Black Magic

Chapter 44: Gripping Fear

In the dark confines of a secluded interrogation room, Astrid found herself bound to a cold, metal chair.

Fear gnawed at her insides as General Matt stormed into the room, his eyes blazing with fury.

'You disobeyed me, Astrid,' Matt growled, his voice a menacing whisper. 'THE GUARDS REPORTED SEEING YOU WITH A MAN AND YOU LEFT EZEKIEL INJURED!"

Astrid's heart pounded in her chest.

"IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! EZEKIEL TRIED TO RAPE ME!"

"SILENCE!"

Though she knew the consequences of her actions, she couldn't bring herself to betray her friend.

Matt's patience was wearing thin. He paced back and forth, his boots thudding against the concrete floor. 'WHO WERE YOU WITH, ASTRID?' he demanded, his voice rising.

Astrid remained silent, her lips pressed together in defiance. Matt's eyes narrowed. He pulled out his gun and pointed it at her head.

'I'll ask you again,' he hissed. 'WHO WERE YOU WITH?'

Fear surged through Astrid as she realized the seriousness of her situation. She knew that Matt was capable of anything. 'I WAS WITH THOMAS!' she cried out, her voice trembling.

Matt's face contorted in rage. He slapped Astrid across the face, sending her head snapping to the side. 'YOU LYING TRAITOR!' he roared.

Astrid's cheek burned from the impact. She stared at Matt, her eyes filled with a mixture of terror and defiance. She would not let him break her.

Matt leaned closer, his breath hot on her skin. 'YOU HAD AN AFFAIR WITH A SERVANT?! I will find Thomas,' he vowed. 'And when I do, I will make him suffer. And you will watch.'

Astrid swallowed hard, her body trembling. She knew that Matt's threats were real. But she would not give up. She would not betray her friend or her cause.

As Matt turned to leave, Astrid's voice rang out in the room. 'You can't stop us,' she said. 'The people will rise up against you, and you will fall.'

Matt laughed mockingly. 'You're a fool, Astrid,' he said. 'You think you can stand against me? I am the law. I am the superior. And you are the inferior.' And he walks away.

In the dining hall of the sprawling mansion, a storm raged outside, the wind howling like a banshee.

Amidst the tempestuous fury, Matt stormed into the room, his face etched with a mixture of anger and rage.

As he entered, his gaze fell upon a freshly cooked sandwich lying tantalizingly on the dining table.

The maids had informed him earlier that it was for him, at his request.

However, a nagging sense of unease crept into his mind as he shrugged off the thought and reached for the sandwich.

Unbeknownst to Matt, a sinister figure lurked in the shadows behind the wall.

Thomas had been hiding there, his hands trembling with anxiety.

When the maids turned away before, he swiftly and stealthily planted tiny needles inside the sandwich right before Matt could arrive.

Anxiety gnawed at Thomas's stomach, causing him to release a deafening fart. The thunderous sound startled Matt, causing him to choke on the sandwich.

Panic surged through his veins as he struggled to breathe.

Gasping for air, Matt frantically checked his throat and discovered the needles lodged there.

In that moment, Thomas emerged from his hiding place, his eyes gleaming with triumph. With a swift motion, he untied Astrid, who had been held captive in a nearby room.

As Matt lay choking, Thomas and Astrid embraced, their hearts pounding with relief and exhilaration.

Thomas held onto Astrid's hand tightly as they ran through the darkened alleyways of the mansion their hearts pounding with adrenaline.

The sound of gunshots echoed behind them as the guards pursued, their bullets whizzing through the air.

But Thomas and Astrid were determined to escape, their will to survive propelling them forward.

Ducking behind a corner, Thomas and Astrid caught their breath, their bodies trembling with a mix of fear and exhilaration.

But Thomas was shot on the shoulder, "ARGH!!!"

He knew they couldn't stop for long; they had to keep moving to stay ahead of their pursuers.

As they continued their desperate flight, they have finally ran outdoors and successfully escaped.

Medics rushing to the aid of General Matt.

The chaos of the situation momentarily diverted the attention of the guards, allowing Thomas and Astrid to blend into the commotion.

General Matt, weakened and gasping for air, coughed as he regained consciousness. 

He mustered his strength and barked at the guards who stood by his side, his voice filled with fury.

Guards spoke, "Sir, Astrid escaped with our servant!"

"Find them! Find Thomas and Astrid!" he roared, his words laced with venom. "I won't tolerate their betrayal. Bring them back to me, dead or alive!"

The guards, eager to redeem themselves in the eyes of their enraged leader, nodded and dispersed, spreading out in search of the fleeing couple.

Meanwhile, Thomas and Astrid kept running, their legs carrying them as fast as they could manage.

Fear still gripped their hearts, but a glimmer of hope burned within them. They knew that they had defied the odds and escaped the clutches of General Matt, but their journey was far from over.