The clouds gather, heavy with rain. Dark layers folded over each other, and the wind howled, whipping through the trees. The promise of rain lingering for days. Sophia stood transfixed, her gaze locked on the swirling clouds. Her mind wandered as the sounds of people rushing to their homes filled the air- umbrellas clicking, footsteps hurrying. Everyone rushing to get shelter, but Sophia just stood there, waiting patiently, her eyes fixed on the sky. The first droplets hit her skin, tantalizing her. And soon it poured down, her dress clung to her body, soaking up the rain. As memories flooded her mind, Like déjà vu, Sophia mind drifted to when she was 15, sitting in the stairs of her house, her mother's words etched in her mind as the rain poured down, cold seeping into her skin.
Tears flowing down her cheek. "Why me?". She sobbed, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
"I want to be like other children...am I really a mistake, am I cursed. Will no one accept me. I didn't choose this...i don't want this life. I want to be normal, am a human being, I too have feelings but it seems they don't care. I care for everybody... but when it's my turn nobody looks back. Everybody just says she is an illegitimate child, but am just a child. A human being . Please stop judging me, stop calling me names". Sophia cried out. The rain pouring soaking her cloths as she placed her hands on her chest and crouched to the ground as she wailed. "What of me, nobody cares, nobody wants to care". Sophia said as snot came out of nose, body soaked, the thunder strucked once again.
"I'm not asking for much, just treat me like a normal child, because am just a girl...a girl who wants to be loved". Sophia said using her hands to hit the muddy floor, mud splashing, soon her face was covered in mud. The thunder roared, sending the next round of rain.
She lied on the ground, facing the sky as the rain poured down. "Take the life you have given... I no longer want to be here, please...please answer this". Sophia shouted as the water level increased covering her.
The screeching of a speeding car brought Sophia back to the present, it's headlight blinding her. Her eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat. Time slowed. The car hurtled towards her, Sophia's world narrowed, the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass filled the air as two cars collided. The impact threw Sophia backwards, trees and bushes blurring together. Sophia world went black.
##$####
Sophia opened her eyes, she sat up, her head throbbing with pain, she held it. Her blurring vision slowly cleared, revealing the presence of towering trees that seemed to look over her. The rain poured, washing away the mud and debris clinging to her body. Removing her hand from her head, she saw blood on her palms. The memories of what happened flooded back- the accident, the sound of the car hitting hers, the feeling of weightlessness.
"What the ...". Sophia trailed off, her voice shaking. Scanning her surroundings, she noticed that there was no house, only the sight of desolate landscape came to her vision.
"Where the hell am I?". She muttered.
The sound of rustling leaves made her shiver, her heart raced. And then a chilling voice spoke from the shadows.
"Hello". It said with a calm but dangerous tone.
Sophia turned and her scream was stifled by her hand. The figure emerged, his eyes glowing red in the darkness. Claw-like fingers and the lightening struck revealing the man's fangs.
"This can't be". Sophia whispered, recognizing him. He was the driver whose car ran into hers. 'How is he alive and what is he'. Sophia thought. The demon's smirk grew wider.
"Hello Sophia".
Fear fueled her legs as she flee. Her heart pounding with each step. Sophia's legs pumped furiously, her feet pounding the wet earth. Mud splashed around, she could barely hear her racing heartbeat. Her bruised feet hurt but she pressed on. Afraid to look back, she didn't want to know if he was close to her or not, all she cared about now was getting away from him. Far as possible. But then, the demon materialized in front of her, making Sophia jump backwards, her leg slipped and she hit the floor with her back.
"Awwwww". She lamented as she raised her head to see the demon again.
"How...who?". She stammered.
"Finally, we've found you". Sophia's brow furrowed.
"We?". She asked perplexed.
Suddenly, figures emerged from the darkness. Red-eyed, grotesque and identical to the first. Sophia heartbeat increased as she scrambled backwards.
"Please don't kill me!". She begged,she started crying. The demons closed in, their eyes fixed on her like predators as they dashed towards
In desperation and fear.
"help me". Sophia screamed as she folded herself, praying for miracle and also preparing herself to be killed.
Just then, the demons were suddenly clashed with an unseen force. The sound of tearing flesh and snarls filled the air. Sophia opened her eyes to see blood splashing everywhere. A fierce battle raged around her.
Sophia watched in awe as a man fought the demons. The man tore into their flesh with ease, his movements fast and inevitable.The man fought off the demons with a fierce intensity. The demons were unable to keep up with him. He slashed and struck with precise and powerful blows, easily dispatching his opponents. As he fought, the last demon fell to the ground, the man turned to her. Sophia breath quickened, her heart racing, her legs heavy as if rooted to that spot. She knew she couldn't escape;he would catch her.
"Please don't kill me". She begged. The lightening came again, the man's face though covered with blood looked familiar. He walked closer to her. His eyes, golden red unlike the others sent shivers down her spine. Yet despite the fear, Sophia felt at ease. Their eyes locked and silence ensued. His eyes went back to normal, claws and fangs disappeared. A warm smile spread across his face.
"Thank God you're safe". He whispered, touching her face. His voice soothing."I'm sorry I didn't arrive sooner". He said.
That voice, that aura, "hello", that low tune, the man from the gala, the man from the library, Atticus.
"Atticus". She mumbled.
He smiled."well I guess you know my name now". Caressing her cheek.
"What the hell are you". She whispered, as her eyes scanned him. He looked normal now but just now, he looked...
"Atticus, friend". A voice said from behind them, urgency in his voice.
Atticus frowned, swiftly lifted Sophia into his arms.
"Close your eyes". He whispered into her ears
"What?". Sophia asked in shock.
"Do it". He said with a stern voice. Sophia didn't know what was happening but she had to obey. The devil you know is better than the enemy you don't. She closed her eyes and then felt a sudden rush. Tightening her grip on him, Sophia felt herself numb. Her hair flying with the wind. Sophia felt like they were running at lightning speed, still the demons were never far behind, their cries and howls echoing through the night as they chased them through the maze of forest. Atticus zigged and zagged, turning corners and darting through narrow places in a desperate attempt to escape. And then they came to an abrupt stop.
Sophia opened her eyes, only to see they were surrounded by more demons.
"Surrender the girl". A man came forward, his voice was authoritative.
Atticus gnashed his teeth. "She's mine and I don't share". As he held closer tighter.
The man laughed."Then you'll die with her, get them". He said to the others. The men rushed towards them. Atticus turned, it was a cliff behind them. Sophia looked at him. The determination in his eyes scared her.
"No... no... no". Sophia said hesitantly.
Atticus smiled. He put her down , his hands encircled her waist, his eyes piercing into hers. His lips inches from hers. Sophia eyes fluttered shut. Sophia heart raced.
'was he going to kiss her, at this time, now of all times'. She thought as she anticipated the feel of his lips on hers but instead Atticus whispered.
"When you dance, trust your partner". And he jumped pulling her with him. Sophia heart pounded in her chest as she screamed. And just then she felt a felt a sudden warmth on her lips.
"BOOM". the sky roared, the wind blew erratically and as if the elements of nature were charged. The storm become more intense, with the rain coming down in sheets and the wind howling like a wild demon. The thunder boomed overhead, the sound echoing through the streets and making it difficult to hear anything else. Thousands of Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the darknessbefore. The storm seemed never-ending, the elements combining to create a dangerous and powerful force of nature and then darkness.