Author's Note: This chapter contains scenes with gothic elements and dark themes, including moments that may be unsettling or bloody. If this content is not to your preference, please feel free to skip ahead to the next chapter. Your reading experience matters!
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With a frantic rush of energy, Kat seized the momentary distraction. She didn't know what she was going to do, or how she was going to stop the creature, but she had to try.
In the brief window of opportunity, Kat rushed past the creature, pulling Hazel up. She shook Hazel by her shoulders, urgency etched on her face. "Run!!" she exclaimed, grabbing Hazel's wrist tightly.
Hazel's teary gaze locked onto Kat's, and she finally responded, her body jolting into motion.
Kat briefly glanced back. The creature discarded the lifeless maid without a second thought, its gaze snapping onto them. It charged forward, heavy footsteps echoing through the corridor.
Kat's legs burned as she ran, her heart hammering in her chest. The creature's monstrous growl echoed behind them, closing in with every second.
Time lost all meaning. Her thoughts blurred into a chaotic mix of panic and desperation. The only clear goal was to survive, to keep Hazel alive.
Kat's torn dress fluttered behind her, barely holding together after the earlier struggle. The sound of their rapid breathes mingled with the pounding footsteps, a constant reminder of their desperate flight.
Hazel stumbled, but Kat's grip on her wrist kept her upright. "Keep going!" Kat urged, her voice barely audible to her own ears.
Kat took a brief glance at Hazel, she could she the fear clouding her eyes. She had no idea what was happening, unable to see the creature , but Kat's urgency was infectious.
"Don't slow down!" Kat whispered, pulling Hazel around another corner.
The creature crashed through the hallway, its twisted limbs scraping the walls, sending vases shattering and wood crunching. Hazel glanced back, still blind to the horror, but Kat's tone kept her moving.
Finally, they reached a narrow passageway. Kat yanked Hazel into the shadows, hiding behind a large column. They crouched, struggling to steady their ragged breathing.
The creature slowed, its footsteps echoing as it searched for them. Kat pressed her hand firmly over Hazel's mouth, stifling a frightened sob. She placed her index finger on her lips, gesturing for silence.
Hazel nodded, eyes wide with terror, and bit back her cry.
Kat's grip on Hazel's hand remained tight, her eyes remained fixed ahead, listening to the creature's labored breathing. It was close, too close.
Hazel's trembling subsided, replaced by a frozen stillness. She held her breath, trusting kat.
Kat peeked out, her heart racing as the creature's massive, hunched form filled the corridor. Its hollow eye sockets scanned the area, drawing closer. She felt a tight grip on her hand and turned to see Hazel's fearful eyes. Kat offered a reassuring smile, trying to calm her.
But as she peeked out again, her determination solidified. The creature was too close, its relentless pursuit unavoidable. Hiding wasn't an option; it would find them. Kat couldn't bear the weight of another life lost, another soul to haunt her conscience. She knew she had to act.
Kat peeked out again; her eyes moved ahead of the creature. Her eyes darted between the two passageways before them, weighing their options. To the left, a well-lit corridor stretched out, torches casting flickering shadows on the walls. To the right, only a few torches lit.
Kat's gaze lingered on a torch near the dark corridor's entrance, its flame dancing in the draft. A plan began to form in her mind. She turned to Hazel, mouthing silently: "Listen very carefully." Hazel's eyes widened, but she nodded, understanding etched on her face.
Kat's eyes locked onto the torch again, her mind racing with the risks and possibilities. Kat peered out, confirming the creature's position. Satisfied, she turned back to Hazel.
"See the two corridors?" Kat whispered, pointing. Hazel nodded.
"That one," Kat indicated, pointing at the brighter corridor. Hazel's eyes widened; she was afraid, wondering if they were about to exit hiding.
"On the count of five, run straight down that corridor. Don't stop." Kat's eyes locked onto Hazel's solemnly.
"One... Two... Three... Four... Five!" Hazel sprinted toward the well lite corridor.
Kat dashed in the opposite direction; Hazel was wide-eyed and confused, wanting to stop, but Kat shouted firmly, "Don't stop, Run!" Hazel ran for the corridor as instructed, her footsteps fading into the distance. She ran as fast as she could, despite not wanting to part ways with Kat.
Kat took a deep breath. "Hey, Ugly Betty! You want me?" She called out to it. The creature's head snapped toward her instantly, its eyes glowing, filled with hunger.
Her heart pounded in her ears, but it wasn't breaking her resolve. "Come get me!" With that, she dashed into the other corridor, deliberately making noise to attract the creature.
The creature's body tensed, its grotesque form bristling with dark energy. It charged toward her with terrifying speed.
Kat ran straight into the corridor, her eyes landing on the unlit lamp on a nearby shelf. She swiftly grabbed it and flung it at the creature. The lamp crashed against its form, but the creature didn't flinch.
The sharp claws slashed at the air, inches from her face, and she narrowly avoided the strike. ' That was too close.' She didn't look back, didn't dare waste a single second. She sprinted down the hall as fast as her legs would carry her, knowing the Wendigo was right behind her.
Her gaze darted to the torch she had eyed earlier. She seized it and hurled it at the creature.
The torch ignited the liquid from the lamp, engulfing the creature's body in flames. Its skin burned, charred, and smoldered, revealing glimpses of twisted flesh beneath.
Though the flames didn't severely damage the creature, they slowed it, giving Kat a fleeting advantage. She seized the opportunity, dashing forward.
The creature's rage intensified, its bellows echoing through the corridors. Flames danced across its form, fueling its fury.
Kat's heart pounded, her breath ragged. She knew the reprieve was temporary.
Her chest burned with exhaustion, but Kat couldn't stop now. Not until she found a way to escape.
Kat didn't have much of a strategy, except using the lamps and torches she came across. She noticed that as she threw them, the creature didn't even try to dodge. It just kept coming, unfazed by the flames and burns.
Each time Kat threw a lamp or torch, the creature didn't flinch. Its sole focus was catching her.
The third time Kat threw a torch, the Wendigo's claws ripped through the air, missing Kat by a breath, but its jagged, bone-like shaft slashed deep into the back of her thigh.
Pain erupted through her leg, but there was no time to stop. Gritting her teeth, Kat forced herself back to her feet, blood soaking through the dress as she staggered forward.
Her thigh burned, every step agony, but sheer survival instinct pushed her onward. The creature's growl echoed behind her, closer, more menacing.
Kat's breath was ragged, her vision blurring slightly from exhaustion and pain.
Even if she eventually got caught, at least Hazel would have gotten away by now, right? Kat hoped so.
Suddenly, her body betrayed her. Her injured leg gave out just as the Wendigo lunged, its massive hand closing around her.
The creature slammed her against the wall, the crash sending a painful jolt through Kat's whole body. She let out a painful cry.
As she pulled herself across the floor, desperately trying to get away, Kat thought to herself, If only someone would come to help... Frustration and despair crept in, but only one face kept popping into her mind. She hated it. She despised the thought of needing him, of being saved by him. Besides, it was part of why she was in this mess anyway.
"Why am I thinking of him?" she mentally chastised herself. "It's already clear he himself wanted to kill me, he doesn't care if I die. So why hope he saves you? You're so pathetic, ugh" she berated herself, wincing as her leg scrapped against th floor.
The creature no longer ran after her; instead, it mockingly walked slowly.
As Kat dragged herself across the floor, the creature grasped her throat, raising her above the ground.
Kat's breath was getting cut off quickly, her feet leaving the ground.
She kicked out, struggling, as the creature lifted her higher, its grip like iron.
Just as the creature's grip tightened, Kat's desperation overwhelmed her. A name tore from her lips, escaping before she could silence it: "Lucian!"
The sound echoed through the corridors, a plea born of instinct rather than intention. Kat's eyes widened in horror, her mind fuggy. Where had that come from? She hadn't meant to call out, especially not to him. Yet she couldn't help but think to herself; 'i really don't want to die'
Something unexpected happened. The creature let out a deafening screech and released its grip on Kat's neck.
Kat fell to the ground with a thud, coughing from the earlier choking. She looked up, her eyes widening in disbelief.
There stood Hazel, holding a bloodied iron in her shaking hands. But it wasn't red blood; it was black and disgusting, oozing from the creature's wound.
Hazel's face was pale with terror, and Kat wondered what she was doing back.
"I'm sorry, my lady," Hazel said, her voice trembling. "I just couldn't bear the thought of you dying for me, a mere maid. I would have hated myself for the rest of my life if I had left you here."
Hazel's gaze drifted, unsure where the creature was, her eyes scanning blindly. Now in the face- to - face with the unseen horror, she trembled like a leaf.
Kat's eyes locked onto Hazel, filled with terror and worry. "Why did you come back?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with desperation. "You shouldn't have!"
Before Hazel could respond, the creature's anger boiled over. It lashed out with frightening speed, sending her flying several steps back with a powerful blow. She hit the ground hard, her breath knocked out of her, Hazel's petite body crumpled, hitting the ground with a sickening thud.
Kat's heart skipped a beat. She screamed, her voice echoing through the corridors: "No!"
Hazel struggled to stand, despite her obvious pain. Kat knew one more blow would be fatal.
Kat watched in horror as Hazel coughed up blood, gripping the wall for support. The creature, still between them, began to move towards Hazel.
Hazel, despite her fear, intended to grab the rod again and attack. Kat knew it would be suicidal.
"No, Hazel! Run!" Kat screamed, pleading.
Hazel hesitated, torn between fear and humanity.
Kat's eyes filled with tears. "Please, Hazel! Run! It coming for you" she begged.
Finally, Hazel obeyed, stumbling away despite her pain.
The creature roared, furious, and started to chase Hazel.
But then, something inexplicable happened.
Kat, fueled by anger and desperation, grasped the creature's wrist.
The creature froze, surprised, and looked down at Kat's grip.
Kat was equally shocked, unsure where she found the strength. The creature's massive hand tried to shake her off, but Kat held firm, her gaze now filled with anger.
To her astonishment, a white mist began to emanate from her hand, swirling around her fingers and creeping along the Wendigo's arm.
The creature's arm trembled. Its skin, once taut and indestructible, started to shrivel and blacken as if being burned from the inside out.
A hiss escaped the Wendigo's mouth, its pain and confusion palpable.
The bone beneath its skin seemed to melt, the hand losing its form, becoming boneless and limp.
Kat's breath came in short gasps, her heart racing, but she didn't let go.
She was terrified, but the power coursing through her was undeniable.
This—whatever this was—it was coming from her.
The Wendigo, desperate to escape the searing pain, flailed wildly, but Kat's grip tightened.
Kat felt her body weakened a moment ago flowed with strength, something was seriously wrong. But most of all all she could feel was anger, this creature had tormented her in so many ways she could'nt begin to count.
Unbeknownst to Kat, her eyes had begun to change.
Her pupils slowly dissolved, leaving only a glowing, milky white.
The creature's hollow eyes locked onto hers, its expression twisting into a mix of shock and worry.
Its face shriveled, as if recoiling from an unseen terror.
The white mist swirling around Kat's hand thickened, engulfing the creature's arm.
The creature struggled to release itself, but Kat's grip remained unyielding.
The mist intensified, burning with an otherworldly power.
The creature's hand began to crumble, dissolving into dust.
Kat's grasp remained firm.
The creature's arm disintegrated, leaving only a cloud of ash. Kat's hand remained clenched. Only when the creature's remains settled did Kat release her grip.
Breathless, Kat stumbled backward, her mind reeling as she stared down at her palms, still glowing with the residue of white mist.
"What...?" she muttered, confused.
The creature fled, now urgently wanting to escape from her. It lunged toward the large window.
Just as it attempted to escape, two sharp black knives shot from behind Kat, impaling the creature and reducing it to mere ash.
The remnants blew away with the wind, most of it disappearing out the window.
Kat remained flooded with confusion.
What had she just done?
Turning around, Kat saw Lucian standing in the corridor, his hair tousled and wet, with small droplets of water clinging to his body.
His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of his chest, as if he'd just stepped out of the bath.
His face remained cool, calm, and indifferent as he stared at her.
But as their eyes met, Lucian's gaze locked onto hers, his brows furrowing.
For a fleeting moment, Kat's fully white eyes held his attention. Before it changed back to normal.
Lucian's eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across his face.
As quickly as it appeared, the moment passed.
Kat's knees gave out, and she fell forward.
In an instant, Lucian was before her, his hand gripping her shoulder, steadying her.
Kat collided with his chest, her body leaning against his.
She felt his warmth, his steady heartbeat, as he supported her.
With fading strength, Kat whispered, "Took you long enough."
Her voice barely audible, her eyes fluttered closed.
Lucian's grip tightened, holding her upright. He let out a small hum glancing out the window. before lifting her into his arms.
She had her eyes closed, exhausted and catching her breath.
Without saying a word, he started walking back to the direction of her room.
Author's Note: The next chapter delves into sensual themes that may be intense or uncomfortable for some readers. If this content isn't to your liking, please feel free to skip ahead to the following chapter. Your comfort is a priority!