CHECKMATE

CHAPTER 3: LITTLE PAWN

My mind is racing the speed of light, my heart is thumping faster than lightning strikes. I open my eyes and I observe my surroundings. The room, it's not mine. I push myself up and slowly walk to the door before me. My hand is shaking as I push myself to open the door. I stop to take a deep breath.
"Here goes nothing," I whisper to myself.
I walk into a hallway, the walls are marble and the floor, an elegant gray wood. It's so quiet and strange.. I don't understand what is happening to me. I place my fingers on the wall and my feet walk against the cold floor. I hear a noise come from one of the rooms ahead of me. Without question I slowly walk towards the room. What if I'm in danger?
"Stupid Aria! This is how people die. You are defenseless," I say quietly to myself.
I ignore my thoughts and keep going forward. My hands shudder as I have no idea what's behind this door. I could die and my dumbass wants to chase mysteries. I slowly push open the door and sluggishly walk forward.
BOOM, I yelp as the door behind me slams shut. I panic as I'm the only one in the room and doors are just slamming on their own. What kind of paranormal bullshit is this? I walk towards this monstrous table, almost like it's set up like a game.
"You've got to be shitting me," I say, jaw dropped in disbelief.
Before me stands an extensive chess board with different pawns. The pawns don't look like pawns though, they look like people. I shrug my shoulders confused at what I'm seeing.
I thought to myself, "I mean people are like pawns, but whatever sick game this is, I want no part of."
I go to turn around but before I can my head is covered by something taking my breath away and before I know it, I'm out cold.
My body is asleep but I feel everything. I am carried into a different room and laid down on something velvety. My legs are spread apart from each other and it may sound like I'm crazy but I feel scales moving across the skin of my legs.
I gain consciousness and my eyelids slowly open. I go to rub my eyes but my hands are tied to the ends of a bed the size of a room. The red velvet blankets brush against my ass as I try to free myself until I look down and notice my legs are tied but not by rope. Two snakes gleaming into my eyes stare at me gripping my legs tighter, piercing them in pain.
"Ow fuck," I let out a small cry
I look around the room and I'm alone with two snakes. One black, with piercing red eyes and a forked tongue long enough to reach my face. The other scaled creature holding me captive is a white beauty, white as snow with blue coppered eyes watching my every move.
As I look down, my black dress is still in good condition, not that it matters. I might not even make it out of here alive. Oh God, I wonder what Luna is thinking. I know I'm missing my interview for sure now. A tear slides down my cheek and is wiped away by a warm touch. I look over and a shadow moves and makes its way to the chair sitting in front of me. Exposing me to darkness.
I squirm trying to break free from the grip of serpents holding my legs apart but the grip tightens leaving an unbearable sharp pain shooting up into my hips. I'm over, I know I am. I'm going to die and nobody is going to know. My mind races hysterically as my gaze burns holes right through the intimidating freak lurking back at me. He's there, I can feel his thoughts as his eyes wander brisk over my body. God, why do I like his gaze? I'm so stupid for even thinking any part of this is attractive. This is not how fairy tales end, stupid Aria!
"You're right Little Pawn, fairytales don't end like this. You're not a princess, you're a pawn in my little game but the difference is you won't win. You'll be mine and there is nothing your tense little body can do about it," growls the shadow.
I sat there in silence too stunned to speak on how in the hell he or whatever it is knew what was running through my mind. I squirm trying to break the hold of the serpents caressing my shaken legs.
"Don't cry Aria, you will be fine, it's just a dream," I tell myself silently.
"My love, it's not a dream but I'll make sure you see me later in your dreams. This time, my pests won't be gripping you and I can promise you the grip you'll be feeling might not be as easy," he growls.
"What do you want from me?" I yell, a tear sliding down the side of my soft rosy cheek. Not that crying will get me out of the situation I'm in but it sounded good in the moment.
He chuckles, "Well sweet one, you decided to disobey the little note that I have left for you. I usually don't prefer little brats but since you're a beauty I won't punish you as bad for now."
"Punish me? I don't even know you. I don't know your name or what you even look like," I snap back at the asshole.
"Keep up the attitude and you'll learn my name real quick, but you'll be screaming my name in mercy," he says sternly.
I sigh at his remark, "Ok fine you win but can you please tell me who you are, what you actually want with me?"
"I can see we have a lot to go over, princess. You'll soon find out the answer to all of your questions. But in the meantime, you will not be disrespectful to me. Am I understood Little Pawn?
This guy can't be real, I thought to myself. He's a straight up lunatic. I can't stay here any longer. Forget my questions, I need to escape.
"Understood, but please stop calling me names," I raise my brow.
"Somewhat better," He laughs.
The shadow disappears and the serpents loosen their grip. This is the perfect time to escape but I can't get the idea of him punishing me out of my head. Is he going to kill me? Is that my punishment?
"Little Pawn, I would never kill you. Now hurt you, maybe a different story. Go ahead, try and escape. You won't appreciate the outcome, at least not yet," he growls.
"Fuck, he's in my head I seriously can't have no thoughts without this bitch knowing what I am thinking." I say softly.
I can't see him anywhere in this room. His shadow vanished. Clearly inhuman but what is he? Am I in hell?
"Curious little thing aren't you? Well Little Pawn, do you like to play games? I'll make you a deal, if you can win this game I will reveal myself and you may ask any question your little heart desires. But here's the catch, if I win I can do whatever I want with you," he explains.
"How do I know you're not lying?" I yell
"Oh Princess, I will always keep my deals. What do you say?" He asks.
"Fine, only because I wanna know what the hell you are" I express.
"That's a good girl, now shall I explain the rules of the game?" he says
"I suppose so," I lay there eager to get out of the grip of the snakes.
"Let's place a classic game known in your childhood. Luna and you used to play this game all the time in your grandmother's backyard. Any guesses of what this game could possibly be?" He asks
"Ok first of all can you come out and speak to me and not in my mind, you're driving me crazy and for two how did you know about my childhood?" I said, alarmed.
"Oh darling you can't see me just yet. Only good girls get rewards. I know every little thing about you my love. You have two minutes to get a head start. If I tag you, you will freeze and get on your knees. Am I clear?" he says.
"Yes, and if you don't, I want to know everything. You will be the one on your knees begging to get rid of me" I remarked back.
"Whatever you say Little Pawn," he chuckles quietly.
The serpent's let go of my legs and slid down the silky sheets towards the door. I watch them exit and my mind starts racing of the probability if I could make a run for it. This is all so confusing to me, I feel like I'm dreaming. Whatever this asshole is, makes me wish I paid attention in Church. Maybe this is God's way of punishing me for having such erotic dreams.
"Oh Little Pawn, God doesn't exist in this world. The only God you will be worshiping is me when you're on your knees taking my cock like the good little slut I will make you become," says the irritating voice in my head.
"God Damn it, get out of my head you bastard!" I yelled.
"Keep talking, I'll just have to find a way to silence you," he says.
I don't like the sounds of that at all. I need to run as far and fast as I can. Something doesn't feel right and I know it starts with him.
"Are you ready Little Pawn? You don't know where I am, keep that in mind before you get in over your head," he says.
"I'm ready, but how long does this game last? When will I know when I win?" I ask.
If I'm in hell, demons play tricks you don't notice till it's too late.
"Hmm, is two minutes fair enough for you? The only thing I ask of you is don't go outside. It's very dangerous. I don't need anybody hurting you but me. Am I understood Little Pawn?"
"Who could hurt me? What's out there?" I asked.
"So many questions, better win. Now Run." he says with a laugh.
I bolted for the door and opened it not looking back because I refuse to lose to a game so easily. I just have to stay away from him for two minutes. How hard could it be?
I ran through the halls the sounds of clicks behind me. I'm being followed already, this may be harder than I thought. I follow a hallway down to the grand staircase and I know at this moment I need to slide down the railing to save time but the only thing I fear is I'm going to slide off. Fuck it, I can't loose. I jump up on the railing and begin sliding down when I glance behind me, a human figure walking down the steps but I can't see their face. It's covered by a black mask.
No, it's the black masked man that was in my dream this morning. Fear slips through my veins and my adrenaline starts pumping into my heart.
"One minute left, Little Pawn, can you escape me?" he chuckles
"Oh fuck no not today," I say out loud as I jump off the railing and glance at the front door.
. He has to be a demon, he can change forms somehow because he was just a shadow a few moments ago. Demons play tricks so it must mean the outside is a good place to run. There has to be many hiding spots, that's why he said don't do it because his ego won't allow him to lose. It can't be dangerous if he says it is because demons lie. I take one more glance before opening the door and I make a run for it outside.
"LITTLE PAWN I said don't go outside you disobedient.." I slammed the door as he was talking and ran towards a fountain. It was beautiful, water filtering through little gaps making it flow perfectly into a waterfall formation. Then I notice the top is of a pawn piece just like the board I saw inside.
"He must really love his games" I remark.
No time to waste I run to my left towards a gate hoping this can be my escape until I feel a sharp pain from the back of my head. My hair was yanked, sending me straight on my ass. I then noticed my surroundings, everything seemed so.. Gloomy, dark and deprived from life. Maybe I really am in hell but I don't remember dying. I snap out of my thoughts when I feel something tight around my neck taking my breath away but air can still intrude.
"Freeze, your time is out Little Pawn." He smirks as he glances down at me with his dark ombre eyes if only I could see his face.
"You said to get on my knees and freeze, you never said anything about restricting my neck," I yell
"Relax, you can still move your neck but change of plans since you want to disobey me once more. I have something different in mind for you," he says coldly.
"Are you a demon?" I ask hoping for an answer.
"Ah, Little Pawn I told you before, only good girls get rewards and you didn't listen so here is what's going to happen. You will be punished for your disobedience and if you take it well then I will decide if you deserve to ask a few questions. Understood?" He declares sending shivers down my spine.
Tears start to form in my eyes but I won't let him see it. Demons feast on tears at least from what my grandmother told me. I could really use her guidance right now.
He yanks me from the ground by the collar he stuck around my neck and begins walking back towards the large infrastructure. This isn't what I pictured hell to be like. It's dark, yes but the building before me is strangely elegant.
I looked around thinking the place would be filled with strange looking creatures but nothing is here except for the two of us and that scares me.
I try and yanked back against his grip of the chain pulling me but he's much stronger. He stops in his tracks and turns towards me and I can tell I've pissed him off.
"You pull one more time and you'll make your situation worse princess," he asserts, aggravated by my actions.
At this moment I've already been upset and confused enough that I get this bright idea that maybe if I piss him off enough he will show me his true self. Am I scared? Yes but I need answers if I'm going to make it out of here.
"Fine," I say with a smirk and follow behind him until we reach the doors of the building then I grab the chain and yank it back my way with all my might and the fucker doesn't budge one bit.
"Seems you like testing my abilities Aria," he says with a smile before walking towards me.
I freeze in place terrified of what is going to happen next because I just pissed off what I think is a demon but I can't be so sure. It wouldn't make sense but this place is just too strange.
Before I know it he picks me up and places me over his shoulder and this sets a fury of anger I can't hold back. Who does he think he is to just pick me up like I'm a child? I kick my feet into his chest and punch his back but no reaction whatsoever.
"Let me down this instant," I yell and all he can do is let out a laugh that sends a wave of emotions through my mind.
It pissed me off but at the same time, his laugh was beautiful not what you would think a demon would sound like and honestly his voice is deep but sounds angelic and calm.
All I can see now is the floor he walks upon and I never really noticed it before but some areas are a gray wood and others closer to the hallways are checked like that large board game I saw in the room earlier before I was knocked out. I know demons play games but I didn't realize they loved them this much.
It feels like he's been carrying me for an eternity and I'm getting sick of staring at the floor. I need to get down, I don't care if I piss him off because at this point I'm willing to get even over the fact he thinks he has some sort of ownership over me.
"You have five seconds to put me down before I hurt you," I say confidently.
"If you say so, but I highly doubt you can even lay a scratch on me," he says to me which sounds playfully but I could be mistaken.
Without hesitation I yank off the necklace that was found earlier in my home and I take the sharp piece of the pawn and dive it straight into his neck and he yells in pain and drops me to the floor and I land on my hands and knees. A sharp pain shoots up into my neck and a piercing scream leaves my mouth. He turns to look at me ignoring the fact that I just stabbed him with worry filled eyes. A creature of hell worrying about a mortal? I have to be dreaming. The pain coming from my neck is unbearable. I can't stand it, I feel like I can't breathe.
"You took off the necklace I gave you?" He yells with worry in his voice, shaky.
"You gave me no choice, I wanted to escape dickhead," I yelled back at him holding my neck in place.
He comes closer to me, his eyes darkened not soft like they were and now fear takes over my body leaving me shaking in place like a weak warrior in battle.
"You can't escape me Aria, you need to learn that right now. Give me the necklace!" he says sternly.
"No!" I yell quickly picking up the broken chain.
I go to make a run for it before the chain holding snug onto the collar he placed around my neck yanks me right back on my ass once again. I was so worried about stabbing him that I forgot he placed this stupid thing around my neck.
"You've disobeyed me enough today Little Pawn. It's time I show you what happens when you disobey me but first you will put this necklace back on," he says sternly
"But I don't want to.." I tried saying before he cut me off.
"What did I just say," he raises his voice enough to send goosebumps to my arms but strangely, my pussy throbs from the growl in his voice.
He took the broken chain from my hands and by the touch of his hands, the necklace became one again. There is something about him that makes me intrigued but I hate him at the same time. I know he is some creature but what would he want with me?
"You have so many questions that you will learn in time. I promise you that but for now, you must trust me," he says softly.
"Why would I trust someone, I mean something.. whatever you are that puts a collar and chain around my neck?" I say raising my eyebrow out of curiosity because if he thinks he has my trust he must be naive.
"I understand your concern, be a good girl for me and you'll learn everything but as of right now you being this little brat that you are isn't going to get you anywhere. Your grandmother failed to teach you manners," he says once again cold as ice.
"My grandma? Leave her out of this," I hissed, not even bothering to question how he knows of her.
He says nothing as he goes to put the necklace back on me and I give up and let him do so. His eyes are dark but still beautiful, he looks human but to be a human they can't take on mind powers and  shadow forms. I'm not so sure anymore.
The moment the necklace is back on me, the pain in my neck disappears like nothing ever happened in the first place. Panic shoots down my body as I go to scoot back he grabs my face and his eyes meet mine. The black mask is covering his face but I wish to see what he looks like. I am dying to know the creature before me.
My hand raises and I go to take the mask off of him when his hand meets mine and stops me.
"You must leave the mask on Aria," he states with a hint of sadness in his tone.
"I want to see what you look like, you don't look like a demon in the eyes," I say.
"Have you seen a demon before, princess," he questions.
"Well no but I have an image in my head from what my Grandma's church had once said to us. But you don't fit the image. You look human, not red with horns," I quietly say.
"I never said I was a demon sweet one," he says with a chuckle.
I frown, annoyed by his charm,"Then what are you?"
"You'll find out in time but for now, you're going to learn how I do things around here. I don't tolerate the disrespect you've thrown at me since you've arrived so here is the deal. You will be a good girl and come with me and take your punishment well and you will get your answers you desire. If not and you fight your punishment, you will face a greater penalty and I promise you won't enjoy the outcome," he growls.
The expression on my face grows bitter and I look him dead in the eyes thinking of a response that might not totally piss him off. He must be trying to scare me, how cute.
Before I have time to rethink my answer, words slip through my soft rosy lips.
"You can take your punishment tactics and shove them up your ass," I say with a smirk and his eyes stared down at me sending chills down my spine knowing I fucked up.
He bends down and growls,"You're going to be very fun to punish Little Pawn."