Shadows Fall

Author's Note: I'm very sorry that its been a while since I've added a new chapter. I had an essay, and anglo-saxon riddle to write. With what little free time I had I wrote another chapter. By the way, thank you very much for the reviews :).

Shadows Fall

Chapter 6: Surprise

Layla watched out of her small little window the rising of the sun to its highest peak, and now it was slowly descending; she could already see a few stars starting to appear. A look of hope came to Layla’s eyes, for Lucius liked to keep a pattern, and that was to beat/torture her during the day and then leave her alone to suffer at night. The hope in her eyes was quickly swept away as she heard her cell door open. This time she actually dared to look at him, but when she turned her head a look of shock suddenly appeared on her face…

Layla’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of her former potions professor standing in front of the doorway.What the hell? Why is he here? Where is Lucius? Oh no… don’t tell that they’re both going too… Layla couldn’t continue her thought; it scared her so much that she started to shake violently, and tired to be against the wall as much as possible. Severus Snape watched as his former student went into a panic mode and tired to get away from him. He could only raise an eyebrow as to what made her think that she could possible get away from him. Quickly growing tired of watching Layla’s sad attempts he finally spoke. “You know that is utterly pointless there is no where for you to run too,” he said calmly.

Layla in an instant went completely still, she was paralyzed with fear. What did I do to deserve such torture?Why can’t death take me? Why must I suffer so?! Tears where already starting to form in her eyes, fearing the worst. She couldn’t believe how silly she was actually acting, but she didn’t care there was no point in being stubborn anymore. Snape looked at the girl for a second his eyes held a small glitter of sadness, but in a blink it was suddenly gone. “I’m here to inform you miss Blade that our Lord requests your presences, but seeing the state you are in is completely unacceptable…” he stopped talking and stepped aside, revealing two old women.

“These women here are going to clean you up so that you can be acceptable to have an audience with our great Lord,” Snape said. He turned and gave a small nod to the two women and then he was gone. Layla’s eyes widened in shock. Is he serious?! Or is this some kind of sick joke? Then an idea suddenly struck her, and she looked up hopeful at the women, but it quickly turned back into despair. It would be no good to bother to talk them into letting her escape, for their white dull eyes showed that they were being controlled. Layla and the women just stared at one another for a few moments. Until finally confirming what she thought, Layla pushed herself up. Unfortunately, she seemed to have forgotten just how much of Lucius’ beatings had affected her. For she rose to quickly and then just as quickly fell back to the cold hard floor.

Excoriating pain shoot up Layla’s legs, and she could only bit down on her lips to keep from screaming. Her sad blueish grey eyes stared at her damaged legs. They had bumps and old/new bruises all over them. Placing her hands against the wall, she pulled herself up once more, but before she could even attempt another walk, the two women were quickly at both of her sides. They each grabbed one of Layla’s arms and helped her walk out of her prison for the last two months. Although her reason for coming out of the cell was very questionable, she was actually glad to finally be out of that room that contained so much pain and sorrow. Layla's legs and feet ached with every step she took. It’s going to take forever at this rate. She sighed sadly. Layla had not the strength for this, for she quickly asked the two women to stop for a few moments. They both stared blank at Layla and then at each other before nodding to one another. Layla didn’t know what was going on, but before she had time to ask, she suddenly saw all black.

~Few hours later~

Groggy vision was Layla’s rude awakening as she slowly came back into the conscious world. She let her vision adjust slowly, before finally surveying where she was. Immediate shock when through Layla as she looked about the room. Red wallpaper with angels and demons surrounded the whole room, with fine oak furniture. It wasn't until she turned her head that she realized that she was actually in a real bed!It’s been ages since I’ve been in one! Oh my god! Its heaven! Layla grabbed one of the pillows and pressed it to her face and it feel like she could sink into it. Layla quickly realized that the mattress was made out of the same material, and so she leaned back and laid down. The first smile in a long time crept on her face and she snuggled more into the smooth pillows. That was until she remembered all that had happened before she had been so rudely knocked out.Damn those old crones!

Layla slowly got out of the luxurious bed and went into the bathroom. If she thought that the bedroom was amazing then the bathroom was ten times more than that. The floor and ceiling were a beautiful Roman style, and gold serpents surrounded the huge mirror on the wall. Even the sinks had gold serpents on them. Ah but the shower and the bathtub, they were to die for! The shower had a silver glass door, but the showerhead was in a ballista shape. It had a place for you to sit, but enough room still for you lay down in it. Layla’s favorite though was the bathtub. It was huge as big as a small pool, with jets everywhere, fine bathing oils in a basket, and yes even the bathtub head was a ballista shape. Layla laughed slightly, “ A bit obsessed with snakes isn’t he?” she said to no one but herself.

It wasn’t until exploring the rest of the bathroom that Layla suddenly remembered that she had been in pain before she had been rendered unconscious. She slowly made her way to the mirror and looked upon her reflection. Small tears started to form out of her eyes at the site of herself. Her blonde hair had lost its shine, already being a skinny girl she looked extremely gaunt but still rendered some of her figure, but the thing that was making the tears roll down her cheeks where her eyes. Her precious eyes they hadn’t changed, they looked exactly as they had the last time she saw them. Layla couldn’t understand how that was possible. The rest of her body showed all the horror’s that had befallen her, and yet her eyes remained innocent. How cruel fate is to me… to leave me the eyes of an innocent when I am no longer one.

Layla turned her back on the mirror image of herself while leaning against the sink. As she was looking down she also suddenly noticed her legs, they were healed! Not one bruise remained on them. Layla quickly looked at the rest of her body, all the damage that Lucius had done to her where all gone. Well all the scares that where physical. I wonder if I should be grateful? Who knows maybe they are just playing a sick joke on me, giving me all these wonderful things, healing me, only to take them all away and give me even worse pain. Layla remained standing a few moments longer before deciding on what to do. I may as well make use of this situation while I can. I haven’t forgotten that I’m supposed to have an “audience” with Voldemort.

She spate at even the mere thought of the man that destroyed her life. Trying her best not to think anymore of it, she made her way to the bathtub. She grabbed a honey peared oil scent and started the bath. As soon as it was warm enough she took of her ragged clothed and gotten into the warm relaxing water. The water was so perfect that in fact it started to make her extremely tired. I’ll just rest my eyes a bit. Layla thought, but as quickly as she closed them she was asleep. What Layla was about to dream wasn’t pleasant; in fact it was to be the start of her nightmare.