— "THE BOOK!" he shouted, echoing her words.
She stayed quiet, waiting for him to calm down so she could explain.
— "Why… why did you do it?" he asked softly.
— "You know why…" she wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come.
He looked into her round, wet eyes, seeing all the pain inside. His face softened.
— "But… I didn't manage to summon him… I think."
— "You think?" he repeated.
— "Nicholas… he's still with me," she said it like it was the most normal thing in the world.
— "What are you saying?" his face twisted with fearful disbelief.
— "Really. I… I saw him. At least, I think I did. One morning… in the mirror! But it wasn't really him, it was his shadow."
Nicholas listened carefully, not interrupting.
— "He was tall… long hair… shoulder-length hair! And the only reason I knew it was him…" she hesitated, "…was the horns. He had short, ugly horns."
He didn't know how to react. But somehow, he believed her.
— "It was so quick… just one second," she whispered, as if convincing herself. "Do you think I'm crazy?" she pulled herself out of the memory and asked him honestly.
— "No," he answered firmly.
— "So… it wasn't my father? It was him! All him!" she cried out, angry and confused, not knowing who to blame.
— "I don't want this! Nicholas, I don't want it! I want to get rid of him! Please…" she begged desperately. "Why?! Why is he doing this?!" she wept, her tears mixing with rage and despair.
Nicholas couldn't bear her torment. He pulled her close, holding her tightly to calm her.
She kept mumbling, hitting him with her hands, trying to rid herself of the hatred. But finally she gave in and stayed in his arms, exhausted and quiet.
— "I heard what you said in the church," he gently pushed her back a little and looked at her.
She blushed, quickly turned her head away, unable to meet his eyes.
— "I want you to know… everything I said… it was true…" she still sobbed.
— "I won't leave you, Lucy. You're mine. You'll be with me forever," he told her with certainty, his words sounding like a promise.
She didn't know if that was what she really wanted, but she felt she belonged at his side.
She looked at him with wet, sparkling eyes. Nicholas caressed her cheek and gently wiped away the dried tears. Under the weight of doubt and hesitation, she closed her eyes. He leaned in carefully and pressed his lips against hers, as if to swallow all her pain and uncertainty.
— "AAAA!" Lucy suddenly jumped from the bed with a painful scream. The dull thunder and heavy rain blended with Lucy's moans and sorrowful cries.
Soaked in sweat, she gasped for breath, trying to inhale. She curled up against the wall and hugged her knees tightly. Every time the rumbling echoed through the empty house her legs were shaking. Lightning was flashing blindly in the small window.
Uncertain and doubtful, she pushed herself out of bed and walked toward the little kitchen. With determination, she came to the table where she usually peeled potatoes, but stopped. Her intent was broken again and again by the white flashes of thunder. Still, she reached out her weak, wet hands to the stand and gripped the wooden handle of a knife tightly.
Overcome with emotion, she ran outside, carried by the cold wind. Within a second of stepping into the heavy downpour, she was completely soaked—her hair and nightgown drenched until they were nearly see-through. Her soul was weighed down by unshakable dread. Dark, haunting thoughts swirled in her mind, pushing her forward along a path swallowed by cruel darkness. She didn't hurry—she stepped slowly, her feet sinking into the cold, ugly mud.
She knew where she was going, and with that awareness her heart pounded faster, almost breaking from her chest.
Nicholas, at that moment in the church, was spending his time to brighter spiritual forces. He whispered prayers quietly.
As soon as Lucy stepped into the warm refuge, that was gently lit by candlelight on the lectern where Nicholas stood still and calm, the heavy doors slammed shut behind her with a bang.
At the sound, Nicholas turned: "Who's there?" He stared into the darkness where Lucy was hidden.
Lucy, dripping with tiny drops of rainwater, stood frozen. Fear had taken hold of her body.
Hearing her sobs from the dark, Nicholas moved closer to the sound.
— "Lucy?!" he stopped, startled, when the trembling, terrified figure appeared before him.