Obsession's Prey

Chapter 2

Ryder dragged Asher through the darkness, his grip on his wrist like a vice. They eventually arrived at a grand mansion, hidden away in the woods. The mansion loomed above them, its turrets and spires reaching towards the moon like skeletal fingers.
Asher tried to remain calm as he looked around Ryder's mansion, many questions swirling around his head

"Why are we here?" Asher asked, his voice shaking.

Ryder smiled, his eyes glinting with excitement. "This is my home," he said. "And now, it's yours too."

Asher's heart skipped a beat as Ryder pulled him inside. The mansion was opulent, with lavish furnishings and artwork adorning the walls. Ryder led him to a room deep in the mansion, a room that seemed to be designed specifically for him.

"This is where you'll be staying," Ryder said, his eyes roving over Asher's face. "You'll be safe here."

Asher's mind reeled as he took in his surroundings. He was in a large room with a queens sized bed, there wasn't much furniture in the room except a study table at the edge of the room and a night stand beside the bed, in front of the bed was a huge mirror that was at least six feet.

"I have a lot of things in my mind that we can use that mirror for" Ryder leaned in and whispered in Asher's ear softly as Asher-despite all his attempts at hiding his expression-blushed a deep shade of red.

Ryder's gaze lingered on Asher's face, his eyes burning with intensity. "I'll be back soon," he said. "And when I am, we'll continue our conversation."

Asher nodded, his heart racing with fear and another emotion he wouldn't quite put his finger on, he was....excited. He didn't even know why he followed the maniacal serial killer, it was more of a reflex action but it wasn't like he had any other place to go to...he looked around the room, he realized that he was trapped. The windows were barred, the door locked. He was at Ryder's mercy.....and for some reason he didn't fear it.

The sound of footsteps, echoing down the hallway caught his attention, heavy, deliberate footsteps. Ryder's footsteps.

Asher's heart skipped a beat as the door opened, and Ryder stood before him. His eyes gleamed with excitement, his smile twisted and sinister.

"It's time," he said, his voice dripping with anticipation. "Time to find out all your secrets, Asher."

Asher's mind reeled as Ryder approached him, his heart racing with anticipation. He knew he was in grave danger, trapped at the mercy of a monster but for some reason he didn't want to leave, it felt a magnetic pull keeping him from  leaving.......he was pondering on it when everything went black.

Asher's eyes fluttered open, his head throbbing with pain. He was lying on a bed, his wrists and ankles bound to the posts. Ryder sat beside him, a look of calm satisfaction on his face.

"Welcome back," Ryder said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was starting to think I'd have to find other ways to keep myself entertained."

Asher struggled against his restraints, but they were too tight.

"....why?" Asher choked out as he decided to tread with caution, Ryder might not kill him but he wouldn't hesitate to hurt him, the idea made him shiver but not with fear. Asher immediately chided himself for having such stupid thoughts.

Ryder smiled, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Oh, this is because you lied.... remember Asher," he said. "I want the truth,.....who hurt you?"

Asher's heart skipped a beat. What truth was Ryder talking about? He thought his mind hazy.

"The scars on your wrist," Ryder said, his voice dripping with intensity. "I know you didn't do them yourself. Who did?"

Asher's mind reeled as he remembered the talk with Ryder and his gaze fell to the scars on his wrist....why bother telling him.