AllFreeNovel
Share Us
What was Derikhiding? What danger was he trying to protect her from? And could she reallytrust him again after everything they had been through? She didn't know, butone thing was certain: tomorrow, she would get to the bottom of it all. Withthat thought in mind, she finally closed her eyes and drifted off into a fitfulsleep, her dreams haunted by shadows and secrets.
CHAPTER TWENTYTWO
The man exhaleddeeply as he felt the rejuvenation surge through his veins. His latest harvesthad been a success, though not without its challenges. He could still hear hermuffled screams from the other room in his memory, a chilling reminder of hispursuit of immortality - but it fueled him nonetheless.
"Almostthere," he whispered to himself, savoring the newfound energy. "Justa few more."
As he stood inthe dimly lit basement, the smell of disinfectant hung heavy in the air. Asingle lightbulb flickered above, casting eerie shadows along the walls. Heknew no one would find them here, tucked away beneath this secluded house whereonly darkness thrived.
"Damn,"he muttered, looking at the dwindling supply of tools on his workbench."I'll need more than this if I want to keep going."
He ascended thecreaky wooden stairs, each step echoing through the hollow chamber below. As heemerged into the main living area, he was met with an unnerving sight. The oncepristine home now resembled a haunted house, every shiny surface and mirrorconcealed by white sheets - a necessary precaution, for he couldn't bear to seewhat he'd become.
Is it reallyworth it? he questioned himself, running a handover the smooth fabric that hid his reflection. It has to be. There's noturning back now.
"Only a fewmore," he repeated to himself, tightening his grip on the door handle ashe prepared to venture out into the night. "Then I'll have everything Ineed."
Stepping out intothe warm, moonlit night, the man was greeted by the gentle rustling of leavesand the chirping of crickets. The air was thick with the scent of damp earthand blooming flowers. It would have been a perfect evening if it hadn't rainedearlier that day, leaving an unwelcome humidity in the air.
He made his wayacross the backyard, carefully navigating around unkempt shrubbery andovergrown grass until he reached the dilapidated shed. As he began to open thecreaky door, a puddle of water shimmering in the moonlight caught his eye. Hecouldn't help but glance at it.
"Ugh,"he groaned, seeing his distorted reflection staring back at him from thewater's surface. "Hideous. Is this what I've become?" he whispered,holding a trembling hand up to his disfigured face. "For all that I'vedone, I'm still... this?"
No, he couldn'tthink like that. Keep it together, he admonished himself, trying toignore the sinking feeling in his chest. It's worth it. Soon, you'll beyoung and beautiful forever. No more pain, no more fear.
"Only a fewmore," he repeated as though saying it aloud would make it true."Then, I will have everything I need. Eternal beauty, eternal youth...it's all within my grasp."
But he was runninglow on supplies again. He needed more. He'd been thwarted earlier. The emptyshed only proved that to him. He hadn't realized how low he'd gotten.
With a renewedsense of purpose, he stepped out of the shed and closed the door behind him.The warm night air clung to his skin as the moonlight cast shadows on theground. He glanced back at the shed, shrouded in darkness, and knew it was timeto continue his work.
"Only a fewmore," he muttered under his breath, the words invoking both excitementand trepidation within him. "Then I'll finally have what I've alwayswanted."
As he made hisway back inside, his thoughts drifted to the woman whose screams still echoedthrough the basement. He could feel her terror like a tangible force, but itonly fueled his desire to finish what he had started. He knew that deep down,she would understand the necessity of his actions – after all, who wouldn'twant eternal youth?
He approached theworkbench, his eyes scanning the remaining tools. His gaze lingered on thescalpel, its stainless steel blade glinting in the dim light. He knew what hehad to do – he had to venture out into the night, find someone, and harvestwhat he needed to keep going. It was a risk but a necessary one.
The man grabbed acoat from the closet, slipped it on, and made his way outside. The darknessenveloped him, suffocating him with its thickness. He looked around, searchingfor any sign of life, but the streets were empty. It was as if the world hadgone to sleep, leaving him alone in the dark. That was good. He wasn't sure whothat woman had been earlier, but she wouldn't be back. He would return toMark's, get what he needed, and then it would all be fine.
Mark...
What a fool.
His best friendhad once been his closest confidant, but now he was like a shapeshifter, alwayschanging names and faces, always trying to escape him.
But he neverwould.
He didn't knowwhy Mark feared him so much; he didn't have anything he wanted. He looked oldand ugly, not young and beautiful, although... his wife had some work done and wouldmake a good harvest. But he was saving her. The best for last. Maybe that timewas finally coming.
First, he neededto focus on his tools. Then he could worry about who he'd harvest next.
CHAPTER TWENTYTHREE
Sunlight creptthrough the blinds, casting a warm glow across the living room. Morgan stirredin her bed, her body aching from the uncomfortable position she had slept in.She blinked away the sleep, glancing around the room as she remembered theevents of last night. She dragged herself out of bed and hurried to the livingroom.
Derik laysprawled on her couch, a bottle of whiskey still in hand, snoring loudly. Skunksat vigilantly by his side, eyeing him with suspicion.
"Derik,"she muttered, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Wake up."
