Pieces of a Novel

Chapter 2

Daniel:
He didn't know where he was. One moment, he was drowning, his feet and hands flailing uselessly as they sought for purchase. The next, he was thrown into a pyre, it's flames licking his skin hungrily as he screamed.
Daniel's eyes flew open, breathing heavily. This isn't real. It's just a dream. Daniel repeated to himself, his sweat cooling in the damp environment. When his eyes adjusted to the dark cavern, he realised that he was seated on a chair, his wrists and ankles bound in what seemed like tape. Sloppy handiwork. He brought his two arms together, looping one piece of tape around the other. He then pulled both hands away from each other, causing the tape to snap.
"Too ea-"
Two tendrils of vine shot out from behind him, binding his wrists to the wall and slamming him against the wall. The chair clattered to the ground, the sound echoing in the small space. Daniel struggled against the vines, now curling around his form and pressing him harder against the wall.
"Did you think it'd be that easy, boy?"
Laughter seemed to reverberate through the room, a hollow rasp of a man more creature than human.
"Wow...you really are too confident, aren't you?"
The man in question stepped forward from the darkness, snapping his fingers. A young boy, seemingly around his early teens, followed suit behind him, his yellow unruly hair adding a splash of colour to the otherwise polaroid look of the man. Floating above the boy's right palm, a small flame lit the circular room dimly. On his left palm, vines curled around his fingers like snakes. Doppio semidio. Double demigods. The child of not one, but two gods. Only a step away from godhood. Daniel arranged his features into a look of confidence he didn't feel.
"Well, I'm shocked it took you so long to finally find me."
He said smoothly. The man, which he long already knew was
the one and only Darkness god, chuckled.
"What's so funny, Scuro?"
That was what the Black Diamonds would call him. He was no Black Diamond, but he was glad to be able to surprise him, at least. Of course, Taylor, who had been kidnapped by his men, had told Daniel this.
He only laughed louder, which was the equivalent of chalk against a chalkboard.
"Yes, of course, Taylor would have told you that."
He chuckled again and flicked his hand clockwise lazily. The young boy stepped closer, his left fist closing. He felt the vines around his body tighten, knocking the air out of him. Daniel gagged and clawed at his throat fruitlessly, his eyes flitting to the boy's right hand, the flames leaping higher. As the fire made contact with his skin, he felt it sizzle, an ugly burn mark spreading across his ankles. He barely managed to draw in breath to scream before the vines crawled into his mouth and bound them shut. Gods...His thoughts were like flotsam, drifting further and further away from each other in a sea of pain. If this was the suffering Taylor had gone through every day...Just as he felt he couldn't take any more of it, Scuro flicked his hand again, this time counter-clockwise. The flames on the boy's palm ceased, the vines loosening and dumping Daniel onto the ground unceremoniously. Before the boy stuck his right hand into his pocket, Daniel saw the burns on his palm. He's hurting just as badly as I am... He thought to himself, and felt something like pity for this boy. The boy glared at him, as if all his problems were created by Daniel. He spat at Daniel's boots, giving him one last dirty look before returning back to his master's side. Daniel had momentarily forgotten about his wounds, but as he glanced at the throbbing burns, he felt a spike of pain travel up his ankle. Whether it was from the burn or if he had accidentally sprained it when he fell, it hurt like hell regardless. He vowed to stay silent though, like the young boy. Biting his tongue, he grabbed onto one loose vine and pulled himself up shakily. He hissed quietly under his breath as another bout of pain traveled up his leg. Whatever the case, this was just a little taste of what this man could do. Daniel knew he would go unbelievable lengths to teach someone a lesson. A memory resurfaced from his mind. "You know what you two have in common?" Spencer had asked him. "I have nothing in common with that excuse of a man." Daniel had replied back, sure of himself. Spencer nodded but still said."True, on most aspects you can't quite connect with him, but there is something you both have." Daniel had asked him what it was. Spencer smiled warmly. "Grudges. Both of you take them very seriously. They stay with you long after you've rotted in your grave." Daniel had protested, saying he'd never hold a grudge against someone for so long. But now, as he studied Scuro's profile, all sharp angles and smooth cheeks, he knew that if he even laid a finger on his friends, he would chase him down and gut the guy himself. Maybe Spencer was right. They both held grudges, some against each other and others against strangers. But he knew they would both hunt them down. And this man was first on his list. Scuro's polished boots clicked against the floor, before coming to a stop straight in front of Daniel. He couldn't help it. Daniel spat on his shoe, and lifted his head to glare straight at his yellow eyes. Something deep in his throat rumbled, seemingly a growl. The pain in his ankle was all but forgotten, the sea of pain slowly drying up as it's engulfed in a wave of red-hot anger. Who was this man, who allowed himself to treat whoever whatever way he liked? Did he ever think about his victim's pain? Taylor's? This poor boy's? He felt his anger swelling, threatening to crash down onto his neatly manicured land. Calm down, Daniel. Not right now. Control. Daniel took a deep breath, and planted both of his feet firmly onto the ground, ignoring the sharp stab of pain. "Do what you like, but my friends will hunt you down."
The man smiled, a ghastly, unnerving curve.
"Oh, your friends? What makes you think they're not already captured and on their way to my castle?"
Daniel's face paled from his statement. Could they really...?No, he knew how strong Taylor was when she was in monster form. And surely Mira can protect herself...He shook his head and said, just as coolly,
"I know you're playing with me. Mira would rather die than get dragged back to your hideout."
Scuro paused and nodded, ignoring the insult to his castle.
"I suppose you're right. But if it concerns the well being of you..."
Daniel froze. Mira's dad had baited her?!
"Well, she hates me, so she's definitely not going to take the bait."
"If you think so." He said, his lips parting and stretching to reveal his black gums. Turning on his heels, he flicked his hand again, this time simply forward. He strutted away like nothing had happened. This man...The boy knelt by his side and held out his hand, seemingly waiting for something.
"You're not leaving?"
"Not yet."
It was the first time he'd heard him speak. He sounded tired, like he'd just been back from a twelve hour shift. Close enough. He was actually burning your ankles and squeezing the life out of you. The boy furrowed his eyebrows, his eyes focusing on his upturned palm. Beads of sweat formed on his face. Slowly, his palm started to fill with green liquid.
"What's that?"
"Sedative."
He winced. Not again. He absolutely despised his recurring nightmares.
"Don't worry, it'll only last for half a day or so. And you won't hurt that much."
He relaxed a little from that. At least his wounds wouldn't affect him. A nagging question that he'd had since the start resurfaced from his mind.
"Don't you hate this?"
The boy stopped for a moment. He met Daniel's eyes, and he could see years of pain buried in his gaze.
"Hate is a strong word."
He finally answered carefully, before continuing to make the green sedative. He had no idea how he was doing it, but he didn't ask. Demigods had their ways. He'd seen Mira do more unexplainable things. Mira...Her name drifted into his mind listlessly, like a piece of a broken toy in his mountain of wind-ups. Please be safe... Daniel pleaded fervently. He had no idea what was next, but he knew that if he wanted to give Scuro a taste of his own medicine, he needed his friend's help. They were going to find him. And if they didn't, he would find them himself. His expression must've shown, because the boy suddenly said something unexpected.
"You're thinking of someone."
It wasn't a question, but a statement. Like he'd already knew that expression as an old friend. The boy didn't question, and Daniel was glad. Mira's name was stuck in his throat. The boy beckoned him forward. Cautiously, he edged himself towards him, moving on his hands and bottom. The boy took out a small vial from his pocket. It was then he'd only realised the boy's face was drenched in sweat. Making the sedative must've taxed him. The boy carefully poured the liquid into the small opening, making sure to spill nothing.
"Drink."
He motioned to the vial, now full of that eerie green liquid. He shuddered. Even though he knew what was going to happen, he still felt uneasy. If you wanna save them...He took a deep breath and downed it in one gulp. Immediately, he could feel himself drooping as he slumped against the wall. Just as his eyes shut, he saw the boy, expression unreadable, staring directly at his face. He said something, but Daniel had already disappeared into the depths.
"I'm sorry. I guess it was never your fault."
The boy said, before sighing and leaving.