* Trigger Warning - Mild gore *

The layers of mist enwrapped whatever laid before me like a chest hiding prized jewels. High-pitched squeals drifted through the vapour in short bursts, raising the alarm for the others, and was a sign that danger was on the way.

The crisp coldness knocked the air from my chest, leaving me panting for warmth. I attempted to move towards the eruption of noise, but my legs locked into place, disabling any movement.

Is this my personalised hell?

The ghostly grey fog spiralled higher up my leg, squeezing against my thigh as if it had a mind of its own. The more I strived for freedom, the tighter the vines latched on like a leech, thirsty for blood.

"Shadowbrook was a pleasant village, that is until vampires destroyed what we had left." The disembodied voice accumulated in the air, sticking to the layers of fog like catchweed that lingered on my clothes.

"Who said that?" My breath hitched in my throat from the yearning desire, searching for the culprit that held me hostage against my will.

The shavings of vapour slithered aside, letting a figure step through the dense blanket of haze.

"You!" Upon seeing her, I struggled against the restraints, but that angered her more. I watched in despair as the mist wrapped itself around my wrists like handcuffs, clicking into place. "Let me go."

"I don't think I will." She stopped in front of me and half-squinted, weighing up her options of what she should do next. "I need to show you the truth."

The truth?

"You see, vampires were cunning creatures, posing a threat to all the residents. Nobody knew the truth, but you will." The girl who dragged me through the mirror placed three fingers on either side of my temple as she closed her eyes, muttering a string of words that were alien to me.

Magical energy flowed from her fingertips as the restraints narrowed their grip, keeping my body rigid as my head rolled back. Splotches of white invaded my pitch-black vision, etching away a hidden memory from the mysterious girl before me, enticing me as a spectator.

My knees wobbled from the presence of the vampires as they gathered in a ring, waiting with anticipation. All their heads remained low, signalling a sign of respect for their elder to arrive.

The apprehension gnawed away at my innards from the stillness in the air, creating an impending doom that hung over my head. A flash of pain seared across my throat, leaving me gasping for breath. Holding back the sobs, I choked on the metallic liquid that pooled from my mouth in violent spurts.

The girl removed the tips of her fingers, breaking whatever spell she had put me under, relapsing back into the misty realm of hell.

"What was that?" I gasped, fighting for every molecule of air to fill my lungs.

"You haven't got a clue who I am, have you?" The girl inspected her palms absentmindedly.

I shook my head, dumbfounded by her games.

She inched closer and wiggled her fingertips with eager eyes. "Ready for round two?"

As quick as I came out from her memory, she plunged me back in just as fast and fixated on my mind, allowing me to witness the crucial moment.

The blood seeped through my fingers, the laceration too deep and held a purpose. My body sprawled against the cold stone, leaving my bloodied fingerprints as evidence. A trace that I was here and a mark of my existence for eternity.

Taking my last breath, my soul left my body on the final exhale as the chambers of my chest cavity caved in.

A black, inky matter attached itself to my spirit, entwining with my inner soul as I left my bloodied corpse. Whatever the dark substance was, it emitted negative energy. It was the type of power you didn't want any contact with, for the discharge was solely evil.

Her voice echoed all around, vibrating inside the memory in my brain.

"Nadine thought she was doing the right thing for the survival of her kind. What she didn't know was when she killed me, she let something far more sinister escape. They didn't care about me. They never did, but now they will."

"What did you create?" My voice amplified. The longer I was here, held as a prisoner, the less emotionless my voice sounded.

She released her grip on my temple, pulling me out of her memories. The scar across her neck confirmed my suspicion of her identity from the story Ethan had revealed earlier.

"You're Edwina, aren't you?" I tasted the bile as her name left my lips, not wanting to believe that this girl was somehow alive after all these years. "How are you alive?"

Her eyes lit up, surprised I knew her name. "It's simple, really. I'm dead but stuck in between. I call it the other side."

It was like a biblical resurrection.

Do the residents of Shadowbrook know about Edwina being alive - okay, semi-living?

My mind replayed the vivid images of that thing squirming across the stone. "What did you let out?"

A sharp, twisting sensation erupted in my stomach, flaring up my arms. "Stop it!" I doubled over as far as the restraints would allow me.

Edwina's eyes widened, holding her palms up. "It's not me. My temporary effects are wearing off." She waved her hand, dismissing the veil to the other side and let the gentle breeze depart the haze. "We shall meet again, Erika."

A/N

Word Count: 920

What do you think Edwina created when she sacrificed herself?

How will this have an impact on Erika?

And lastly, how does she know Erika's name? Is there some sort of connection between them?

Have a fangtastic day!

(㇏(•̀ᵥᵥ•́)ノ)