Chapter 5 The Time is near

THE TIME IS NEAR.

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Everyone had gone to their separate rooms. Theodora found it difficult to sleep since the weather was still not doing justice to her skin.

She shut her eyes close, with her hand moving to and fro above her head to create a little air as she seemed to be chocking.

" Theodora?" the voice came again but she ignored it, pretending not to eat it.

But each time she tries to ignore the voice, that was when it sounds louder in her head.

" Wake up, Theodora." she heard, this time louder than usual. She sighed and opened her eyes.

" It's time, Theodora. It's time." the voice continued ranting in her head.

She didn't want to disturb the other girls who were sleeping. Quietly, she walked out of the room.

She had decided to keep mute to the voice. Who knows if it was the devil talking?

" It's time, Theodora." it came again but she instead, rolled her eyes.

" What's the matter?" a voice asked, coming closer to her. Looking up to know who it was, a lady walked up to her.

At first, she thought it was Mrs Greene, but when the person came much closer, she noticed it was the curious lady who had asked her of her wolf on her first day in the camp.

" The heat is too much for my skin. I can't sleep like this. I feel like I'm melting." Theodora replied.

" Same here. Guess we've got the same skin. The story you told us tonight, where did you read it from? " She asked.

" I always go to the library where historical events were written. Poor thing. it's been destroyed alongside with my home. "

" I always love reading books too".

Theodora looked at her. " Why did you stop? " She asked.

" My wolf hates reading. Since I discovered it doesn't love books, I couldn't read one anymore. "

" That's unfair. " She said pitifully.

" I know. I only know of the incident between the two brothers, I never knew they had such a big history like this. I'm really impressed, I'd say. You are highly educative in that aspect. " She praised.

" Thank you. "

" Theodora. " Called the voice again.

" What is it? " She snapped.

" What is what?" The lady asked, surprised

Theodora waved a no at her. " It's nothing. Just the..."

She didn't let her finish her statement. " You talk with your wolf? "

" I don't think it's my wolf talking, the voice sounds much like a male's voice. " Theodora mumbled, not feeling like telling her anything but she had to in order for her not to misunderstand.

" You serious? Since when did it start? " She inquired.

" Two nights before my home was destroyed."

" What does it tell you?"

" Nothing. Just keeps calling my name like some kinda crazy moron. I am tired of it already. "

" Theodora.." Now, the voice was more deeper and harder to the ear than other times. Theodora felt the world was laid on her head.

She groaned, gnashing her teeth. " Make it stop. Make it stop."

" It's time." it kept saying.

" No. No. Make it... Stop!!!" She fell to the ground, her both hands covering her ears. " It's talking to me. The voice, I can hear it." She said faintly.

" What is it saying?"

" It's time. It's time." She fainted.

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" You think she is connected to the beast? " Asked Victoria, curiously as she paced the room with one hand under her jaw.

" Yes, I do. She said the voice sounds like that of a man. Which means it's actually not her wolf talking but the beast. "

" So... what are you trying to say? He wants her to come over to mountain Everest to save him? How is that even possible? She's gonna die halfway before she gets there. "

" It's never possible. The last time I checked, no one survives that hell of a mountain. "

" So why will he be calling her? " Victoria questioned.

" Because he wants us to know that the time when he is to regain his freedom is near. "

" That means, he is using through her to inform us? " She thought.

" Exactly the point. "

" Does she know it is him calling her? "

" I doubt. "

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Theodora jerked up from where she laid, gasping like a chased rat. She glared around, touching her face. " What happened to me? Where am I?"

The two women walked to her, touching her. " You passed out after hearing the voice." Victoria said.

" The voice, it keeps coming. And it's always calling my name. It's right here," points at her head, " and it won't stop. " She looks at them, confused. " What's happening to me? Am I gonna die?" She asked in fear.

" No, Dora, you aren't gonna die." Victoria assured her. " The voice you hear is that of the beast, it's calling you because it wants you to know that he is coming soon. "

She furrowed her brows in confusion. " I don't understand, why does it have to be me? "

" I don't know, but if what we think is true about the voice, then it means he has only but few days before the curse destroys. " The other lady said.

She shoved her hair in frustration, shooking her head slowly.

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THEODORA ✓

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The time is near, that's what the voice keeps telling me. That's what everyone says

Since I knew earth, I thought I'd forever be happy till I leave it for damn good. I never knew challenges of this kind would come.

First, losing the people I love. I know I shouldn't be thinking about them anymore but it's just not as easy as it's said. Though, I'm trying.

Now, I'm stocked in a hell of a dungeon of a crazy voice in my head which turns out to be the one person I want on the alpha throne.

He might be a beast as we all know but, I believe he is the rightful heir to the throne.

Somehow, I am beginning to regret ever learning history about this creature. I think it's because I so much put interest in it that is why I am the one getting hunted.

The time is near. Shall we all be scared? Or rather rejoice that alpha Kaleb will no longer have to threaten our lives?

" It's all gonna be over some day." Mrs Greene said to me.

Yeah, I know. One day, all this will turn out to be a story to tell. But for now, it's damn reality in my head.

" But why does it have to be me?" I asked, terrified. " I don't know him quite well, I just read books about it. It was said that he would never find love or happiness, does he wanna turn me to his tool for vengeance?"

Mrs Greene looked at the other lady whom I later got to know her name as Miss Meyer.

I know it was a lot difficult to give an answer to my question. But did I lie? There is every possiblity that he wants me as a tool.

Plus, I don't even know what kind of wolf I am? What if he had seized it from growing all for his gain?

Damn! My head is so full and I can't even think straight right now.

" Well, I do think his return should be a jubilation to us. That dude of an alpha called Kaleb is a pain in the ass and I can't stop imagining how sweet his death would be. If there is anything the beast has to do to him, is to rip off his throat for the dogs to eat." Miss Meyers cursed.

" I am scared."

" Why?" They asked in unison.

" Of tonight. I don't think I can close my eyes. Right now as we speak, I can't explain how weak I am. The voice still rings in my head, and it's surpressing me. " She blinked slowly. " I think I'm gonna pass out."

" Again?" That was the last thing I heard, then every thing went dark.

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WRITER ✓

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Theodora's eyes closed. They tapped her but she wasn't responding. " How close is he?" Victoria asked. Since Miss Meyers was another person who knows much about the beast.

" I think it's very close. " Touches her neck to feel her temperature. " She's cold."

Victoria felt her pulse, they were beating slow. " We need to rush her to the hospital."

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~ UNDERNEATH MOUNT EVEREST***

THEODORA ✓

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I opened my eyes to see myself laying on the floor in a dark and strange place. I wouldn't say it is a room because it doesn't look like any to me.

The atmosphere smelt like ice, and the breeze which blew to my skin made me shiver.

I forced myself to stand to my feet, I couldn't move, my legs are stiffened and it's all because the cold here was hundred degree lower than the United States.

I folded my arms around my chest, I could hear the sound of my teeth gnashing each other.

"What's this place?" I asked myself.

I started walking to where the spirit leads. I got to a point where I was in no control of myself. I was moving not of my own free will.

" What's happening to me?" I asked, still walking motionless. " Why am I not stopping?"

Then I heard a loud growl. I wanted to stop, I desperately wanted to but I couldn't. My heart beat became fast and loud.

I got to a place still with no sun light. But the source of the light which illuminated the place was from a glass vessel.

I was glaring at this vessel which had a pink flower contained in it. It was so beautiful that I couldn't resist the sight.

I walked close to the rocky table where it was kept. My hand was halfway to touch it when a deep growl sounded from behind me.

I froze in fear, with a sudden pause. Slowly, I moved my gaze towards the direction the sound was heard.

My head almost swell in fear and shock to see the figure, the creature hung by a strong metal chain on both hands and legs.

I swallowed hard.

It wasn't looking at me, it looked dead but his breath was loud like that of a buffalo.

Does it mean... I am staring at the cursed beast? The very one history has told us about??

Again, I turned my gaze to the flower, it had only one leaf left. But it looks fresh. It still have a long day ahead before it drops to the ground.

I looked at the beast once again, it looks horrific and scary to the marrow. How can a human look like this? I wondered.

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WRITER ✓

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She was lost in thought that she didn't realize the creature was staring at her. It was silently watching her.

When she moved her gaze back to him.... She stiffened like ice.

Theodora almost felt like passing out and if possible, let the ground open in halves and have her eaten in whole.

Face to face she was staring at the beast, no longer as an image in the history book, but as reality before her.

In a very deep voice, he echoed. "YOU ARE MINE! MY QUEEN!

IT TOOK ME YEARS TO FIND YOU AND NOW THAT I HAVE, I WOULD NEVER LET YOU GO!" His voice thundered, sending shivers down Theodora's spin.

What do you mean? Theodora wanted to ask but instead found herself nodding to his words. She kept looking at the beast whose appearance surprisingly didn't make her scared.

RAYMOND'S POV

I stare back at the petite lady in the illusion I made through my beast form. She fearlessly stood in front of me, the shock which were previously written on her face has washed off and she doesn't seem to be scared of me.

I have no idea why I'm drawn to her or why I find myself calling out to her but I can't seem to help myself.

A certain force kept pushing me and whenever I try resisting, my head burns.

It seemed to me the girl could be somehow connected to me. She might be able to free me or maybe she was the redemption the witch spoke of.

It's been hundred years since I got trapped in this beast body tied to this forest all because of the silly mistake of Kaleb whom I later found out through the beast betrayed me.

Hundred years wasting away and the tree leaves doesn't seem to be shedding. Hundred years been controlled by a beast who seeks for vengeance. The beast is me and I am the beast. We both belong to each other but I could still feel my original body trapped inside the heart of the beast.

Staring back into the eyes of the young lady, my heart began beating furiously. This time, it wasn't the hard beat of the beast but the tender beat of my original body. I could feel it and I could smell freedom.

"Why do you always call me and why did you say I'm your queen" she spoke. Her voice was as calm as the wind and her ocean blue eyes swallowing me in them.

"You're my redemption and my queen Theodora. With you, I would be able to conquer and take back what belongs to me" I found myself saying in the beast's voice.

"But why me?" She asked looking confused. Is it became I tell your story? She added.

I swallowed and moved my eyes away from hers. I have no answer to her questions. The beast does and even I do not know why he chose her.

Even though I'm the same with the beast, it is dominant over me and sometimes, refuses to share anything with me. We both have common goal and that is to gain freedom and what belongs to us with is the throne which kaleb snatched away.

"Go back home Theodora, Be strong and vigilant for the time is near" I muttered but as usual, my voice came out thunderously.