Aria's POV
My eyes opened slowly, and I was met with darkness. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, making me wince. As I struggled to remember where I was and how I got there, my hands brushed against cold, damp stone.
I was in a cell.
Panic set in as I scrambled to my feet, my hands feeling the walls, searching for a door or a window. It took a while for my eyes to adjust to the dark. No light, no sound, just the oppressive silence of the cell.
My mind was a jumble of memories, but one thing stood out - the strange man by the waterfall. I remembered his piercing eyes, his smooth voice, and the way he seemed to not be human. I shook away the ridiculous thought. It was probably fatigue and the lights playing tricks on me. A trick of the light, an imagination otherwise I was in a huge problem.
As I stumbled around the cell, my foot kicked against something metal. I bent down to investigate only to find something that felt like a small, rusty bucket and a tin cup. There was also a narrow slit in the wall, about chest-high, with a small, barred window.
I approached the window and peered out, but all I was met with was darkness. "Hello? Is anyone there?" I called out desperately but it was a futile attempt as my voice was swallowed by the silence.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps echoing outside her cell. They were heavy, deliberate steps, and they were getting closer.
My heartbeat sped up as I backed away from the window, my eyes darting around trying to pinpoint the location of the door.
The door creaked open, a figure entered the cell, the little light that filtered in from the outside was momentarily blocked by his tall, imposing figure. I squinted, trying to make out his features, but it was too dark.
"Who are you?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.
"My name is Kael," he replied, his voice low and rough.
I took a step forward, trying to get a better look at him. "What do you want from me, Kael?" I asked, trying to sound brave.
But Kael didn't answer. Instead, he just stood there, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity.
I felt a surge of frustration and fear. I didn't know what Kael wanted, but I knew I didn't want to find out. I decided to make a run for it, to try and escape through the doorway.
I turned and made a dash for the door, but Kael was too quick. He caught me effortlessly, his hand closing around my wrist like a vice.
I tried to struggle, but Kael's grip was too strong. He held me in place, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice low and rough.
I tried to kick out at him, but Kael was too tall and too strong. He easily dodged my kicks and held me in place, his grip unyielding.
I was trapped, I knew it and I hated it.
Once again I was at the mercy of a man.
I glared up at him, trying to hide my fear. "Let me go," I spat, trying to sound brave.
But Kael just smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I don't think so," he said, his voice low and rough.
And with that, he pulled me back into the cell, his grip unyielding. I was trapped, and I didn't know how to escape.As I tried to escape, I realized that I had unknowingly trading one prison for another.
Kael's grip was like a vice, holding me in place as I struggled to break free. But even as I fought against him, I knew that I was only delaying the inevitable. I was trapped, and I would remain trapped no matter where I went.
As I looked up at Kael, I saw a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. He knew that I was trying to escape, and he knew that I would fail. He was toying with me, playing a game of cat and mouse where I was the helpless prey.
I felt a surge of frustration and despair. I was trapped, and I knew it. I was at his mercy, and he would do with me as he pleased.
As Kael pulled me back into the cell, I caught a glimpse of the darkness outside. It was a vast, endless expanse that seemed to swallow all light and hope. I was trapped in a world of shadows, and I didn't know if I would ever find my way out.
The cell door clanged shut behind me, and I was plunged into darkness once again. I was alone, surrounded by the cold, unforgiving stone of my prison. And I knew that I would remain here, trapped and helpless, until Kael decided to release me.
But even as I thought this, I knew that I couldn't give up. I had to keep fighting, no matter how hopeless my situation seemed. I had to find a way out of this prison, no matter what it took.
And so, I stood up, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. I would escape, no matter what Kael had planned for me. I would find a way I always do.