Page 106 of The Dark Obsession

“Let’s get this over with, gentlemen.” Dale inches towards us.

Rafael is a blur as he appears at Dale’s side, Adriel on the other side.

Dale swings the knife at Rafael.

Adriel manages to grab his one arm, the movements so fast I can barely see.

The blade strikes Rafael’s shoulder; the sound of nails on a chalkboard screech through the basement. A blinding light shines from the newly sliced wound, and pale white liquid leaks down his chest.

Adriel takes a large step back, and with a horrible crack, Dale bellows an agonising scream.

I can’t see what is wrong. Tears well in my eyes at the sound of such pain—pain worse than torture. My eyes are glued to what’s happening. As much as I try, I can’t look away. I desperately wish I could drag myself up the stairs, but with every passing second, my pain only worsens. Right now, I can only wish for death as I hear another crack, and Dale’s screams intensify.

He glances at me through bloody tears, and we make eye contact.

Rafael and Adriel slow down, Rafael grips Dale’s upper arm, as if holding him up. Dale’s other arm hangs loosely at his side, his shoulder oddly lopsided.

I look for what made the second crack and find it almost instantaneously. I gasp, noticing his leg completely stuck out to the side at the knee joint. My stomach churns.

Dale stumbles sideways, his head leaning against Rafael’s chest.

Rafael readies himself for another attack, his arm rising in the air.

“No, Rafael,” Adriel shouts. “It isdone.”

Rafael shakes his head. “I’ve got to make sure.” His voice trembles.

Before Rafael can move, Adriel extends his arm, and a force throws Rafael across the room. He crashes into the bathtub, the metal bending into the shape of his shoulders. Adriel looks stronger and brighter than ever as he holds up Dale with one arm and stares at Rafael.

Rafael stands in a flash, his whole body shaking so much he looks like a blur. He thrusts both hands in front of him. A white wisp of smoke shoots towards Adriel.

Adriel’s screams puncture my eardrums. His arms stiffen in front of him, his grasp on Dale weakening.

Dale’s eyes dart to Adriel’s face, warped with pain.

“Stop,” I murmur with all the energy I can muster.

Rafael seems to not hear me as he approaches them.

Adriel’s feet rise several inches off the floor, Dale rises too.

With a flick of Rafael’s wrist, another crack sounds, this time duller than the last.

Dale yelps as his body collapses limply, Adriel still holding him in the air.

“Raf …” I beg, quieter this time. I have no breath left in my lungs.

Rafael’s face is ashen as he glances at me. He shakes his head whilst observing the bodies in the air in front of him. The glowing aura around Rafael seems to dim. He doesn’t look in my direction but at Dale and Adriel as he carefully lowers them to the floor.

“Rosa,” I hear Dale gasp as Rafael rushes forwards and cups Dale’s head in his glowing hands when he reaches the floor. “I really did love you.”

Rafael’s eyebrows contract, but he says nothing. Pity drowns his bright green eyes.

Dale forces a smirk, and with his good hand, he points to his abdomen, his hand waves shakily over the silver blade buried deep into his stomach. Blood seeps fast from the wound; its jagged teeth must have cut through his organs. “Rose,” he says again between quick shallow breaths. “I think I’m going to die.”

Rafael releases Dale’s head into Adriel’s ready hands and comes to my side. He lifts my body as if I am weightless, I bite down on the insides of my cheeks hard, careful not to let pain show on my face. He carries me to Dale, then gets down on one knee, holding me like a baby.

“Dale.” My voice trembles. “Why did it have to be like this?”

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