The Moon Oracle - Chapter one- Nightmare

“What?!” I yelped, my panic keeping my frozen in place.

He took a step towards me with his eyes still twinkling.

“Don’t worry,” he chuckled. “It won’t hurt.”

Tearing my eyes from his captivating gaze, my feet finally responded to my fear. I turned to the closest exit, the door behind me. I yanked hard on the handle but it wouldn’t budge. My hands began to tremble as I yanked again, this time with all my strength but still it would not free me. My hopes of escaping quickly evaporated.

I turned to face my executioner. He was standing with his left hand raised, his eyes focused on the door handle. His lips were moving slightly as if he was muttering under his breath.

“Let me out!” I yelled.

He ignored me.

Desperately I searched for an alternative exit. The window!

We may be on the second floor but a broken leg is better than being dead, I thought grimly.

I advanced towards the window as fast as my shaking legs would carry me.

Jake was faster than me. He caught me roughly by the shoulders before I even made it halfway across the room. Reflexively I balled my fist straight into his stomach, causing him to cry out and hunch over in surprise.

I spun away from him, making a beeline for the window. Something hard cracked against my shin. Pain ripped up my leg and I fell to the floor instantly. Trying urgently to rub the throbbing in my leg, I could feel hot tears beginning to well in my eyes. I didn’t want to die.

Staring at the floor, I tried to hold the flood of tears from bursting. Through my blurred vision I could see the edge of his ragged cloak in front of me. He was standing right over me. There was no escape.

This is the end, I thought.

Tears began to flow uncontrollably down my cheeks. My whole body shuddered violently as I began to sob loudly.

I looked up at him. His face was expressionless. His eyes roamed my tear stained face and for no longer than an instant, something flickered behind those starry green eyes but it was gone before I could decipher it.

“Why are you doing this?” I pleaded desperately.

If I could distract him for a little while, I might be able to make another escape.

He remained silent for a long moment.

“It has to be done,” He said so softly I almost didn’t hear him.

I played for time, “Why though? What have I done?”

He looked away from me across the room. To my surprise silent tears began to gather in his eyes. I spun to see what he was looking at.

It was a photo. Krystal had her arm around me and we were smiling. We were both in our swimming togs and the sun was shining dominantly in the background. The sand scattered across our fronts and our sun burnt noses added to the glow in our smile. It had been taken last summer.

I gasped as I was struck by a terrifying thought.

“Does Krystal have anything to do with this?”

Jake snapped towards me at the mention of Krystal’s name. He didn’t answer me but his pained expression gave him away.

“Who are you? And what did you have to do with my sister?” I demanded, my voice rising.

He glared and took a step towards me. I tried to move away but his eyes kept me bound in place.

Frozen in horror I watched as he once more raised his left hand above me. I let out a silent scream as his lips began to move slowly. His voice became louder and his outstretched hand began to tremble.

The words he spoke were foreign, something I had never heard before. They flowed swiftly and beautifully and in an eerie way, soothed me.

His eyes bore coldly into mine, full of despair and for a moment I swear I heard him whisper, “I’m sorry.”

Then, everything went black.