Prologue
Darkness.
That was all that surrounded me. There was no light, no sound, just...darkness. I think I tried to talk, to scream, to shout, but I wasn't sure. It seemed as if nothing penetrated this shroud. I took a step forward, then stopped. Where was I going? More importantly, where was I?
Just as I asked myself these questions, there was a sudden burst of sound from behind me. I spun to find that just one color broke through the darkness. Red orbs seemed to be staring down at a puddle of the color that was slowly spreading. Then, a sickening smell reached my nose.
Blood.
Someone had been killed.
Those red eyes turned toward me as I realized this, and the cold hatred that reached me made me want to turn and run. But I was frozen in fear. A fear that whatever held those eyes would come after me. A fear that I would die. The thought of death unfroze me, and I turned and ran back through the darkness, trying to get away. My own pounding footsteps slowly faded away, as I immersed myself back into the dark shroud, the soundless, scentless shroud.
But no matter how far I ran, those eyes followed me. They were always at the corner of my vision, cold yet burning at the same time. Haunting. Then I saw light. It was only a pinpoint at first, but it slowly grew, and surrounded me. I slowed, panting, smiling. Here, it was safe and warm. I would be protected from those haunting eyes.
“Alyssa.” I heard a familiar voice call my name, and I spun around to see a silhouette standing there. I felt my mouth move to call out a name, but I couldn't hear anything. It didn't matter though. I knew that voice, and I knew that person. I would be safe with them. Running into his arms, I wrapped my arms around his chest.
“I was so scared! Where have you been? I was trapped in darkness and these red eyes were following me! Why didn't you come?” My voice cracked with fear, and I looked up into the face, the face still hidden in shadow for some reason.
“I'm sorry. I was busy. But Alyssa, will you tell me something?”
“Yes?”
“Did you see the person the red eyes belonged to?” My eyebrows furrowed together at the question, and I looked up, about to voice my own question. But I froze when I saw what had appeared.
Red eyes. Cold and haunting. Staring down at me.
I backed away, shaking, my eyes wide. “W-who are you?” I asked, before shaking my head and turning away. For the second time, I went running back into the darkness.
All I heard before darkness completely took over my vision was, “You're personal demon, who else?” His laugh faded into the background, leaving me as I lost consciousness.
