Page 10

Aisling

I stumble backwards, nearly falling off the velvet-coated slab that holds Tyler’s lifeless body. My hands tremble, and my breath escapes my lips in ragged waves.

I need to get the fuck out of here.

I do my best to collect my thoughts and take in my surroundings. From what I can see, there are no other doors in this room, or at least, the darkness isn’t allowing me to see them. Instead of stumbling around blindly, I decide to go back the way I came.

Exiting into the hallway, I continue further down, trying more doors as I go. Most are locked, and the ones that do open are empty, so I continue.

It’s not until the second-to-last door that I find a room that looks somewhat lived in. I step into a dimly lit dining room, and the smell of freshly baked bread and some kind of meat fills my senses, causing my mouth to water.

My skin warms from the candles filling the room. They come in various shapes and sizes. I’ve never seen anything like it.

I run my hand along the mahogany table, feeling each groove and crevice. My eyes wander to the food laid out, and my belly rumbles.

Damn, I’m hungry.

I poke a finger into what looks like a steak, then I swipe it through a bowl of mashed potatoes. Bringing it to my face, I inspect it closely. This is my dream, so it can’t be poison… right ?

Without a second thought, I put the mashed goodness between my lips. My eyes go wide and I start to do a little food dance, my body realizing that these are the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had before my brain can .

Grabbing a nearby spoon, I bring a heaping spoonful of buttery, garlicky perfection to my mouth. The second it hits my tastebuds, a soft moan escapes my lips. Pure, filthy bliss. It’s not just potatoes–It’s sin made edible.

“Do that again for me, little nightmare. I like it when you make that sound.” A voice startles me from my food trance, crashing me back into reality.

Or, at least, my dream reality .

I turn my head, following the voice, and freeze.

“H-how are you here?”