Page 17 of The House of Whispers

“You are absolutelymarvelous.” Jakkal’s voice growled with a carnal hunger. The sound of a blade hitting something hard echoed once more through the darkness. Another deep-red flash and clank of a blade illuminated the horrific scene—a scene I didnotremember.

I was straddling the body of a young woman. My knees were squeezed tight around her hips, one of my hands burning with dark magik as it pushed against her, restraining the woman, as my other slammed into her abdomen. My knife was firm within my grasp, now buried deep into her flesh. The woman was gagging, spitting as she drowned in her own blood. Her eyes were filled with tears and fear, silently begging for help as my dark magik continued to pin her forcefully into the dirt. Realization of my actions slowly set in as my power faded. I pulled my knife from within her, the blade scraping her bone as it left her body and her blood soaked my hand. That same sound echoed in between my ears as I glared at my crime, disgusted with myself.

“Don’t stop.” Jakkal breathed as he lifted my chin to face him. He was crouched next to me, the fox mask close as it stared down at me. He ran his gloved thumb across my chin, wiping away the woman’s blood.

“This isn’t real,” I cried as he stared quietly, “I didn’t do this. I couldn’t have.” Another tear fell from my eyes as my lips quivered at the foreign nightmare.

“Poor little ghost. Your own mind has made you a prisoner.”

“I did not do this.” I gritted, my fear turning to rage.

Jakkal’s grip tightened as he forced my chin, moving my face to look down at the woman. “Finish what you started, Casper. Breathe in her last breath as your blade hits its mark.”

As if following his commands, my body shifted, moving without thought or hesitation. An internal struggle pursued as I fought the strange, heavy power over me. I did not want to kill her.

I don’t want to do this.

“Yes, you do.” It was as though Jakkal was reading my thoughts. “Stop fighting your true self.” I reluctantly leaned over the woman, my back arched as my hand steadied my weight, tears falling from my eyes onto her bloodied face as she cried with me. “Unleash your gift.”

As the words left his lips, something flashed across my eyes, changing my entire demeanor. My other hand raised high as my blade fell, slamming fiercely into her chest. I twisted the knife, her flesh squishing as blood flowed from the gaping wound and pooled across her neck. My motions repeated as a strange flood of power washed away my rage and fear, replacing it with something dark and sinister. Blood coated my face, drenching my hair, as I continued to swing the blade, moving harder, faster. A devilish grin snaked across my face as my pupils dilated.

“There she is.” Jakkal’s pleased voice only excited me.

The nightmare flickered as the images slowly morphed. My brain felt as though it was ripping apart as everything blurred together, creating such excruciating pain. My body felt as though it was boiling and my consciousness was being pulled apart. The fire engulfing me spread through my veins as screams burst from my throat filling the darkness around me. My nails clawed at my face as I tried to escape the ongoing torture.

“Jakkal!” I screamed for him, the volume of my own voice increasing as the piercing sound of ringing grew. Everything continued, increasing in speed and volume until eventually it all collided into one, creating a colossal rupture of reality. My heart raced as I rose in the bed, screaming. My consciousness quickly faded into place as my irises adjusted to the dark room, taking note of where I had landed. I was back in my room,alone.

Moonlight poured from the window, soaking the room. I rose from the bed and slowly made my way to the door, rubbing my eyes and attempting to shake the nightmare. I tried to turn the knob. It was locked. My hand grappled with the handle, trying to force it open as confusion crept into my being. Annoyed and exhausted, my palm glowed as I tried to use my magik to force the lock to budge. A vermillion glow zapped back, burning my hand and dissolving my magik. Jakkal. I turned from the door and scanned the room, searching for any sign of him.

The room was dark and quiet, the moonlight now clouded in the night sky.

“I have had enough of your games,” I whispered, listening for movement. “Reveal yourself. This endsnow.” As the last of my words fell from my lips, the room shot to life, illuminated in a red-orange glow. My body tensed as an eerie presence drifted through the room.

His voice echoed like a whisper. “You cannot end what has only just begun.”

“Stop hiding.” I growled into the air.

“Stop fighting.”

I stepped cautiously to the center of the room, my eyes peeled as I remained tense. “What is it you want, Jakkal? What do you truly want?” Silence. “Tell me!”

Jakkal didn’t respond.

“End this insane nightmare and leave me be!” I screamed into the air, my fists clenched at my side.

A strange feeling crept up my spine as it prickled my skin. His hot breath traveled along my neck as an invisible pressure leaned into my ear.

“I cannot.” He replied calmly.

I hesitated before answering, my body stiff as I tried to remain still. “Why?” The question whispered from my mouth.

“Because, little ghost,” he whispered against my ear, “I wantyou.”

With a quick flash, Jakkal became visible. He wrapped one arm around my waist, the other across my chest as it trailed up my neck. My violet eyes widened as a mix of emotions constricted my voice, a light gasp exhaling from my mouth. His fox mask scraped my flustered cheeks as he rotated my head fully exposing my neck.

“You and I are the same.” He spoke into my skin. “The only difference between us is that you refuse to accept yourself.”

“I am nothing like you.” I forced the words out, frozen within his grasp, trying not to enjoy the feeling of him against me.

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