The streets were unusually quiet as Ella walked alone, the moon casting an eerie glow on the wet cobblestones. A soft mist clung to the air, blurring the edges of the narrow alleys around her. Her heart raced, not from exertion, but from a sense of unease that crept over her like a shadow. She hurried her steps, eager to reach the safety of her home.
As she passed a dark street just beside her, a strange sound reached her ears—a low whisper, almost like a sigh carried on the wind. She froze, her breath catching in her throat, her eyes darting toward the alley. Something moved there, hidden in the darkness, a shadow just beyond her sight.
Ella swallowed hard, forcing herself to look away. It's nothing,she told herself, shaking her head. Just your imagination.She quickened her pace, her steps echoing in the silence. But no matter how fast she walked, the unease clung to her, like an invisible hand pulling her back toward the alley.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp tug on her chest, like a hook sinking deep into her heart. The world around her swayed, her vision blurred, and before she could scream, everything went black.
---
When Ella opened her eyes, the world had changed. She wasn't in the city anymore. Instead, she was lying in a forest, the thick canopy of trees blocking out most of the sky. Cold, damp earth pressed against her skin, and the smell of pine filled the air. Her body ached, her muscles stiff and bruised as if she'd been thrown against the ground.
Her hands trembled as she pushed herself up, groaning from the sharp pain that shot through her side. She looked down and gasped—her arms and legs were covered in bruises, angry purple marks staining her skin. There was dried blood on her palms, scratches along her shoulders, and her head throbbed as though it had been slammed into something hard.
Before she could even comprehend what had happened, a voice cut through the quiet of the woods.
"So, you have powers... hmmm."
Ella's heart stopped. The voice was smooth, almost amused, but it carried a dark undertone that sent a wave of terror coursing through her veins. She whipped her head around, trying to locate the source of the voice, but the trees cast long shadows, hiding whoever had spoken.
Another voice, this one gruffer and filled with hunger, echoed from the darkness. "This one... will be more tasty than the others. An elf with powers like hers is rare."
Ella's blood ran cold. She tried to move, to run, but her legs refused to cooperate, her body frozen with fear. Her pulse quickened, her breath shallow as she struggled to stay calm. But her mind raced—who were they? What did they want from her?
She tried to stand, but her vision blurred, her body too weak to support her weight. Every muscle screamed in pain, her head spinning as she collapsed back to the ground. She was helpless, her magic drained, her body battered and broken.
Footsteps approached, slow and deliberate, crunching on the fallen leaves. The fear coursing through her made her skin crawl. She knew she couldn't fight them, not like this. She was powerless, and they knew it.
Tears pricked her eyes as the shadowed figures drew closer. "No..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her entire body shook with terror. She wasn't ready for this—she wasn't ready to die.
As the figures closed in, a sudden rush of wind swept through the clearing, bringing with it a familiar presence. A voice, firm and commanding, cut through the dark.
"Get away from her."
It was Adam.
He appeared from the shadows, his eyes blazing with fury as he stepped between her and the approaching figures. His fists clenched, and power radiated from him, causing the air to crackle with energy. For a moment, Ella felt a flicker of hope. Adam had come for her. He would save her.
But when she looked up at him, she saw the horror in his eyes. His gaze fell on her bruised, broken body, and for a moment, he faltered. He was too late.
"Adam..." she whispered, her voice barely a breath. She could feel her strength slipping away, her body growing colder with each passing second.
"No," Adam growled, stepping closer, his eyes filled with desperation. "Ella, hold on. I'm going to get you out of here."
But even as he spoke, she knew it was too late. Her vision blurred again, and the world around her began to fade. The pain in her body dulled, replaced by a strange, peaceful numbness.
"I'm sorry..." she whispered, her voice barely a breath as the darkness closed in around her.
And then, everything went still.