Whispers In the Dark

Chapter 5

I gave him a confused look. "She's right in front of me?"

He had a hint of a smirk on his face. "If you really weren't who we know you are, you wouldn't even know she was there."

"You mean--?"

"Humans can't see spirits. At least, not normal ones."

"Spirits?" I stammered.

"Hak!" The voice came from a silver haired boy at the top of the stairs. "We were given our orders!"

Hak backed away from me and turned to the voice. "So what? She's useless to us if she doesn't remember anything!"

"That doesn't give you the right to interfere!" He said in a stern but calm tone. "You know who you have to answer to. Leave it."

Hak looked like he wanted to argue but another firm look from the boy made him stop. "Damnit, Emerson," he sighed. Without another look in my direction he backed away, wringing his fingers through his hair in annoyance. "Sometimes, I hate it when you're always right." He met him at the top of the stairs.

The boy named Emerson smiled back at him. "I know you do." He turned to look down at me. "I would advise you not to wander too far, Lunette. For your own safety. That includes everything beyond that door."

And then they were gone before I could even muster a reply. The people in this place . . . Is there something in the water they drink?

I looked down at the creature and narrowed my eyes. This was a spirit? What did that even mean? She tilted her head and fluttered her wings.

"I don't understand," I murmured. I looked to the door again. There was my escape route but why was I holding back? Something was pulling me to this place, to these people here, to Noctis. All of the strange dreams I've been having don't seem like just dreams anymore. This place held the answers to all my questions. I'm sure if I left now I would probably regret it.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Lead the way." I said to my fellow companion or spirit or whatever, turning away from the door.

"Besides not knowing exactly what you are, I don't even know your name." We moved down another hall, passing by multiple doors. "Do you have a name?"

"Her name is Solar." I jumped at the sudden voice.

Noctis stood leaning up against the wall up ahead of us. He looked at me with silver eyes, a rage of emotions swirling in those dark orbs as they fought between light and dark. His black hair was tousled in a way that made it look like he had just raked his fingers absentmindedly through it. He wore a black collared shirt that looked like it was made out of silk, black slacks, and black dress shoes. He looked like a dark prince emerging from the shadows.

Solar perked up at the sight of him and trotted over to rub her cheek against his ankle. "She really likes you. Is she yours?"

His gray eyes flashed silver as he looked at me, regarding me with something special, seemingly searching for something. "Yes and no."

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"She was put in my care a long time ago," he said nostalgically, a faraway look in his eyes.

I felt a sudden pang in my chest when he said that. "Someone close to you?" I said in a nonchalant tone. I looked up to meet his piercing gaze. Silver pools softened as his expression became warm, and his lips formed into a smile. "My most precious person."

There was a pang again as I felt my heart beat against my chest. Solar came to rub against my ankles after having gotten tired of Noctis. I smiled down at the little creature I had started to grow fond of. "Have you rested to your mind's content?" He asked.

I looked up to see he had closed the gap between us and it took me a moment to get my heart under control at the sudden proximity. "I think I slept too much, to be perfectly honest." And I realized I had slept more the past night than I probably had in a long time.

"Not enough to ease the shadows under your eyes." His hand found its way to my cheek before I could comprehend the meaning of his words. His touch put me at ease, relaxing the tension I had been feeling since I had first come to in this strange place. I found myself craving more when he pulled away, leaving me feeling strangely sad. I thought I saw a flash of regret in those silver eyes but it was gone so fast I wondered if I had imagined it.

"You should eat something to replenish your strength." He reached his hand forward as if to take mine before he stopped. Curling his hand into a fist, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Follow me." Part of me wanted to lunge forward and grab his hand while another part of me couldn't understand why I was acting this way. I ran to catch up with his long-legged pace, noting how he slowed down to meet mine.

Ooh!!

Hmm. I'm sure you guys can already tell what's happening, or at least some of it. Or you have some kind of idea.

So how was it? Leave a comment telling me what you think happens next or what you want to see happen next (although I can't guarantee it will come true...)

Before I go I wanna give a huge shout out to the lovely @RozariaMay for the gorgeous cover! My jaw dropped when I saw it. 😩 Thank you for that lovely!

See you all in the next chapter! ❤️