Bloodstained Groom

His game, His rules

She ran into the Tomb and looked about. It was huge inside and multiple coffins were on the walls and in nooks. “Kaz-len!” She shouted in a sing song like voice. Her little feet clopped on the ground as her shiny black shoes took her across the dusty ground.

A hand slipped out from the coffin and the nails dug into the lid. A hiss escaped from the paled lips.

William darted inside, fearful of what would happen to the little girl. “Diana! Diana come back here!”

Kazlen looked around the tomb for the intruder. “How dare they come into my territory and call my name…” Carefully walking along the edges of the tomb, he stuck to the shadows. His bright green eyes searching for his soon to be victim.

William saw Diana looking around in one of the corridors, “Diana! You can’t be in here. Kazlen doesn’t like visitors.” Diana turned around and huffed, “Well he should have visitors. It’s not good for him to be alone all the time.” It struck William as odd that she would be so defiant and stubborn, but he had to get her out of here. He felt a headache come on, Kazlen was very close. “D-Diana… you have to.” William found himself no longer in the crypt but outside. Kazlen’s magic had booted him out. “oh no.”

Diana turned around and saw a pair of glowing green eyes in the darkness. She took a step back a little afraid, “a-are you Kazlan?”

A set of sharp teeth showed, “Why yes my child. I am Kazlen, what bring you into my domain?”  Diana stood taller, “I heard you were lonely” She watched the figure move in the shadows, not taking her eyes off him. “Oh? Whoever told you that was wrong…I suppose it was William. That fool. I am not lonely.”

Kazlen stepped closer to the light staring at her. “Curiosity will be the fall you little girl” Kaz shrunk back into the dark as Diana stepped closer challenging him. “My name is Diana, not little girl!” Kaz grinned, “You have some guts, but it’s nothing against a monster like me.”

Diana shrunk back as Kaz snarled, “m-monster?” She saw him as he edged closer to her, “I’m a ghoul, an undead being.  You can’t kill me, I’m already dead.” He said with a grin.

She turned and ran through the crypt, it was larger than what it appeared to be. Diana ran further and further into the darkness with the green eyed demon behind her.

William pounded on the door of the crypt, but it was useless.  “What have I done!? I shouldn’t have told her about him. He’s going to kill that sweet girl and it’s all my fault. What have I done, I’ve doomed that little girl. Diana, I’m so sorry.”

Kazlen’s cackle echoed off the walls, bouncing everywhere. She couldn’t figure out where he was, it was so disorienting. So many tunnels, coffins and hallways. This was a series of tombs and rooms everywhere. The smell of death and decay frightened her more and more as she felt shivers down her spine.  –This isn’t what I wanted!  Stop! - Diana shrieked in her mind as she crashed into a wall. A dead end.

She screamed and banged on the wall. How!? Diana turned as she heard the footsteps approach her.  “No….” Kaz grinned down at her. “Aww not so brave now. No one can hear you in here. So scream however loud you desire, no one will come to your aid.” She shook, “please, please don’t…I just wanted to be your friend.”

Kaz sneered and scoffed, “Friend? As if, don’t make me laugh child…That word is useless to me. You don’t want to be my friend.” Diana glared at him and tears formed at the corners of her eyes. “Yes! Yes I do! I want to be your friend Kazlen.”

Her voice took a sharp tone that made Kaz step back, “why?” He looked at her, his eyes still dimly lit.  “You are alone, I want to be your friend…because I’m alone too.” Kaz raised his eyebrow at her, “I find that hard to believe.”  Diana shook her head, “It’s not a lie.  Please.”
He debated a bit before looking back at her, “If you answer my riddle, I may spare you.”
Diana nodded, “Ok. How many chances do I get?” A grin crept across his face, “Three.” She waited, “ok. Ask me.”
“I grow taller in the cold, and shorter when it’s hot. I signify change and hang off edges.  I may look pretty, but stand under me, I’m deadly”

She frowned trying to think of what it was.  “Grows in cold, shrinks in warmth. On edges and looks pretty.” She closed her eyes thinking hard. Kazlen grinned, -she’ll never guess it. - He thought with a smirk, pulling out a noose from his pocket.

Diana opened her mouth and answered. “An icicle.”

He couldn’t believe it. She had guessed it in one try. “How?”

She looked up at him, “I guessed right?” Kazlen stared at her, “yes…” She jumped for joy. “YAY! That means we can be friends!” She ran over to him and hugged him. He couldn’t move and was in shock. –she, hugged me. How is it that this little girl still wants to be my friend even though she knew I was about to kill her?-

Diana smiled, “We’ll be friends forever Kaz! I promise!” His eyes widened at her words. “You know forever is a long time Diana.”

She grinned, “I know and I want to keep it.” She grabbed his hand and walked with him away from the dead end and skipped up the hallway. “Can we play hide and seek? I hide and you come find me!”
“Sure?”