Taken

Chapter 3

The hallway was mostly made of wood with paintings lining the walls and intricate decorations on tables for display. Bright windows in front of us displayed an orange blazing sunset, a sign that gave me strength till I saw what was in front of it.

A legion of guards with viscous dogs barking at us against their chain leashes stood between us and a large double door leading to our freedom. These guards held large assault style guns instead of the pistols the others had. They were also bigger, more muscular, and somehow more menacing than the ones before. An older man with a scar on his chin stood in the center with a confident stance.

Our own legion stopped, analyzing the scene before us. We were fewer in number now but still many and would not be taken down or forced to yield our assault.

"We calmly ask you to drop your weapons and return to your cells." The older gentleman spoke with a gruffness about him.

"Or what?" Hope spit towards him with a menacing glare though there seemed to be something else that glinted in her eyes. She pointed with her finger straight at the man defiantly as if she was the one telling him what to do instead. The man raised his brow in a slight arch as a hint of a smile made its way to his crusted lips.

Or else you and-" he started before a shot rang out and something splattered all over the girls in the front- Hope and I included. The man stopped mid-sentence as his eyes went wide in surprise. Some of the girls and I cowered as one of the windows shattered like sparkling diamonds. The shimmer of glass made of flecks of golden orange reflected off the evening sun as it flew across the room on impact. The men in black whipped behind them to search for the shooter because whoever it was, was clearly not any of the girls.

I looked back up to Hope and blinked in shock. She had spatters of blood all over her face making it looks like blood red freckles covered her smooth white skin. It matched her rich red colored hair and that mixed with the glint in her eyes, made me shiver. She stood unaffected by the entire sight- a relaxed face, no shock or surprise whatsoever.

Did she know that would happen?

The older man who spoke to us fell forward with a grunt and landed face down on the wooden floor. Blood flowed out of a bullet wound to the back of his head, leaving a large caved in mass of tissue oozing blood and something yellow and white. The remnants of his brain.

I knew I should have felt terrified. It was indeed a shocking scene. I didn't understand why I felt nothing from the grotesque sight. It would probably hit me later on. And if that was the case then it was better to be out of this place that bred destruction so I wouldn't witness more.

The men in black started shooting out the window as they searched for the assailant but some were soon shot down as well. The many that were left stormed out the front door, guns firing round after round.

I looked to Hope who laughed maniacally at me before running towards the wide open door streaking bright evening sunlight.

Like a hoard we flooded the entrance, temporarily blinded by the evening sun. It stung my eyes and rung in my ears making me lose my balance but I couldn't stop my legs. They demanded retribution for what I had gone through and I would not deny them their right any longer.

I glanced back at my place of capture; it wasn't what I was expecting.

There in it's beautiful glory stood a large country lodge with wide open windows, stained wood exterior, and perfectly pruned shrubbery. The multiple stories and pointed roof seemingly added to the illusion of a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by the woods.