The sea silencing all the lights

Hold me back again, I'm already lost

The silhoutte stepped into the light giving Rain a clear view of it's structure. It was just like a wolf but the similarities ended there. It was of a shade of midnight blue and deep violet. The hair near it's neck was elongated just like a mane, giving it a look of beautiful feathery collars of a coat. It's glassy eyes sparkled when it let out a deep growl. She held the creature's gaze. In those seconds she let out a scream but no sound came. 

Startled Rain opened her mouth wide in another scream but nothing could be heard. Her teary eyes focused on the amused look in the creature's eyes. Silently screaming she revved the engine with a soundless roar. Switching off the headlights she reversed until she heard the growl of the animal closer than she had imagined. Stopping the car she closed her eyes. Her hands tightened around the wheel as she let out a breath. 

Rain opened her eyes and stared straight ahead as she revved the engine again. This time she switched on the headlights. Without a care for the creature she changed the gear, pressed down on the accelerator and the car shot ahead. A low growl resounded and her heart raced. The rain came down heavier than before, beating against the car's surface like a drummer beating his drums. 

As she turned round a block, the car almost skid out of control but Rain grit her teeth and continued driving with the creature following right behind. She had no idea where she was, as she kept taking turns to throw it off her track, yet it followed her closely. Soon she slowed down as she reached a dead end. The car almost came to stop as she stared at the iron gate in front of her. The growl that sounded next made the hair on her neck stand up.

Drive. Don't stop.

Rain let out another soundless scream as she heard another voice in her head. A male voice, smooth and authorative with a tinge of sweetness.

Clutching the wheel tightly she took deep breaths. Twisting in her seat she spared a glance behind and was surprised to find the animal gone. With wide eyes she tried looking everywhere for it until she was satisfied that it was gone. As she sat back in her seat and closed her eyes she heard the low rumble of the engine. Rain's eyes shot open as she tested out her voice.

"Aaaah"

She heaved a sigh of relief before letting out a string of profanities.

Drive. 

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", This time she let out a real scream. 

"Who the hell are you?! Why are you in my head?How are you even in my head?", Rain called out hoping the voice heard her.

I'll tell you later, just get out of there right now

Letting out a frustrated sigh she said," Fine but on a condition"

What is it

"Reveal yourself the moment this whole shit of a situation dies down", Rain said as she changed the gear and started reversing the car.

I will. Drive ahead not back.

"You keep telling me to drive ahead when there is a gate blocking the way, are you serious?"

Drive through it. Don't worry about the car.

Rain scoffed. Pressing down the accelerator she drove ahead. The clang of metal against metal resonated throughout the alley as the gate broke under the impact and the car rushed ahead. 

Turn left at the next block and drive ahead till you meet someone you know.

"Got it, now get the hell out of my head", Rain said as she turned round the block. She didn't feel anything but she was sure her message went across. Tapping her finger against the wheel, she drove ahead.

Seeing dull colours of ember a couple of blocks away Rain stopped the car. She sighed, at least Ashlene was safe through all this. Craning her neck she tried to catch Ashlene's face through the rain which now fell gently, but in vain. Opening the door, Rain got off the car and walked towards the silhoutte. She heard a low growl just a few feet away from the silhoutte before she caught sight of the fabric of Ashlene's gown clenched between the animal's teeth. Rain froze.

She felt it this time. The continuous patter of rain, the whooshing of running water and the loudest sound of her own heartbeat, all ceased as if a thick blanket was covering her ears. The creature sniffed the air before turning towards Rain and baring its teeth, letting the fabric loose. The piece of cloth fell to the ground drenched throughout. Feeling the familiar burn of tears in her eyes Rain clenched her fist. 

Run

Rain stilled as she heard the man's voice again. She looked behind her but could only see a few feet ahead, before the road was masked with the downpour. As she was turning back to face the animal she caught a glint on the road. The next growl from the animal resonated through her chest. Looking at it right in the eye she backed a few steps. The animal growled angrily as it plunged towards her. Rain turned on her heel and ran towards the glint but not before it's foot caught the end of her dress before she could get away and she almost slipped. Not caring about the dress she ran forward. Barely managing to get to the glint, Rain's hands clasped around the piece of glass. 

The hair on her neck rose as felt a hot breath can her cold skin. Turning around she blindly slashed the piece of glass in front of her, until she heard an ear piercing shriek ring through the air. The creature backed a few steps trying to clasp it's eye which was bleeding heavily from the cut that ran across it. Rain stood up before running back towards the car. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she tried opening the door. Frantically looking for the key, her eyes darted back to the creature who now let out a ferocious howl. 

Shit.

Told you to run.

Shut up.

Without wasting another moment, Rain broke into a run. The animal chased after her. Looking back she did not hesitate as she threw the glass at it. Without sparing another glance she ran. Turning around another block she slipped on the wet ground. Sitting there for a few seconds she grasped the situation. For the first time that night she let her tears fall. She did not know where Ashlene was. She had no idea what was happening nor did she know why it was happening. She was drenched. She was being followed by some creature. She heard voices in her head. She was tired.

Rain shrieked as a hand grasped her arm and pulled her up. Blinking through the rain she only caught the back of his wet hair as he pulled her into a run. Rain struggled to pull her arm out of his tight grasp.

"Let me go!", Rain gasped, surprised that she could hear herself again.

"Will you stop and just follow me?", his familiar deep voice stopped Rain's struggles. Finally looking at him she caught his familiar emerald eyes. Seeing her stop Taehyung turned on his heel and ran, pulling her along with him. They ran down several blocks before turning out of the alley. The rain had finally stopped and the roads shone with water. Stopping near a street light Taehyung pulled Rain in front of him. 

"We'll have to wait here for a few minutes. The others will come to pick us up here", he said as he let her hand go.

Rain doubled over and gasped between her breaths, "Who the hell are you? What do you mean by others?"

Taehyung looked at her but didn't say anything. Awkward, he looked at his hands. Eyes widening, he immediately took Rain's hands in his catching her by surprise. He inspected them and saw a deep cut running across her right palm, bleeding heavily. 

"How did you get this?", Taehyung said as he looked around for some piece of cloth. 

"Answer me first", Rain said as she removed her hand from his. Sighing, Taehyung searched his pockets and came up with a handkerchief. Taking her hand in his again, he gently wrapped it around her palm before tying it tightly.

They stood in silence afterwards shivering in the cold till a black van pulled up in front of them. Taehyung opened the door and waited for Rain to go in. She hesitated tapping her foot nervously. 

"Come on in", a voice called. Rain's eyes widened as she heard Ashlene's voice. Quickly going inside, she caught sight of an almost dozing Ashlene in the backseat. Moving to the back, she sat beside her. The car door closed as Taehyung got in. Too tired to ask questions, Rain leaned her head against Ashlene's shoulder and looked at the slowly lighting up sky until the warmth from the heater on her cold skin and the low hum of the engine lulled her to sleep. 

~

Deep red blood dropped from his black claws as he stood over the woman's heavily breathing body. Three thick open slashes ran across the length of her chest, bleeding profusely, staining her silver drapes red. The stone floor stained from her blood did little to stop her perpetrator to walk through it and leave bloody footsteps behind him. 

Sighing, Zander sat himself on the glowing throne. The walls of the castle sparkled like the night sky with stars sprinkled across it. The shining chandelier which usually lit up the courtroom of the great castle now lay shattered on the floor. The broken glass from the windows accompanied the ruined chandelier on the floor. 

The castle of lights was being slowly drained of its shine as it's queen struggled to breathe. "You'll regret this Zander", the queen gasped right before the light left her eyes. The castle walls dulled until they were pitch dark similar to the queen's lifeless eyes. Throughout the kingdom darkness spread like wildfire making the citizens aware of the demise of their beloved ruler. 

Sitting on the throne his dark eyes admired the shine of fresh blood on his sharp claws. She had been quite a fight, better than the others at least. Zander was a man who admired bravery and he had seen it in her eyes, he had felt it in her blows as she had tried to strike him. He was impressed by the fact that she had fought while knowing that she was going to fail. 

Just like her neighbouring kingdoms, her kingdom was engulfed in the darkness of a moonless night. The cold winds blowed over every empty street, knocked at the doors of every locked house and danced over the now frozen lake which had once been the safe haven of every water lily that the land proudly grew. Another world died at the hands of the devil himself as his dark chuckles echoed across the empty halls of the castle, resonating through every shining armour of the guards as they lay on the floor, bringing chills across the skin of each who now lived in fear of what the next day brought. 

"Regret", his cold voice echoed. "I never regret"

Dear bibliophile,

What happens next? 

All the boys have finally met Rain though I would really like to know what caused them to be curious about her. Love is already in the air as Ashlene and Hoseok spend more sweet moments with each other, providing the warmth of love to the other. 

The creatures might be loved by every introvert in this world as they have the beautiful power of suppressing sounds. But the power can be dangerous as well, after all the most beautiful flower in the world is the one with the most thorns.

Zander. I leave it upon you to find out why I chose that name for our new character. He is quite interesting, isn't he? Let's find out about him along the way.

Love you all.

~RV