Twenty-Two

The darkness was all-consuming. Blood-curdling screams rang through the vast openness before fading away into the empty space around me. Goosebumps rose to the surface of my skin, and the little hairs on my body raised tall as if I were surrounded by static.

It didn't matter where I turned or how much I squinted my eyes. I was trapped in the darkness. I knew I wasn't alone by the sounds of torture surrounding me, but I would rather be alone than be party to what they were doing.

"Seraphina," My mother's voice whispered out softly. Yet, it seemed to be louder than the mind-piercing screams around me. "My girl."

My head snapped around in an attempt to locate the source, but I could see nothing. "Mom?" I called out, hoping with everything in me that she was safe. "Mom, I'm right here!" The ground beneath my feet felt rough and jagged as it dug into the bare flesh.

I could smell her perfume surrounding me, I could hear the even breathing of someone near me, but I could see nothing.

"Y