Page 55 of The Devil's Den

He ponders over my words. “I don’t know, but I’d like to believe it is, because maybe then, there’s a chance I can see my parents too. Just one more time.”

CHAPTERNINETEEN

AIDA

The warm airbillows around me, and I look down at myself, barefoot, a long white dress fluttering at my ankles. The grass is cool, the dew has long set in. I move slow, not sure where I’m going, but it’s as though my feet do.

She’s there if I keep walking. I just know it.

Suddenly the clear blue sky is replaced by a storm rolling in. Darkness glides across, thunder booming from every side of me.

“Hello?” I shout. “Are you here?”

There’s no answer except the heavy raindrops now falling to a chorus of its making. Running away from it, I try to seek shelter, but the trees are bare and listless.

“Is anyone here?” I call. “Please, I need help!”

The grass is muddy now. I keep running and stumble on a small pebble, falling to my knees. Blood trickles out, washed away a second later by the rain dripping down my soppy body, trickling from the ends of my hair, the dress now sticking to my skin.

Thunder strikes hard and I jump back, my heart racing. It’s there in the clearing, a light from what looks like a cottage.

With renewed courage, I go faster, knowing that’s my only safety in this cruel world. I’m alone. There’s not a soul here, except in that house. If there’s a light, there’s life, and I have to find it. Almost there, the house grows larger in my view.

My lungs ache but I fight it. Thunder tumbles with laughter and I fear it with a tremor running down my spine.

The house is finally there and I don’t knock as I push the door open. Whoever lives here must’ve known to leave it unlocked for me.

With my breathing labored, I step inside, shutting the door, my palms against it, trying to catch my breaths.

“I thought you’d never come,” a woman says from behind me, and every hair on my arms stands up, my heartbeats roaring loud enough to outshine the rumbling of the storm.

Slowly, I turn, facing her—the blonde woman, the one from my dreams.

Am I dreaming now? Is that where I am?

“Who are you?” I tremble.

“You know who I am, Aida. You’ve always known.” She takes a step toward me, her dress matching mine. No, not matching, it’s exactly the same.

I swallow down the panic in my throat, my pulse thrumming in my neck.

“No, I’ve no idea who you are. Just tell me. Please.”

“Remember.” She’s closer now, her hand reaching, and mine goes to her.

“Remember me.” When she touches my fingertips, I jolt, my eyes rolling into the back of my head, my body trembling as I grow dizzy.

Falling.

Drifting.

I drop to the floor, and I find her there when I close my eyes, but she looks different this time. I can see her beside a child whose hair is blonde.

Like mine.

As I look around, I realize I’m somewhere else entirely, no longer in the cottage.

“Mommy? When can we go home?” the child asks, walking around. And the room…

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