Bab 19: Enchanted Creaking
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to block out the rhythmic creaking that seemed to seep into the very fabric of the room. "Don't listen! Don't listen!" I reminded myself, desperately trying to ignore the sound that was growing more intense by the second. Despite my fear, an inexplicable pull began to grow within me, drawing me towards the sound. It was as if some otherworldly beauty was dancing just outside my door, calling me with a mesmerizing symphony.
My mind filled with vivid images of paradise, a place of ethereal light and harmonious music. The creaking transformed into a captivating melody, enchanting my senses and clouding my judgment. Before I knew it, my feet slid off the bed, and I found myself walking towards the closed door, unable to resist the lure.
My hand reached for the doorknob, fingers brushing against the cold metal. I was about to twist it open when a sharp "swish" pierced the air beside my ear. A sudden burst of wind disrupted the trance-like state, and I felt a burning sensation on my right cheek. Instinctively, I touched my face, my fingers coming away smeared with warm, sticky liquid.
Confused and alarmed, I turned to the door. There, embedded in the wooden surface, was the Fool card, its corner stabbed deep into the wood. A drop of crimson blood dangled from the lower corner, sending a shiver down my spine.
I turned back towards my coat hanging on the chair. Its pocket was torn open, as if blasted by a firearm. The realization dawned on me with chilling clarity: the golden card had flown out of my coat pocket, slicing my cheek to wake me up.
I stood there, heart pounding, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The card had saved me from whatever was behind that door, but it also left me with more questions. I backed away from the door, clutching the letter from my uncle, my mind racing with fear and confusion. The creaking had stopped, replaced by an eerie silence that was somehow even more unsettling. I knew one thing for certain: whatever was in that inn, it was far more dangerous than I had ever imagined.
Even colder chills ran down my body, causing me to shiver uncontrollably. The card had saved me from the enchanted creaking outside, but the gravity of the situation settled heavily on my mind. I was not safe, not even in the confines of my room.
My eyes darted around the room, the once familiar surroundings now cloaked in an eerie, sinister pall. The flickering candlelight cast long, twisted shadows on the walls, making the room seem alive with dark, malevolent forms. The rhythmic creaking outside continued, now with an ominous undertone, a constant reminder of the danger lurking beyond the door.
My heart pounded in my chest as I pulled the Fool card from the door, a drop of crimson blood falling to the floor. I clutched the card tightly, its golden surface warm against my hand, as if it possessed a life of its own. My gaze shifted to my coat, the torn pocket a stark reminder of the peril I faced.
I sank to the floor, trembling, the weight of my uncle's warnings pressing down on me. This card, this seemingly insignificant piece of paper, had protected me from a fate I could barely imagine. The words from the letter echoed in my mind, each one a dark piece of the puzzle I was now trapped in.
With a deep breath, I steeled myself, still clutching the Fool card. I knew I couldn't afford to let my guard down. The night was far from over, and the shadows held secrets I had yet to uncover. The true horror of my situation was only beginning to unfold.
Gripping the golden card so tightly that its edges cut into my palm, I crouched down and peered through the keyhole. The creaking had fallen abruptly silent, the sudden quiet unsettling. I saw nothing out of the ordinary: a lantern swaying gently and the empty lobby bathed in dim light.
Then, everything turned a deep, unsettling red. I recoiled in panic, falling back onto my butt and scrambling away from the door. My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of what I had seen. After a few moments, I gathered my courage and approached the keyhole again.
Looking through, I still saw only red. It wasn't the dark, viscous red of blood but a bright, unyielding hue. For a moment, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I stared, trying to decipher the phenomenon. It was like a blinding red light had flooded the space, obliterating all other details and leaving me with an overwhelming sense of dread.
I felt a brief, almost overwhelming urge to open the door and see what was causing the red light, but I shook my head, reminding myself, "Curiosity is death here." It became my mantra, a desperate attempt to keep my curiosity in check.
With a heavy sigh, I retreated to my bed, slipping the golden card under my pillow. Its edges were now stained with my own blood, a grim reminder of how close I had come to something terrible. As I lay down, I couldn't shake the fear that the card might not protect me the next time. The night's events replayed in my mind like a relentless loop, each moment more terrifying than the last.
Sleep was elusive. Every creak of the old inn seemed amplified, sending chills down my spine. The rhythmic sound from earlier still echoed in my mind. I clutched my pillow tightly, my body tense and alert, trying to ignore the growing sense of dread.
Hours dragged on, and I remained awake, my thoughts a chaotic mix of fear and determination. Exhaustion weighed heavily on me, but the fear kept me from falling asleep. Every sound seemed louder in the silence, and every shadow felt like a potential threat.
"Damn it, now I understand why this was the only inn with rooms available. That bastard," I muttered darkly.
I glanced at the clock, noting how slowly the hours were passing. I knew I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not after everything I had experienced. The golden card was my lifeline, and I held onto that thought as tightly as I gripped the card itself. I hoped with every part of me that it would protect me from whatever horrors the night still had in store.
Hadiah
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