I’ve been running for a few minutes now. I catch my breath quickly and notice a little shack covered in moss ahead. Broken windows adorn the front of the house, and there isn’t a door on the doorframe.
Curiosity piqued, I step inside, needing to get somewhere dry.
Inside the shack, the air is thick with an ancient, musty scent that mingles with the earthy aroma of herbs long since dried. Rich green moss climbs the weathered walls, its soft texture contrasting with the rough stones beneath. Handcrafted symbols, woven from delicate sticks, herbs, and once vibrant flowers, dangle from the ceiling like forgotten relics of an ancient ritual.
The center of the floor has a ceremonial circle, which seems to be burned into the ancient wood. Symbols are etched in the circle along with what looks to be a pentagram—north, east, south, west are placed at the cardinal points. Old, melted wax coats the center of the circle.
The atmosphere is undeniably witchy, thick with mystery and unspoken stories. A flicker of fear brushes against my spine, sending a shiver through my body, but I quickly set it aside, my curiosity pulling me deeper into this eerie space.
My necklace starts to thrum between my breasts.
Adonis is near.
I briefly look around at my surroundings. It’s small inside. Time and exposure has warped the wooden beams. I doubt anyone had truly lived here, but perhaps someone seeking solace once upon a time found temporary refuge within these walls.
The roof leaks—a gentle, rhythmic drip—while shadows dance along the corners, draped in thick, glimmering cobwebs that catch the light like ethereal veils.
Every creak of the floorboards beneath my feet seems to echo with the whispers of old magic. I spot a small closet, which might have even been a pantry, and hide within. The door creaks open, its broken hinges protesting as I push it aside with utmost care, mindful not to dislodge it entirely. I duck beneath the low shelf, where dusty jars filled with mysterious contents line the space—some labeled with faded tags that hint at their arcane purpose, while others remain shrouded in secrecy. I can almost hear the echoes of spells whispered.
My necklace starts to pulse again, this time more prominent.
I smile to myself, giddy for Adonis to find me.
I sit with my arms wrapped around my knees, pulling them to my chest. I remain quiet, biting my lower lip in anticipation.
My eyes dart anxiously around the cramped wooden closet; the scent of aged timber fills my senses. Once sturdy, the wood bears the telltale scars of termite damage, riddled with tiny holes and soft patches hinting at years of decay.
As I explore the closet’s shadows, something catches my attention—a small fragment protruding from the middle of the wall. It appears to be an old piece of material, perhaps animal hide or a plant-based substance, its texture worn and brittle. This object seems to have been tucked away in the wall for ages, a secret long concealed; yet, time has conspired against it, gradually peeling back its hiding place, leaving it exposed to the world once more.
I run my fingers over it.
Dust swirls in the air like tiny dancers, and I brush it away with a gentle wave. The fabric beneath my fingers feels luxuriously soft yet remarkably delicate, unmistakably remnants of animal skin. It resembles an ancient treasure map.
As I tug on it, the material effortlessly releases from the wall as though it has been waiting for me to discover it all along.
I take a moment to blow the accumulated dust off the surface, revealing intricate textures and faded patterns. The fabric is artfully rolled up, bound by a vibrant red ribbon that contrasts beautifully with the muted tones of the material. At its edge, a small wax seal glistens with inky blackness, hinting at the mystery and history contained within this unexpected find. The page looks as if it’s been ripped out of a book.
The floors groan, as heavy footsteps near. My heart begins to pound in my chest. I tuck the paper into my bra, hoping to keep it dry.
“Dani... Dani... Dani,” Adonis’ voice resonates in the room, and I smile. “Out of all places, of course, you would stumble here. My curious goddess.”
So he knows what this place is? Interesting.
“As if I couldn’t find you in this shit-hole of a place...” He strides forward with heavy, echoing footsteps reverberating in the dank air. I can feel his presence drawing closer as he approaches me.
The closet door is ripped violently from its hinges, and I let out a startled squeal. Adonis stands with a commanding presence, shirtless. His tan skin glistens from the rain as it cascades down his sculpted chest, each droplet landing with a resonantsplaton the floor, accentuating the power of his physique. Jet black hair, damp from the downpour, clings to his forehead, falling over his beautiful, designed demonic mask. The dimple on his chin deepens as he curves his mouth up into a half smile. An expression of amusement, leaving me breathless as I sit on the ground, captivated by his presence.
He roughly grabs me by the back of my neck and drags me out of the closet. He lifts me to my feet, “Caught you,” his blue eyes shimmer behind his mask.
Before I can speak, he crashes his lips over mine in a hungry embrace. My hands roam his chest and abs, and I eagerly start to undo his belt.
He swats my hands away, “Turn around,” his tone is demanding. I turn around, my breath becoming heavy with desire. “No talking,” he says, and a gag suddenly hits my mouth. I make a muffled sound against it, and Adonis slaps my ass. Since my pants are wet, the blow makes my skin sting. And I fucking love it.
“In fact, no looking either.” His shadows creep up my body like snakes, forming a blindfold over my eyes. They caress my skin tenderly.
I hear him undo his belt.
“You want to know what this little house was?” He asks me while trailing his hand up and down my arms. He slowly starts unbuttoning my pants, and slides them down to my ankles.
