Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 54 – Inner Child

“The child is in me still and sometimes not so still.“–Fred Rogers

Kiya

All I could see is endless blackness.

+109

Bonus

02:42

I should’ve been more careful. How could I have been so weak? Osiris thwarted my escape attempt once he got his slimy hands on me, proving Artemis right. I walked into a trap. His twisted game preyed on my willpower and desperation to get home. My suffering is amusing to him. Now, as my reward, I’m plunged into a realm of nothingness, detached from my body.

Trapped in a world without light is terrifying. No one is here for comfort or chatter; just a person and their thoughts. Thoughts they don’t want. A teeth–chattering chill blankets my form, nipping at my flesh with reckless abandon as I slowly arose to consciousness, aware of the foreign sensations.

What did Osiris do to me?! Knowing his modus operandi, the bastard can lurk in the surrounding shadows, waiting for a moment to strike. Monstrous, evil, dark–there is nothing good about that man. Despite my weakness, I’m willing to fight him until my last breath.

A sudden warmth brushed up against my side, soft and inviting; a heavy contrast to the surrounding chill. The warmth grew rapidly. When I turned my head to see who or what it came from, my eyes met with a pair of electric blues and an elongated snout. A snout I’ve grown to love. Squealing in excitement, I tackled the culprit, nuzzling my head in her soft white pelt.

“Artemis!” This is the second time I hugged my wolf in her physical form and I never felt happier. Feeling Artemis‘ fur in between my fingers is a feeling I’ll relish forever. I love her so much; my rock and best friend.

“I’m glad you’re okay, Kiki.” She responded, licking my face when I pulled back. Wet, her tongue left a streak of drool on my check. Unlike the average dog, I didn’t mind if Artemis licked the skin off my face.

“I’m glad you’re okay too! But…” My grin fell into a concerned frown when I scanned my dark surroundings. “Does this mean we’re dead, Art? Because last time-?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Artemis shook her head, fur swaying. “We’re still alive, thank Goddess. However, you’re in a state between wakefulness and sleep. Osiris shut your body down with his dark powers, but your mind is still alert and functioning.”

“So, I’m lucid dreaming, but to the extreme?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. My wolf sat on her rear, tail wagging.

“I suppose, but that doesn’t matter. We got to get you to wake up, but I feel Osiris influence everywhere, even around your physical body.” She warned, her voice dropping an octave. “We need to be careful. Anything can happen.”

Nodding curtly, I rose to my feet. This man earned himself a spot on my hate list. This madness has gone on far enough. I’m sick of the pursuit; I just want to go home. But I am worried about one thing; how am I going to wake up? Do I need to connect to my body and if so, how the fuck do I do that?

R

“Okay.” I sighed, calming my beating heart. Anxiety settled in my stomach like a rock at Artemis‘ and I’s prospects. There is no telling what will happen from here on out. But I’m sure with the two of us workin together, we’ll get out of this. “Do you have any ideas-”

A high–pitched, juvenile laughter resounded in the air. “He he he!”

+109

like we aren’t alone in the trenches of my mind. We heard the laughter again, this time

“Ha ha!”

Bonus

02:38

to be careful. How could I not be careful? This is in my head! Something within urged

time I laughed like that? Memories buried under darkness are hard to uncover again, leaving behind remnants of what could have been. A mind overloaded with pain and trauma, all I remember was pain. Walking through the endless void of black, hunting for a sound that gave my

me back. I didn’t.

no smell or sound. No chirping birds or singing cicadas. A macabre scene of nature withering into nothingness, swallowed by the darkness of either mine or Osiris“. It

is when I

surrounded by dead blades of grass. She laughed and smiled, enjoying herself. I stood, watching the child’s delight in shock as

ring of fire. Underneath her sleeveless, dirty white dress, it hides more of her bruises; the hem flailing with her skips. Her hair, dense and curly, danced with her movement, some stiff against her neck. Despite looking

as she did a pirouette. “Come on! Dance

name of

agape. Artemis picked up on my shock and rubbed her snout on my arm to wake me up. My hands shook like maracas

This child…

never get tired of

“Who are you?”

+101

02-31

dancing with heavy dark eyes upon me. I spot the faint red bruise on her cheek. Curious, the girl cocked her head to the side,

She challenged, her voice

Kiya, and this is Artemis, my wolf.”

before cracking a smirk. “Kiya and Artemis…oh

now.”

“You do?”

pointed

memories of my therapist, Mayra, telling me I needed to heal my inner child. Overcome with painful and horrific memories, it was like crossing into uncharted territory. I

her neck forward. “Why are you here in

is my happy place!” Halima answered with a sharp

you’re the only one here…” I croaked out, pushing back the

never lonely

and I

shook her head, loose curls flowing. “Nope. It is very warm, like one of those heavy blankets Mommy gave me when it snowed.” Suddenly, the amusement left her eyes, leaving behind overflowing sadness with ripples

there anything I could say to that? My heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest at the intense feelings Halima was projecting. They

her rear upon the deceased leaves. “Mommy

dismay, she promptly closed

+10

Bonus

so why can’t I want the same for them. They deserve it!” Her angry eyes darted to me. “You abandoned me, Kiya! I hate that stupid

“I’m sorry…

cyes.