Hidden World

Chapter XXIV - River of Blood

Rose left the tent as soon as she could and waited anxiously for the text from Sebastian to come. As soon as she had the address, her only thought was that she had to get there no matter what. She did not know what was to come next or if she could save Mal, but she knew that she had to at least try.

She walked as fast as she could, almost running and stopped once she reached the destination that the map on her phone showed. She put the phone in her pocket and looked around before walking inside the house.

She walked up the steps and pushed the door with her finger, it was badly patched up with tape and cardboard. Once inside she could see that most of the rooms were empty, no furniture in sight and the light was dimmed down due to the barricaded windows. It looked like no one's been there in a while.

Doubt filled her mind at the sight but she went to explore. She checked every room, but no one was there. Upstairs, it was the same situation. She felt defeated but she remembered one detail from the picture Sebastian sent, it was a concrete floor.

With hesitation she walked to the door that led to the basement and took a few deep breaths before slowly going down the stairs.

Even thou she knew what to expect, she was not ready. The sight of Mal hurt, bleeding made her heart sink into her stomach. She rushed by his side and kneeled in front of him and cupped his cheeks into her hands gently. His skin was cold, but she could see that he was steal breathing.

"Mal..." she said softly. She smiled a little when he opened his eyes but it soon dropped when he could see the fear in his eyes. He was not afraid for himself, but for her.

"Why..." he said almost whimpering but she did not have time to reply as something snatched her quickly and she felt her back hit the wall behind her.

She groaned in pain as she hit the floor and dared to open her eyes only to see Sebastian stand in front of her with a sinister smile on his face while holding what looked like handcuffs. Before she could react she felt the cold metal wrap around her wrists, holding them behind her back.

"Did you bring it?" Sebastian asked as he walked to Mal with duct tape in his hand. He ripped a piece and covered the other man's mouth. "Now you stay quiet." He said before walking back to Rose, grabbing the knife on his way to her.

"Bring what you maniac?" Rose asked and anyone that heard her could feel the venom in her voice. Anger mixed with hatred and disgust.

"The dagger you silly creature." Sebastian answered and crouched in front of her, his smile widening when she tried to move further from him but hitting the wall behind.

"I told you; I don't have it." Rose said and clenched her fists when he approached the knife to her face. "I don't know if you are stupid or deaf."

Sebastian let out a low growl before pressing the cold blade on her cheek and pulling it in a swift move. "I think you might forget your current situation." He said before stabbing her in the thigh, making her scream out in pain. He pulled the knife out then looked at her. "You have no idea how much I desire to kill you." He said before getting up and walking to the table.

"I am telling you the truth, now let us go!" she yelled but he did not even flinch. "Look you hate me, I get it. But he has no business in this." She tried to plead but it fell on def ears. She realized that she had to stay as sill as possible because the more she tried to move, the more she fell victim of blood loss.

Sebastian came back with a piece of cloth and wrapped it around her tight. He did not want her to die just yet.

Rose watched him as he got back to the table and then as he looked around the room. She did not know what to expect from him but she knew that none will be good.