Chapter 56

Laura POV

"I felt demoralized when I noticed her malevolent powers coursing through my veins. I felt disconnected from the world, her yellow eyes blinking repeatedly like a fog trying to envelop me."

"Laura, I'm sorry!" I heard her apologetic tone as I ran down the corridor, my determined steps echoing off the walls. I dared not turn back, my gaze fixed on the door. "Laura!" Her final scream made me hesitate momentarily at the doorstep. My hands trembled with fear as I asked, "What do you want from me?" in a harsh tone, my eyes brimming with tears.

"What do you want from me?" I repeated, my voice shaking with fear.
There was a pause, and then Evelyn’s voice came softly: "Please, don't go. I need to explain."
I hesitated, my hand on the door handle. Something in her tone made me pause. I turned slowly, my eyes scanning the corridor behind her. It was empty, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she was harmful and fetish.

"Explain what?" I whispered, my glare piercing through my vexation. I flinched away from her outstretched hands, my eyes warning her not to dare touch me. With a swift motion, I grasped the door knob and swung the door open, ready to escape the tension between us.
I burst out of the building, my feet pounding the pavement as I wandered helplessly through the empty streets. The sudden silence was unnerving, sending chills down my spine. The streets, once filled with the hum of activity, were now deathly quiet, as if the city had been drained of all life and sound.
The silence grew thicker, like a fog that clung to my skin. I felt like I was the only person left in the world, the last survivor of some catastrophic event. The streetlights cast long shadows behind me, making me feel like I was being followed by an invisible presence.
The prospect of being initiated into Evelyn's witches' realm left me stunned and immobile, my gaze fixed on a bench at the bus station. As I contemplated taking a step towards the bench to collect my thoughts, a group of rough-looking men with tattoos and piercings appeared, their eyes gleaming with a menacing intensity.
I faltered, my feet rooted to the spot, before swiftly changing direction and making a beeline for the nearby police station, seeking a safe haven from the potential threat.

I pushed open the door of the police station, relief washing over me as I stepped into the bright, fluorescent-lit interior. The officers at the front desk looked up as I approached, their expressions curious.
"Can I help you?" one of them asked, eyeing me warily.
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I just need a safe place to wait for a bit," I said finally. "I'll be okay, I promise."
The officer raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Okay, take a seat over there." He gestured to a row of chairs against the wall.
I sank into a chair, my mind reeling with thoughts of Evelyn's witches' realm and the danger that came with it. But I knew I had to act fast—I had to help Damian break free from Arla's spell. With a newfound sense of determination, I leapt to my feet and turned to the officer on duty.
"Thank you, sir," I said hastily, before rushing out of the police station and making my way back to Evelyn's building. My hands trembled as I grasped the door handle, my heart racing with anticipation and fear that mocked me with every step.
I stepped into the building, calling out, "Hello? Evelyn?" My eyes scanned the area, fixed on the door she emerged from. Just as I was about to lose my balance, she burst out of the room, a look of relief washing over her face.
"Thank goodness you came back," she muttered, flashing a quick smile. I forced a smile in return, my gaze lingering on her disheveled appearance; her sparse hair and puffy face left me taken aback. "What happened to your hair?" I asked in a hushed tone, my curiosity getting the better of me. "Nothing," she replied dismissively. "I was just thinking about you, Laura. The frustrations have been getting to me."
Evelyn's words were laced with a hint of desperation, her eyes pleading for understanding. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that she was acting it up.
"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism. "What's going on?" I added, my eyes narrowing as I took a step back, creating distance between us. "Why are you so concerned about me?" I hissed, my tone dripping with disdain, as I turned and walked away, leaving her to stew in her own emotions.
"I didn't come back here to join your witches' realm," I called out from the living room, my voice echoing off the walls, a clear warning that I wasn't to be swayed.
Evelyn's face fell, her eyes clouding over with a mix of disappointment and frustration. "Fine," she said, her voice tight. "If you're not willing to listen, then maybe you'll believe what you see."
She strode past me, her long black dress billowing behind her like a dark cloud. I followed her, my heart racing with anticipation. What was she going to show me?
We descended into the basement, the air growing colder and damper with each step. The walls were lined with ancient tomes and strange artifacts that seemed to hum with an otherworldly energy. “What in heaven's name is this place?” I asked, staring at the walls and ceiling of the basement.
"It's my secret room, Laura. I believe you won't mind if I show you some other things." Evelyn said, her voice hinting at mysteries untold. "Other things?" I repeated, my voice laced with curiosity, my skepticism momentarily wavering.
"Arla's spells were cast by me," Evelyn mentioned, "though she requested them herself. I can break the spell if only you're patient enough to listen