Page 9 of Lost in the Dark
Besides, if Vox is setting me up for an elaborate trap, then I’m screwed anyway. It’s not as if I stand a chance against someone of his physical prowess. And, he materialized a cool leather outfit for me, complete with a utility belt that’s supposed to shield me from stray energy pulses. I doubt he would have done that if he had just planned on torturing me to death later.
Vox leads us toward a fire escape at the end of the hall. Aside from the Somni’s offices, the rest of the building looks untouched. I half-expect an office drone to stumble out into the hallway.
Seeing a seven-foot monster with horns, wings, and four arms in an office setting like he’s late for a board meeting is so surreal to me, that I had to swallow down a fit of giggles.
Focus, Mahal. Now is not the time to entertain intrusive thoughts.
Vox pauses at the exit. “Remember. Once we go through these doors, you cannot depend upon your senses at all. The world you know is more or less structured on rules. The Back Hallways are not.”
“Yeah, about that. When you refer to the hallways, are you talking about that urban legend where you find yourself in a pocket dimension where reality is skewed? Like there’s a glitch in the Matrix?” I suppress a shiver just thinking about the stories I’ve read on Internet forums about creepypasta happenings.
A pensive look came over Vox as he processes what I say. “I’m not familiar with the terms you’ve used, but the general sentiment is correct. It’s good that there is a morality tale about this phenomenon in your realm to make things easier.”
“Wait, it’s real? I was just joking—”
Another tremor ripples through the building. This time, the walls quiver as if they’re liquid. “Come. Quickly! This sector won’t hold much longer.” He opens the door and tugs me behind him.
Instead of a stairwell for the fire escape, we stumble into a long stretch of cubicles that looked more at home in a call center in purgatory than a high-end corporate office. Everything feels old and rundown. The air is stale, and the lighting cast everything in a sickly, yellow hue.
The worse part? I can’t shake the feeling that we are being watched.
Without a word, Vox moves us forward. I have to power walk to match his stride. Not that I’m complaining. I don’t want to linger any longer than needed in this place. Besides, it’s not like either of us is in the mood to carry on a conversation.
The hair on the back of my neck rises, and I glance behind me. No one is there. Correction. Nothing is there. Instead of the empty cubicles that we pass, it’s dark behind us. Not like motion sensor lights switching off, but an oppressive darkness. One that is thick and smothering and somehow sentient.
I don’t want any of that to touch me.
I lean into Vox, and he grasps me tight against him in response. “How is this possible?”
Vox answers, his words barely audible. “We are in the hallways. Anything is possible.”
Light ahead, darkness behind. It’s as if someone is erasing the world in our wake.
“I recommend not looking behind us,’’ he says flatly, his gaze resolutely forward.
I move ever closer to him. Strange how I don’t feel weak or vulnerable, wanting to be closer to him. It feels…right.
He opens his wings and gathers me close against his body with his lower set of arms. I indulge in the feeling of his heat surrounding me. Tucked against him this way, I feel protected and safe, though I can’t miss the tension that thrums from his muscles.
I don’t want to be a liability or distraction, so I pull away from him to give him some space. At least, I try to. Vox’s arm simply tightens around me.
“It is better to stay close, my soul.”
I try not to fixate on his term of endearment or analyze what it can mean or why. Priority, dammit. If I can overcome intrusive thoughts and suppress my emotions to claw my way up the corporate ladder, I sure as hell can do it here, where I may die in my sleep. “I don’t want to be a handicap for you here. You know, if you need to fight a big bad wolf or something.”
He tilts his head, as if considering my words. The gesture reminds me of a puppy’s, and it’s oddly endearing. If he were shorter, I would squish his cheeks. “I am not sure if ‘wolf’ means the same thing to me as they do to you. We simply refer to the native creatures as shadows or denizens, as they do not have a form.”
“Regardless, I don’t want to get in your way, is all.”
He answers by pulling me close once more. “You will not be. Besides, I do not plan on fighting here. If you see any denizens of the hallways, it’s best if you don’t react to them at all. As if you don’t see them.”
All the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh. Isn’t that the same solution people repeat for ghost stories? Don’t react and pretend you don’t see them?
Great, just great. I’m supposed to act like I’m in the starring role of a horror movie. Perfect.
I don’t realize that I’m trembling with fear until Vox sweeps me off my feet and crushes me against him. His lower set of arms cradle me while his other pair pets and soothes me. The steady beat of his hearts against my cheek centers me once more. “Don’t fear, my soul. We are making good progress. Soon, we will be together in the Hive, and you will know nothing but safety and warmth. I promise.”
I love the feel of him against my skin. Nestled against him this way, I can picture us cozy and warm together. “How much farther do you know?”