Page 86 of For Love & Torture

Grant can’t seem to talk. It’s then that I notice his chest isn’t moving. I get out from under my desk and shout, “The light surrounds me, shutting out the darkness. Nothing is more powerful than the light.” Again and again, I say the words.

Bart ignores me as he keeps moving toward Grant. “Your silly psychic has fooled you both it seems. She’s made you believe that those idle words can stop my master. He can’t be stopped with mere words.”

I can’t take it anymore. The fact Grant can’t breathe fills me with a rage the likes of which I’ve never known. “Release him!” I shout. “I’ll go with you if you let him go.”

Grant’s eyes go wide, but he’s helpless to move a muscle. I know he doesn’t want me to go with Bart. But I can’t stand to see him being hurt.

Bart turns to look at me. His dark eyes roam over me as he cocks his head to one side. “You would give your life to spare his?”

“In a heartbeat,” I let him know. “Now let him go.”

Bart laughs maniacally. “I don’t have him. My master does. I don’t know if he’ll let him go or not.”

“Then I will never go with you, and your master will never have the blood he craves.” I take a step toward Bart, the letter opener clenched in my fist behind my back. “You will be the only one to shed blood, Bart Mason.”

The fire in his eyes dances as he laughs and takes two long strides toward me. “You will feed my master with your blood. And then you will be filled with mine. And you will become mine!” he roars as he tries to pounce on me.

“The light surrounds me, shutting out the darkness. Nothing is more powerful than the light!” I shout once more as I raise the sharp instrument I’ve been hiding, and it slams into his neck.

The room is suddenly filled with a light so bright, it blinds me. Then I feel a hand take mine. I’m pulled by someone. This someone feels safe, so I don’t try to get away.

From the bright light, I’m taken into the darkness. I can hear the sound of fire crackling but can’t see any flames. It’s pitch black as I’m pulled behind someone. Our footsteps echo around us.

I feel as if we’re in a corridor of some kind, but have no idea where we are or who has me in their grasp.

Suddenly, I’m stricken with worry about Grant and try to stop. “Grant. I have to get Grant.”

“It’s me,” he chokes out in a scratchy voice. “Keep moving.” His hand tightens around mine, and I run with him.

He slows down, and I hear the sound of a door opening, but I still can’t see anything. Then a familiar feeling comes over me. Material is touching me, and I’m stepping on what feels like shoes.

Another door opens, and I see the windows I’ve seen once before—the bedspread with the flower pattern all over it is here too. We’re in Grant’s parents’ old bedroom. And I see Grant’s handsome face as he turns to me. “Mom came and led me here.” He grabs me up in his strong arms and holds me tight.

“We’re safe!” I take his face between my palms and kiss him.

He winces as I’ve forgotten about his busted lip. But he keeps on kissing me, holding me in his arms. Our hearts pound so hard, I can feel his thumping in his chest.

A bright light fills the room. It’s so bright we can see it through our closed eyes. We stop the kiss and turn our heads to see that it’s coming from the closet.

The figure of a woman stands in the middle. She’s waving, and Grant mumbles. “She’s closing the portal. And she’s trapping the dark spirit in it. You won’t be bothered anymore.” A tear runs down his cheek. “And she’s going now. She can rest now that everything has been taken care of.”

“You can hear her saying all this?” I ask him as I feel his body beginning to tremble in my arms.

“I can.” He rests his chin on top of my head, his voice weak, “Bye, Mom. I’ll see you when I get to where you’re going. I love you. Thank you.”

A slight breeze moves over us, and I can hear a woman’s voice floating on it, “I love you all…”

The light fades into darkness as Grant and I hold one another. “It’s over, baby.” His lips touch the top of my head. “It’s all finally over.”

The End