent.
"You try going down a flight of stairs, in a barely lit room, with the chance of someone emerging out of the darkness, with no means to defend yourself and the threat of your impending doom around the corner." I said, sighing with anger and frustration.
It's not like I wanted to be in this situation either.
Nix didn't say anything after that and quietly followed. We finally made our way down the stairs and arrived at the entrance of the basement.
The room was rather large in size and looked a lot like your typical basement, at the exception of a large metal bed in the middle, alongside medical supplies and what looked like tools of the occult.
I approached the bed as if in a trance and thought back to the dream I had the other night.
The bed in front of me looked exactly like the one Simuel had been lying on.
Everything about it was identical, save for the straps used to tie him up. Nix became aware of the fact that I hadn't said anything for awhile, and detected the change in my demeanor.
"What's wrong, is something coming back to you?" He asked concerned.
"This bed…" I started, extending my hand towards the metal bed that felt cool to the touch.
Suddenly, the scenery changed, however we still remained in the basement.
Nix, who had felt the shift, made himself appear physically.
I turned to look at him wanting to ask him why he hd appeared so abruptly, when I caught sight of his expression that had become slightly distorted.
I turned to look in the same direction as him when the scene began to unfold before my eyes. We were no longer alone in the room but had unexpected company.
Despite how inconspicuous we were being, the two newly come parties took no notice of our presence. The two parties were looking down at something on the bed which their bodies obscured.
I moved to see what exactly was going on, when Nix held me by the arm in an attempt to stop me.
Nix's features tightened into an expression that I had yet to see him bear. He looked almost, scared.
There was fear in his eyes, but not the kind of fear where he felt like his life was in danger, the fear of me seeing something that shouldn't be seen, which only increased my curiosity.
I brushed his hand off me and moved to see the scene properly. This is a decision I regret till this day. The scene laid before my own eyes was unlike anything I had ever seen.
The "dream" I experienced was almost like a PG version of what I was witnessing now.
There, lying on the metal bed, was little Simuel, his eyes wide open in fear and what looked like a glowing metal pipe, the size of a ruler entering his skull.
I could see his tiny body tied down, thrashing in a desperate but futile attempt to get away from the pipe.
Meanwhile, the person performing this, sick and twisted deed, had dead eyes, ones devoid of any light or feeling.
Beside them, a beautiful woman with a demented smile on her face whispered:
"It's alright son, this is all for your own good."