I've never been much of a believer. We Iridescent don't have religion but it's within our discretion should we wish to 'choose' to have one considering that our raise came from a primordial goddess of pure evil, but I found myself praying the moment I realized that what was happening is the realization of a nightmare. All of the information that I attained in less than an hour is slowly being absorbed by my mind and I'm having a hard time digesting all of it.

I felt fear like a living thing. A parasitic worm inching its way inside my body, crawling under my skin, feeding, breathing, growing. I was beyond petrified, knowing that Eris is lurking within the walls of my shadow. But I can't let her succeed, I can't let her hurt anyone specially not in my body and when that day comes, I'd happily take my own life.

After the revelation, Damon offered his help, saying that he knows someone who will help us. Dr. Hudson, mom and Lucas ―who I haven't had the chance to properly get to know― reluctantly agreed. Of course I was skeptical, he was an Erinyes after all but there's something in the way he looked at me that made feel more assured.

''We've got to move.'' Lucas gasped sharply, his feet restless against the granite floor.

Dr. Hudson tensed and spared Olivia a telling look ''he's right, we don't have much time. They're closing in, Damon.'' Looking at Damon.

The other man's jaw tighten and he looked absolutely dangerous than ever. Fear doubled me over, suffocating me. I siddled to Olivia, seeking comfort. She hugged me close, resting her cheek on top of my head. Damon walked past us to an old wooden cabinet at our far right, he took out a large leather briefcase that looked as if it belonged to his grandfather.
''I got all I need, now let's go'' he demanded through his teeth, jerking his head toward the door. We are about to get out when Lucas held his hand, stopping us.

''Shit!'' He hissed, we all looked at him sharing the same expression; horrified.

''What is it?'' I rasped. Olivia tighten her hand around my wrist.

''We need to split.'' He answered. Not looking at me but to Damon and Dr. Hudson.

''What? No! Are you insane?'' I protested incredulously but to no avail, Olivia chastised me.

''Raven, we got to do what they say. We need you safe. Now go with Lucas and Damon'' she instructed, tipping her chin toward the two ''I'll go with Ryan, we'll meet later.'' Her voice may be calm, but one look on her eyes says that she is possibly having the fright of her life. I opened my mouth to argue but Damon tug me towards him saying ''there's no time. Here's the address'' he took something out of the inner pocket of his coat and handed it to Dr. Hudson ''meet us there, we will wait at the Chapel.'' Mom and Dr. Hudson both nodded.

''Mom, no. I will not leave without you.'' I pleaded, but she gave me a stern look that made her lenses impossibly darker.
''She's right, Raven. We will be fine. Lucas, take her now.'' Dr. Hudson ordered. Lucas was about to drag me when gunshots were fired.

We all ducked and the panic in the room escalated. All the three men produced suspicious looking guns out of thin air while Olivia shoved me towards the door leading to the fire exit adjacent to us. ''Go, now. Go!'' She yelled, losing her composure. I saw Lucas and Dr. Hudson returning the favor and more gunshots followed suit.
''Mom!'' I screamed, but Damon easily dragged me out of sight as if I weigh no more than air. I struggled against his grip but there's no use. A minute or two later we are out on the streets pushing through the crowded sidewalk receiving cursory glances, Lucas left behind.

''Let me go!'' I used my free hand to punch Damon's arm that held me but it felt like punching a brick wall. When we are far enough he stopped abruptly, he's action bottlenecked my movement and I crashed on his back. I glared at him.

''Raven, you are in danger and your mom wanted you safe,'' he said softly but his eyes were blazing ''now start acting your age and at least try to survive.'' he's right, I knew he is. I was just stubborn but I have to obey this time, for my mom and for all the other lives at stake. I looked up at Damon, wordlessly agreeing. There was a silent understanding in his dark eyes, then we continued to march forward.

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It was late in the afternoon when we reached our destination, a huge cabin house in the middle of a forest a mile away from The Block  situated deep in the forest and it took us an hour of walking and my silver stilettos were long since discarded.

I'm damn sure my feet are corevered with blisters already.

''Whatever he says, just ignore him'' Damon instructed as he was knocking on the door. I wanted to ask why but I'm too tired and worried to even say a word, I just nodded.

Three more knocks on the big oak wood door and man finally answered the door. He's probably in his early 70's. Gray hair covered his head, he got soft blue eyes, a once perfectly pointed nose and beard like Santa Claus', but his posture is impeccably ramrod straight matched with an all black outfit that made him look lethal if not for his friendly smile.

''Damon? Well I'll be damned!'' The old man greeted enthusiastically. He pulled Damon in for a hug and chuckled deeply. ''To whom do I owe this wonderful visit, old friend?'' He inquired pulling backwards. Damon moved a little to the side, revealing my small figure hidden by his larger one.

''Hi.'' I smiled politely, the old man peered from his glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose. His eyes went wide ''my god, you're a spitting image of Emilia Hawthorne.'' His eyes volleyed from me to Damon, I felt my brows narrow with confusion. Damon pursed his lips, eyes rounded in a scolding manner.

''Her name is Raven.'' He offered to the old man with a clipped tone. He nodded quickly still looking at me, lips slightly parted.
''Yes, of course.'' The old man agreed.

''Wait, who is Emilia Hawthorne?'' I asked, looking directly to the old man.

''She's no―"

''Oh, no one. I just mistook you for someone else. Please come in, you both look like you need a shower.'' He smiled sympathetically interrupting Damon, opening the door wider then looking at my dirty bare feet.

''Thank you old friend'' Damon muttered partly letting himself in. It's just now that I realized how tired Damon looked. His usually properly combed hair is now disheveled, his mid-night blue botton down long-sleeved shirt is now full of crease. I shook my head and spared some thought for my mother and Dr. Hudson. Dear Jesus,Zeus and every holy god out their, please keep them safe.

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  ● What is the relationship between Damon and the old man?
● what do you think happened to Olivia and Dr. Hudson?

Stay tuned my lovely modern bookworm 😉💖💖

This story will be updated every FRIDAY. My failure to do so will guarantee 2 chapters update for the following week 😄😘😘