I never liked moving, going from place to place, meeting new people and adjusting at a new school. It always filled me with anxiety and aggravating emotions. Packing and unpacking, making room for my stuff in a small space, it’s all so frustrating. I’ve lived here for 15 years most of my life and I’ve made a lot of friends, more than I could anywhere else. I’m familiar with the atmosphere and rich Victorian style houses in every block as well as the streets around my area. It’s bright full of life and everyone’s friendly. It’s the perfect place to live. My father, Halden, works for a company that manages resources and my mother, Kadiz, is a doctor. My twin brother, Kajann, goes to the same school as me. He’s older by 10 minutes. My name is Leuven, and this is my story.

A few weeks ago my father announced that his company is moving to reach across the continent and if possible the world, but in order to do this we had to move to a place I’ve never heard of or know where it is. I was confused and upset, why did we have to move, this place is my home it’s where I grew up and I feel like it’s being taken away from me. I asked my dad hundreds of times why and all he said is because he’s the manager and where ever the company goes he has to go. Although I could tell by his voice and eyes he didn’t want to go either. None of us did. My mom always looks on the bright side and encourages me that it’ll be alright. But it wasn’t.

The day came when we had to leave, I said goodbye to all my friends and shed some tears in our sad embrace. I’ll miss them all even though I kept their phone numbers. We didn’t just leave our house and friends, we left a piece of ourselves that will never be found or seen. The memory will live on but I know some will forget them as they make new friends. We left that behind and looked ahead, to a place called Edenbrook somewhere in some place. The name sounded nice; in the car I was I hoping it had lots of green and trees, just like my last home. The people were bright and friendly, just like my last home. It was far, it took us half a day to get to a motel to stay for the night then we’ll continue tomorrow. It would take another half day to get to our new house. For some reason the sky looked gray and the buildings were dark and a bit depressing. The weather forecast said this is their rainy season and it’ll go on for months. I wanted to get out as soon as possible. The sky was as dark as my feelings from the move and I want to settle down in my own room.

Morning came and everything was just as gray as yesterday. As much as I love it when it rains, right now I wasn’t in the mood for gloomy. I wanted something to cheer me up and make me feel better that this will have a positive outcome. But things didn’t improve. As we drove on and on the sky got darker and darker. I almost would have taken it as night time; did we go to one of the poles where daytime is shorter? I don’t think so; it’s not cold enough for it to be winter. I looked outside the window and saw all the trees were dead, no animals flying or running around and there weren’t any people outside. There was no life anywhere. At this point I nearly gave up all hope that this would be a good experience. I listened to my CD player to tone it all out.

Three hours later we arrived at out new house. I fell asleep on the way and my brother woke me up. I dreamt of my friends and home wondering what would we be doing right now if we hadn’t moved. It was nice and it made me feel better. Until I opened my eyes, I’ve never seen a sky so dark before, it was only 2:35 and it looked like it was 8 at night. This is our new home!? I said to myself in disappointment. I wanted to cry and scream but I couldn’t, there were ghostly figures lurking around other houses around us. They looked so pale and wore dark cloths and heavy eyeliner. They freaked me out and my fears made me want to go inside and hide from them. We stuck out like a sore thumb, our car is white and our cloths bright, compared to these people we so didn’t fit in or for the matter belong with them. I felt like they were all staring at us, it was so uncomfortable. We finished unpacking everything in the car and walked around our new house. It was so depressing and I could feel my spirits sink with the descending darkness in the hallways. It was big and would have looked better in color. The wallpaper appeared as though it had lots of color and interesting designs, but the grime and peeling made it hard to believe.

I found a room in the far end of the hallway, there was a window that looked to the other houses and a forest of dead trees along with an abandoned park. For some reason I felt comfortable in this room. Despite the window view and lack of hues it was big enough to fit all my things. I can already see the layout of my new room and when I can I’ll repaint the walls and make it more presentable. In the mean time I put posters up to liven the room and my stuff on the floor. I’ll start my work tomorrow after I rest from the boring trip. We all sat in the living room watching TV we all felt a chill in the air and sensations that something didn’t want us here. Even though we were inside the house I felt like someone was watching me as if the walls have eyes and saw my every move. My dad couldn’t take it and went outside for a few minutes. Ha came back almost immediately and said “Oh my god, they scared the shit out of me!”

“What happened, honey?” said my mom.

“I stepped out for two seconds and it was like all the neighbors stopped what they were doing and stared at me with devilish looks and big white eyes. I could feel my heart pounding through my shirt and sweat running down like a stream.” He sat down and drank a hefty glass of water. He looked like he just came back from a mile run.

“These people and this place, it’s all so eerie,” said Kajann. “The more I stay in here the increase feeling I get that we’re not wanted here. Don’t you feel it?”

“I do.” I said. “I always feel like I’m being watched and that something bad is going to happen.”

“I know guys,” said my mom. “Even I don’t feel like being as optimistic as I usually am.”

“But mom, I don’t want to be like them!” I said desperately. I wanted to scream and run away. I wanted to say that “Things were a lot better before we moved.” But I didn’t want to hurt my dad after everything that we did and gone so far.

“You won’t be like them sweetie. Just be yourself and believe in what you believe in and nothing bad will happen.” Hearing her words made me feel a little better; I hope she can keep up her positive outlook during our stay. I felt lost when she said she couldn’t.

At that moment the doorbell rang. I jumped at the loudness and unexpectedness of it. We were all terrified to open it, wondering who it could be and what they want. Thinking it could be one of our horrified looking neighbors none of us wanted to open it. My heart was pounding, imagining that it could be a tremendous dark figure with a raspy voice who probably wants to kill us. My dad finally got up slowly as the person kept knocking on the door. Inch by inch he got closer until he reached the peep hole. He took a look through and a gasp of air escaped his mouth. It was as if his soul got taken away and we all jumped in our seats.

He whispered “it’s a lady with two kids. Her face is covered mostly by her hair, and the kids look just as eerie as her.”

Then my mom said the unthinkable “let them in, Halden. We mustn’t keep our neighbors waiting.”

“Kadiz are you crazy? Do you really want people like that in our house?”

“Well we can’t hide here forever! For as long as we’re here we’ll be seeing these people everyday, might as well let us introduce ourselves.” She got up and walked to the door. I wanted to call out to her not to open the door but she already did. The door was open and I could see a woman with her back towards us. When she realized the opened door she turned around and pushed up her black veil.

Staring at my parents with dark empty eyes she said, “Good evening.”

“But it’s 4 in the afternoon.” My dad said with a shaken voice.

“It’s always evening here in Edenbrook,” her voice was soft and almost angelic except it gave me chills down my spine. It was different from what I thought by looking at her. She was pale with big eyes, her long straight black hair parted in the middle covered half of her face. She wore a long black dress with red frills on the collar and ends of the sleeves. “My name is Saranda, this is my son, Verdun and my daughter Shusha.” As she called out her children they stepped out from the shadows and stood next to their mother. And oh my god they look so beautiful yet chilling!

Verdun has shoulder length black hair with his bangs covering his eyes. His serious and aggressive expression on his face was haunting, it scared me. He wore a tight long sleeved t-shirt with black and dark red stripes, and his pants were down to his waist almost baggy with lots of chains and spikes.

Shusha is more beautiful as she is mysterious. Her wavy hair is dyed red with some black on the tips and roots. She wore a black dress with a gray vest and embroidered dead roses on the skirt. Her big eyes with red glitter eye shadow were almost childish and innocent. Around her neck was a cross necklace sharp on the tips and dark gems. I was so captivated by their looks since I’ve never seen anything so interesting like this before. Especially Verdun he has me in a state when a girl sees a hot guy. Possessing my soul like no boy has and taking me prisoner in his lair to torture me in erotic ways.

What the fuck am I saying!? Why the hell am I thinking that way? It’s disgusting and frightening. Am I falling for Verdun? NO NO NO NO!!!! I can’t! Oh why couldn’t I meet a normal boy to fall in love with? I wanted to go to the bathroom and wash my face and basically to get away from his sight. I was about to get up when my mom called out to me and Kajann to introduce ourselves. UG!! My heart sank and I could feel a knot in my throat. Why me?

We got up from the floor and slowly approached them. My heart was pounding and I could feel my face getting warm. I bet I was blushing. UG! Kajann could tell there was something wrong with me, he looked at me and gave me a concerned expression. I stared back at him and gave him a fake smile that I was alright, even though I wasn’t. I kept wondering how he felt since he seemed so calm walking towards them. I felt like I was going to die when we reached the door.

I wanted to avoid his gaze but it was difficult. To top it all off I stood right in front of him. All I could do was stair at his cloths avoiding as much of his face as I could but something triggered a sensation knowing that he could be beaming down on me and I’m avoiding his eyes. My crazy mind started imagining that his arm would rise and his long slender fingers grabbed my face and he forces me to look up at him. Omegosh it was crazy!

“This is our son Kajann and our daughter Leuven. They are fraternal twins. Kajann is the oldest by 10 minutes.” said my mom. Damn why did she have to give out so much information to these strangers, to me it was worse than baby pictures.

“Hello,” uttered Kajann to Shusha. She didn’t say anything but smiled and bowed her head

I couldn’t say anything; I couldn’t even get the nerve to look up at him. My mom kept encouraging me to say hello but I was paralyzed I wanted to run away. Finally I closed my eyes and counted to 5, when I did I quickly looked up and saw his piercing narrow black eyes going through my soul. I felt weak and wanted to faint but it was like he wouldn’t let me. Staring at him made me uncomfortable. I kept saying to myself say hello and you can leave. But it was easy said then done. I tried to anyway, I cleared my throat and said “hello,”

The weight and pressure of succumbing to his powers left me and most of my fears left. It came back when the jerk didn’t even give a reply like his sister did to my brother. What the hell? Is this guy so tetchy or does he not care? I can understand why, a girl like me won’t even be caught dead with a guy like him. I’m definitely not even his type. Yet I’m still drawn to him.

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Their mother said and gave us a smile. “We have brought you a welcome gift to our new neighbors; since we live next door I suppose we’ll be seeing each other more often.”

“Well thank you miss…”

“Just call me Saranda.” She said to my mother. “We all hope your stay here is pleasant. Although I must warn you, not everything here is pleasant.”

Yeah we noticed!

“I must advise you and your children to stay away from the streets after dark,

            Beware of the truck that sings a haunting song,

            At first all is well until it’s too late you embark,

            Run to your houses where it’s safe till you hear the passing of the gong,

            Shall you not make it through the night,

            You will for sure be found in a deadly fright!’

Now have a pleasant evening.”

With that said the three of them turned around and left to their house. We were all confused about what she said and we realized she didn’t physically give us anything.

“It must have been that riddle she was saying or whatever that was.” Kajann said scratching his head.

“It was definitely a warning about something that happens here at night,” said my father. What on earth could she have been talking about? I don’t know if I want to stay after dark to find out if you are found dead by not running to your house in time.

The darkness in the air is so grim it made me sleepy by 8 o’clock unless I was just exhausted from the move and meeting Verdun and him nearly taking my life. What a crazy day! Before we went to bed my brother meet me in the hallway concerned still about what happened.

“Is everything alright? Tell me what happened back there.”

I gave a big sigh trying to recollect what happened yet hoping to forget about it. “I’m not sure I just felt like something bad was going to happen. That Verdun guy gives me the creeps. As I was standing in front of him I thought for sure he was taking my soul and my life. It was weird, I dunno.”

“It’s ok, I felt the same way too. They both give me feelings of unsettledness.”

“But you seemed so calm and ok about it.”

“I tried to but it was hard. The same thing nearly happened to me too until I found the courage to stand up and I was able to bring the weight off my shoulders.”

That was cool. Even though we’re the same age I sometimes feel like my brother is stronger than I am. I wish I could be as strong as he is.

“Don’t worry, I promise I’ll never let anything happen to you. If Verdun or anyone tries to hurt you I’ll fucking kill them!”

“Thank you Kajann. I’ll also be there for you whenever you need me. I love you.”

“Love you too, Leuven.” We hugged and kissed goodnight and went to bed.

His room was almost across from mine although it is a little further up the hallway. So if something does happen I know I don’t have to run far to get help. And my parent’s room unfortunately is on the other side of the house. Across the living room, through the kitchen and dining room is there they sleep.

I went into my room, looked up at my posters for some motivation when I saw they were turning black as the walls. I gave a scream of terror and everyone ran to my room asking questions of alarm. How in the hell did the wall do that? My father struggled to take them down but it was as if they became part of the wall. Once they were detached the black on it disappeared. It was the weirdest thing ever. Never have I seen that on a wall, then again this is no ordinary house.

That night I couldn’t sleep, my mind kept flowing about Verdun and this depressing place. This time I didn’t dream about life back home, I didn’t dream about anything, I just kept seeing his face wondering what he’s doing, or if he has a girlfriend. Part of me hopes he doesn’t and the other half does, there’s no way he’d want to even hang out with me, and I just know it. I wonder if he has some kind of dark power he uses on people to submit to him. I hope he can’t read minds. If he read mine then he’d know what a dork I am, as if I’m not one already. Wearing pink pajamas from when it was my favorite color in a place that’s all black and being from out of town.

I’ve been trying to keep my mind away from Verdun but it was so hard. Damn it! So many questions I could ask him yet I don’t even want to. I wonder what school he goes to. What if it’s the same school that I’ll be going to? Either way the places in this city are full of dark people, and I’d rather take home schooling so I won’t feel the embarrassment of socializing with them. Too many times I had to keep reminding myself to stop thinking about him and that he’s not worth my worry, but more and more questions kept coming off the top of my mind. This never happened before when I meet someone new. I tried to dismiss it and soon after I was finally able to sleep.

The next morning it rained so we were mostly stuck inside the watching house. I was determined to make my room spiffy looking no matter what, I got some paint we had and carried them to my room. It was going to be bright and colorful and so good feeling. I put the paints down and got a hair tie up my curly brown hair, wearing an oversized t-shirt in case I make a big mess. This time my favorite color is yellow so I got the yellow paint and went all over the wall where my bed was and around the window. Then it happened again, as soon as I dabbed the paint on the wall the dark colors absorbed it and the yellow turned into a darker yellow. I have no idea what’s going on and why, how the wall could reject the paint and anything else that gets put into it.

            I tried again, harder this time and more coats than usual but no matter how hard I tried even in a large area the paint vanished. I got frustrated, curious, and renounce full. I put the paint away and dealt with the black walls. Lying on my bed about to cry at how nothing is going right, covering my face with my hands and trying to remember good times. Then for some reason I couldn’t. I had forgotten all my friends, what they look like, the streets, and houses, they were fading away. This place is making me like them, those creepy people outside this house and it’s making me forget who I once was. I know I can’t let that happen, I have to be true to myself. I got up and looked out the window, I saw a lady with a bouquet of flowers walking across the playground that was there. She was wearing what looked like to be a funeral dress and her face was in a black veil. She was crying and got down on her knees and put the flowers down. Then I realized that behind my house is a cemetery! Oh my god! Who would want to live next to a cemetery? I’ve heard stories that the dead rise from their graves and haunt the houses that stand there. Oh man, I hope that’s just a story!

            Everyone was finish packing, arranging what their room and what the house should look like. I got done with my room late afternoon according to my clock. Saranda was right; it is always night time here. Thinking of her reminded me of Verdun and I started getting a horrible headache. It was like my skull was being split in two. I went to the bathroom and took a pain killer. It worked for a little bit, my head felt heavy and sharp pains would come and go. This weather was causing me to be lazy, it’s any wonder how I was able to finish my room although I took a lot more breaks than I probably should have. Outside it was drizzling and a little bright, I wonder will I ever see the sun again?

            Later that night I felt like wondering around the streets and not care who was out or who was staring at me. I want to go and do something instead of being cooped up in the house. Maybe I’ll check if that really is a cemetery. Kajann offered to go with me but I said that was ok. He and everyone told me to be careful. Especially in a new place, but I was just going to walk around the block. As I walked out the door the air was humid and cool. I warmed my arms in my sweater as I walked on. I ignored Verdun’s house and the people outside and went around the other way so I wouldn’t go near his house and to the cemetery. There was a little hill to the right with a few blades of grass but mostly dirt. The park was further away than it looked and that hill was steep. A few times I felt like I was going to tip over. The playground was creepy, the swings moved as the wind blew but it gave a sense that a child was on it and swinging. At times I could hear voices like children laughing and running around, it gave chills down my spine and I felt like I was being watched. I walked a little further around the park and I came across 10 mounds with tombstones and dead flowers. The sad thing about it was that the graves were all for children 5 and up. They all died so young and I wonder how and why. Most of all why were they buried here in this play area.

It was getting darker and actual nightfall was approaching. The air grew colder and I decided to go back inside. Then I heard a sound I thought I’d never hear in a place like this. It was a happy tone from an ice-cream truck. Why would there be an ice-cream truck coming at this time and to this place, no one looks to be in an ice-cream mood. Now I don’t remember if they came by my old house where we first lived. Did me and my friends ever approach it, wondering what to get, and feeling the coldness upon our lips in a hot summer day. I have no memory of that either. I looked around and I noticed that everyone was gone and the music was getting louder as it came closer. I didn’t have any money with me so I wasn’t going to stick around. The sight of chocolate will tempt me to buy some. I left the park and cemetery walking toward the front door of my house. I headed towards the porch when the truck turned on my street.

The music was really loud I thought it would break my ears. But for some reason I didn’t cover them. It was decorated with bright colors and happy characters. I kept thinking that the guy made a wrong turn. I reached towards the handle of the door when the truck stopped right in front of my house. I felt stiff and the hairs on the back of my neck rose higher than they’ve ever been. I wanted to go inside but something was calling me to go towards the truck. I turned around and my body started moving on its own. I tried to stop myself from walking any closer but there was no response.

The side window was opening and I could see a bright white light inside as mist from the cold came rushing to my face and hands. Then a tall man dressed in white stepped in, he was like an angel. All he needed was wings and a halo. Long silver hair flowed from his head to his elbows, soft gentle face and big cerulean eyes. He wore a long white robe with gold embroidery on the edges. Suddenly all my fears went away and I felt safe and happy once again. My memories of my friends and my house came back to me and it was the greatest thing I have ever felt since we moved here. I wonder if he’s going to save me from this horrible place. Just take me away, far away to somewhere nice.

Oh my god, he reached out his hand towards me, they looked long and slender, as white as he is in a glow. I wanted to reach out to him and be in his arms if I could. I accepted his offer and raised my hand to grab it.

“NO!”

I heard a voice to my left and something hit me on the side. I had no idea what was going on, it was like I just woke up from a dream. Someone grabbed my hand that was reaching up to that man really hard and twisting my wrist. They lead me to one of the houses and flung me toward the wall and my back and head hit it so hard it hurt. I looked up to the person who was holding me and it was Verdun. My stomach began to hurt.

“What the hell are you doing? He was yelling at me and then he slapped me across my face for no reason.

“Ow! You bastard! What was that for?” I asked

“Were you listening to what my mother told you and your family? Never go out on the streets after dark!” He was pissed and his weight pinned my body against the house and his hand held both my wrists in a tight grasp. His eyes were burning with anger and they almost seemed like flames.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What does that have to do with anything?” I was almost afraid to say anything to him. His anger scared me but I tried to defend myself.

“She was warning you about that truck!”

“The ice-cream truck?” Man I sounded stupid.

“NO! It’s a fucking death truck!” He was still yelling so loudly I think everyone could hear.

“How the hell was I supposed to know that’s what she was talking about? She was speaking in riddles and we didn’t understand what she was talking about.”

“Didn’t you notice that when you heard the music that everyone went inside their houses? No one wants to be outside when they hear it. If you stay outside too long being exposed to that shit it hypnotizes you into going inside.” I looked where the truck was and I saw it was gone. “And when you do that son of a bitch will take you away and kill you.”

“That man in the truck!? Come on, he doesn’t look like he could be that bad.”

“Are you that stupid? He’s the one responsible for killing those children who are buried in your backyard. They were taken away before anyone could stop them from entering the truck. It happened right before everyone’s eyes. A few days later he came back and dumped their bodies outside the doors where they all live. Since then people here have been cautious not to be outside after dark when he comes and takes them.”

“What!? I can’t believe anything you’re saying. He looked so innocent and good spirited. He made me feel better than anything else could. There’s no way he could have killed anyone! You ruined my chance to be happy again!”

He slapped me again and harder than before. I screamed as my face was stinging and turning numb from the impact of his hand. Then he reached over to my hair and was pulling it with tight twists. He pulled it so hard that my head leaned back. Afterward I realized that his lips were inches away from my ear, I could feel them and almost hear him breathing.

“You fucking bitch,” he whispered in my ear so softly. “Don’t you get it? That’s how he gets you. Here in this place all your hopes and dreams slowly fade away the longer you reside here. Everything you once knew to be good and happy will be gone like your memories, emotions, everything will disappear from you and soon you will be just like the rest of us. You will lose hope and eventually give in to the darkness, whether you want to or not.

“He is the symbol of everything we want but we cannot get. We all want to be saved and when he comes all we want is to be with him and forget the bad. But his intentions are tainted like his soul with sin. He is not who he appears to be. Do you understand?”

I nodded my head. This was too much information to take in. I was confused, shocked, and scared. The feelings I had were so real, how could Verdun deny them? I still can’t believe what he’s saying is true. I want my memories back. I want to see him again. Verdun finally let me go and turned around.

“Stay away from him, unless you want to die. If that’s the case, then why the hell did I stop you?” he began walking away and towards his house. There was just one thing I wanted to know before he left.

“Verdun! Do you know his name?”

He turned his head and gave me an evil look.

“Roskilde” he said. Then he turned around and left.

That name stuck with me. I’ll never forget it. A lovely name for a lovely person, my hero, my one way ticket out of here, my everything, he has everything I want and he’s even better than Verdun.

Once I got inside everyone instantly knew something went wrong. My face must have been as red as a tomato, and when I told them Verdun did it they all flipped out especially Kajann.

“I’m gunna to kill that son of a bitch!”

“No Kajann, please don’t!” I said trying to stop him.

“Why not Leuven? He hurt you for no reason! I can’t take that sitting down, I’ll kick his ass!”

“No you can’t because he saved me.”

“My ass, he saved you just to hurt you. What do you mean he saved you?”

“Remember what his mother told us?” they all nodded their heads. “Well she meant to watch out for a deadly ice-cream truck that comes out at night because it’ll take you away and kill you. Didn’t you hear it? The music?”

“Yes,” said my mother. “We did hear a lovely tune coming from outside but we thought it was impossible since how something like that could be in a place like this. So we thought it was something that came from a freakish circus.”

“It wasn’t that mom, it was an ice-cream truck, and it tried to take me.”

“Damn, now we all know what she was really talking about,” said my dad. “It would be better to keep that in mind and come straight home. Leuven, I don’t want you ever going outside alone when it gets dark. Do you understand? This place isn’t like our old house. It’s not safe here.”

“What!? But dad…”

“No buts! You were lucky this time but who knows if that boy will save you again. I don’t want you seeing him anymore, is that clear?”

I couldn’t believe what was happening, I’m being grounded and put under house arrest. As if there wasn’t anything better to do around here, but still, now I can’t see Verdun anymore. All night I’ve been thinking about Roskilde and every now and then about Verdun. I’d rather see Roskilde more than anyone but something in me wanted to at least say thank you to Verdun for saving me. Then I would think that he would never accept it or ever want to see me again. It bothered me so much I even talked to Kajann about it. But all he could say is that he also doesn’t want me to see him anymore.

It was horrible, the next few hours were killing me, I kept pacing around my room thinking about no one but Roskilde, and I wanted so much to see him again even if I have to sneak out. I couldn’t sit or stand still my mind was racing as his face kept coming into my mind. Knowing I had to wait until nightfall to see him is going to be torture. I wish I knew where he lives. I could sneak out and see him with out waiting. Just to see his face and those eyes one more time.

The next day I was exhausted. I couldn’t sleep at all only a few minutes. I kept thinking what if he came to my window and watched me all night, and then take me away. But he didn’t. I kept looking at it hoping that he would. Mom and dad left to get groceries so me and my brother were left behind. It wasn’t a good idea. Early afternoon there was a knock on the door. I ran as fast as I could to see who it was, since it wasn’t night time it wasn’t Roskilde so I was wondering if it was Verdun. I ran to stop my brother from doing anything over the top. But when I got to the living room Kajann had already opened the door and was talking to Shusha. She is still as beautiful as ever. If Kajann was like them or she was like us I would think they’d make a good couple. Relief and disappointment grew in me at the same time. Kajann heard me come over and turned around to see me. I moved closer and said hello.

“My brother told me all about what happened last night.” She said, her voice was so soft I could barely hear and in a monotone like she had already lost all her emotions. “No one has ever been able to escape the death truck and live. It’s a good thing my brother saw you and saved you. Tell me are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m alright.”

“That’s good. I’m glad. I just came to check up on you since he won’t. I know my brother can seem harsh and agitated but deep down he’s caring and lovable, just like he was before.”

“Before, before what?” I asked realizing that one of my questions to him was what happened before he lost his emotions.

“Leuven!” said my brother, I looked at him and he gave me a look that I shouldn’t ask since I can’t see him anymore.

“Well let me think.” She said. It was as if she was talking out loud to herself. She brought her fingers to her mouth in deep concentration and stared at my brother. I bet he was blushing. “It all started when we moved here ourselves. Everything was just as it is now. This place, it cases you to lose your memory and your emotions. I used to have them until I couldn’t take the dreaded darkness and it overcame me, as it does to everyone. I’ve lost all of my memories prior to coming here. I don’t know what I was like but I have nightmares about them.”

“Nightmares?” me and my brother both asked in unison.

“Yes, there is no such thing as a pleasant dream here. It’s all nightmares. They may look pleasant but an enormous fear possesses you and you find yourself wanting to wake up but you can’t. Anyway even though I don’t have any emotions I can still sense things. Don’t be mad at him anymore, he means well.” She stared at Kajann and ran her hands along his face. Her stare was odd; it was like she is blind. Her gaze stayed fixed on one area and she just moves her head to look around. “You’re too forgiving to stay mad long.”

It was too weird, how could she know that about my brother? He’s known for having a strong conscience but when someone he loves gets hurt he leaves no mercy. He stood there stiff. She put her hand down and Verdun called her to come back inside. His voice was also in monotone but lower and aggressive. I wanted to see him but Kajann held my arm back.

“I have to go now, I’m so glad you’re alright Leuven.” She said, and turned around and walked home. I watched as she left and there was no way she could be blind. She found her way around everything.

“Stay here.” Kajann ordered. I gave a big sigh because I didn’t want to but I did anyway. He stepped out and stared a Verdun. His hands turned into fists and they stayed in a deadlock like a showdown. A few minutes later I heard his door slam shut and Kajann slowly walked back inside. He strode to a couch and sat down.

“That was weird!” I said pretending to change the subject.

“I know, it was like she could see past me and knew everything about me. Don’t even think about seeing him! Don’t even think about him at all! Understand!?”

“Dang it, I hate it when you’re on to me! I just don’t understand why.” I left and went to my room. I still want to thank him for saving me. It’s starting to appear that it’ll never happen; besides I have more important things to think about. Only 2 more hours until the evening, then I’ll sneak out of my room and meet Roskilde somewhere no one can see me. Probably a few blocks down so I can catch him early. Those 2 hours seemed to take forever. The whole time I felt like bouncing off the walls and running around like some kind of hyper maniac or a child on x-mas day. I couldn’t take it anymore, an hour and a half later I opened my window and jumped out.

Nothing was going to stop me now. I ran away as far as I could and away from my family and Verdun. There was no way they were going to find me and stop me. The streets around here were interesting. Almost every house was on a hill and they looked almost exactly alike. They had dead trees and the road curves so much. There were already a few people going inside their houses. I suppose they know what to do at this time of day. As for me I couldn’t wait and I accepted what was going to happen.

Just then I heard a faint tune from the truck. My spirits lifted and I searched frantically for the truck hoping that it hasn’t passed my house yet since I’m so far away. It sounded like it was coming from behind me where the forest is. I ran behind the houses and came right in front of it but I couldn’t see anything. It was getting darker faster than last night. The wind picked up and I still couldn’t see him.

I was not about to give up. My determination caused me to do the most reckless of things. I felt like I could do anything just to find him. I fell and even scrapped a knee and an elbow, I probably did a lot more damage but the darkness prevented me from seeing. I was getting worried that they would get infected but if I went home they would know I snuck out. I didn’t know what do to.

“Are you looking for me?” I heard a voice from behind me. It was calm, full of emotions and almost sounded like singing. I turned around instantly and Roskilde stood right in front of me. “Oh my god, what happened to you my poor dear?” his eyes widened as he saw my injuries. I was so happy to see him I couldn’t speak, I just wanted to be in his arms and leave. “Please come inside, I have bandages and antibiotics.”

Finally the moment I’ve been waiting for is happening right before my eyes. He held out his hand towards me like before, and without realizing it I reached for it and he lead me to his truck. Inside everything was white, I was nearly blinded by the brightness as I entered. There were chairs that looked soft and comfortable. There was a table and some glasses filled with a clear liquid. I was no longer afraid or worrying like before, I was happy again.

“Please tell me what are you doing out so late?” he asked.

I had a hard time saying something, especially since I didn’t want to tell him right off the bat that I have feelings for him when he doesn’t even know me. “I wanted to see you.”

“Really? Why would you want to see me?” he lead me to a chair where I sat and he turned around opening a cupboard getting out a first aid kit.

I had no idea how to answer that, I didn’t want to tell him my feelings for him, how happy he makes me feel when I’m around him and how I’m able to remember my past. He came back and sat next to me. He got out a cotton ball and put a lot of alcohol on it. A little too much that it should. He leaned so close to me with one hand on the cotton ball and the other one around my shoulder.

“Tell me, why did you come to see me?” He whispered in my ear as he pulled me toward him. “Tell me.” Then with tremendous force squeezed the cotton ball on my leg, it stung so much I screamed so loud. Instead of helping it was making the pain worse. “Tell me.” With each word he said he squeezed my leg so hard I couldn’t take it. His voice intensified and became deeper. Most likely he wasn’t going to stop until I said something.

“Because you make me so happy, I wanted to see you to get my memory back and leave this place. I want to stay with you forever. I don’t want to be here anymore, please take me to where you live!!” The pain was so overwhelming my eyes began to water and I was crying.

“You’re so beautiful when you’re in pain,” he said and he took the cotton ball away. The air now as it ran across the scrape made it sting more. He got another cotton ball and put a heavy amount of alcohol again. My mind was confused, the guy I adored has become a sadistic angel.

“That’s fascinating. You are the first person to ever seek me out.” His voice became natural again, it was very odd. “Everyone runs away from me, like I’m some kind of monster.” His eyes became a deep sadness as he looked down telling me about what happens in the streets when he comes. “I don’t know why they run away. I just want to help them.” He looked at me with watery eyes, they became pink and puffy as tears started to form.

Somehow I was feeling his sadness and I just wanted to reach over to him and wrap him in my arms so tight and never let go.

“What do you want to help them with?” I asked.

“Give me your arm before it gets infected.” He didn’t answer my question and I wanted to know why and what he wants to do. Usually I would have asked him again but something in me wanted to obey his every word.

I stretched it out to him afraid that the alcohol would make it sting again and worse than last time. When it was close enough to him he grabbed my wrist, twisted my arm, pinned me down on the chair and wrapped my arm behind my back. What in the hell is he doing? Why is he hurting me?

I couldn’t see what he was doing. My vision was impaired from the way I was laying on my stomach. I was only able to see what was in front of me and I was worried about what he would do to me. Then I realized my fears came back and my happiness went away. It was horrible, I trusted Roskilde to help me and now he’s not the man I thought he was. I kept thinking about Verdun and that any second now he would break threw the door and save me like he did before. But I betrayed him and he’ll probably care a lot less about me. At that moment I thought for sure I heard a shing like metal being scraped against metal. I couldn’t see what it was and I was hoping it wasn’t anything sharp and he was going to kill me.

“I want to help them experience death. I want to see what their blood looks like. So red and warm like fresh wine. It excites me to see it all over their bodies.” I felt my heart beating really fast and I was panting hard gasping for air. He put the cotton ball on my arm and the stinging intensified than last time. I was screaming to the top of my lungs, I even begged him to stop but all he just did was chuckle and applied pressure. The hand with the cotton ball stayed that pined my whole body to the chair, with his other hand he held the object that made the shing and he ran it all over my arm. It was cold and it gave me goose bumps I could feel along the edges that were really sharp and from getting the feel of it I could tell it was a knife. I wanted to scream for help. This guy is really fucked up!

“What does your blood taste like?” he asked and I was seriously freaking out. Before I could do anything he applied the knife to my arm and a lot of blood came out as I cried. I struggled to get away but his grip on me was so tight I could barely move. The pain was worse than imaginable as if I’ve fallen into a pit of thorns. I could feel my blood running down my arm and Roskilde leaned forward and licked if off. I couldn’t believe this, it was like a bad dream. He leaned forward again and actually put his mouth on my wound then started sucking the blood like a vampire. He consumed my blood to the point I thought I was going to die until he finally stopped, leaned back and released a heavy sigh that sent chills down my back.

“Your blood tastes excellent, my dear. It has been 10 years since I’ve had blood this wonderful. Those kids were easy to take away.”

 “You are a monster!” I finally had the courage to say something as the tears fell from my eyes.

“That’s right, I am!” he said laughing sinisterly. His laugh broke my heart and spirit, it was chilling and evil like a demon. How could this be happening? Finally he took the cotton ball away and examined both of them. “It’s a shame such good blood has to go to waste. Had I known it was so tasty, I would have licked your blood instead of using this.” If he put the cotton balls in his mouth I would be really disgusted.  Fortunately he didn’t and threw them away.

He got up and was walking away to the door.

“Hey! Are you going to bandage my wounds?” I said stupidly, my feelings were in outrage but my actions were like a loyal slave. Of course he wasn’t going to attend my wounds, he’d rather see me suffer and bathed in my own blood than help me.

Roskilde turned around and said, “No. I’m quite enjoying seeing you covered in your blood. You should consider keeping that look. I think it suits you well.” Then he opened the door and reached out his hand and said, “Now come here my beloved, I want you to see your new kingdom.”

At first I was confused. The whole time I was with him it didn’t feel like we were moving. Obediently I got up from my chair and walked towards him reaching for his hand. A rush of excitement came over me at the fact that I was finally going to the place where he lives. I took his offer and gazed outside the door. It was remarkable, a huge castle stood before me all rocks from the cliff that held it. To the left and right there was a huge canyon and darkness below several hundred feet. Below the darkness I could barely make out movement, people and villages. The whole kingdom was hidden in the middle of a surrounding canyon. The sky was bleak and gloomy. It reminded me of my new home. I must have looked like a fool with my mouth open.

We both stood together hand in hand gazing at the surroundings. Then Roskilde led me to the gate of his castle as I kept staring at every detail around me.

“What is a guy like you doing in a place like this?” I accidentally asked out loud when I should have been asking to myself. I began to blush as Roskilde answered.

“It’s my home, it’s where I live. And I like it. I get to do whatever I please and no one can tell me otherwise. Even torture my victims.”

“Then why do you where white? And why do you have such an angelic glow?”

“It’s my disguise to fool people into coming with me. Everyone wants happiness and for some it’s hard to find. When they see me I give them what they want and what they desire most. I let them experience it one last time before I kill them and they die.” Just then all the white color that surrounded him turned black. It was spreading everywhere from his hair to his cloths as if he’d stepped into a pool of black water. I stared in amazement at how his true form is eerie and haunting but surprisingly attractive. My mouth opened again and I stopped walking staring up at him until I felt a strong pull by his grip telling me to keep walking. We finally reached the gate and as I stood next to him he stared back at me and closed my mouth. He gave me a smile and I woke up from my trance feeling embarrassed.

He opened the door and a heavy chill welcomed me. It was cold and depressing how everything looked in the darkness. Still holding my hand he pulled me forward to walk.

“Isn’t it fantastic? Let me show you around, I’m sure you’ll love it here.”

We must have been in the Great Hall although there were no chairs or tables or candles. There was nothing but dust and cobwebs. There wasn’t really much to see, so what would be the point in showing me around? The only thing that stood out was a door in the middle of the wall in front of us. We stopped before it and Roskilde opened it. I was getting an even more eerie sensation as we entered through. It was completely black and I couldn’t even see my hand. It was a foreboding feeling that someone was in here and they were watching us. A few feet from the door the ground descended and we walked down some stairs. I heard breathing and voices and they weren’t from me or Roskilde. I held on tightly to his arm and it felt like he looked down at me and chuckled at my fright. A few minutes later we finally hit the ground, Roskilde let go of my hand and grabbed my wrist. Then with a single swoop he threw me to a wall and tied my hands raised in the air. I wasn’t aware of what he was doing and when he flung to the wall it caught me off guard, my back and head was hurting and I was disorientated in the dark.

I was really frightened; I couldn’t tell where he was or if there was anything around me. I struggled to escape but the straps were tight and I could hear him laughing. I hated that laugh and I wanted him to stop. Finally he turned on the lights blinding me. When my eyes adjusted there were in fact nearly dead people lying around. Torture devices surrounded them. Some were already dead and others were hanging by a thread. They looked so starved and sickly looking. I couldn’t stand seeing them suffer. I looked ahead of me and Roskilde was taking off his cloths. He got completely naked and turned towards me. In his hand was a whip, blades, clamps and something I had no idea what it was. It looked like a harp with big screws along the edge. It didn’t look so appealing.

He approached me and but the objects down. I began to whimper and begged him not to kill me. He just chuckled and said “Don’t worry my love, I’d never kill you.” He ran his cold thin fingers around my face then moved down to my chest and over my nipples. He played with them for a while squeezing and pinching them until he moved even deeper and touched my vagina. I screamed and demanded that he not touch me, but he didn’t care. He took a pleasure in hearing me scream and seeing me in a state of helplessness. He reached up again and started taking off my cloths, soon I was standing naked in the cold. I hated it and I was terrified. Leaning forward he kissed me for the first time, his lips were soft and cold and his touch felt like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It was like being high and being in ecstasy. His power to overpower me got the better of me. The next hundred hours it felt like were excruciating, he beat and used the whip on me several times. He used them to force me to say I love him. Then he tortured me sexually and mentally to ensure that I know he controls me, he owns me and can do whatever he wanted to do with me. I thought for sure I was going to die. I felt nauseous as the pain and the sight of my blood on the floor increased. Finally after a while he took me down from the wall and carried me upstairs to his room.

            I was really hoping that he would give me a break and fix me up. Then I remembered that he didn’t even fix my arm and leg. So I prepared for the worst he would to as I lay in pain and pathetic on his bed. He leaned forward again and caressed my head and stroked my hair, nuzzling his face deep inside it and kissing me. He began to crawl on top of me and pinned my hands down. As he kissed me his tongue went inside my mouth and somehow mine went in his. His weight was crushing me and probably breaking my ribs.

He licked me everywhere even on my wounds and sucked more blood. I can’t recall what happened next except for the next few hours I was screaming in agony and Roskilde did things and I wasn’t sure exactly what they were. I felt an extreme sensation I’ve never felt before that scared me. I didn’t know what it was and it didn’t feel good to me. The abuse went on and on, at this point I was begging him to kill me and end my suffering. But he laughed and said humans were made to suffer, it’s the only way to live is for all mankind to suffer, its how you know you’re truly alive. At times I fell in and out of consciousness, when I did I hoped that everything was just a bad dream. When I became weak he would shock me to keep me awake and alert, it was very annoying, and all I wanted to do was rest.

After a while we heard noises coming from outside the door. Roskilde finally got off me and I kept passing out. I don’t remember much after that except some people rushed in and was attacking him. One of them grabbed on to me as I tried to get them off me hoping they wouldn’t kill me either. I heard what I thought was Kajann’s voice when the person was trying to calm me down. I looked up at him but all I could see was a blur. I looked over to see what was happening to Roskilde and the other person with a sward in his hand thrust it in his chest. I saw his fuzzy figure fall to the floor with blood everywhere. I cried out not to kill me and to just take me home. I begged and pleaded while they took me away. After that I don’t remember. I must have finally passed out.

I woke up what felt like only a few minutes of rest. I was dazed and confused about what had happened the last few hours. I tried to get up but the pain in my back throbbed. Then it was no dream, it really happened. I looked around and I was in my room again. How? When? Then I was surrounded by familiar faces coming to check up on me. They were my family, Verdun and Shusha.

            I was actually so glad to be back with my family. I hugged and kissed everyone and I didn’t want to stop. I missed them so much in that horrible place. I’m glad I didn’t get grounded which surprised me but I guess they were too happy to see that I was alive and with them. When I asked them how they found me Kajann said Verdun and Shusha helped them. I was really thankful so I ran to them and said thank you to them. She said she was glad to see me and that everything was alright in her usual tone. She leaned forward and gave me a weak hug, almost the instant she touched me she moved away and I bet it wasn’t because I was injured.

Then I thanked Verdun, he just looked at me and he slapped me again.

“You bitch! Didn’t I tell you not to see that man again?” he was yelling at me. After everything I went through he’s yelling in full rage. Is this what it’s like not to have any emotions? I was exhausted and traumatized from my experience and the last thing I wanted was to be scolded about what I did. So my eyes filled with tears and I cried out loud like I have never before in public. I know that Kajann wanted to kick his ass for doing that but he didn’t. I think Shusha was holding him back. I continued to cry being so tired of getting hit around by Verdun. I wanted to hold something for comfort so I grabbed the closest thing. I fell on Verdun’s chest, wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his cloths. I don’t know why I went to him, I thought for sure that he would push me away and call me names but he didn’t. Then he placed his hands on my arms, I knew it he is going to push me away although it was the same kind of weak hug Shusha gave me and I felt a nice warm feeling coming from both of us.

It made me stop crying for some reason, and I was remembering things from my past I thought I lost while being here. When I completely stopped crying Verdun leaned me away from him and he was looking at me. There were still some tears on my face and he wiped them away. I looked up at him and to my amazement he had a little color on him. He examined the tear curiously like a child and rolled it around his fingers.

“What is this?” He asked. “I feel sad. Why do I feel sad?” His voice was the softest I’ve ever heard. Calm, clear yet sorrowful.

My eyes widened. Did I just hear him say ‘I feel’ and ‘sad’ coming from him? I couldn’t believe it. What was going on? He let me go and we stared at each other.

“What’s happening?” asked Kajann.

“He has his emotions and memory back.” Shusha said. Her voice sounded a little happier somehow.

“What!? How do you know?”

Instead of answering him she walked towards me and stood between us.

“For reasons unknown something wanted me to hold you. The years of being empty inside didn’t want to but it was like my body was moving on its own. The inside made me want to hold you tight and the other wanted to walk away although surprisingly I was able to pull it off by a little and I know for sure that I felt something that made me feel better. At first I thought I was imagining it, but after seeing what you did to Verdun there was no doubt in my mind.”

She leaned forward again and gave me a full embrace. I could feel a much warmer feeling this time and it filled all around us. I looked up at her and her face was turning bright, all the black was disappearing and she had life in her eyes. She let go of me and observed herself. She was amazed and happy with what happened and she looked normal. Everyone was amazed at what happened, no one had any explanation for it.

Shusha was happy again and remembered most things about her childhood and asked Verdun if he remembered. He vaguely recalled the events she was telling him until she gave him a hug. The same effect that happened with us happened with him and her. Soon enough he was also full of color and life. They had their emotions and memories back. Verdun looked at me with a gorgeous smile that made me blush bright red. We walked up to me and gave me a warm squeeze. I had completely forgotten about my pain and injuries, it was like they weren’t even there.

“Thank you Leuven. I don’t know why or how this happened but it did. I apologize for everything that I did to you. Please forgive me.” He was whispering in my ear softly and my whole body began heating up.

“Oh, um… me my ok with the uh…. yeah and the …both hugging.” I giggled while I was stammering my words. It was probably stupid but I really didn’t know what to say. Verdun turned hotter than he did in black. I never knew he had such soft brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes.

And Shusha had such shiny blond hair in curls with icy blue eyes. She was very pretty in her glow of brightness. Somehow when I touched or held them, all their emotions and memories come back to them. It was like what Roskilde did when he comes around. Is he inside me? Did his powers somehow transfer to me? When they got home they embraced their mother together and she felt the same way. Eventually they all spread the feeling and embraced everyone until the whole neighborhood was bright and full of life. Trees grew and flowers and plants appeared as did birds and other animals. For the first time since we moved I was glad to call this my home.

Later that night I awoke to find a knife in my hand. I didn’t know where it came from or how it got in my hand. Whatever happened, I went to the kitchen to put it away. As I got out of the hallway I tripped over something big, I turned on the light and it was my brother covered in blood. I raised my hands to my mouth in shock screaming when I realized the knife had blood. I looked around and I saw my parents dead covered in blood. I dropped the knife and ran to Verdun’s house screaming. When I got to his door it was already unlocked and it looked like it was forced open. I ran through and they were all dead. I began to cry and scream for help. What the hell happened? Everything was so fine and good again. Why is everyone dead?

At that moment I heard a familiar laugh. A laugh I never wanted to hear again. It came from behind me so I turned around and saw Roskilde standing with a big smile on his face. I couldn’t understand it, he was dead. Verdun killed him, so why is he still alive?

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I asked him. He didn’t say anything except chuckled and smirked. I wanted to kill him myself. I started running to him with the sharpest thing I could find and rushed to him with my fist in the air. I was about to stab him until he grasped my wrist and I dropped the scissors I held. One hand held mine and the other was wrapped around my waist. He pulled me close to him and our lips meet together and we kissed. I tried to push him off me but his grip was strong. After a while he finally pulled me back.

“Oh honey, is that anyway to greet the father of our unborn child?”

“What, what the hell are you talking about? I’m not pregnant!”

He grabbed my other hand and placed it on my stomach. A few seconds later I felt movement. I couldn’t believe it this couldn’t be happening! My eyes began to fill with tears. I was in anger, shock and disbelief. This bastard got me pregnant! I felt like I was sinking, I couldn’t stand anymore.

“Do you feel it? Our child is moving.”

“No! How, could this have happened?”

“Come on my dear, you don’t think that night we spent together meant nothing did you? I wanted to make love to you and raise a family with you. And now we will. I’m so happy.” He leaned forward and nuzzled his head against mine. “After that night part of my power went into you when we had sex, as well as to our baby. That’s why you were able to heal the people here. I’m so glad; you were able to do what I couldn’t for 10 years. Make them feel happiness then kill them all!”

“But I don’t understand! Verdun killed you, you should be dead!”

“Oh I forgot to mention, I’m already dead. I’ve been dead for 30 years.”

“Then go to hell you freak!”

“Alright let’s go. Our ride has been waiting.”

He carried me to the truck we first meet and he drove to the castle. There I spent the rest of my life and gave birth to a boy. We named him Aarthus.  At age 15 I gave birth to a child. It was so traumatizing. I had no idea being in labor was so intense. Most of the time I get stuck taking care of him and Roskilde continues to torture me through sex and sadistic acts. Aarthus is so cute; he has his father’s eyes and hair while he has my mouth and nose. It’s a sad thing someone this young and innocent has to be exposed to this kind of darkness. He may have been born by accident but I promise to take good care of him, I can’t stand to see him get hurt or go near his father. I think he wants to take him away from me. I don’t want him to be like his father and see me get beaten around. I’ll protect him even if I have to die.