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Dark Realm 5

Brinley tried to banish the fear clouding her mind with each step. Brinley imagined what life must be like for William and Maggie. His memories played out like watching a remake of an old movie being painted with a techno-colored brush. Brinley eyed the animal skins adorning the walls in the great hall. Big bulky wooden furniture littered the space, the room looked beautiful but uncomfortable.

“Come, Brinley.” William gestured.

Brinley felt her lungs start to burn. A heaviness settled on her shoulders, stopping her in her tracks. Brinley’s legs wobbled. “What’s happening to me?” William refused to look at her.

“Are you doing this to me?” Brinley whispered.

William turned his head to gaze at Brinley. “I’m sorry.”

Brinley licked her dry lips. It felt like all the liquid in her body was drying up.

William held his hand close to her cheek. “I really am sorry. This is not my choice. I must feed her.”

“Oh no,” Brinley fell against the wall. “You said you would not harm me.”

“It is not me, Brinley.” William dropped his head. “She needs to eat.”

Brinley closed her eyes. She swayed back and forth. “I will not allow this to happen.” Her soul vibrated as a white light shimmered around her.

“How are you doing that?” William glanced around the room, which was now shrouded in semi-darkness. “Brinley?”

Brinley opened her eyes as the light flicked on again.

William turned to face the door. “Enough. Release your hold on her.” William spoke to a growing shadow in the corner. The foundation of the manor shook.

Brinley used the wall to steady herself. “What is happening to me?”

“Stay there,” William said to Brinley. “Go away,” William stared into the corner.

“Who are you talking to?” Brinley into the corner and saw nothing but inside she knew Maggie was in the room. “This is it. I’m leaving.” Brinley pushed off the wall, but her legs collapsed under her weight. “Shit,” Brinley pressed her forehead against the hardwood floor.

“Stop this,” William to block Brinley from the growing mass in the corner.

Brinley struggled to her feet.

“I will not allow you to harm her.” William opened his arms. A gust of wind blew passed him pushing the entity back. Brinley stared past William. She opened her mouth, but the words clogged her parched throat. Brinley tried to focus on the looming shadow. A low guttural groan echoed from all around them as the glowing red eyes disappeared.

“Forgive me,” William pleaded.

Brinley did not have the strength to muster a reply. She only glared at him. Brinley replaced her fear with venom. “You did this on purpose.” Brinley stood up.

William stepped away. In the hallway, the grandfather clock sounded off four times. “It’s over now. You are exhausted. I will protect you.”

“Bullshit. You just tried to feed me to your wife.” Brinley yelled.

William dropped his head. “You fought her off. No one has ever done that. She won’t come back tonight. Her time has passed. Please allow me to make it up to you.” William’s blue eyes softened. He reached out but Brinley scooted back. “Don’t touch me.”

“I know I have lost your trust,”

“You think,” Brinley snapped.

“I have been trapped here for so long. I have been feeding the darkness with the essence of those brave enough to come here. You differ from the others. You repelled her. I have seen no one fight the way you have tonight. You are special.” Brinley opened her mouth to complain, but William kept speaking. “I will watch over you in the night. In the morning you must leave… You must leave and never return. Do you understand?”

Brinley knew she couldn’t return to her car, uneasy, Brinley settled on a small sofa. Within minutes, unable to fight the draining fatigue, Brinley was asleep.

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