The Gateway to Abyss

I could smell him. His arms wrapped tightly around my limp form held me to a rock solid chest where his heart beat thrummed against my ear.
He was walking, where I didn't know.
My eyes slid open to pitch black.
Unadjusted to our surroundings I blinked rapidly, letting out a shallow breath.
I didn't dare look up. Exhaustion wore me like a cloak.
My emotions were blank, I felt nothing of my own nor could I sense him any longer.
My body rocked slightly to the rhythm of his tread, my head leaned still against his chest.
Large arms tightened around me, he knew I was awake.
Slowly the shadows took form and began to outline our surroundings in the night.
Pale moon-touched starlight glimmered in silver threads on the trees as we passed.
My eyes scanned for any indication of where I was. Everything was alien to my groggy mind.
His footsteps came to a halt abruptly and my eyes flickered up to see what lay ahead.
Beams of ethereal, pearlescent illumination spilled over the metal surface with the grace of a waterfall, cascading down.
The border.
The realization of just how weak I was struck mercilessly when my feet touched the ground as he lowered me down.
Paper legs began to fold and crumple beneath me. I couldn't stand.
In a pathetic attempt at saving myself my hands grasped the thick leather of the cloak that girded his broad shoulders, anchoring myself to his massive body for support.
His arm wrapped gently, but not lovingly around me, holding me upright.
I must have looked as pathetic as I felt.
Finally he spoke.
"This is what you wanted." His question donned a tone void of inquiry.
Jaw set firmly in place as his dark eyes remained fixated on the structure ahead.
Even then I could feel his attention focused solely on me.
A feeling that made my limbs restless at the tense silence.
My memory was still hazy. I knew I'd done something wrong, something terribly, unforgivably wrong.
My mind still swam for answers as to what.
This was what I'd wanted. The door to freedom.
One step through a door would have me on the other side of that wall.
Outside of this place, his kingdom. Outside of his reach.
I'd wanted that more than anything.
"Are you confused little one?"
I tensed at the sneer, becoming aware of the textured fabric against my skin I glanced down at an arm bandaged in white.
"What have I done..."
He scoffed.
"Indeed."

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[Delmar Cooper]

This story is, of course, deliberately dissatisfying . The assumption is that it is a teaser designed to prompt the reader to follow further, perhaps future episodes of the adventure to see what happens next and to get answers. I could be wrong.

[Desiderium]

Yes, It is an excerpt from a novel.