Mia had just finished eating when Elara informed her that her bath water was ready. Now Mia had enough energy to walk to the bathroom herself.
Mia's jaw dropped when she got to tha bathroom. The place looked like it was taken out of a ancient novel.
The floor was made of polished marbles, reflecting the soft glow of the candles in the room.
In the center, there was a large ornate bathtub, carved from a single piece of marble, with gold accents and intricate designs etched on its surface.
The tub was filled with warm water, the fragrance of herbs and oils filling the room, creating a soothing aroma.
Plush towels hung beautifully next to the tub.
Along one walls, soaps, perfumes were displayed like treasures.
Mia slipped out of her dirty clothes and entered the tub. She leaned back letting the warmth embrace her, the soothing fragrance of the herbs and oils filled her nostrils making her smile.
With her eyes closed, she let herself relax, forgetting about her previous ordeal. The gentle sound of water lapping against the sides of the tub adding to the seren atmosphere.
Mia wanted to forget all her worries at that moment. She didn't want to dwell much on her current situation.
She reached for a towel and wrapped it around her after stepping out of the tub. She walked out of the bathroom wondering what she was going to wear but Elara walked in just in time with clothes.
"Here, you can wear this and have some rest," Elara smiled at her before leaving.
***********
Mia walked down a dimly lit road. The streetlights were flickering furiously, casting eerie shadows that danced along the pavements.
The air was thick with silence,broken only by the rustle of leaves in the wind. Mia rubbed her arms with her palms, trying to keep herself warm.
She didn't know how she got there or where she was going but she didn't feel the urge to stand so she kept walking.
Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her, she held her breath as she looked over her shoulder, fear creeping up her heart. The road was empty. Dismissing her ease, she quickened her pace, hoping to reach a safe place.
Just then a group of people emerged from the shadows,their faces were obscured by dark hoods as they moved with a menacing grace. Panic surged through her, realizing she was not alone. She turned to run but they were faster. Before she could scream, they surrounded her, trapping her in a circle.
"Who…who are you?" She stammered, as they enclosed the circle whiles chanting an incantation.
Their voices were low and rhythmic, weaving together the incantation that sent chills down her spine.
The words were foreign, almost melodic but laced with an unsettling energy that made her feel as if the very air around her was thickening.
With each syllable they uttered,Mia felt an overwhelming weight press down her chest. Her heart rate increased,a sense of impending doom enveloped her, making it hard to breath.
It was as if the incantation was a spell designed to drain the life out of her, leaving her feeling weak and vulnerable.
She stumbled back, clutching her head as the world around her began to blur. But she felt two pairs of arms grab her before she could fall. Shadows danced in her vision,and she could almost feel the cold fingers of death on her throat. She was hoisted into the air and they began walking away with her.
Their voices grew louder,more insistent and Mia fought against the sensation that was taking her away, the darkness that was claiming her.
After walking for a while, they stopped. Now the incantation had reached a fever pitch and Mia felt herself being placed in a wooden confinement, something like a coffin.
The cold wood pressed against her skin.
Panic surged through her as the kid closed with a thud.
'Who were these people? Why did they put her there? Were they going to bury her alive? But why?"
A lot of unanswered questions flooded her mind as tears slipped down the sides of her eyes.
The muffled sound of chanting echoed in her ears, intertwining with her racing heart. She could feel the weight of the world pressing down on her, suffocating her with fear.
Then she heard a something that sounded like a sword being drawn, followed by laughter.
"Kill her! Kill her!" She heard people chanting, giving her a hint of what was going to happen. Merely seconds later, she felt something pierce through the small crack of the wood and directly into her stomach.
A blinding light pierced through the dark and Mia jolted awake gasping for breath.
She was in bed and it was already morning. The sound of incantation had been replaced by the chirping of birds outside the windows. Mia heaved a sign of relief as she looked around. It had all been a vivid dream, a manifestation of her anxieties and deepest fear.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?" Elara asked, walking inside with a tray of food.
"G…g…good morning," Mia stammered not being able to shake off the remains of her nightmare.
"I brought you some breakfast and a new toothbrush," Elara said, gently placing the food on the table.
Mia just smiled in appreciation not knowing what to say. She took the toothbrush from Elara and walked to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
After brushing she walked out to see Elara typing on her phone.
"Uh…..Elara, can I ask a question?" Mia asked, sitting in the bed next to her.
"How long was I there?" Mia asked, shivering from the flashbacks of her being in the dungeon.
"Two days." Elara answered, a bit of sympathy in her voice. "Trust me if I had known he was going to do something like this, I would have stopped him."
Mia blinked back the tears that had pooled up in her eyes.
"It's fine," she smiled.
"Now eat up. I have something urgent to take if so I'll see you later," Elara said, getting up to leave.
"Wait!"
Elara paused , looking at Mia who looked like she wanted to say something.
"Come on, say it," Elara urged.
"I was wondering if you could take me home. I'm missing lots of classes."
"And you cares about your classes?" A male voice interrupted their conversation.
They looked at the door to see him standing there. He was dressed in a casual gym wear, his skin glistening with a light sheen of sweat. The tank top he wore showcased his mooned arms and broad shoulders, evidence of the hard work he puts in his workouts.
His hair was slightly tousled,a few strands sticking to his forehead. For a moment, Mia forgot that the person who was standing in front of her wasn't just a normal person, but a blood-drinking monster.
"Done checking me out?" His voice snapped her back to the present.
Mia bowed her head in embarrassment.
"So tell me, who do you like more? Me or Lysander?" Mia should feel the mockery in his voice but that didn't bother her.
Who was Lysander? And why did this man just assume she had something to do with this Lysander.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Mia rolled her eyes, still refusing to meet his gaze.
"Tsk…tsk…tsk," he tutted. " Are you really going to act all innocent now? I mean you really don't know who Lysander is?"
Mia raised her head enough to see him walk towards her but she refused to meet his gaze.
"I don't know who you're talking about."
"I see…." He said sounding as if he's in deep thoughts.
"I just want to get out of this place," she said, finally looking into his eyes.
"Well who's stopping you? You can go," he said, shrugging casually.
Mia's eyes lit up immediately.
"Really?"
He nodded and Mia got up immediately, but her joy was short-lived when she heard his next words.
"That is if I let you."
"Wh….what do you mean?"
"You see I brought you here for a reason," he said, sitting on the bed casually. "But unfortunately we have a few days more for that and you also don't want to be my guest so I'll let you go….if…."
"If what?"
He smiled seeing the desperate look she had.
"If you survive a game of hide and seek."
"D….."
"Stay out it Elara," he cut her off sharply before turning his attention back to the human in front of him.
"Like I was saying…..you survive a game of hide and seek and then I'll let you go."
"Hide and seek?"
"Yes….or more like run and don't stop."
"I'll play your game," Mia who was determined to leave that place told him.
"Well that's the spirit. But remember, I'll seek you out," he paused, looking at her with that smile that gave her goosebumps. "And if I find you….there'll be consequences."
Mia swallowed the lump in her throat as he barked the final order.
"Now run!"