Black Magic

Chapter 24: Arriving Danger

THOMAS' POV

I stood in the doorway of the bedroom where my mother is staying, my eyes widening in shock and disbelief.

The room, once a sanctuary that held her essence, now seemed hauntingly empty. My heart raced, and a lump formed in my throat as I took in the barren space.

Frantically, I searched every corner, turning over cushions and opening drawers, hoping to find a clue, a trace of her presence. 

But there was nothing. Mother had vanished without a trace. Fear gripped me tightly, squeezing my chest as I realized she was nowhere to be found.

I rushed through the halls, asking the staff if they had seen her, but their bewildered expressions mirrored my own confusion. 

No one knew where she had gone. Desperation and worry consumed me as I felt the weight of Magdalena's absence pressing upon me.

In my frantic state, I sought out Astrid, knowing that she had become a dear friend and confidante. I found her in the garden, tending to the delicate roses, her presence a calming balm amidst the turmoil in my mind.

"Astrid," I called out, my voice laced with urgency. "My mother...she's gone. I've searched everywhere, asked everyone, but no one knows where she is. I don't understand, I don't know what to do."

Astrid's eyes widened, mirroring the concern etched across my face. Without hesitation, she took my hand in hers, her touch grounding me in the midst of my turmoil. "Thomas, we will find her. We'll search together, leave no stone unturned. We won't rest until she is found."

Her words filled me with a sense of hope, and I nodded, grateful for her support. Side by side, we tirelessly combed through the estate, exploring every nook and cranny, hoping for any sign of my mother's whereabouts.

As the hours stretched on, our determination remained steadfast. We spoke to anyone who might have seen her, searched the gardens, and even ventured into the woods, knowing that every passing moment was crucial.

Astrid's presence beside me was a source of strength, her support a reminder that I was not alone in this agonizing search. We shared a silent understanding, communicating through glances and gestures, as we navigated the maze of uncertainty.

Despite the worry that weighed heavily on our hearts, Astrid's presence brought a measure of comfort. Her determination and her willingness to stand by my side gave me hope that together we would overcome this ordeal.

GENERAL MATT'S POV

I stood tall in the heart of the dense forest, Magdalena bound before me. Her pleading eyes filled with fear, mirroring the despair that had consumed me for years.

The guards surrounding us, loyal to my cause, watched as I prepared to unleash my wrath upon the woman I held responsible for the chaos in my life.

"Magdalena," I spat her name like a curse, "You think you can just deny your involvement in the destruction of my family? You're a liar and a manipulator, and I won't let you escape the consequences of your actions."

I couldn't help but laugh evilly as I tightened my grip on the rope that held Magdalena captive. My anger, fueled by the pain of losing Florence and the rift between Eugene and his daughter, Eleanor, boiled within me.

It was time for Magdalena to pay for the suffering she had caused."You're the reason Eugene's life became a mess," I hissed, my eyes never leaving her trembling form. "Your deceit drove a wedge between father and daughter, turning Eleanor against her own flesh and blood. And don't think I've forgotten about your twisted plan to murder Florence, my sister"

Magdalena's face contorted in anguish as she tried to defend herself. "It wasn't like that! Florence's execution and Eugene's death in war were natural disasters, unpredictable and uncontrollable!"

I scoffed at her pathetic attempt to deny her guilt. "Natural disasters? You're delusional if you think anyone will believe that. You orchestrated their downfall, and now you'll face the consequences of your actions."

As the guards prepared to carry out my orders, I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me. This was the moment of reckoning for Magdalena, the woman who had caused so much pain and heartache in my life.

I had waited for this moment, and now, it was finally here. My heart pounded in my chest as the guards positioned themselves around us, their cold expressions mirroring the darkness that had consumed me.

Magdalena's eyes, once filled with defiance, now pleaded for mercy. But I would not show her any compassion. She had brought this upon herself.

"You may begin," I commanded, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me.
The guards sprang into action, their brutal tactics designed to inflict maximum pain and suffering upon Magdalena. She screamed and cried out in agony, her once-proud demeanor shattered by the cruelty of our retribution.

As the torture continued, I stood there, watching with a mix of satisfaction and revulsion. I had avenged my family, and yet, the darkness inside me only grew stronger with each passing moment. 

The chilling screams of my daughter, Astrid, pierced through the darkness, snapping me back to reality. I turned around to see her holding a wrench, her face twisted in fear and determination. Thomas, the guard who had been loyal to me, cowered behind her, his eyes wide with terror.

"What is my daughter Astrid doing with that wrench?" I demanded, my voice shaking with a mixture of anger and desperation.

Astrid, usually so obedient and gentle, now stood before me as a defiant force, her actions a stark reminder of the chaos I had unleashed.

Astrid, in turn, screamed at me to release Magdalena. Her plea for mercy only fueled my rage. "If you do not let Magdalena go, I will run away" she threatened, her voice trembling but resolute.

Thomas, sensing the danger he was in, screamed and cried out for mercy. In a moment of madness, I made a decision that would further entrench me in the darkness I had created. "Very well," I snarled, "Thomas shall be my slave, and if he does not obey, I will kill his mother, Magdalena."

Astrid yelled, "WHAT? NO!"

With cold determination, I dragged Thomas away from the scene, leaving Astrid in the hands of the guards. Her angry yells followed us.

As I disappeared into the darkness with Thomas, I knew that I had reached a crossroads.