Hey guys, I'll be making a lot of changes to the original plot, so there will probably be either a few new scenes or a new chapter here and there. Enjoy :)
Chapter 8: Dreams
Red painted my hands Glancing up I was confronted by the sight of a mangled, limp body hanging from the blade of a ceiling fan. My brother's room would always be familiar to me and so I recognized the patterned sheets on the bed, the toys packed on the shelf of a cupboard and the big window portraying our back yard. The rope was thick and coarsely textured as it wrapped around the neck of the small body like a constricting snake. I watched as it swayed with momentum. My heart pattered with dread as the rotating body revealed the face of my little brother.
His dead, lifeless eyes were glaring, the betrayal in them winked at me. The vibrant green that had always been so full of excitement and innocence were pale and flat in their death. Blood smeared almost every inch of his skin, but I could not find the source of it. With a slack jaw, his mouth stretched open from his final screams that still seemed to echo against the blank walls of his room.
Shock paralyzed me and I yearned to stretch my arm and touch the small form to see if this nightmare was real. My arm wouldn't move at my command and as I struggled to gain control over my seemingly uncooperative limbs I was forced to stare at the sight before me. I couldn't look away. I could not undo the image that would be forever seared into the flesh of my mind. Some part of my inner being collapsed onto itself and the pain radiated out to fill every crevice and nook.
But as I gazed into the reflective surface of his pale eyes, I noticed that I wasn't myself. The same woman that had appeared from somewhere inside of myself at the auction was glaringly visible in his eyes. I ripped my gaze away and with much effort I forced my head to turn in the direction of the window. It seemed too easy, like she was allowing me this and by doing so I was able to see the full transformation of my body. I was dressed in ancient war attire that consisted of long leather lappets forming a skirt or apron of sort, a steel corset over a tunic, segmented arm protectors and leather wrapped to form shoes that stretched up to my knees. Around my torso a leather belt was strapped and housed a variety of daggers. In a hilt, strapped to my hip, a deadly looking sword was sheathed.
Somehow I was feeling pain, but by gazing at her face, it hinted at none of these tormented feelings. We were separate people, but she managed to control my body. Walking around the small body, she studied it from all angles.
My lips parted without my consent and the words tumbled out. Words that weren't mine; these were her words.
"I'm sorry, dear brother. But my place had always been as the conqueror of the war," she did not seem sorry. There was in fact no hint as to how she was feeling; her tone flat and lifeless as her eyes, "The ancients were cruel to place us against each other," she continued walking around the body.
My mind absorbed the words, turning them over as though that would somehow clarify what she was talking about.
"Your potential as death warrior, as the leader of the coven, would have been immense." The words continued to pour from my lips, my voice ringing terms that I did not comprehend, "Your age puts you at a great disadvantage. One that I am afraid I must take advantage of." She paused to caress the hilt of the sword and my heart stopped as a sudden thought made itself known.
Did she slaughter my parents as well? Would I find them covered in blood, lifeless as I found Ivan?
"I waited eighteen years for this body and mind to mature, and your time still waits," she continued. "I am regretful that we will need to face each other in war, but our people need someone that may lead them."
My mind scrambled as I felt her reach for the sword. It gleamed under the dull moonlight and the ancient gold carvings on the hilt seemed to come alive, twirling and writhing in anticipation.
With a sudden arch she swung the sword and pierced it through the chest of little Ivan. I stared in shock as a glow emerged from deep inside his chest before exploding outwards as his remains evaporated. The rope swung ominously, the weight of the body no longer strained it.
My heart screamed for my brother, but the room remained quiet, before she too disappeared from the reflection in the window.
With a gasp my body shot up from where it was placed in a laying position. My muscles felt stiff as though I had been sleeping for an eternity and had never stirred to assume a more comfortable position. Adrenaline streamed through my veins, throwing my body in a panic that had no threat to fear.
My body had been washed and I had been clothed in grey sweatpants and a shirt. The room that surrounded me was glaringly white and I was placed on a small bed pushed into the corner.
Cautiously I twisted my torso and placed my feet on the ground. A tugging sensation drew my eyes to the crook of my elbow where a needle was buried snugly in my flesh. The tube ran up and led to a bag with clear fluids. Great, I was hooked to an IV.
Ripping then needle from my arm, I flinched when my mind conjured images from my dream. They felt so vivid; so terrifyingly real. I shuddered at the though of my own body betraying me in such a way.
But it had just been a dream and I was nowhere near my brother to inflict pain. I was…
Where was I?
My eyes scanned the room again and I found a camera trained on me. I struggled to remember where I was and how I ended up with an IV hooked to my arm.
Alek, the man who brought me home from the auction. I had freed myself and fled to the woods where I had been stalked by another man. Had they dragged me to their mansion after rendering me unconscious?
Getting up proved to be difficult for my legs refused to hold my weight and shook with the effort. There was a massive mirror in the one wall, but I had a sneaking suspicion that it was a one way window. I slid my hands along the wall to try and find some sort of trap door that would lead me from this room, but found nothing of this sort.
How long had I been unconscious? A few hours? A day? Judging by stiffness in my joints and muscles, it must have been at least twelve to fourteen hours.
My wounds, I suddenly recalled and timidly dragged my shirt up to where the stab wound would be. It was bandaged, and still hurting, but at least it had been cleaned and bound. There were stitches tugging under the bandage. What happened to the internal bleeding? Or had I missed all the vital organs? My shoulder was heavily bruised and aching. Over all the other wounds and scratches seemed minor and I paid them no heed. The reflection, however spoke of some damage that had clearly been wrought upon my body during the last few days. I was sickly pale and seemed to have lost quite a few kilograms.
I wanted to take a hot shower. No, I wanted to sleep. But despite the tempting comfort that cot displayed, I kept pacing around the room, trying to work out some sort of plan.
Were they watching me through the window? I didn't even want to know. All information I had at this stage was that I was in an unfamiliar house with two men that seem to want to use me as some sick experiment.
Unexpectedly a high pitch keening sound filled the room. My hands snapped up to protect my ears from the noise, but it did not seem to help. Alarmed, I snapped my head around, trying to identify where the noise was originating from. I spotted a small speaker or intercom device attached to the corner of the room, about three meters above my head. My knees were locked in panic as the sound droned on and I realized my hands weren't blocking it in the least.
Then it picked up a few decibels and I screamed. It felt like my head was going to spontaneously combust. I threw my body towards the cot in an attempt to cover my head with the pillow, but then the sound heightened again and forced me to my knees. I was on the verge of throwing up, but my stomach had nothing but hunger cramps.
A familiar energy drew its finger up my spine and I shivered.
'No," I moaned, barely audible over the frightening keening that continued blaring unfalteringly around the room. I didn't want her anywhere near me or in me, but I've felt this sensation at the auction. I knew what was happening. But what if she somehow didn't retreat like she did at the auction and then went after my family?
My hands threaded through my hair as a painful tugging started inside my body. I yearned to keep myself humane; normal. I could feel her stretching, coaxing to emerge and she was full of the promise of erasing my discomfort. She could make it stop.
Flicks of white colored my hair as she slowly pressed up from inside me, but I still resisted. I threw my body against one of the walls in an attempt to force her back down. It was futile. I could feel my body slipping over the precipice of control.
In an act of pure frustration I screamed at the top of my lungs, willing her to go away. That was all distraction she needed to take over. The familiar prickle across the surface of my scalp and the burning sensation that caused my eyes to tear signaled my loss to the woman. A pleasurable ripple of power tore up my back and sank into me. The feeling of utter control and calm encompassed my being. I didn't feel out of control and experimentally fisted my hands, lifting and moving them while simultaneously walking around the room. It seemed that I had not lost my ability to command my body.
The noise persisted and I glided over to the small speaker nestled in the corner of the room. Jumping up to two meters in the air didn't seem to a problem for this body. My arm swung out, hands clawed, to rip the maddening device from its perch and the keening cut off abruptly. It was fascinating; this body was so much more capable than my human body. It possessed so much power and provided an easy solution to problems that I knew to be physically challenging in my normal state.
This was dangerous. I had barely even been altered into this state two times and I was already power hungry. No one should harbor whatever thing was inside me.
How the hell do I get it to go away now? Then again, this ability could be extremely useful when I plan to escape again. Maybe I shouldn't wish her away just yet.
My scheming was interrupted by the low groaning of a wall being lowered into a slit in the floor. Seriously? Was this a new trend now; walls serving as openings into rooms? My sharp gaze narrowed as the lowering wall revealed the faces of my kidnappers.
They were both waiting expectantly, their faces impassive, but their bodies were ready to block any move I would try to make. I decided to analyze the whole of my surroundings before springing into some form of action. Behind them there was a small space occupied with some high tech computing systems built into the walls. It seemed frighteningly malicious; like something villains would use to activate a series of death rays and torture systems. Beyond that, there were concrete steps leading up to some place on the next floor.
My eyes clashed back into the other two figures and an unnerving silence followed. No one spoke or attempted to explain what the hell was going on. I crouched and prepared to make a dash for the gap that separated their bodies to flee up the stairs.
"Before we continue this cat-and-mouse issue again, can you give us a moment to clarify what we have purchased you for?" Alek spoke dryly and crossed his arms over his chest.
I couldn't help but let a small growl slip at the mention of my purchasing. I didn't even pause to assess how that sound had somehow emanated from me. The other man rolled his eyes at my reaction.
"Hmm, I'll begin by introducing myself as Alek. This is Ruthan." He gestured in the direction where the other man was glowering.
I made no sound, but eyed the exit hungrily. I could care less what their names were. At this moment I just knew I had to start the exhausting process of attempting escape again. Hopefully this time I would fare better than I did in my previous endeavors.
"Do you have even the slightest idea of the gift you've been given?" Alek inquired, cocking his head curiously. "It's been quite a while since the last Death Warrior was a human."
What the fuck was he going on about? I didn't need to hear this. They were trying to distract me, I was sure of it. Something is going to jump me the moment I cave in to my curiosity. I snapped my head around, trying to see if I could somehow unravel their plan. They couldn't possibly just want to talk. When you kidnap someone, it is most certainly not because you were in search of a conversation. What I do remember is that they seemed to be some form of supernatural and I couldn't deny it any longer. Here I was: living proof that the supernatural are very much existent. Did that mean that they wanted to use me in order to attain blood?
I glanced down at my body and became painfully aware of the fact that the woman had abandoned me yet again. Great timing, I sneered mentally.
"Allory, are you listening?" Alek asked.
My head snapped up at the sound of my name and I felt panic push up into my throat, strangling me.
"How do you know my name?" I choked out. My voice was hoarse from disuse.
A heavy, impatient sigh echoed around the room. Ruthan's. I sneered in his direction, the action only registering once I turned back to Alek. The quiet of the room was disrupted by the growling moan my stomach produced. My cheeks would have flooded with heat if I wasn't already too malnourished to summon enough blood to grace my face.
"How rude of me." Alek spoke mockingly. "I'm sure you would like something to eat before we continue with this conversation." He lifted one brow questioningly, but I only glared.
"How do you know my name?" I repeated through clenched teeth. The thought of food and water had me panting like a dog, but I honestly needed to know how he had gathered my personal information. If he managed to obtain my name from somewhere, then surely he was capable of gaining other information as well. Besides, I wasn't eating anything they gave me.
"Your family have of course listed you as a missing person at the police station and it's quite easy for Ruthan to hack into their systems." He replied, glancing over to where the silent, brooding man was standing.
For a brief moment I wondered how my family must be feeling right now. They definitely could not possibly feel shittier than I did at the moment. How long has it been since I've gone missing? Four, maybe five, days? That sounded about right.
"We can attempt to explain all the questions you must have running through your mind at this moment, but you'll have to get some food in at one or other point." He spoke, tilting his head expectantly.
I slowly let all his words sink in. So far, the only thing I wanted more than to get home to my family was answers to my questions. But did I want those answers desperately enough to stay here for a while? I wanted to know their intentions first.
"What do you want with me?" I asked slowly, my gaze narrowing to slits as I studied their expressions for some hint as to the truth.
"This really is a rather lengthy conversation. So I would advise you to eat something before we start explaining it all to you." Without speaking any further, he turned and continued to ascend the stairs to the next level of this mansion.
Ruthan didn't follow him, but rather waited expectantly for me to follow after his retreating companion. No way. I was not walking around with this man behind me. I wasn't stupid. I crossed my arms in a show of defiance and Ruthan's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Come on you two. I'd prefer to finish this little conversation before dawn." Alek's voice already sounded far away. As much as I completely distrusted these men, I had to admit to myself that I was slightly more at ease in Alek's presence than in Ruthan's. Especially seeing as this man was particularly partial to torture.
Ruthan finally decided not to waste his time and spun around to move up the steps. With a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach, I hesitantly followed.