Douce Dépendouce

Chapter 7

After I had finished with Hu and had put him away from our ride, I worked on cleaning my tack. Not that there was any need to, but it was a helpful distraction from what was going on. Just as I was about to open the saddle polish, my phone vibrated. I looked up, grabbing it and unlocking it, seeing a message from once again Linda.

We've decided that we're gonna start gathering the supplies needed for Pandora's Soul tomorrow. Anne and Lisa are going down to Aideens Whisper to get a soul from Jorvik. You, Me, and Alex are gonna go get a fragment from Jon Jarl if that's ok?

I placed the saddle soap down. Sighing as I heard rain start to come down.

Yes that's fine, what exactly do we need from Jon Jarl? Did you pass this by Avalon?

It took her a minute to reply.

Yes, and he's fine with it. He wants us to meet though before we go to speak with us all about the dangers again; he thinks we're kids. All you need is a fragment of the crystal that you got a few months back?

I quickly typed back an answer, putting my saddle away as I waited for her reply.

Yes I remember.

Once I left the tack room, I saw her new message.

Good, see you tomorrow then.

I gave her a thumbs up in response, putting my phone away and soon heading over to Hu, giving him a soft pat on his neck. I listened as he munched away on his hay, my mind drifting. I had hoped and begged with everything I could that we could stay away from Pandora, but we couldn't. That seemed like the only option and if Avalon thought that it was a good idea, there was officially no way out.

I then left Hu to continue on his night once I blanketed him up and soon reached home. I felt each step drain my energy as I reached my bed, plugging my phone in and peering out the window of the village below. I watched as some people walked home, umbrellas and hoods covering them. I then looked at all the decorations that had been hung up, now only noticing them; it didn't even feel like the holidays anymore, or anything special at least. The only times I didn't feel drained and all my worries were gone was with Hu or Ydris. That may not have been a bad thing, but it felt wrong slightly.

Stop it.

I swallowed, forcing myself to get up and get changed, soon crawling back into bed letting my distractions go into my phone, trying to forget anything about tomorrow.

I didn't know how long I had been sleeping for, or even if I had been. I was somewhere, somewhere dark and cold, colder than Jorvik. I could hear my pulse and heavy breathing in my ears, along with a faint ringing sound. I opened my eyes, seeing bright lights. I felt myself shut my eyes again, blinking as everything came into focus. I was somewhere colourful, somewhere where it was cold and draining. I blinked again, seeing splotches of bright pink and purples, everything clicking.

Pandora.

I looked down to my hands, seeing them tied around something. I looked behind me, a rune stone holding me down. Every part of me was tightly tied down, preventing me from moving. Instantly I began to panic, looking around for anyone. Linda and the others were nowhere, along with Hu and Avalon. I was alone.

I felt myself press my head back, feeling the uncomfortable coolness of the stone on my skin. I then opened my mouth, trying to call out for anyone. Before I could, I felt eyes on me. I turned, my heart stopping as I saw who it was. I began to wiggle and try to move around the stone as he came closer to me, his step quickening with every step. I avoided his dark eyes, seeing him now only a few feet away. I tried to pull myself free, but the ropes seemed to get tighter and tighter at each attempt. I then felt a dark shadow come over me, seeing him staring me down. He looked how I remembered. His dark longsem eyes that sent chills up my spine each time I looked at them, his strong built figure and the disgusting look on his lips as he watched me struggle. He then got his cane, putting it under my chin as I looked at him, pulling it upwards towards him. I felt myself feel helpless as I was forced to look into his dark and repulsive eyes, soon feeling the ropes behind me loosen. Suddenly, the rune I was tied to broke, letting me go. Instantly I caught my balance, forcing my legs as I sped off into a run. I tried to go as fast as I could, but it was hard, almost like my feet had weights. I continued on, not even knowing where I was gonna end up, or even where I was going to.