10 10 Dangerous Connection

At first, I thought the abstract greyscale painting on the wall is just another piece of art as décor. But looking closely, it has its own life. From the darkest to the lightest shades and the contrasting lines intertwining into one art. I could see a silhouette of a man.

That is where I put all my attention while seating on the bed. Dimitri is on the couch and has been silent since we exited the forbidden section and all the way here. Tension is in the air, thick and electrifying.

Dimitri releases a deep breath. I glance at him and he is massaging his temple. I guess I stress him much more than I thought.

"Amber..." He calls to which I ignore, looking back at the painting.

"Amber... is there something you aren't telling me?"

"What do you mean?" I feign ignorance.

"I don't know. You know ye' can tell me anything, right? " His shoulders slouch, fingers intertwining and resting under his mouth. His eyes are tired and gloomy.

"I barely know you." I quip, too late to bring it back as I see his jaw twitch and he closes his eyes.

"Why are you always like that?" He frowns and exhales loudly.

"Like what?"

"You don't trust me." His frown deepens.

I sit up straight, starting to feel uncomfortable with the confrontation. "What made you think I don't trust you?"

"It is written all over your face, all over you." He keeps brushing his hands on his hair and a lot of sighing.

"Then you are mistaken," I counter.

"Admit it, you still have doubts in me. Let the cat out of the bag. There is no use denying what is obviously outside the box."

"I am trying, okay?" I confess. "Just that, I know for sure people tend to be selfish and you can't trust anyone but yourself."

He hums in approval, nodding his head. "People are...selfish in many ways but..."

He pauses, staring at me intensely, a glint visible on his irises, the kind that says 'I am deadly serious.'

"I hope you would see me differently."

He stands up and walks to the door, hands on his pockets. An image of a glass container with a red substance crosses my mind.

"Take your rest, I'll come back in the morning." And without another word, he closes the door gently.

He must be spending the night elsewhere I know not. I lay down on the bed feeling the tiredness envelop me in its spell. My eyes shut close every second but I am trying to stay awake as I blink the sleep away several times like a hummingbird flapping its tiny wings. My eyelids are heavy and tired but I stay staring at the ceiling.

I don't want to sleep. I still don't trust myself to not sleepwalk even though I haven't had it for some time now.

But sleep treacherously lulls me in its spell, binding me into an oblivion of dreams and nightmares combine. Where real life and fantasy blend in. And I would definitely regret it in the morning.

I FELT COLDNESS hitting the side of my face, on my arms and legs. My limbs feel weak as I wake up in a haze. There are wall glasses around me, each containing snow pale skin women dressed in nothing but colorful chemicals covering their bodies.

In the center is a very handsome man, skin as pale as snow, and wavy hair whiter than blond. I am in the restricted section again. And I am very sure why.

I close my eyes and groan loudly, can't believe it happened again. Here I am waking up in a foreign place out of bed. The good news is I am still in my clothes. That – I am glad for.

'Amber.' The same voice last night echoes through my mind.

I instantly look at the man in front of me and raise a brow. Something is odd about him.

"You look different." I blurted, without thinking. I stand up and go nearer his glass cage.

'Am I now?' He asks sounding amused. His voice is deep and rough, the kind you would like to hear first thing in the morning.

Something changed on him I just cannot put my finger on it. "How did I end up here? The last thing I remember, I fell asleep."

'Would it matter?'

"Of course."

He chuckles lightly and I found myself liking it. 'Some things are better left untold. It would do you no good to meddle on secrets meant to be kept.'

"Not when I'm involved," I say defiantly. "Answer my question vampire" The last word hang on my tongue like a taste of salt.

'Clever...I'll have a good time taming you.'

I look at my pocket and thankfully, my phone is here. I switch it on and the screen reflects 5:00 am. Anytime soon, someone would find out I am here which means big-time trouble, if not yet of course. I need to get out of this room fast.

"I've asked you a question, tell me, how did I go in?"

'You used the door.' He says as a matter of fact.

I roll my eyes. "Of course, I did use the door...but how? why?"

'Do you really want to know why?' He asks.

"Yes..."

'Have you ever wondered why this organization let you in without a second thought?'

I took a step forward, my breathing ragged. "Of course, I asked Dimitri."

He laughs darkly, sending me chills. 'Never did they ever let in someone new unless...for an experiment. You, my little ray of sunshine, is their newest quest.'

"You're lying! Dimitri would not do that to me." I utter the last words more to myself than to him. True to it, I don't know Dimitri well but I know for sure he wouldn't do such a thing. Can he?

'You ask for the truth...I gave it to you.' He counters.

"Liar! I know better than to believe a demon like you." Gritting my teeth, I step closer to the glass wall. There are no movements on him except the chemicals forming bubbles. "You didn't answer my question either."

'Easy my Amber, easy...I was getting to that part.' He chuckles playfully.

The first time I saw him, I was awestruck. Different emotions flooded within me seeing him for the first time, seeing someone as sinfully handsome as him. As if my body has its own mind as every inch of me wants to connect to him, to feel his soul. An invisible thread pulls me towards him in a tangled desire and longing.

But now, I can surpass his good looks and see him for what truly he is - a demon.

'Can you feel it?' He asks.

"Feel what?"

'Our connection...like a string pushing you towards me.'

I try to open my mouth but no words came. Partly because what he said is true. An unknown feeling settles in my insides whenever I am near him. It is like I am drawn to him like a moth to a flame. And no matter how much dangerous the flame is, how much I am risking my life from talking to him, I cannot help myself but go nearer, to feel him close.

'Don't you dare lie to me Amber, I would know.' His warning floats in the air.

"What has it to do with me waking up here?" I breathe out.

'That...you got to figure out on your own.'

"W-what? I thought you'd tell me?"

'You got all the pieces. You'll figure it out soon enough.' There is a finality in his tone which leaves for no argument.

"Hey." I flatten both my palm on the glass, unbelieving. "You are unbelievable! At least tell me something I should know."

My breath hitches once more and my heart beats faster as I stare at his god-like face thinking of how something so beautiful is so evil at the same time. His hair is floating in slow waves. His skin is less pale than before. I trace the sharpness of his jawline down until his lean shoulders and muscular arms.

His lips are slightly apart, redder than before. That's when it hit me like a ton of bricks. He is glowing, almost more alive, and looks stronger. As if he is not sleeping anymore but only closing his eyes.

'All you need to know is...' He pauses, his eyebrows twitch to which I gasp in surprise. He moved!

'Stay away from that boy. I don't want him touching you at all.'