A Hero In The Dark

Chapter 57: Push Through

I'm in West Virginia again. Hanging by my wrists. In the dark and cold and gloomy place where I received so much pain.

Setrákus Ra stands ahead. In the middle of the room. There is an odd unrealistic glow to his body that I'm certain was not there during my initial captivity.

He is all I can see. His words echo through the chamber.

"I will find you again, and when I do, I will kill you."

Although he does not say so, I know he is upset about Five's recent betrayal at the Sanctuary. He looks upon me with hate but also something else. An admiration? Something along the lines. I don't care for it.

There are things he says that leave me speechless.

"That boyfriend of yours. Going well? Enjoy your time together while you can, because very soon you'll both be dead."

I feel the green ooze sizzling into my flesh as it did in reality. I want to scream, but he won't let me.

A clock starts ticking. Louder and faster with each second that passes. I don't know where it's coming from.

There is sweat dripping from my forehead. Or maybe that's the ooze.

I feel his Golden Cane pressed into my throat, even though it is nowhere near.

I want to scream.

Scream. Scream. Scream!

No sound comes.

As if my vocal cords have gone dead. Silent.

Setrákus Ra smirks in the darkness.

I even hear John's voice. At first, quiet and inaudible. Muffled and impossible to hear the words. For the longest time, I think it is just my Enemy trying to get in my head.

The pain of the ooze intensifies, and I begin to cry.

"Scream Emily scream," my Enemy says, smiling wide.

I cannot. I wish to.

John keeps whispering, his voice growing louder; clearer. It's almost as if he is right in front of me, but he's not.

"Wake up. Wake up. Wake up!"

I try to force my eyes closed. Open them.

I'm still here; still in pain; still mute.

"Emily! Wake up!"

My shoulders shake. My head throbs.

Yet somehow, it soothes me. Like being held by an angel meant to protect. It gives me the strength to speak, faintly though measuredly.

"John... where are you?"

The shaking in my shoulders grow. While the throbbing in my head lessens. A warmness spreads through me, but the shouting remains.