Craved by the Wrong Volkov

Braelyn’s pov

It was dark, completely dark and cold like I was drowning. I didn’t want to continue. I was tired and exhausted. Drained to the bones I wanted the darkness to swallow me whole

Then I heard a cry. My eyes opened, and I found myself in a grass meadow. The surroundings were familiar like I had been here before. It was dark, the sky was filled with numerous stars that touched the horizon making it dreamy.

The tall green grass was filled with flowers and fire flies and luminous moths fluttering around. I heard the cry again, it was louder this time and clenched my heart.

It was a call for help. A screeching baby cry. My hands moved on their own search for the baby in the tall grass.

The cries got louder by the second, the more I pushed through the grass the closer it got. Everything in me wanted to get to that baby. I wanted to save it.

That baby felt like my life. I pushed away the last grass and found myself on a cliff. The wind was heavy and there sat a baby girl sitting on the edge of the cliff crying

The sight of her made my heart ache. "She, stop crying.." I tried making gestures to her. I took a step forward to grab her and the ground shook

The cliff wasn’t stable and might collapse under my weight. The girl didn’t stop crying. I couldn’t recklessly run and get her or as might both die I had to get her to come towards me

"Please stop crying .." I whispered in a calm voice trying to get her. My lips parted and I started singing a lullaby.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star..."

My voice trembled at first, fragile like glass on the verge of shattering, but I forced it steady. The wind howled around us, tugging at my hair, at my dress.

"How I wonder what you are..."

The baby’s cries softened, hitching between breaths. Her tiny body stilled, her sobs dissolving into quiet whimpers as she listened.

"Up above the world so high..."

My throat tightened. My chest ached with something so deep it felt like it would split me apart.

"Like a diamond in the sky... twinkle twinkle star..." I continued singing watching her face relax. Her tears turned into hiccups and she gradually stopped crying.

Her hazel eyes lifted, locking onto mine. They reminded me of Lucien’s eyes and I couldn’t help but smile.

A soft giggle escaped her lips and she started babbling and clapping her hands. The soft sound wrapped around my heart and squeezed gently.

My lips curved into a trembling smile. "It’s okay..." I whispered, though I wasn’t sure if I was comforting her or myself.

Slowly, I lowered myself, reaching for a small flower swaying beside me. Its petals glowed faintly under the starlight. I plucked it carefully and held it out to her. A means to draw her attention

"Come here..." I murmured gently. "Come to mummy ..."

I took a cautious step forward. A sharp crack split through the air. The ground beneath my feet fractured. I froze instantly.

The cliff groaned beneath my weight, threatening to collapse at any second. My breath hitched as my heart raced because of fear.

I couldn’t move. If I took another step, it would all crumble. She could only come to me. My fingers tightened around the flower.

"Come on dear. Come to mummy..." I whispered, my voice barely holding together.

The baby giggled again then she bent over and started crawling. Slowly... carefully... inch by inch, she moved toward me. I held my breath the entire time

My entire body tensed with every movement she made. She crawled a few feet closer..The ground trembled violently. A deep, horrifying crack tore through the cliff.

Before I could scream, "No!" Everything happened at once. The earth beneath her gave way. Her tiny body slipped. A sharp cry pierced the air as she began to fall.

My instincts took over. I rushed forward without thinking, ignoring the cracking ground beneath me, ignoring the danger, I just wanted to get to her.

"I’ve got you...!" I jumped forward. My fingers almost touched hers for a split second before something yanked me back. A force pulled me away from the edge.

"No! No, let me go!" I screamed, struggling against the grip, my nails clawing at empty air. "My baby...!"

Her cries echoed into the darkness as she fell, fading, slipping further and further away. My heart shattered. A raw sob ripped through me

"Why did you stop me?!" I cried, turning violently. "Why?!"

My father stood behind me. His face was etched with concern and pity. He gently reached for the corners of my eyes, brushing the tears from my cheeks with a gentle motion.

"I’m sorry, Brae," he said quietly. "But you can’t save her."

My chest heaved. "No... no, I could have..." I wanted to argue. I was so close to saving her.

"Don’t throw your life away too." he deadpanned leaving no room for arguments. "There are people who miss you."

My knees gave out beneath me.

"But I just want my baby..." I sobbed, my voice breaking into nothing. "Why is life so cruel?" I just didn’t understand. After years it was finally within my grasp only for fate to snatch it from me.

Silence stretched between us. He crouched before me patting my shoulders. "My love... life has never been fair," he said softly. "I’m sorry you are suffering for our sins. But please... don’t give up."

A sharp ringing sound pierced through everything. My head throbbed as the world around me began to crack, splintering like glass.

The stars shattered and the meadow dissolved. The calm darkness twisted into blinding white. My eyes snapped open. I felt my entire body trembling.

Bright lights burned into my vision. Several voices overlapped together, a chaotic mix of urgency and frantic screams

"We’re losing her!"

"The patient’s body is shutting down!"

My body jerked violently, uncontrollable spasms wracking through me as pain exploded in every nerve.

I couldn’t breathe.

"Increase the charge!"

A sharp jolt tore through me my consciousness was drifting in and out

"Doctor, she’s drifting in and out of consciousness!"

The world flickered in and out. I didn’t want to fight anymore I was tired. Then a voice cut through everything. It was a broken wail filled with desperation

"Please... please let me hold her hand..."