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Happy Holidays!

- KL Ogden

A Glimpse into Darkest Reflection (Sweet Burden Series Vol. 2.5) Novella

A short glimpse into the Sweet Burden novella, Darkest Reflection (Sweet Burden Series Vol 2.5)...if you haven't read Divine Mourning this contains *spoilers*.

Part Of Darkest Reflection

Obi couldn't help but wonder what was taking so long to die. The blood had invaded his body and taken a hold of him. He felt weightless and liberated. He wouldn't have to struggle with the evil inside him any longer. The devil was gone. It wasn't clawing at his insides. It wasn't begging to be released. He was finally able to have some sort of peace. But he still couldn't shake the internal hatred towards himself.

If only he had been able to control it…

If only he could have overcome it. However he let the evil consume him. His purpose was to protect Hitomi, but he never thought he’d have to protect her from himself.

“Did you really think your plan would work?” a voice questioned in the distance. The female voice was childlike, but condescending. He couldn't understand where it was coming from.

“I could have told you it wasn't going to work,” the voice said with a sigh. “And now look at you. You’re a pathetic crumpled mess.” The voice became louder and then he felt a velvety fabric dabbing at the moisture in the corners of his eyes.

When he opened his eyes everything was blindingly bright and he tried to shield himself from it, but his body was too weak. He blinked repeatedly letting his eyes finally adjust. The fabric skimmed across his cheeks and he looked at the figure next to him. There was a small frail girl sitting in the snow beside him. She couldn't have been more than 13 or 14 years old. She had stringy black hair that hung down over her shoulders and bright green eyes. Her skin was practically white and she wore a black sheath dress. A set of black wings protruded from the back of her shoulders and were a stark contrast against her pale skin.

As his gaze settled back on her face, she smirked displaying a mouth full of decaying brown teeth. If Obi could have moved away from her, he would have. She seemed feeble, but somehow Obi knew she wasn't.

She turned her face towards the sky and closed her eyes while inhaling deeply. She let out another exasperated sigh and looked back down at him. “It’s time.”

“Time for what?” Obi asked, each word straining to be spoken.

She ignored him and laid her head down on his chest. He wanted to push her away, but his limbs would not comply. She took in another deep breath and a low groan erupted from her throat.

“You smell amazing,” she commented as she lifted her head back up. From her expression she appeared to be in ecstasy. She shook her head and giggled. “No one has ever smelled quite like you. It’s delicious.”

Obi stared at her horrified and watched as she dug something out beside her. She lifted a small vial of clear liquid and swirled it around. It turned to a deep jade color and started shimmering. She had a satisfied look on her face and put the vial to his mouth.

“Drink,” she commanded.

He wished he had the energy to push her away. His insides quivered with trepidation. She parted his lips and poured the liquid into his mouth. He wanted to resist, but he couldn't  The liquid hit his tongue and slid down his throat. He felt it trickling through his insides. It was sweet and thick like syrup. It prickled and burned once it hit his stomach before his eyes rolled back in his head.

Obi was looking down on himself as he stood next to the creepy girl. Her wing passed right through his leg but his eyes were too aware of the state of himself. His body appeared irreparable and disgraceful. The self-loathing deepened as his spirit self began trembling. Little shocks started striking his nerves and his eyes shot open at the realization. He was back in his body staring up at the grey sky. And somehow he was still there.

What had she given him and why? He was starting to feel again. He should have been dead. His body should have dissipated. Maybe he was actually dead. Was he in some other world? Everything looked the same. He could feel the frozen ground against his back again. What was he now?

“Geez. Stop questioning everything. Just close your eyes. We’re going on a trip,” the girl said sounding annoyed.

Had he spoken aloud? Could this girl read his thoughts? “A trip?” Obi mumbled. Abruptly the bits of electricity ignited all the pain he had previously felt. It was as if he was being stabbed repeatedly again. Each wound burned and his body arched in agony as he cried out in desperation for it to end.

“Shush.” She put her finger over his lips. “It’s sleepy time,” her voice sung.

As if on cue from her words, Obi’s body listened to her request. The pain subsided as his eyelids got heavy and closed. He was almost passed out when he felt his body being lifted. The icy ground underneath him was replaced by bony chilled arms. Wind whipped against his face as everything faded until it disappeared.