Claimed by The Rogue Alpha
Claimed By The Rogue Alpha Chapter 20

==Matteo==

I found himself there again. That void that seemed to stretch to eternity. I made to shout, but stopped myself. It was of no use. I'd been there before; of course I knew my vocal cords would be magically paralysed. Or would it? It wouldn't hurt to give it a shot, would it. I'd be an idiot if it failed, but hey, there wasn't anyone here to rain insults on me with their humiliating laughter. So, good.

I followed my instincts. I shouted. And surprisingly, a sound came out form me. But there was problem. Something was off. What I'd had in mind to say wasn't what I actually said. Moreso, my voice was a shrill, tiny like a little boy's. "Mum!"

That was what I'd said. I tried again, hoping that I got to hear the 'hello' if intended, but the sake thing happened. "Mum!"

I turned around, but was met with the same dark void. Was this the work of Angela De La Crux? Was it? Good Lord, if that was the case, I would skin her alive this time. I would press my hand around her throat and sniff the life out of her. What is the meaning of this? Then, I heard a noise. It sounded like a car revving towards me. I turned to the direction of the sound. But I saw nothing. Then, I saw it. The stark white jeep approached me. I saw it, clear as the sky. It picked up speed and came rushing towards me. I tried to move away, but I couldn't replace my legs. Horror danced across my face. I tried again to jump out. To make a leap, but like before, I was rotted to this spot.

All of a sudden, the car seemed to be teleported to my side. I became a spectator, watching as it kept moving until a creature leapt out of the bushes. This creature had black shiny fur and fiery red eyes. It was quite tiny, more like a young wolf. It growled, exposing its fierce teeth. In one swift move, it pounced on the bonnet of the car, catching the driver off guard. The car swerved and skidded before vanishing into thin air.

I jammed my eyes open, looking around. I was in the sun lounge. Sweat trickled down my brow. It was a dream. F**k. I felt my eyes sting and I closed them. Holding back the hot tears that wanted to fall. F**k. I groaned. It had been long since I had the attacks. I couldn't understand why they were all coming back now. First it was Angela De La Crux, now this?

I groaned again as I rose from the lounge. Perhaps, a good f**k would get me out of this. As I turned to leave, my eyes fell on a figure. A tiny figure donning a floral dress. Her hair, blonde like a hay field, shone under the sunlight, while the breeze blew it gently. The breeze came again, more harshly this time, and it hitched up her dress. I caught a glimpse of her smooth thighs. And something throbbed within me. I shook my head, shutting my eyes close. Get your shit together. She wasn't my type. Never would be. I turned to leave again, but I couldn't. Somehow I was curious and I stayed behind watching her go round and round the maze.

She traced her fingers as she went. A smile playing on her lips. That was when I saw the depression on her cheek. A dimple. She was... She reminded me of someone. Someone I didn't want to be reminded off.

I sighed. It was confirmed. I was going crazy. Here I was oogling a slave. My life was a joke. A f*****g joke. Grunting as I stood, I made a beeline for the bar downstairs. I took a bottle of whiskey and poured it into a tumbler. Picking it up, I stared at the golden coloured liquid, hesitating. Not sure if I wanted to drink. I couldn't remember the last time I drank alcohol. Certainly, it wasn't after I turned 21. I sighed. I was back to square one.

I brushed my reservation aside and gulped down the liquid. Gritting my teeth. The liquid scorched my throat. I coughed. F**k. Why did I have that dream? Why were they all coming back? I poured in another glass. I killed them. I f*****g did. I never forgave myself for that.

A dry laugh left my lips. The guilt would remain there. I was a monster. Stricken with grief and all things regret, I dumped the liquid into my mouth. I went again and again with it, till my vision became hazy and I couldn't carry myself anymore.

I pushed forward, using the edge of the table to stable myself. Getting to the end of the edge, I was left all by myself. I groaned. It was a drawn out sound that did sound strange to my ears. With great labor, I put my foot forward. Then, the other one.