For Me,There Is Only You |18+|

37. Escape Plan

And the new day did bring new pain and suffering.

Early in the morning, two guards dragged me out of the room to some kind of chamber. This chamber was larger, with iron bars lining one side like a massive cage.

Master stood in the center of the room, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "Did you get restful sleep, boy?"

The guards dropped me to the ground, my body hitting the cold stone floor with a sickening thud. I groaned, trying to push myself up, but my limbs felt heavy, weighed down by the remnants of fear and exhaustion.

"Too bad. But you are not here to sleep and dream leisurely," Master continued, his voice dripping with mockery. "Nyxia must have forgotten that for a moment, but I didn't." He paused, savoring the moment.

"Now that you have completed your beauty sleep, let's up the game a little bit, shall we? I will introduce you to your new playmate today."

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as his words sank in. New playmate?

I was still on the floor, my heart pounding, when, with a wave of the Master's hand, the iron gate at the far end of the chamber creaked open.

From the shadows emerged a creature, its eyes glowing with hunger. It stood over seven feet tall, sinewy muscles rippling beneath its mottled, scaly skin. Its face was a horrifying blend of human and reptile, with sharp, jagged teeth and a forked tongue that flicked out menacingly. Long, razor-sharp claws extended from its fingers, each one capable of slicing through flesh and bone with ease.

"This," Master announced with a smile, "is Grendel, my finest creation. Defeat him, and you may yet live. Fail, and it will tear you apart." He glanced down at me. "I hope you both will become good friends." With that, Master turned to leave the chamber.

Panic surged through me. I scrambled after him, grabbing Master's leg. "Master... please don't leave me here. I will die." The growl of the creature behind me sent a fresh wave of terror through my body.

Master glanced down at me, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "Well, if that happens, then it will prove you were nothing but a failure." He kicked me hard, sending me sprawling backward, and left the chamber, the door slamming shut with a final, echoing thud.

I lay there, pain radiating from where he had kicked me, tears streaming down my face.

The growl of Grendel grew louder, closer. My body shook with fear, knowing that my chances of survival were slim.

I tried to push myself up, my mind racing for a way out, but the creature's glowing eyes were already fixed on me, filled with a terrifying hunger.

I had no weapons, no means of defense except my sheer will to survive.

Or maybe... maybe I should let this creature kill me.

If I did, all of this would be over, wouldn't it? All the pain and suffering would end. I wouldn't have to endure Master's torture anymore.

Grendel advanced, its growls growing louder, more menacing. My body took a defensive stance on its own.

No. I didn't want to die... not like this.

My mind raced. I needed a plan, some way to outsmart the beast. My eyes darted around the chamber, searching for anything that could be used as a weapon.

Before I could formulate a plan, the monster lunged, its claws slashing through the air. I barely managed to dodge, the beast's claws grazing my arm and drawing blood.