Cursed Bonds Ch. 01
Comments, critiques and tips are welcome!
***
Prologue:
Somewhere far from the city, on a cliff... 8 years ago
*
The wind howled through the night, a violent symphony of nature's fury, as the moon hung high in the sky, casting a ghostly glow over the landscape. Leaves rattled in the trees, their whispers lost in the cacophony of the storm. Amidst the chaos, footprints marred the muddy ground, leading to the edge of a cliff.
A man stood there, barefooted, his steps deliberate and slow. He was clad in white from head to toe, his attire an unsettling contrast to the dark night. His shirt, once pristine, now bore the stains of his journey. His trousers were loose, billowing in the fierce wind, and a long, white scarf wrapped around his neck fluttered wildly, streaked with what looked suspiciously like blood.
Tears streamed down his face, glistening in the moonlight, as his long, dark hair was swept back by the relentless wind, revealing eyes of a disturbing blood-red hue and filled with a tumult of emotions. His hands were clenched into fists, the knuckles white with tension, his jaw quivering with a tumult of anger and pain.
The man's head shook violently as he uttered words filled with venom and despair.
"You will never have anyone else if you can't have me. You will realize that you and I were meant to be, and I will show you." His voice was a guttural growl, barely audible over the storm.
Slowly, he opened his palm, revealing a delicate necklace with two half hearts, intricately crafted and joined together, bearing the initials "LJ". He clutched the pendant to his chest, his blood-red eyes lifting to the heavens as lightning split the sky and thunder roared in response.
With a final, resolute breath, he stepped forward, walking off the cliff and disappearing into the darkness below, the storm raging on as if to mourn the loss of another tortured soul.
Thunder split the sky, its deafening roar echoing across the cliffs, and then the heavens opened, unleashing torrents of rain. It poured down with a ferocity that seemed to mourn the soul that had just been lost, each drop a tear from the sky. The deluge turned the earth into a muddy mire, washing away the footprints and any trace of the man's final walk.
As the rain continued its relentless descent, voices began to emerge, carried on the wind. They were whispers, faint and haunting, and they didn't sound human. They seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, a chorus of ethereal murmurs that blended with the patter of the rain and the distant rumble of thunder. The voices wove through the night, their tones a mixture of sorrow, anger, and something more sinister.
"Lost... forsaken... eternal..."
The words were barely discernible, more felt than heard, and they sent a chill down the spine, colder than the night air. The whispers grew louder, intertwining with the sound of the storm, creating a symphony of despair and malevolence that permeated the night.
"Bound together... forever... in darkness..."
The rain intensified, as if the heavens themselves were sobbing, and the whispers became a cacophony of anguish and fury. The night seemed to pulse with a life of its own, the storm a manifestation of the man's tormented soul. As the wind howled and the rain fell in unrelenting sheets, the voices continued their lament, a haunting requiem for the lost and the damned.
And through it all, the cliff stood silent and imposing, a sentinel over the abyss, its secrets swallowed by the storm, waiting for the dawn to bring a semblance of calm to the shattered night.
***
Present Day...
*
The club was a beacon of light and sound, pulsating with energy. The chandeliers overhead cast a golden glow, reflecting off the polished surfaces and adding a touch of elegance to the already sophisticated ambiance. Music thumped through the air, a rhythmic beat that resonated in the very bones of those on the dance floor. Laughter and chatter filled the spaces between the beats, as people danced and mingled, lost in the euphoria of the night.
At an isolated table, away from the main crowd, sat a man who commanded attention despite his solitude. His features were striking, almost ethereal—sharp cheekbones, a chiseled jawline adorned with a beard so perfectly groomed it seemed as if angels themselves had sculpted it. His lips were a delicate shade of pink, full and inviting, and his eyes, a mesmerizing sky blue, held a celestial quality. Yet, there was a loneliness in those eyes, a depth of sorrow that contradicted their angelic appearance.
This was Lucas Elrod, a man whose handsomeness turned heads and drew admiring gazes from all around the room. Men and women alike found themselves irresistibly drawn to him, their eyes undressing him with unabashed desire. But Lucas sat detached, observing the revelry with a detached air. He took a deep, harsh breath before downing a glass of liquor, the bitterness contorting his handsome features momentarily.
The music's hypnotic beat began to draw him in, threatening to make him forget his surroundings until a familiar voice cut through the haze. Looking up, Lucas saw his best friend, Will, smiling down at him, a bottle of liquor in hand. Will was a hunk, his muscular frame and seductive smile making him the center of attention.
His light brown eyes sparkled with mischief as he asked, "Why are you sitting here all by yourself when the club is packed with people?"
Lucas sighed, his voice tinged with weariness. "I'm comfortable where I am, Will."
Will chuckled, shaking his head. "Do you have any idea how many people would throw themselves at your feet if you just snapped your fingers?"
"That's what I'm worried about," Lucas replied, his voice soft but firm. "I'm fine, really. Go enjoy yourself."
With a shrug, Will relented.
"Suit yourself."
Almost immediately, a blonde beauty pulled him by the neck, leading him to the dance floor.
Lucas watched them for a moment, a fleeting smile touching his lips before the weight of his thoughts returned. He began to fill another glass when something, or rather someone, caught his eye. A few tables away sat a strikingly handsome boy, his black skinny jeans and plain white t-shirt accentuating his lean, sexy frame. His short, dark hair, streaked with pink highlights, was styled in a man bun, adding a touch of edginess to his look.
Their eyes met, and Lucas felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him. The boy's baby blue eyes were captivating, sending shivers down Lucas's spine. His heart began to race, a feeling he hadn't experienced in what felt like an eternity. He couldn't tear his gaze away, utterly mesmerized by the sight before him.
Lucas tore his eyes away from the boy, knowing all too well the danger of allowing himself to desire something he could never have. He returned his focus to his drink, the amber liquid providing a temporary solace from the ache in his chest. He took another deep, harsh breath, letting the bitter burn of the liquor consume him. Yet, he couldn't help but wonder who the boy was, what his story might be.
Meanwhile, at the other table, the boy Lucas had been staring at was engrossed in his phone. His smile and occasional blush spoke of a conversation filled with affection and warmth. His fingers danced across the screen, completely absorbed until a voice cut through his reverie.
"Liam, what's got you so invested in that phone that you can't even concentrate on us anymore?"
Liam looked up, his face lighting up with a smile as he saw his friends—both males and females—gathered around him. He chuckled, his eyes twinkling.
"Sorry, guys. My boyfriend keeps texting me."
One of his friends gasped, grinning.
"It's nice seeing you smile like that, Liam. But you've just returned to the country. You have to enjoy yourself with us now."
Liam smiled, warmth radiating from his expression.
"I know, I know. I promise I'm all yours tonight. Just let me take this call, and I'll switch off my phone and spend as much time with you as you want."
His phone began ringing, and he held up a finger. "Just a sec." He glanced at his friends. "I love you guys. Be right back."
Before they could respond, he slipped away, weaving through the crowd towards the back door. He stepped outside, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warmth and noise of the club. Liam took a deep breath, the chill biting at his skin, and answered his phone.
Liam leaned against the wall, phone pressed to his ear, talking sweetly to his boyfriend. His voice was soft and affectionate, punctuated by bursts of laughter that echoed in the quiet alley. Anyone listening would hear the unmistakable sounds of love in his words and the joy in his laughter. They talked about their days, shared little jokes, and spoke of how much they missed each other. Despite the distance that had separated them for so long, the bond between them was palpable.
After what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, their conversation drew to a close.
"I love you so much," Liam said, his voice tender.
"I love you too, Liam," his boyfriend replied. They exchanged a few more loving words before finally hanging up.
Liam sighed happily, gripping the handle of the door to re-enter the club, but it wouldn't budge. He frowned, trying again, but the door remained stubbornly closed. He knocked and banged on it, but the pounding music from inside drowned out his efforts. Frustrated, he leaned his head against the door.
"Great," he muttered. "Now I have to go all the way around."
Resigned, he started walking, intending to circle back to the front of the club. But as he made his way through the dimly lit alley, he realized he might have taken a wrong turn. Confusion set in, and he turned to retrace his steps. His heart nearly stopped when he noticed a figure standing in the shadows a distance away.
