NIGHTS OF HALLOW

’Again, I run from the shadows and run into your arms’ — Amzy_Bella

★

Perdita felt her hands and feet go cold with terror that made a forceful adrenaline surge through her veins as her feet suddenly had a language of their own. She immediately took flight but not taking more than two steps, the wall lamps illuminating the hallway suddenly went off, and everywhere went dark.

The sudden darkness made Perdita halt in her steps. She became more petrified when she saw the shadow that was chasing after her close in on her. Knowing that no one was there to see or help her, she changed the color of her eyes to red, and her clean sharp fangs elongated from her mouth. This was no time to act weak, she needed to prepare herself in case she had to fight whatever that was chasing her.

But could she fight something that was nerve-cracking as that?

Adjusting her now red eyes to the dark hallway, she gathered the hem of her dress in her hands and took off, this time with great speed.

The shadow chasing after Perdita was surprised to see the incredible speed at which she suddenly ran off and it increased its speed too.

Perdita ran with all her might, constantly looking behind her to see if the shadow was chasing after her. She cursed her luck. All she has met with since she came to this Halloween ball was trouble. First, it was the rude Prince, and second, it was the arrogant lady that disrupted her peaceful time in the garden. Now she was being chased by what she didn’t know.

Was this one of the games played in the ball? Perhaps it was. Because there was no way she will be chased in the castle filled with people and security. Maybe it was one of the skeletons used to decorate the castle that was chasing her. One thing she knew, was that whatever it was, was not only playing this game for fun, it was after her life!

Perdita was now sweating as she continued to run. It felt like she was in a never-ending hunting cave. The place she was fantasying was hunted! God, she even called it a beautiful cave. This was in no way beautiful or entertaining!

If she had known, she wouldn’t have attended this ball that she kept having a bad feeling about. But she doubted she will be safe even at home. It was like she magnetized trouble to herself every time.

The game of chase continued between Perdita and the shadow until she suddenly bumped into something hard when she made a sharp turn at the end of one of the hallways.

The forceful impact of the collision caused her to fall back but a strong arm was quick to catch her by her waist.

Perdita gasped and shot her hands forward to grasp whoever had caught her before she could fall.

”Look what we have here. A vampiress running into my arms”

Perdita rubbed her aching forehead and looked up at her savior. Another gasp escaped her lips when she saw who it was. The red-haired vampire.

”Sthena,” she breathed.

”Yes?” Sthena answered with a sly smile on his lips. He still held Perdita by her waist enjoying the moment. It was not every day that a beautiful and stubborn woman like Perdita willingly ran into his arms.

”Have you decided to announce to the world that you’re a vampire?” He asked with a raised brow.

”What?” Perdita questioned back almost ignorant of their compromising position. It seemed as if time stopped on her side as she stared into the dark red eyes of Sthena who securely held her in his arms. His red long hair shone in the darkness together with his glacial red eyes behind his golden mask. He looked so bewitchingly beautiful in the dim light of the wall lamps. Could a man be unearthly beautiful as he was?

She even forgot about their last argument and that she still held a grudge against him. Even forgot she was being chased some minutes ago.

Sthena’s eyes peered down at Perdita who looked absolutely beautiful in her green dress. Perdita was a beautiful woman. He knew. But tonight, she appeared more than alluring in his eyes. His gaze went from her body to her lips and he said,

”Your fangs are in full display and also...” he paused and looked into her now red orbs ”your eyes are red” He didn’t know if she became more beautiful because of her red eyes. But either with her green eyes or her red eyes, she was a beautiful woman.

Sthena’s red eyes darkened because of the thoughts running through his head. Even her smell was slowly intoxicating his senses and all he wanted to do was to sink his fangs into her neck. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply trying to take in more of the heavenly scent of Perdita whose soft body was pressed against his while he held her slender waist.

Perdita was lost in the middle of staring at Sthena before it suddenly hit her. She rapidly blinked and pushed Sthena’s chest. His eyes snapped open and as if realizing himself, he immediately released his hold on her.

Perdita stepped back feeling the warmth of Sthena’s body leave her. She couldn’t deny she didn’t like the feeling of being held so close and protective against his body. It felt so right like she belonged there.

What the... what are you thinking Perdita?! She shook her head trying to shake the thoughts away from her head.

”I...I am sorry” She apologized refusing to look at Sthena ”I didn’t mean to bump into you. I...I was being chased b...by...” Perdita paused remembering the scary creature. She didn’t know how to describe its features, the dark fleshless face. The hollow eyes and sunken cheeks. The bony fingers under the oversized dirty and ragged coat.

She shook her head again to get the image out of her brain. It was a scary sight to see. And to say she wasn’t scared was an understatement, all she wanted to do was to run home and hide in the comfort of her mattress.

Sthena closely watched Perdita struggle within herself. Her body shivered and he wondered what must have chased her to have her shaken that way.

”By what?” He probed looking into her eyes as if he would find the answer in them.

Perdita’s eyes darted around the hallway before they settled on Sthena. Her eyes held fear in them which was replaced by confusion. She wrung her hands together and answered, ”I don’t know”

”Hmm?” He tilted his head in question.

”Uhm...I mean, I don’t know what to call it. Maybe a running skeleton or ghost?” Perdita rather questioned than answering. She was confused and frightened. Why was she suddenly chased? And speaking of which, where did it suddenly disappear to? And the dark hallways! She was sure the hallways were dark a while ago. What happened?

Several questions swirled in the head of Perdita which made her body shiver more. But no matter how she thought about it, it still didn’t make sense to her. Wait! Was this castle haunted?!

Before she knew it, she opened her mouth and asked the question that was obvious on her face.

”Are there ghosts or maybe walking skeletons here?”

Sthena looked at Perdita with an amused smile on his lips he hid behind the mask on his face. His eyes suddenly widened as though Perdita discovered something she shouldn’t have. Then his expression changed into a downcast look.

”Yes,” He answered with a straight face making the already scared Perdita more petrified.

Hearing the confirmation of her fear from Sthena made her heart thump loudly in her chest. So she was right! This castle was haunted. She shouldn’t have come wandering here, or better still, she shouldn’t have come to this hallow ball.

Sthena suddenly laughed. His chest vibrated along with his deep masculine voice. Watching the scared look and hearing the wild beating of Perdita’s heart caused the laugh he was trying to hold in to erupt from his mouth. She was something else when she was happy or angry, but seeing the petrified look on her face was more fun to watch than the other expressions she displayed.

Perdita frowned at Sthena who suddenly started to laugh ”What’s funny?” She glared at him. Was he making fun of her?

Sthena finally stopped laughing but the smile was still on his face. He said, ”Such a scared little girl. This place is not haunted unless someone was playing a prank on you”

”No,” Perdita shook her head negatively ”it’s not a prank. That thing, whatever it was held magic. When I saw it, the hallway suddenly became dark and I think it was its doing. That was why I changed my eye color to red, so I could adjust to the darkness”

Seeing it herself was different than when she was narrating to someone else. People will not believe her. How can the castle that was guarded all around be haunted? They will term her to be hallucinating, so she didn’t blame Sthena if he doubted her. But Sthena surprised her yet again. He said to her,

”Okay, I believe you. Perhaps it is the Halloween that’s making it all scary to you. We should head back to the ballroom before your brother comes looking for you or perhaps you see another running skeleton that will probably drag you this time.” Sthena added the last sentence as a joke but the expression on his face said another thing which made Perdita quickly follow him.