Tori's Wrong Turn

"All men kill the thing they love." Oscar Wilde

Tori drove along a lonely road, a detour that seemed to lead to nowhere. Biting her bottom lip, she wondered, Maybe I should turn back - something doesn't feel right. She kept seeing black shadows here and there - Dread twisted her gut as they crossed the road in front of her car. Pinching the bridge of her nose, a throbbing sensation in her head made her head hurt. The need to relieve herself made her squirm in her seat.

Tori was about to turn around when she spotted buildings up ahead. The cloudy sky made everything look eerie, but she continued to drive down a narrow street. The temperature seemed to drop twenty degrees as she passed ancient, deserted dwellings. Looking up at the sky, she thought her tired eyes were deceiving her when she saw a body hanging in midair, arms splayed outward. Tori closed her eyes, hoping the horrid, twisted sight would disappear. She opened her eyes again, nope, the body was still there! She bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. Her stomach rumbled and she opened the car door to throw up.

She leaned back in her seat and felt beads of sweat rolling down her face. I'm having a panic attack! She began to back up out of this dreadful place when something tapped on her window. Tori swung her head towards the sound but there was no one there. Passing a hand over her face, Tori wondered if this place was haunted. She peered back at the poor soul hanging there all alone, no one bothered to cut him down. Most likely he was tortured. Well, he’s feeling no more pain.

I sure don’t want to meet anybody who lives in this town! She spotted an enchanting light ahead, it seemed to beckon her forward. "Nope, I'm out of here!" Tori began to back up again but stopped abruptly when a dark shadow appeared in the back of her car. Her hands clenched on the wheel. Why do I keep seeing black shadows?

She screamed when her car door jerked open. Damn! I forgot to lock the door when I threw up!

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like our little village?” The man seemed to stare right through her, his abrasive behavior made Tori's jaw clench. He smelled like coffee and cinnamon, but his persona was cold as ice.

Tori pointed a shaking finger at the person hanging high.

He smirked, “Nobody leaves here! You are now one of us.”

Gathering all her courage, Tori glared at him, thinking about her family and friends back home. “I’m not staying here!”

“Yes, you are!" He pulled her out of the car. "My name is Sam, let me show you to your room.” He took her by the arm and led her away.

“What about my things? What about my car?”

“Somebody will deliver your things to you. Your car will be taken care of.”

“Who is that poor soul hanging there?"

“Oh, that’s my wife, she was very naughty, wanting to leave here.”

I don't blame her! Tori licked her dry lips, "Didn't you love her?"

"Sure, but what has love got to do with it!" Sam shrugged. "She tried to sneak away, and I caught her."

Tori was dragged into an old building that smelled musty and mildewy. She was led down a dimly lit hallway until they came to room number 43 where she was shoved inside. When hearing he locked the door, Tori pounded on the door. "Hey, you can't lock me in here! I will not be a prisoner!"

Tori gave up when no one came to her rescue. She felt defeated, her legs shaking, she turned to check out the room. There was a double bed, a closet, and a bathroom that she walked inside and locked the door.

"Please God, help me!" Tori said as she looked into the mirror.

A knock on the door made Tori jump. When the knock sounded again, she walked out of the bathroom to open the door. A beautiful young woman stood with her luggage and handbag. “Hi! My name is Delila. Here are your things from the car.”

“Thank you! Do you happen to know where my car is?”

“No, I’m sorry, I do not.”

“Please don’t lock the door, I would like a chance to look around.”

“I can show you around tomorrow. But orders are, I must lock this door.”

"No, no, don't!" Tori cried.

The lock turned, and once more she was imprisoned. “What am I going to do?” Tori whispered. She glanced around the room once again before walking over to the bed. She must have fallen asleep; because she woke up to another knock.

It was Delila. "Hi, I'm here to take you downstairs for breakfast." She showed Tori the way to a remodeled kitchen where they sat down. A lady, Delia's mother, brought them a plate of toast, eggs, and bacon.

Delia talked as they ate. "This place is my home, I was born here twenty-four years ago. By the way, you never told me your name."

"I'm sorry! I was so mad about the treatment I got from Sam and you, I didn't trust anyone. I'm Tori. We're almost the same age, I'm twenty-one."

“Great! We'll become good friends,” Delila laughed. She held the outer door open. "Come on, I will show you around my town."

Tori found the village looked less daunting in the morning light. The first thing she checked was if the body was still hanging. Thankfully it was gone!

Delila asked. “Well, what do you think of our little village? Isn't that amazing!"

“Yes, it is! You were born here so, naturally, you’re proud to live here.” Tori looked down at her feet while walking. “I miss my hometown, my family, and my friends.”

“I’m so sorry Sam is holding you prisoner! He seems to have taken a liking to you.”

“What! He sure didn’t show it! Plus, you don’t imprison someone you like." Tori snapped her fingers. "Wait! He did hang his wife up high even though he admits he loved her. Do you do that to all who show up here and don't want to stay?”

“I can't say or I'll get in trouble."

"Fine! How would you like being locked up?” Tori crossed her arms over her chest.

Delila avoided eye contact, “Come on, I’ll take you back to your room.”

“Better yet, you can take me to my car,” Tori demanded.

Delila backed up. “Sorry, I am not allowed to do that.”

“All I can say is I sure ended up in a bizarre place!”

Back in her room, Tori began to pace, trying to think of a way out of this mess. If I befriend Delila, and make her trust me, maybe I'll be able to roam free instead of being locked up.

Tori turned at the knock on the door. Maybe Delila changed her mind and she's come back to help me! She ran to open the door. "Did you chan...?"

Sam stood looking at her. “Who were you expecting?" When Tori stayed quiet, he took her by the arm, "Come on, I’ll take you to dinner.”

Sam ordered Lasagna. Tori ate with her defenses up. She didn't trust anyone who kept people against their will. Sam was pleasant enough and kept the conversation going. His next few words sent ice down her veins.

“As you know, I am on the lookout for another wife. You and I will wed tomorrow.”

Tori nearly fell out of her chair. “I don’t even know you! Why in the world do I want to marry you?”

“You don’t have any choice in the matter. You are going to be my bride!”

“And end up like your last wife! No way!” Tori stormed out with Sam right behind her.

“You are not getting away so get that through your head.”

That night, Tori asked Delila to show her where her car is. “You'll lock me up in my room again, so what harm will it cause?”

Delila rubbed her temple, then nodded. "That's true, follow me!" They walked down a lonely street until they reach an alleyway. "Your car is here.”

“Are the keys in there”

“Sure! No one drives cars around here. We don’t go anywhere so why need one.”

Tori walked over to her car. She tried the doors and they opened! The keys were in the ignition, and all appeared just as she left it. “I have to get out of here!” She didn’t realize she spoke out loud until she heard Delila gasp.

“I have a home, and I need to go back. Plus, Sam wants me to marry him tomorrow!”

“Wow! He sure works fast! Okay, I’ll help you.”

“This won’t get you in trouble, will it?"

“It might, but I like you. I don't believe in keeping anyone against their will."

“If you can get my bag without getting caught, that’s all I need.”

Ten minutes later, Delila brought the bag. “So far, so good! Now... all you have to do is follow this alleyway to the end, turn right, and you will be on your way.”

“You want to come with me?”

“I sure would like to see what’s beyond this place, but I cannot leave my elderly parents.”

“I understand! Goodbye, I hope to see you again somewhere beyond this place.”

“I do too!" The two women hugged goodbye.

Tori started the car, and drove down the alley, turning right onto a lonely road. She was on her way home! She turned on the radio. All was well! I don’t think I'll go down any detours from now on!

The car started to sputter before coming to an abrupt stop. “Now what?” She looked down and noticed her problem. I had a half tank of gas!

Her car door opened, and Sam pulled her out of the seat. “I drained the gas out of the car. Sorry, you are going nowhere! You and Delila are getting strung up.”

“What!” Tori’s legs gave way and Sam had to hold her up.

“I told you that you're never leaving this place. I gave you a chance to become my wife, now, you just gave me your answer.”

Back at the village, Tori saw Delila hanging high. “Please take her down!”

“No can do! Now strip!”

"What!" Tori shrugged and stripped, tears falling onto her naked body. "Can't you just make this a lesson learned for Delila?"

Sam pushed her forward, "Just keep moving! Pain will become your middle name."

Tori swayed back and forth, feeling faint, standing beneath Delila.

Sam put the rope around her body and neck, then pulled her up next to Delila. Tori saw the pain in her eyes and whispered, “I’m so sorry!”

I wonder if I will become one of the shadows roaming around. A shock wave interrupted Tori's thoughts, making her body stiffen in pain. Tears of joy ran down Tori's face when they stopped. Just when she began to relax, another one exploded through her system. It kept going on and on - just when she thought it couldn't get any worse, a massive shock wave sent her body into convulsions... then she felt herself falling... Am I still alive?



1850 words
Written for: "Into The Darkness "