The Pentagram Child(165)

The closer I got to the stone vines the more I was drawn back into the past and what happened that night.

“Yes…reach for us…touch our souls…yes…do it.” The same whispers I heard when waking and also back all that time ago started to filter around the room as if trying to pinpoint me. They seemed to come from everywhere all at once and even Alex looked around as if he hadn’t expected it.

“Do it!” Alex barked from only a few metres behind me as I took my last steps towards the huge wall. I looked up at the twisted and entwined network of what looked like stone snakes that were guarding this place for good reason. I couldn’t say that I was looking forward to this next bit, so naturally hesitated as my hand reached out to what looked like the exact same place as last time.

“Yes…yes…free us…let us live again…touch…touch…touch…”

“Now!” I closed my eyes tight as I thrust my hand forward and waited for the sting.

“Ahhh!” I hissed as the vine I touched uncurled from its brothers and wrapped itself around my wrist. Then I felt it tug me closer and it penetrated my palm over and over, almost as if tiny pins were branding me, which I guess was exactly what it was doing. It was all over after a few seconds and as soon as my hand was released I stumbled backwards passing Alex who was staring up at it in demented awe. He watched as the vine that had ensnared me in its trap started to pulsate and turn a lush green colour, like my blood had just breathed life into it.

“Why isn’t it opening?” He snapped at me looking back over his shoulder. I looked down at the hand I was now clutching and after wiping the blood across my denim shorts I saw the same mark that represented the Prophecy.

“Give it time, asshole.” I said letting my hate seep into my tone and just before he could respond, the vines started to move. And like last time they writhed around as if trying desperately to escape the ‘infected’ one and pretty soon the doors beneath were revealed.

“Ah! Perfect and just how I imagined!” Alex said clapping in crazed glee.

“Yeah, it’s just peachy.” I muttered sarcastically and started walking back over to the passed out RJ and leaving him to it.

“Where do you think you’re going!?” Alex said chuckling when I screamed out because he had once again pulled back my head by my hair. Then he turned us and propelled me forward but thankfully at least letting go of me.

“I can’t help you in there!” I said trying to reason with him, but that in itself would have made me laugh if I wasn’t faced with my dire situation.

“Oh trust me, I think you can.” He replied and gripped the top of my arm as he went past, dragging me to the now opening doors and into the blinding light. I closed my eyes against the power of it and let myself be pulled through the tunnel of light that was like walking into Heaven itself. Although with this half breed crackpot next to me I doubt they would have answered the door!

“You know it makes me wonder just what else you would have done if I had succeeded in my first choice of hostages.” He said as he pulled me through the brightest part at the end. Coming out the other side was like that fuzzy blurred feeling you get after staring at the sun.

“What do you mean?” I almost hated myself for feeding into his sick game but I had to ask.

“That old fucking Viking Ragnar, the big bastard was sent to ruin my fun by protecting your sister, her thick headed husband and the brat…now the look on your face seeing them tied up and screaming would have made the sweetest sight, don’t you think?” On hearing this and having the worst image alive planted in my mind I lost all reasoning but one…attack.

“YOU SICK FUCK!” I screamed turning round and lashing out at his face, trying to grab his head to bring down to my knee. Unfortunately he ducked backwards so it was only the tips of my fingers that came into contact with his face. I was however, glad to see I had inflicted some damage as I looked at the three bloody lines my nails had caused.

“You bitch!” He said backhanding me to the side and I flipped with the strength he possessed. The landing was so painful it knocked the wind out of me and I clutched my side as I gasped for air.

“Now get up!” He said dragging me up and I grimaced when I felt his own nails bite into my arm. The only thing I could hold onto as we made our way through the first section of the prison was to thank both Heaven and Hell for creating such a man as Draven, knowing how he had protected my family from this mad man. One I myself had welcomed in their home was one I would never forget, however it was one I would also never forgive in regards to my own stupidity.