A strange smell awoke Selassi out of slumber, her eyes fluttered open to see cloaked bodies circling her like vultures. She knew now that she was in real danger, both Nina and Theo were nowhere to be found.

Looking down, she realised that she had been placed on the symbol in the cult room and had been dressed in a new attire that was reminiscent of a large nightgown, her body had been marked with strange inscriptions and symbols she couldn't understand.

The pain began at her chest as the carved symbol began to burn a little, making her groan in anguish and clutching whatever she could hold onto for some sense of comfort.

The cloaked bodies began to move in synchronicity as she attempted to get up, ending up on her elbows. She realised that someone was at her entrance, holding her down. The hands looked so familiar but she couldn't make out who it was at all. 

The atmosphere was drenched in a heaviness that felt like a weight on Selassi's shoulders as she continued to look around with heavy eyes, hoping to get a glimpse of any face but it was hard to see with the lighting.

All she could think about right now was where Theo and Nina might be, she could only hope that they were ok for time being but to be honest, there was no telling this. The cloaked bodies continued in the marching movement, creating strange and uncomfortable energy that made Selassi feel horrible.

Strange whispers began to echo out from the room as one of the cloaked bodies stood behind her, placing her a necklace made out of bones on her making Selassi's body tremble with fear and then the chanting began, the voices emitted those demonic things could ever be said in sweetest tone, almost choral singing.

"Ughh" Selassi groaned out, biting her lip to stop more of it pouring from her mouth. She was so laden with apprehension that she could be sick at any moment, the door opened and the sound of a body rolled down the harsh wooden stairs whilst the cloaked bodies continued their chants without interruption.

They parted away for Selassi to see Kwame begging for his life as one of them pulled by their hair towards a corner.

" I'm so sorry, ma. I wanted to tell you but I was afraid of losing my job, forgive me, forgive me,  forgive me pleeassssseeeee" Kwame plead sorrowful with his eyes as Selassi's eyes filled to the brim with water, a single tear slid on her cheek as she breathed out a sad sigh.

She couldn't believe what was happening, it was like something out of a movie or a bad nightmare that just wouldn't end. They placed him on the floor, stretching him out of some wooden wheel as they rolled him closer so she could the blood dripping his face, his agonising sobs were easily being drowned out by the chants.

" All hail Daimonioi, the great one.  

All hail his infinite strength

All hail his unwavering intellect,

the great destroyer,

the great ruler."

The chants became more unholy as the choral sounds become laden an unmistakable malevolent tone, Selassi could sense this change as she began to experience excruciating contractions that felt like someone had stabbed in the pelvic area and was twisting the knife in circles.

" Oh God, please help me." She cried out, grabbing onto her gown as she sweated profusely.

Hissing noises came from the cloaked bodies as they came closer to her, throwing any kind of insult they could to make her feel more vulnerable than she was.

" Silly whore

Stupid bitch

Dumb fucker

Ugly slut

Pathetic excuse for a mother"

She sobbed loudly while the contractions became more violent, almost as if she was being attacked from the inside. She looked to her belly to see the baby being thrown around against her stomach and if she was mistaken, something like a baby's cry was all she could hear when she watched the unholy scene unravel before her very eyes.

"ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" She screeched out, she didn't want to push at all but the forces in this room had other ideas as the contractions continued to wage war against her body.

For each time Selassi screamed, one of the cloaked bodies whipped Kwame's frail shirtless body and it seemed like a ping pong of scream going back and forth, each time it got more pained and more tormenting for both of them.

The door flung open and the chant began to simmer back to its choral sound like before which gave Selassi to catch her breath. One of the cloaked bodies laid the items needed for the birth, laying out a scalpel for the event of a caesarean happening.

Another cloaked body threw an array of herbs and old bones from past sacrifices into a pot of a stew-like liquid as maniacal screeches emanated from the pot causing Selassi to be startled. She was becoming a little disorientated as if she wanted to pass out but a nasty slap landed her cheek, making her eyes widen instantly.

She looked to see the cloaked bodies were still circling, with the spine- chilling chants. They all looked up to see another cloaked figure slowly make their way down the stairs, a familiar scent tingled her scent but she couldn't pinpoint where she knew it from.

This cloaked figure was followed by another, the cloak was a rich burgundy colour in a velvet material and being held up with a single rope. But there was a difference with these two cloaked figures that walked in, they had shoulder lapels made in the symbol of the carved snake.

They came around, watching Kwame struggling to breathe as fresh blood fell from his ripped flesh on his torso. They held something like a jar to collect it but they realised it was not enough, they simply slit his throat as Selassi watched in horror.

Gushing blood fell like a waterfall, filling the jar to the brim and they removed his body from the wheel, taking it out from the room.

The two new cloaked figures poured his blood into the pot as it was stirred a few more minutes, they came and stood in front of Selassi. The choral sounds transitioned into a fiendish humming as the cloaked bodies stood, swaying from side to side in an ungodly manner.

The first cloaked figure slowly unveiled their cloaking and to her surprise, James' face became very visible to her. She stared at him with a look of unwavering anger, she knew something wasn't right with the way he dismissed all her concerns and now she could see that he was indeed nothing but an obstacle in her course to the truth.

What made her even sicker was the fact that she allowed herself to be so vulnerable enough to sleep with him and get pregnant with his child, that disgusted her more than anything and there was no amount of charming he could do to undo all this damage that befell her. 

Her spirit was waning as the blow after blow of betrayal came at her unprovoked, it made her wonder what she did to deserve it because one person shouldn't have to experience such misfortune like this at the rate she was getting it.

" How could you?? I gave you a chance and trusted you, this is how you repay me, you fucker?" she lashed out those venomous words before groaning in pain, holding her the side of her bump.

James winced at her words, feeling ashamed for what he had done but knew that he was for a good reason, one that sadly she may never understand. He could only put his head down in shame, think of what could've been if he had told her truth and took away without completing his mission but it was too late for what-ifs.

The second cloaked figure removed their hood and Selasssi shudder in fear as she saw that manically warm smile adorned on Auntie Diane face, she couldn't believe what she was witnessing. She was becoming so overwhelmed by the betrayal that her blood pressure rose to a worrying level.

"Keep her calm, we don't need her to be in a terrible state before the Great One appears." Auntie Diane said in a tone laced with wickedness as she watched Selassi hyperventilate, one of the cloaked bodies helped her breathe which Selassi didn't want but she would be lying if she said if it didn't help.

" My dear, I'm sure that you have a lot of questions for me but there is only so much time before the Great Daimonioi will appear for the most important event tonight, the sacrificial ritual and that's where you come in, lovely" Auntie Diane said, a giddiness could be seen lingering in her dark orbs.

Her face was marked with white markings and a carved symbol was etched into her chest much like Selassi's but it was a little smaller than hers. Her eyes seemed darker than usual as she clasped her hands together.

Dishevelled and depleted, Selassi could only focus on keeping herself calm and the baby as safe as possible. 

" We are dedicated members of the Great Daimonioi, a demonic entity with wondrous power and it services us well with magnificent gifts of prosperity and status at a cost we all are willing to pay. Daimonioi always has time for its debts to be collected and you are that debt that must be repaid." Auntie Diane explained whilst James grabbed a spoonful of the liquid as the cloaked backed away from Selassi, one cloaked body remained for the baby.

He walked in a circle, allowing the liquid to follow in a perfect line until it formed a circle around Selassi. She looked to see the liquid became flamed red, much like lava making her gasp and it beginning to dawn on her how close her end was as the carved mark on her just began to burn as it rewrote the dates.

'19/09/1995 - 19/09/2020'

She gasped for air as her skin became inflamed causing great agony for her, her nails scraped against the concrete floor to help deal with the pain.

" You're fulfilling a great task, my dear but its a shame that you will not be able to enjoy the wonderful benefits that your sacrifice will bring. For that, we are grateful for your contribution, we will enjoy in honour of you" Auntie Diane expressed in manic tone, joyously flinging her arms.

Selassi had never seen Auntie Diane in such a state of happiness in the whole time that she had known her, it felt like she really had no idea who had been living with in the past year. Every possible corner that Selassi could have found out the truth, Auntie Diane had calculated the ways she could thwart every attempt that Selassi had made.

" The night is long and there are more wonderful surprises that you will get enjoy before your time is up, cheer up," She said, looking directly at a weakening Selassi.

The chanting began again,  the cloaked bodies moved diabolically with falling arms and moving close to Selassi as to create a disorientating vibe for her, her contractions began as she shielded herself from their attacks.

James watched as they surrounded her like maniacs but he was no better than them, he really had led to her death and felt absolutely sick about it. He knew the risk in doing this mission but he never thought he would fall for her the way he did and now the guilt was eating him up, her distress was plastered on her beautiful but dishevelled face.

They continued in their crazed movements, spilling some herbs all over her body which made it hard for her to see and the chants morphed into an unnerving song that vibrated uncomfortable energy throughout Selassi's weakening body.

All she could think of was the fact that she was supposed to be here to bury her parents peacefully and go but it seemed like fate had dealt a nasty card that she wasn't sure she could escape from.

...............................................................................................................................................................

Hey guys,

Another chapter for you guys.

Sooooo, Auntie Diane and James are crazy af.

Tell me your thoughts in the comments.

The book is coming to an end, there are few chapters left so tune in for the biggest reveal.

As always, vote, please.

Love,

TamaraMensah