Chapter Six

I tried so hard

And got so far

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I had to fall

To lose it all

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

Nephele's POV

Chapter Six - You are a Nightmare

"Mummy, where are we going?" The little girl who sits next to me asks, her bright blue eyes shone through her light brown hair messily tied up into a small ponytail. The young girl seemed to be around four years old, her vocabulary rather well developed for someone so seemingly young, which made me think she was actually older than her complexion lead me to believe. I watched as the girl dangled her legs over the edge of her car seat, herself strapped in with her brother holding onto the frayed corner of the seat tightly. When looking over at the brother, the tears were obvious in his eyes, something the young girl seemed to miss as her mother wove in-between cars on the highway, the green signs indicating exits passing as blurs. I sat in-between the young girl and her apparent brother, the bond between them fairly obvious. I was confused as the brother's arm flew through my body as if I was transparent, although I knew I was.

A reoccurring dream that plagued my night.

I swallowed thickly as I saw the mothers eyes dart up into the rear-view-mirror quickly, looking over her daughter and son before they darted back to the oncoming traffic and road ahead.

"Mummy?" The little girl's voice was quiet, fear lacing her word as she placed her fingers on her lip, a thing the girl still does now when she is nervous or worried.

"Sorry baby, it is a surprise. We are just going away for a few days. Think of it as a holiday." Her mother's words reassured the girl immediately, her brother however saw through the lie almost instantly.

"Yeah Elly, we are going to some place warm for a while." Her brother reassures, the little girls head looking over at him before goofily smiling. The smile was so out of place, the atmosphere in the car a lot darker and weary than the little girls humour.

The mother's eyes dart back to the rear-view-mirror once more, not in search of her children's eyes but for the traffic behind them.

I knew how this scene played out. I had watched it through, seen it too many times to just walk away and pretend although I didn't know what was going to happen, what I couldn't change.

I wanted to scream as I saw the familiar glint in the distance through the windscreen, the darkness that surrounded the car making it easier to spot the more times you looked at it. I wanted to leap forward and get in the way, stop the unstoppable.

Except I did nothing as I watched the silver bullet glint under the random street light, the bullet moving ever so slowly from a gun that glints under the moonlight a kilometre away.

I did nothing as I watched the bullet penetrate the glass of the windscreen, the sound following mere milliseconds after it slipped into the mother's forehead. I did nothing as I watched the blood splatter the seats surrounding the female, did nothing as I watched the little girl scream as blood coated her skin, as she swallowed the thick metallic taste of her mother's blood. I did nothing as the brother yelled, his arm coming out as he leaned through me to cover his little sister as the car spun, the wheels failing to gain traction as they spun, the sound of wheels screeching and horns blaring as the car continued to spin.

I did nothing as the girls scream continued, her scream turning into my own as tears leaked from my eyes once more. I screamed as the car slammed forcefully into something, and continued to scream as I watched the lifeless bodies being thrown through the air.

I wake up, my body pushing forward, my shrill scream echoing the lonely walls that line the room. I gasp for air as my throat burns, the familiar feeling rising in my throat. I jump from the bed I lay, running into the bathroom at an unnatural speed before collapsing in front of the stark white toilet. I heave, continuously heave over and over as time blurs and my vomiting continues. Tears leak from my eyes as I continuously vomit, the feeling foreign yet so familiar. When I finish I slump down, my arms folded and forehead against my forearms.

I cry. I start to cry, the tears leaking from my eyes as I sob, my mentality breaking as well as my shields. I break down into a mess, my hand coming to cover my mouth as I somewhat remember where I was, in order for no one to hear my desperation. I hated feeling like this. I hated feeling weak and needy. I hated feeling like shit.

I hated how I never slept and hated how the nightmares plagued my mind twenty-four hours a day's regardless of the light levels and sleeping patterns.

I need to grow up. I need to be less immature and shellfish. I need to stop being so weak. I cough deeply, the sound ricocheting around my chest cavity as I spit the remnants of what had lain within my stomach. I wipe my tears with the back of my hand, wiping away any pure evidence of my prior activity. I hold my head up high, sniffling away any of the prior emotions that had wrecked my face.

I stand on my two shaky feet, swallowing my pain as the large lump in my throat forms. I walk over to the sink, my hands reaching automatically to the stereotypical marble bathroom bench. I clench my hands and stare into the mirror, looking over my hunched and exhausted form.

I look over myself, noticing the way my eyes are a darker blue-grey as exhaustion from the past three months finally sets in, the circumstance which have occurred during the past few days taking a toll on my body. I look at how my light brown hair is messy and tightly wound together in knots. I swallow harshly once more as I look at how my skin is greyer than usual, the vomiting not helping however it did not really matter.

I give myself as small reassuring smile, the way it curved my lips obviously fake. Turning away from the sink, making sure the toilet flushed properly before flicking off the lights with the tip of my index finger. When I enter the room I was given I jump noticing in the darkness the silhouette of a man sitting on the couch close to my bed. My arms are placed out in front of me in terms of safety.

The figure instantly stands and I swallow the once-more forming lump in my throat.

"Do not be scared Amare. I was coming to check up on you, I heard you scream and when you didn't answer I let myself in." Lucifer's voice was soft, hinting at what he heard but he did not mention it. Love was the nickname he used this time, my stomach flipping as he said the word yet my eyes narrowing at the same time.

I nod my head, accompanying that with a soft smile. I reach over for the light switch but before I can reach it the lights turn on, the bright yet soft glow warm and welcoming upon my skin. I will admit, I did not want him to see me as such, weak and ugly however I did nothing to stop him as his eyes, blue and stormy, raked my form. I looked down nonetheless.

My broken tendons and ligaments had healed within a day, as the doctor and Lucifer had said they would. It had been a full day since he last spoke to me, which was when he made me speak his name.

"You are up nonetheless Little Cloud, would you like something to eat?" His words were rather formal, always were, which was not surprising as he claimed to an extremely old male.

"That is extremely rude." His voice brings my head to snap up towards his gaze, my eyes meeting his in a glance. I was confused to how he had read my thoughts, how he knew what I was thinking however I abandoned the thought as I somehow believed his claims to be the truth. Part of me knew it was wrong, part of me hated him, despised his kidnapperish and savage-seeming ways. Yet the other half of me wanted to trust him, wanted to let him touch me.

I blush deep red in embarrassment, shoving my thoughts to the side and banishing the rogue ones from my mind, trying to hold his gaze as his own amused look looks over my body.

"How about this extremely old male answers all your questions over some supper?" I bite my lip trying not to laugh a little as he takes no offence to my thoughts, the hateful part of me hating the way I was reacting and acting towards his words. I give him a small smile in return, it being tight and almost forceful. Having a constant flow of questions throughout my head and a lot of unanswered answers, never-ending theories to be finally answered sounded like a good idea, however this could all be a set-up. This could be a trap, for him to gain my trust before he breaks me down.

The raging thoughts cross my mind, the possibilities this 'supper' could entail. Albeit I know that I should not trust him, should not allow him near me the chance of forgetting about my sickness and nightmares was a pleasant thought.

If only for a few hours I could simply forget.

I knew what I wanted, even if it came at a great price. I answer him, the seconds since he had asked the question growing longer.

"O-okay. I will get changed." I clear my throat, kind of asking where clothes that were deemed appropriate may be. He seemed to catch the unanswered question, another one of them, and looked at me strangely before speaking.

"The door just to your right. There should be fitting clothes in there, all new for you of course. I hope you like them." He seemed to be pondering, nervous even as he said the last line. He was questioning whether I would like them?

Just as I open my mouth to ask him what he meant by what he said, his flashes away in an instant, and the spot he was now vacant. I gasp and jump back instantly, my hands out in front of me as I expect an attack of some sort even though it seemed he teleported. I snort inwardly at the idea of that being a possible thing.

I sigh nonchalantly and turn to the door to my right, my head racing with thoughts. I hated giving into the pressure to be kind to everyone. I hated how I felt like I owed an obligation to Lucifer to give him a chance to explain everything to me, even if in reality he didn't. I look down at myself and sigh. It wouldn't hurt just letting him explain things. I only just arrived here and maybe if he answered my questions I would be able to leave, in one piece preferably of course. I needed to get out of here, and what better way to do it then to gain his trust.

Although that would be exactly what you are hoping he will not do to you.

I turn the knob, the silver-gold cold in my hand. I swing the door open with force, my eyes widening as the lights above power on as the door opens, leaving me shocked to how big the wardrobe in this room is.

Of course it is the size of the apartment back home, which was fairly big.

Probably just like other things that belong to him.

I swat the inappropriate thought from my head and blush, knowing that some part of me did find my kidnapper rather attractive however this damsel who did not need saving, will not be contracting Stockholm syndrome anytime soon. I bit my lip subconsciously, the thoughts about Lucifer, a name which I will not say aloud again, raging against my conscious. I shake my head and fully walk into the wardrobe, ignoring the pounding of the heat that rushed through my body at the thought of Lucifer alone.

The walls where white, stark and brooding against the chestnut coloured wood panels that lined the open of the hanging wardrobe space. These rather large chestnut lined wardrobes lined to two side walls, the far one sporting a floor to ceiling mirror. In front of the mirror stood a small pink cushioned ottoman, the colour scheme being so different to what lay outside the room. Right behind the ottoman, or in front of the, once again, rather large door stood and marble island bench, the soft colours of grey and black running through the white slab. Below the marble slab, draws were apparent, with shiny silver handles slightly protruding from the white wood. To match the soft pink ottoman, the top of the marble slab sported a small grey pot with a small green plant, along with some pretty white candles and some other, what I considered cute accessories.

I scurrying into the white draws, this room being rather colourful compared to the others. I was glad to find the draws I had picked from were indeed female clothes, with a typical Calvin Klein triangle bra and matching underwear laced in between my fingers. I screwed up my eyebrows when I didn't find anything other than undergarments in this draw, roughly opening other draws to try and find some track-suit pants as well as a plain white t-shirt.

"Bingo." I mumble as I open a draw, finding my desired grey trackies, turning around to find the white t-shirt hanging up on a hanger. I nibble my lip as I slip everything on, noting that I had a shower before I tried to sleep and did not need to waste more water on one now. I sigh and turn towards the large mirror and nod to myself, trying to re-adjust my hair to make me look less feral. I sigh and walk out of the room, the socks I quickly found helping me cope with the cold floorboards of the main bedroom. This was the best I was going to get under five minutes and that was fine. I needed him to disregard me anyway, what better way to do that than appearing rather ugly.

I look around the dark room once more, noticing how the curtains still look unmoving and block out all light within the large room. I sigh and turn towards the large doors, the hand cool in my hand as I turn it and pull open the door. I exit the room quietly, trying to keep my noise to the minimum. I swallow lightly as I look down the hall, this bedroom seeming to be at the end of a large hall, the hallways being the same as the last time I left the room, which did not end well for me.

I nibble my lip once more, it seemingly a habit which had not gone away. I take a step away from the bedroom door, my stomach dropping as I somewhat lose the sense of familiarity I have with that room.

"Hello Little Cloud." I jump as the voice echoes the hall from behind me. I turn quickly on my heel only to meet the smirk of Lucifer as his eyes rake my body.

"Hello." I do not say his name, keeping my promise to myself. I bite the inside of my lip and swallow, looking up at him as he stands intimidatingly tall. His arms are crossed across his chest, his broad bicep muscles bulging as the fabric across his arms stretch. I swallow the lustful lump in my throat and swat away all bad thoughts, trying to ignore his smirk.

I sigh and arch an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to lead the way to some answers. I hear him release a puff of air before he walks in front of me slightly, allowing me to stand by his side at the same time. I walk alongside him, noting how the hallway is kind of long, yet smaller than it seemed yesterday. The hallway now had more doors leading to other rooms which appeared closed off, the big dark doors hiding what lie behind them. I look up, hoping to see the starred roof once more, its beauty engraved in my head.

I smile when I see it, the stars seeming to brighten as I look upon them. My lips part in awe once more, myself finding it once again captivating.

"This is what the hallway would normally, and will now appear like to you. I had seen that you took great interest into the ceiling." The information he granted me with made me smile. At least his actions showed he cared, even though I know he didn't and I shouldn't believe in his caring actions.

I just nodded my head in response, finding it somewhat warming that he had taken notice in my interest.

The hallway was shorter, making it easier to navigate as we took a left turn into another hallway. The hallway looked the same, dark themed wood and walls with the carpet still looking the same as we walked along. However this hallway was extremely short, it ending up at a large open room which was surprisingly beautiful.

This room could be cut off from the hallway if the owner wanted it to, with large doors hanging open to the side. This room was bright and flowing with natural light, there being actual open windows somewhere in this room. I smiled as I walked in behind Lucifer, wanting to explore this open living space. As we walk in, to the right only following two metres of wall is the open-planned kitchen which was breathtaking, a design perfect for any dream cook such as myself.

The grey-stone-top island stood about a metre from the wall, which was now tiled and sporting an inland countertop fitted with a medium coloured wood cupboards. The colour scheme could be considered odd, however it was not bad. It fitted the rest of this palace perfectly if anything, the dark theme being somewhat apparent still in the grey stone. The countertops seemed to be smooth, with cupboards below the island bench holding what I would be guessing kitchen appliances. An electronic stove stood on the far wall, with a silver fridge next to it, the modernity of the kitchen taking me by surprise.

I look around the large area further, seeing the classic light oak coloured table, possibly seating around eight people, standing a few metres from the island countertop with grey coloured soft chairs around it. The table was basic, with nothing set out making me think that this was a private area rather than a public one, as this was a castle.

Behind the table is what made me gasp. Floor to ceiling windows graced my presence, the windows lining the whole room except for the kitchen as the kitchen was in a little box-like shape. Outside the sun shone brightly, meadows upon meadows dancing and teaming with life. If this was supposed to be Hell or the Underworld, where was the darkness and death?

What lay beyond the windows did not seem like death and destruction. It looked peaceful and beautiful if anything, something that I would love under any other circumstance.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" His voice comes from behind me once more. I do not have any words, my mouth agape with awe leaving me speechless. His chuckle rumbles through my body, leaving warmth and sparks to dance across my skin even though the man had not touched me. I clear my throat and nod my head again, knocking myself out of whatever trance I was in.

Looking over to the other side of the room and ignoring the burning gaze. The wall that lead to this area was a few metres more than the wall connecting to the kitchen. This area which was still connected to the large living space looked to be a living room our lounge room. The couch was a crème white with a grey fluffy throw blanket thrown over the top of it. Below the feet of the couch and the coffee table, which was again some light oak wood, was grey shaggy carpet that would have felt heavenly to touch. The couch as larger than most and styled in an 'L' shape. The windows lined the entirety of the right wall, with the left wall being the same as the other times as it led to the hallway. In front of the couch and myself stood an at least eighty-five inch television. In front, or below as the television hung neatly on the wall, of the television stood a small yet long table that was no taller than the top of my shin. It sported some small ornaments and pot-plants, no photos whatsoever being present which made me give a small look of confusion over my shoulder.

This living space looked comfortable and homey, something I had always wanted in my life.

In reality, this looked nothing like the home of Lucifer's would, it being rather light and beautiful for it to be fitting in the world of darkness and death. It confused me to how there would be such light outside if what this man said, and did was true.

Maybe I was being drugged up, some hallucinogenic drug messing with my perception of the world. Some sick man's joke.

"Nephele?" His voice makes me jump. I turn to meet the devil, looking up at him as I do.

"Yes." I reply almost instantly. His eyes cloud over, the stormy blue growing even stormier as seconds pass. He seems to shake his head before replying once more.

"Would you like something to eat? We can talk after that if you like." His voice was soft and sensual, leaving butterflies in my stomach.

I had too many questions, for instance; why did I react like this and he was not even laying a finger on me?

My mind was a mess with question and unanswerable answers. I was so lost.

All I could do was nod in response, giving him a small smile in return. He smiled back at me gently before snapping his fingers, two cardboard boxes shimmering out of thin air landing neatly on the wooden dining table. My eyes widen at this as my outer-self gives the reaction I am guessing Lucifer was desiring. However, my inner-shelf was already plotting ways to escape.

Two days since I was taken captive, a promise to myself made that I would be out by the end of the week, and I never break promises.

In five days I was out of here.

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