Chapter 940
Chapter 0640
*S-Selena?"
My mental voice was only met with silence. For a moment, I thought that I had imagined my twin sister's presence. I had to. The shadow entity still stood there, its icy grip unrelenting around my wrist, its teeth almost seeming to click together in an eerie cacophony of noise.
The shadow entity chuckled, a high-pitched and grating sound like nails running across chalkboard. It leaned closer, and for the first time, I could... smell it.
I could smell its fetid breath, its sulfurous stink. It reeked like a corpse that had been laying in the sun for three days, like the worms and the carrion had begun picking it clean but gave up halfway through.
I gagged, trying to pull away, but it was no use. The shadow entity's grip remained firm, and its face was mere inches from mine now, mocking me, laughing that awful laugh.
*Nina, Nina," it whispered, its voice sending a shiver down my spine. "She doesn't recognize me. Her old friend, Friends from the beginning."
Swallowing, I closed my eyes. I was unable to move, unable to even scream, but I could at least try to block out the image of it. The amulet around my neck felt useless now against whatever this creature was, but it didn't matter anymore.
It was going to kill me. I was sure of it.
But then, something happened.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the shadow entity let out an ear-piercing scream and released its grip on me. I opened my eyes out of shock to see it standing in front of me, clawing at its own face.
It seemed to convulse and recoil, as if in excruciating pain, and its form started to disintegrate right in front of my eyes. And then, I watched in shock as it seemed to be absorbed into me, vanishing into my belly.
My own scream pierced the stillness of the forest as darkness enveloped me, and everything faded to black.
"Nina? Nina!"
When I came to, I was not laying on the ground as a corpse like I had expected. Instead, I was still standing beside Selena's grave, and I was no longer alone.
I turned to see Enzo approaching me with a concerned expression on his face. "Nina, what are you doing out here?" he asked as he approached. "I've been looking all over for you. You had me worried sick."
I blinked at his question, feeling disoriented and utterly confused. The memories of how I had ended up here eluded me, like fragments of a fading dream. I couldn't remember how I had wound up here, and panic began to flutter inside of me as I tried to piece together the events that had transpired.
But then I remembered.
I had come out here to look at the stars, and to visit my sister's grave. It had been a decision I had made on a whim, to get away from the noise of the party.
That was all.
I smiled at Enzo, turning fully to face him. "I came to look at the stars," I said, tilting my head back to look up at the vibrant canvas of constellations in the midnight blue sky, "I needed a break from the party, you know?"
Enzo's brows knit together with concern. He took a step closer, taking my hand in his, and followed my gaze. "It is nice out tonight," he said with a soft sigh. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer. "Just don't run off without telling someone, okay?"
I nodded, not wanting to worry him. "I know. I'm sorry."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
For a few moments, Enzo and I just stood there, staring up at the starry sky. I leaned my head back against his chest, letting his arms encircle me from behind. Neither of us spoke.
But in those moments, I felt something. A soft breeze, like a whisper from beyond. My sister.
"Nina... I'm here..."