Ruthless

15

The story will confuse you in the beginning and you will feel as if you have jumped a few chapters. So if you are impatient and someone who wants everything to be clear in 15, 20 chapters. This book is not for you. As the story progresses it will disclose the missing puzzles. If you want to complain and be rude after reading 20 chapters please don't read it.

I walked cautiously through the hall, trying to avoid stepping on the bodies or slipping on the blood, which was thick and sticky on the marble and tiles. The hallway was already a mess with blood and bodies scattered everywhere.

Simultaneously, I kept looking back, worried that Allison and the unknown man might break the door with the hammer they had. The thought of them escaping sent a wave of panic through me, so I quickened my pace. Despite the pain from my sprained ankle, I pressed on, determined not to give up. After a bit, I managed to navigate past the bodies without any accidents.

With a rush of confidence, I picked up the pace even more. However, the lingering paranoia compelled me to keep checking behind for their presence.

While glancing backward, I accidentally bumped into something hard. Almost falling, a hand grabbed my left arm, preventing me from hitting the floor.

"NO, PLEASE DON'T HURT ME," I pleaded repeatedly.

"It's me."

Although I recognized the voice, I ignored it, still scared. My body felt out of control, trembling non-stop.

"Open your eyes."

I hadn't realized my eyes were shut until he told me to open them. As I did, I saw the guy I was tied to not long ago, Adam. With a few lines on his forehead, and squinted eyes, his face showed confusion, a level of emotion rarely seen in the three days I'd known him.

"What happened?" he asked, sounding puzzled.

My heart raced as I tried to explain what I saw inside, managing only a broken 'someone.'

"Relax," Adam reassured me, but I couldn't stop trembling, and breathing had also become difficult for me now. "I SAID RELAX," his loud voice made me stop struggling.

Silence ensued, perhaps allowing me to regain composure or preventing him from acting impulsively. Whatever it was, I was grateful that I had a moment to myself.

After a moment of silence, Adam grabbed both my arms and turned to me to face him.

"Now tell me what happened," he said in a softer tone, attempting to be understanding.

I gulped, wondering how to convey what I'd witnessed. Would he believe me?

"De... Everybody," I stammered, still struggling to form a coherent sentence.

"Let's go inside," Adam suggested, appearing tired of waiting. I shook my head, taking a step back, but he firmly pulled me back.

"I'm here, don't worry."

Knowing he wasn't going to change his decision and eventually I had to face it, I nodded.

Adam didn't show much emotion at the sight of the dead bodies. Either he was good at hiding his feelings or just used to death. I think it's both, if you ask me.

************

We had barely taken a few steps when I noticed Allison approaching us. What startled me was the blood trailing down her forehead, disappearing into her clothing. However, it quickly dawned on me that she must be feigning an attack to appear as another victim.

As she saw us, her angry expression transformed into one of vulnerability. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her chin trembled. She rushed toward Adam, embracing him, and began crying on his shoulder. Adam remained motionless, offering no comfort or pulling away.