As I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Chapter 5: Bound

Tension is building inside

Steadily

Heavy thoughts forcing their way

Out of me

 

It feels late when I finally awaken.

My head is aching, swimming with jumbled thoughts. Visions from my nightmares float into my consciousness.

I shudder and wrap my arms around myself. I close my eyes, waiting for my body to feel light. To know that I will soon be above it all.

But I am held to this place as surely as the stone floor.

A flash of red blinks through the darkness. My eyes shoot open. It is gone.

I sigh and rest my head against the cool stone wall. Why am I not able to fly today? What is it that binds me?

As if in response, the image of a blood red sky fills my head.

What does that have to do with me?

It was only a dream. A very vivid dream.

A vivid nightmare.

But nothing more.

I am crying, silently begging the sky to allow me entrance.

I do not wish to be here. What possible reason could there be for my presence in a place such as this?

A scream rings out from one of the neighboring cells. It has a feminine and childlike quality. It makes my stomach turn to think of a child trapped here.

Please, I cry out. Please let me leave. If only for a short while.

No answer.

I have been abandoned.

*

I trail my fingers over the floor, tracing patterns along the stone surface.

My skin is a shock of white against the darkness.

I am so lonely here.

*

My heart leaps as I feel hands run over my arms.

Do not cry, I am here.

The voice is deep and rich, as soft as the wind’s whisper.

I close my eyes and I see a familiar pair of glittering eyes.

Tom.

Yes. Did you think I had forgotten you?

But how? Why? They said you were evil, Tom.

Laughter. I am, my dear. As evil as they come. And so are you.

No. You are wrong.

Why do you think I chose you? Do you really think I would let someone innocent hold my spirit within them, tainting my beautiful darkness? No. But you did not realize who you truly are. Now your soul has been unleashed.

I feel the fire igniting within me once more. Who is he to tell me who I am? I know who I am, and I am not like him.

My blood is now liquid fire.

I am screaming, roaring in rage. All I see is the sky, burning crimson.

I feel his presence flee. The chill in the air is now gone. All is fire.

Chapter 6: Flash Of Red

Welcome to my world, she said

Do you feel alive, she said

It’s all a bad dream spinning in your lonely head

She looks up at me as I stand before her. Her brown eyes are clouded.

I scowl at her.

"Don’t even think of pulling another trick like yesterday," I snarl.

She frowns. "What are you on about?"

"Don’t toy with me Weasley."

"Malfoy, could you stop being yourself for a moment and listen? I have no idea what you are talking about."

I take in her angry expression, the traces of tears on her cheeks, her red hair in disarray around her face, and I want her.

Just as I wanted her for her power before, now I want her for her innocence.

How can one person hold so much good and evil?

I long to twist her, break her.

I tighten my grip around the key that lays in my palm.

I watch her for a few moments, trying to decide whether to give in to the hated longing that is coursing through me.

My hands make the decision for me.

I slip inside, closing the door behind me. Her eyes widen in shock and anger.

"What the–"

I cut her off, kissing her hard enough to bruise her. Her tiny fists are beating against my chest, even though her lips are responding to mine.

Her touch leaves trails of fire over my skin.

When I have had enough, I shove her away roughly, sending her tumbling to the floor.

She glares up at me, her eyes flashing red.

Pain rips through me. It is worse than anything I have ever experienced. Worse even than the Cruciatus Curse.

But I do not scream. I am a Malfoy.

Then it is over, and I am left on my knees. Blood drips from my nose and lips.

I stagger to my feet and look at her.

Her eyes flash red once more before rolling back in her head.