Title: Don't Let Me Go

Author: Firediva0

Pairing: Godric Gryffindor x Salazar Slytherin

Rating: Mature

Summary: When the world seems to be a dark and lonely place, a man in shining red armor strides in on his horse, a vicious growl releasing itself from his lips. He doesn't hesitate to draw his sword and rip the nightmares to shreds. With the destruction, comes a promise. One that ignites hesitant hope within Salazar's heart.

~~o-O-o~~

Chapter 3: Drugged

~~o-O-o~~

Sighing to himself, Hayden enters my cell. His eyes bore into my own, their piercing depths attempting to pull apart my actions. Stubbornly, I keep my eyes on the ground before me, unwilling to show a sign of weakness.

The truth is, I'm tired. This isn't our first time playing this game, and I'm sure it won't be the last. All I want is to go back to my home in Lincolnshire. I don't care that no one will greet me upon my return. I just want to be free from this wretched place.

Nearly sagging in relief once Hayden walks out of my cell, I almost have a heart attack when he walks right back in a moment later. His gaze meets mine for a moment, but I can't decipher what's in his brown eyes anymore. He has on a mask – one that he knows is impenetrable.

He walks towards me, his eyes refusing to release my own. My heart thumps loudly in my chest, my mind flashing back to the incident from the night before. Was he going to beat me again? Would he take me back to the bedroom and force me to be his entertainment for old times' sake? Would this be my last day in this ce-

Clink.

Slowly, almost tenderly, he places a tray down in front of me. Heaps of food lies innocently on top of it, a small cloud of steam rising from it. The smell is heavenly, and I can feel my stomach rumble violently. I haven't eaten in the last 24 hours and I was starving.

Stepping away from the food, he looks at me one last time before turning on his heel, his back disappearing from view as he leaves the cell. The metal door closes with a loud bang, the light that I had been given due to his arrival, now disappearing once more. Darkness surrounds me, broken only by the small sliver of light that comes from the window high up on the eastern wall.

Gaze traveling to the food he left, I can feel my stomach rumble again. I want it – need it even, but what if he messed with it? Glancing at the door, I contemplate the likelihood of my food being tampered with.

On one hand, Hayden had done that before. It wasn't to kill me, of course. No, I was too useful for him at the time. Instead, he had doused it with a drug – one that had lowered my level of awareness drastically.

Even if he did drug it, what could I possibly do? If I didn't eat the food he provided, I would starve and eventually die. That wasn't acceptable. I had to live; had to continue surviving until the day that I could revolt and kill him.

Decision made, I reached out to grasp the wooden spoon that lay there. Gently, I put some food on it and brought it to my mouth, eating it slowly.

It was delicious and I could feel my stomach rumble in agreement. Immediately, I ditch the spoon, my eyes ravenous. I grip the tray with both of my hands and bring it to my face, loathing myself as I scarf it down. I need this; need this more than anything in my life, and it feels so good to consume it.

Later, when I had taken my last bite, I could feel my surroundings begin to blur. Only one thing crossed my mind before I passed out: So, the bastard did poison my food, huh?

~~o-O-o~~

Raging flames encase the room, their fiery depths engulfing everything in sight. Smoke fills the air, choking me to the very core. I have to get out; have to find my parents.

Before I can do that, the flames suddenly rise and the smoke thickens. Black spots dance in my vision and my lungs burn, heaving desperately for air. The chime of the clock rings in my ear warningly.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Through the flames, I see a figure.

I scream.

~~o-O-o~~

Opening my eyes slowly, I quickly close them when the light almost blinds me. Hesitantly, I open them again, sighing in relief when I'm not scorched by the flames of hell.

Looking around, I notice that I'm in a bedroom. Dark blue walls encase the perimeter, and several pieces of furniture lay without. There's desk, a couple of chairs, a closet, and the bed I'm lying on.

Sitting up, I startle violently when my eyes meet Hayden's.

"So, the Pet finally awakens," he says in that deep voice of his, his eyes slowly trailing down my form. His gaze lingers on my chest and I look down to see what he finds so appealing.

Laughing bitterly to myself, I roll my eyes. Of freaking course, I'm naked. Once upon a time, I would have dived for the covers, but now? Now, I have no more modesty. Instead, I just cock my eyebrow up in question, daring him silently to say something about my state of undress. By the amused smile that curls along his lips, I can tell that he knows exactly what I'm doing.

"Why am I here?" I eventually ask him. Hayden flashes me a pleased smirk and walks into the room from his spot at the doorway. He makes his way towards me, his smirk widening when he finally reaches me.

"Will you wear my collar?" he questions, ignoring my question completely. I shake my head stubbornly, glaring at him in defiance.

"Like I said before," I repeat, "I will never wear your collar."

"Are you sure about that?" he asks. He pauses and leans in, lightly resting his hands on my knees. Feeling my skin crawl at his touch but refusing to look weak in front of him, I don't move away.

"Positive," I say cockily. The downright evil expression that makes its way on his face has me slightly worried.

"Perfect. Then, in that case, I'll be right back."

Hayden turns on his heel and marches out of the room. Left behind, I stare at his back, watching in concern as the door closed softly behind him.

Just what did he have planned, now?

Word Count: 1,033