Aria's POV
My eyes opened slowly, and I was met with darkness. I tried sitting up, only to be met with a sharp pain shooting through my head.
Wincing, I struggled to remember where I was and how I got here but my mind was still foggy.
I decided to try feeling my way through the dark maybe I could find a lamp or candle when my hands brushed against cold, damp stone.
I was suddenly overcome by dread as the realization set in.
I was in a cell.
Panic set in as I scrambled to my feet, my hands feeling the walls, searching for a door or a window. I couldn't find any.
The lack of light was disorienting but I was used to it. My father used to lock me in the dungeon when I was a child. It was his favorite form of punishment or should I say torture, whenever he decided that I had stepped out of line. But this wasn't my father's dungeon, that, I was sure of.
The lack of sound aside from my labored breath assured me that I was alone. Not even the chittering of rodents could be heard which calmed me a bit. When my father locked me up, it wasn't the darkness that
scared me, or being alone, it was the rats. The way they nibbled on my feet, my hands,
anywhere they could find.
I shuddered, dismissing the thoughts of them from my mind and tried to sort through my jumbled memories.
The strange man by the waterfall. I remembered his eyes, his dark voice, and the way he seemed to not be human.
I shook away the ridiculous thought. It was probably fatigue and the lights playing tricks on me. A trick of the light, my imagination, otherwise I was in a huge trouble.
As I stumbled around the cell, my foot kicked against something metal. I bent down to investigate only to find something that felt
like a small, rusty bucket and a tin cup. I stood, continuing my 'exploration'.
I finally came across what seemed to be an iron door, equipped with a latch. I approached the latch and tried opening it.
After a few failed trials, I was prepared to give up when it finally gave in and opened halfway.
I peered out, but I was met with, yes you guessed it, more darkness. It's either I was deep underground or it's the middle of the night.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" I called out desperate for any sign of life in this dammed place. But my only reply was my voice echoing back at me.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps echoing outside the cell. They were heavy, deliberate steps, and they were getting closer.
My heartbeat sped up as I backed away from the latch, to avoid being hit by the door.
The door creaked open, a figure entered the cell, a warm light emanating from the torch in his hands.
I squinted, trying to adjust to the sudden light. I tried to make out his features, but the torch wasn't bright enough.
"Who are you?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady while I tried to swallow the fear clawing at my chest.
"My name is Kael," he replied, his voice low.
I took a step forward, trying to get a better look at him.
"What do you want from me, Kael?" I asked, trying to sound brave.
But Kael didn't answer. Instead, he just stood there, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity.
I felt a surge of frustration and fear. I didn't know what Kael wanted with me, but I knew I didn't want to find out. I decided to make a run for it, to try and escape through the doorway.
I turned and made a dash for the door. I made it a few steps out the door before his hand closed around my wrist like a vice.
I tried prying his fingers off my wrist which made no difference. His grip remained firm while he held me in place, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"You're not going anywhere," he said.
I tried kicking him, my kicks were dodged easily and I was once more held in place, his grip remained unyielding.
It was then I realized that I was trapped. I was once again I was at the mercy of a merciless man.
I glared up at him, trying to hide my fear. "Let me go," I spat, putting every bit of spite I felt into the words.
"And why would I do that princess," he said, his voice sounding bored.
I looked up at him, though his tone seemed bored, his eyes still glinted with mirth, like my anger was an entertainment for him. I realized he was toying with me, playing a game of cat and mouse where I was the helpless prey.
I felt a surge of frustration and despair. I was trapped, and I knew it. I was at his mercy, and he would do with me as he pleased.
As Kael pulled me back into the cell, I caught a glimpse of the darkness outside. It was a vast, endless expanse that seemed to swallow all light. I didn't know if I would ever find my way out.
The cell door clanged shut behind me, and I was plunged into darkness once again. I was alone once more, surrounded by the cold, unforgiving stone of my prison. And I knew that I would remain here, trapped and helpless, until Kael decided to release me.
I had to find a way out of this cell, no matter what it takes. I did not escape my father only
to be trapped before I had a taste of freedom.
And so, I stood up, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. I would escape, no matter what Kael had planned for me. I would find a way.
I always do.