Five Days In Darkness.

PART ONE

Splash!

A cry of anguish escaped Sharon as the freezing water hit her bruised and scared body. Her body, covered in fresh bruises and scars made the pain worse.

"Confess your crimes and we will end this." Beta Frank said coldly.

He was standing a few feet away, but the pain in her head made his voice sound distant, almost unreal.

"I am innocent. I swear." Sharon mumbled through her bleeding lips. Her mouth was so swollen she could barely get the words out.

The whip descended on her again and she screamed in pain as the lash opened up more broken skin.

"Please I didn't kill her! I swear! Why would I kill the mother of the man I loved? A woman I risked my life to save? If I wanted her dead

won't I have left the venom to do the job? Why would I fight to save her?" She asked, the same question she had been asking since her arrest.

Beta Frank came nearer, the cold look in his eyes chilled her more that the water. "The dagger was found in your bedroom under your bed. Your scent was on the hilt. Her blood is on the blade. What more do you want us to see?"

Sharon's voice cracked. "The truth. I didn't kill her! I wasn't even there!"

The torturer, an Omega who was was clearly enjoying his work, raised the whip but Beta Frank raised a restraining hand. He squatted down till he was at eye level with her.

"Luna listen to me." He said gently. "I hate seeing you like this, I really do. Look at what has been done to your beautiful body. Please tell the truth and end it now."

"I am. Beta Frank please you know me. I am a healer not a killer. Remember how I healed your grandson. I loved the Agba Luna. Why would I hurt her?" She asked tearfully.

"Because she wanted to build a h

proper healing center where people could get real treatment, not your forest brews and moon teas. She wanted to outlaw your herbal quackery. You knew that meant losing your influence because your fake treatments gave you power over gullible people. She was a threat to that power so you killed her! Confess and the Alpha will be merciful." He said.

"No. You are wrong. I didn't even know she was going to outlaw herbal healing, and even if I did I would reason with her not stab her. I didn't do it." Sharon protested. "Please Beta you know me, know the kind of person I am."

He sighed and stood up. "I have given you a chance to do this the easy way, since you won't accept it we will have to do it the hard way."

Sharon's saw him signal to the Omega. Her stomach tightened in fear as he came forward, holding a small sinister looking object she didn't

recognize.

"This is the devil's handshake dear Luna." The Omega said with an evil smile. "Perhaps this little pleasantry will make you more inclined to talk"

"No! Please! Stop! Don't! I am your Luna!" She begged.

"No you are not! You are a murderer! Now confess!" Beta Frank roared.

"I have nothing to confess! I swear by the Moon Goddess! I am innocent!" Sharon cried.

Beta Frank gave a small signal and the Omega seized Sharons fingers. The pain was indescribably. It felt as if her soul was leaving her body. Her wolf, Hela, weakened by wolfsbane, growled in pain. Her screams echoed round the cold dark chamber but there was no mercy for her. Finally unable to take any more she passed out.

********************

Someone was stroking her face as she came to. For a minute she thought she was dead and in the Moon Realm, being attended to by the Moon Goddess' attendants. She almost smiled. Peace at last. But then the pain returned, crashing through her like a storm and her wrists were still bound. She was still alive and still in chains.

She opened her eyes and was looking into the tearful, frightened face of Gaia, one of her servants.

"Luna! Your poor body! Are you alright? I brought you some water." Gaia whispered, pushing a bottle to her lips.

Sharon moaned.

"Shh…No one knows I am here. The Omega left after you passed out. I paid a joy wolf to keep him busy."

Gaia pushed the water to her broken lips. Sharon felt as if she had been given milk from the breast of the Moon Goddess herself. She drank it greedily, not minding her sore throat.

"Easy Luna." Gaia said gently removing it from her lips. "I brought you some custard. I know you haven't had anything for days so I didn't want to give you anything solid."

"Thank you Gaia." Sharon mumbled weakly. "How long have I been here?"

"Five days."

Five days! Five days of no food, water, and unending torture! No wonder she was near death.

Gaia brought out a small bowl. She opened it and the smell of vanilla custard filled the dank room. Sharon's stomach rumbled. She tried to stretch her hand to take it but she couldn't. It was as if her hands were no longer there. She glanced at them and her eyes widened in horror. Her fingers were completely broken and useless, thanks to the Devil's Handshake. She was so weak she couldn't even cry out. Tears rolled down her cheeks instead.

"Luna please stop crying." Gaia who was also crying said. "Eat. I made this just the way you like it."

She began feeding her and after a few spoons Sharon began to feel better. The pain was still there, but not as intense and she felt stronger.

"Thank you Gaia. You are an angel from Moon Goddess' herself." Sharon said gratefully.

"I can never do too much for you my Luna."

"I didn't kill the Alpha's mother Gaia! Please believe me!" Sharon cried.

"Luna! I am the last person you should try to convince. I know you would never hurt, let alone kill anyone. Someone is framing you. I wish I could help you find the person."

"Maybe you can. The murder weapon was found in my room, perhaps your wolf could sniff out who put it there." Sharon suggested.

Gaia hesitated. "Oh Luna! I can't."

"Please Gaia. I know you don't trust your wolf but I do. I know you can do it."

"No, I mean I can't because the room has a new occupant."

"Who?" Sharon asked surprised. "Who is trying to take my place so soon?"

Gaia's eyes fell. "Your best friend....Mona."