[Kismet-chan]

This is my first time participating in this, yay! I was bored and I had time on my hands, so... Yeah. I write on a regular basis, so it was nice to take a break from what I'm normally working on to do this. It's also probably the first time I've ever written an original short story. It's also the first time I've written something of this genre. So definitely a learning experience for me!

Spoiler for What the Dark Brought:

What the Dark Brought

"The darkest hour is always right before the dawn." - Proverb

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The floor moaned and screeched in sluggish agony with the weight of the enigma who approached from the dark. My body stiffened and my heart felt heavy.

I prayed that the darkness would take him back -- take him and keep him.

Around the corner at the end of that demonic hallway I sat, back glued to the wall. I kept my head turned opposite from the direction of those menacingly creaking floorboards so that the steam released from my breath could not be seen. I tried to keep my exhales steady and quiet so I would not be heard. In front of me was a rusty, broken window which was sucking in sharp, cold air from the outside. Strong winds were pulling the snow down like a vacuum. The blizzard had intensified.

The material of my coat above my chest tightened suddenly. Looking down, a pair of shaking hands covered with black gloves were clutching the pink wool. Between them rested a face I knew all too well, bearing pale porcelain skin and perfectly rosy red cheeks that were often a source of envy. Hair of a light brown just like my own, but cut much shorter for ease of manageability. Shining aquamarine eyes full of fear, blood running down her forehead and trailing off her cheek. I was not used to using Abigale like this. Despite my being the older sister, she was often the braver one.

I was at a loss of what to do, so I smiled. It was weak, it was fake, and it made me feel pathetic. But Abigale's grip loosened up, and I instantly knew that it was a good choice. I placed my hand on her head, petting her lovingly.

"Hey... You remember that one time you found those lizards in the woods and we let them loose in Mr. Nolan's grocery store?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah... I remember..." whispered Abigale, her eyes brightening a little. "He went ballistic. The customers went crazy and bunch of display shelves got knocked down. Oh, and Ryan fell face first into that chocolate cake that Mrs. Nolan dropped."

We both started giggling softly. I hugged Abigale tight, trying my best to hide my fright of the situation. I just wanted to distract her for a little bit. This was probably taking a huge toll on her psyche... I needed to look tough and provide a good example.

I sighed deeply. "We'll get out of here, hun. I promise..."

Those hopes sunk as wandering steps of curiosity suddenly gained direction and purpose. From the sound of the faint echoes, he had stopped exploring the various rooms and decided to come to end of the hallway. Tears gathered in my eyes. I looked to Abigale, paralyzed by my fear. Her cheeks were already wet. I began searching the area frantically and picking my brain for options. Would we be quick enough if we just ran past him? Were we strong enough to push him to the ground and run for it? Perhaps I could throw something at him?

And closer he came, still. A few more steps and he would turn around that corner...

"Abigale," I said, in the tiniest voice I could muster. "I want you to jump out of that window when I tell you to. When you're outside, run away. Don't wait for me. Understand?"

Closer...

"B-But... Chelsea..."

"Please, Abby. Please..."

All of the broken window shutters suddenly began slamming repeatedly against the old, abandoned house. Abigale flinched. The winds had picked up tremendously.

"I won't leave without you. You can't make me..."

"Abigale, don't make this difficult. Just do as I say."

"I don't wanna..."

Closer...

"Damn it, Abigale... Stop being a baby. You are going out that window."

"I'm scared, Chelz. I love you. Don't leave me..." Abigale blubbered, her tears pouring down.

Closer...

"I love you, too. I'll be just fine, Abby. I'll be alright..." I breathed, unfaithfully so.

There was only silence then.

The shutters stopped making noise. The wind was nonexistent. Snow fell at a snail's pace. Abigale nor I even dared to breathe. The entire universe just fell utterly and absolutely quiet.

And then, a rush of black that groaned in a deep voice.

Her scream, my shout.

Her warmth escapes my breast. Glass breaks. Shoving my weight into his chest. A thud.

I take off flying. Towards the light. I was free. I sought to catch up to Abigale, whose red coat I could see fluttering down the street, a stark contrast with the surrounding white scenery.

I don't look back. Back to that darkness.

God... I don't look back.