Noir
Chapter 9

A few minutes later, with a sound that was somewhere between pain and a guttural cry of rage, Noir jerked away from me, snarling, "What the fuck kind of spell have you put on me!" Afterwards, he followed the words with, "Get the hell away from me before any more damage is done!"

Hastily, and avoiding looking in his direction as I couldn't stand to see the look of disgust on his features that I had caught a glimpse of seconds ago, I jerked on my jeans, then with a muffled sob escaping my mouth, I fled the room. As I stepped into the hallway, I moved several feet down its length before a swarm of emotions overtook me. My gut clenched with raw emotions that ripped me apart, and my legs trembled. Leaning my back against the wall, my knees gave out and I slowly slid down the wall's length until my butt rested on the floor. Drawing my knees up to my chest, I rested my head against them, tears slowly beginning to trickle down my cheeks. For several moments, I gave into my emotions, the moisture of my pain soaking into the denim of my jeans. Noir's hateful words had seared my soul, and I began to rock, my stomach tied into a knot from the ribbon of emotions that wrapped their way around my insides, squeezing to the point I felt unable to draw a breath.

Little by little, the storm of tears eased, leaving me drained. With little energy, I lifted my head, swiping at the moisture on my cheeks with a shaky hand before pushing at the damp tendrils of hair that clung to my wet lashes. The fact I hadn't heard Noir come out of the room yet suddenly hit me, and I jerked to my feet, having no plans to cross paths with him anytime in the near future.

As I took a step down the hall, a loud clap of thunder reverberated around the small space and a derisive laugh ripped from deep within my chest at how befitting the sound was in its reflection of my tumultuous emotions. After making my way the rest of the way down the hall, I found myself in a large library. My eyes scanned the room, and I took in its grandeur. Soft, golden light coming from a lamp on an end table illuminated the multitude of books and opulent furnishings. The air carried the scent of aged leather, tobacco, and expensive liquor. Eyes continuing to travel further around the room, I noted a set of large windows adorning one wall.

Seconds later, I found myself walking in their direction at hearing the soft patters of rain landing on the outer panes of glass: their sound permeated the air with a rhythmic beat that drew me to the window. Pushing aside the voluminous curtain, I peered out through the glass. The light fall of precipitation made the landscape glisten with softness and the scene before me appearing to be applied by the gentle artistic brush of a water-colorist, sending forth an invitation to come explore the moisture laden wonderland. Suddenly fI elt a yearning to have the touch of rain upon my skin, its dewy kiss upon my face. However, I knew it was a useless desire. Hands resting on the frame, I placed my forehead against the glass, feeling its cool smoothness against my skin. Closing my eyes, I wished for things impossible to attain at the moment.

Suddenly, my eyes popped open, and a feeling of idiocy swamped through me. God, what an idiot! Tentatively, I placed my palms against the glass, a slight apprehension of hearing the shrill shriek of an alarm shouting to all listening of what I had dared to do, washing through me. When nothing happened, I wondered if there might be a silent alarm. Quickly, my imagination formed hoards of people bursting into the rooms in their effort to stall my plan. But, after a few seconds and still nothing having happened, I found my bravery growing. Once again, I closed my eyes, summoning my magic. At feeling its warmth emerge from within my palms, I held them firmly against the glass and concentrated. A sizzling crack filled the air as the glass shattered beneath my palms. Holy hell! Could it have really been this easy all along?

Hurriedly pulling my sleeves down over my hands, I quickly wiped away the shards of glass. Then, placing my hands on the screen, I shoved. I had fully expected to encounter some resistance from the wire mesh and had placed more pressure on the screen than had been necessary and I wound up tumbling out of the window. I gave a grunt as my face smacked the ground, my body quickly following as it poured out the window like softened ice-cream flowing over the edge of a countertop. The momentum of my weight shoved my face into the grass and mud and pushed me forward, sliding me across the ground's surface like a backhoe pushing dirt. When I finally came to a stop, I rolled over onto my back, then sitting up, I began spitting mud and grass as a trail of cuss words erupted from between my lips. Afterward, jerking to my feet, I took off running, my feet splashing through rain formed puddles. My only thought was one of freedom. That was until I heard the soft, squishy thud of another set of footfalls behind me, and turning, I gazed over my shoulder in dismay at the imposing figure of Noir as he trotted toward me.

Quickly outpacing my stride, he came abreast of me, as with a flash of movement, he scooped me off the ground and tossed me over his shoulder. Gazing at the ground from my upside down position, I screamed. "Why won't you let me leave?" I hadn't expected an answer, and I didn't get one.

With my rear end pointing towards the sky, stuck-up in the air like a beacon, my head dangled, banging against the hardened plains of Noir's back like a cork bobbing in water as he made an about face, and I couldn't help the gasp of awe as I took in the imposing structure of the mansion that had become my prison. *Holy fuck, it was the Walt Disney castle!!* I thought, then began laughing insanely.