A Night Has Sides Part 1

As I proceeded through the dimly lit corridors, the candles that adorned the huge walls gave way to the cool air that rushed in. The draught exited via the great tunnel that led back to my new home's more populated neighbourhood. What pulled me this far, what piqued my interest, I couldn't explain; there were stories of dark legends I didn't dare to join in, but they were merely rumours, to put it mildly. I was determined not to let rumour or monsters dictate my life, so I continued going.

I took a leisurely walk with my LED flashlight, flashing it around to see where I was. I returned the stare, my gaze falling on the dimly lit candles in the distance. I didn't get very far when I came across a frigid wall with what looked to be a crimson carpet on it. There were golden symbols in a spiral, miniature golden representations of cats, arrows, and other horrible animals that I could see. I looked around, only to find myself at a fork in the road. I was certain that this couldn't be the end, so I rested my flashlight between my legs and prepared to tug the cloth down. Dust blew, spiders scurried; I was more afraid of the spiders than of the darkness. I sprung from my bed.

I yanked and tugged, nervously laughing, but the carpet refused to budge. After all these years, you'd think a facility like this would be breaking apart by now, yet there was no lock or entrance under the thick cloth. There had to be more to this wall, and I'd discover it, but for the time being, I'd return to my chamber; the longer I lingered in this tunnel, the chillier it felt.

This was my inheritance; now it was my estate, I moaned sadly. I couldn't believe it when I woke up one day as a witch with no history and inherited a castle with a view of the sea. Maybe I wouldn't mind becoming twenty-one if I had a girlfriend.

I laid down on my bed, which was large enough for four people and pristine enough for a queen.

I went up and sat on the floor under the huge room window with my black satin throw cushions. It was getting dark, which is my favourite time of day. In desire, I gazed at my paranormal romance novels. Oh, if only one of the males in my stories, my werewolf boyfriend, and I could go for a stroll in the woods, he'd transform, and we'd make passionate love right there beneath the moon. My frail girlish fancies floated on about my dark long haired wolf guy, and we would reign right here in this castle, my abilities with his might unparalleled. My heart was pounding.

"Madame, we're going to close the kitchenette for the night; do you have any last requests?" Frank spoke in a drab tone. His speech sounded as though he had a lump in his throat from caught dust. "No, I'm alright," says the narrator. I'm raising my voice but can't seem to get off the floor. Frank was one of the butlers, and according to what I was informed, he'd worked at the castle for almost 20 years. It made me ponder about the other people's ages. The door slammed shut, leaving me alone in the room. This was going to be a long night, I sighed deeply. I tossed my book aside and climbed into bed, where I promptly fell asleep.

I was startled awake by an unidentifiable noise. I couldn't distinguish between a roar and a snarl. I sat up slowly in bed, slapping my hair out of my eyes, frustrated that I had been jolted awake. To listen, I extended out my ear. Then there was silence, followed by a guttural roar that nearly knocked me off my feet. My pulse was racing, and my ears couldn't believe what they were hearing. I leapt from my bed, got my flashlight, put on some black tights, and slid into my combat boots. When I saw the other slaves were sleeping nearby, I ran out of my chamber. I caught the door mid-swing and eased it close with a click, almost slamming it shut.

Part 1 Ended

Checkout Part 2 On 2nd Post..