𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 (𝐃𝐨𝐖𝐨𝐨)

Chapter 3 : Echoes in the Dark

The days blurred into one another as Doyoung remained chained in the demon's lair. Time lost meaning in the perpetual darkness of the cave, with only the faint, rhythmic pulses of the glowing symbols marking the passage of hours. Doyoung's body ached from the cold, hard stone floor, and hunger gnawed at him, but the fear of Jeongwoo's return kept him awake and alert, every muscle tensed for the slightest sound.

The demon had been absent for what felt like an eternity, leaving Doyoung alone in the oppressive silence. The boy's thoughts spiraled in the solitude, replaying the horrors of that night over and over. His village, the screams, the flames, his parents... He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the images, but they haunted him relentlessly.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the chamber, pulling Doyoung from his thoughts. His heart leaped into his throat as the familiar, ominous presence of the demon filled the space once more. Jeongwoo emerged from the shadows, his dark figure moving with an unnatural grace that sent a shiver down Doyoung's spine.

Without a word, Jeongwoo approached, his expression unreadable as he looked down at the boy. In his hand, he held a small, tattered cloth bundle, which he tossed onto the floor in front of Doyoung. The bundle unraveled, revealing a hunk of bread and a small flask of water.

"Eat," Jeongwoo commanded, his tone cold and detached.

Doyoung hesitated, staring at the food. His stomach growled loudly, a painful reminder of how long it had been since his last meal. But the fear of accepting anything from the demon held him back, as if the bread might be poisoned or cursed.

Jeongwoo's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the boy's hesitation. "If I wanted you dead, boy, you would be. Don't insult me by refusing what I offer."

The sharpness in the demon's voice jolted Doyoung into action. He snatched the bread, tearing into it with trembling hands. The taste was dry and bland, but he didn't care-his hunger was too great. The water that followed was cool and refreshing, soothing his parched throat.

Jeongwoo remained silent, his gaze fixed on Doyoung as he ate. The boy could feel the demon's eyes on him, the weight of that dark, unblinking stare making his skin prickle with unease.

Once Doyoung had finished, he looked up at Jeongwoo, expecting the demon to say something, to give some indication of what was to come next. But Jeongwoo remained silent, his expression as inscrutable as ever.

"Why... why are you keeping me here?" Doyoung finally asked, his voice small and uncertain. "What do you want from me?"

Jeongwoo's lips twisted into a faint smirk, a chilling sight that made Doyoung's blood run cold. "What I want," the demon said slowly, his voice dripping with malice, "is for you to remember that your life is mine to control. Every breath you take is because I allow it."

Doyoung swallowed hard, his fear intensifying. He had no illusions about his situation-he was at the mercy of being far more powerful and cruel than he could comprehend. The demon's words were a stark reminder of just how precarious his existence was.

Jeongwoo turned away, moving toward the mirror once more. He placed his hand on the surface, and the swirling shadows parted to reveal a new scene-one that sent a fresh wave of terror through Doyoung's heart.

It was another village, not unlike his own, nestled in a peaceful valley surrounded by forests. But this village was untouched by flames or destruction. The people went about their daily lives, unaware of the danger that lurked just beyond the trees.

Doyoung watched in horror as the image shifted, revealing a group of demons, led by Jeongwoo, moving silently through the woods. The villagers were oblivious to the impending attack, blissfully unaware of the nightmare that was about to descend upon them.

"No..." Doyoung whispered, his voice trembling. "Please, don't..."

Jeongwoo's smirk deepened as he turned to face the boy, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. "You think your pleas matter to me, boy?" he taunted, his voice mocking. "Your kind is weak, pitiful. They exist only to be consumed by darkness."

Doyoung felt tears welling up in his eyes, but he blinked them back, refusing to cry in front of the demon. "Why are you doing this?" he asked, his voice cracking. "Why do you have to hurt people?"

Jeongwoo's expression darkened, the amusement fading from his eyes. "You ask too many questions, boy," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Some things are better left unknown."

With a wave of his hand, Jeongwoo dismissed the image in the mirror, the shadows swirling back into place. The chamber fell silent once more, the oppressive atmosphere weighing heavily on Doyoung's heart.

The demon walked over to the boy, his footsteps echoing ominously in the stillness. Doyoung braced himself, unsure of what Jeongwoo might do next.

"You'll stay here," Jeongwoo said, his voice colder than before. "Don't think of running. The world outside is far more dangerous than you can imagine, and without me, you wouldn't last a day."

Doyoung nodded numbly, his mind too overwhelmed to process everything. The chain around his ankle felt heavier than ever, a constant reminder of his captivity. He knew he had no choice but to obey, to survive.

Jeongwoo turned to leave, but paused at the entrance to the chamber. "Remember, kid," he said without looking back, "you are mine."

With that, the demon vanished into the darkness, leaving Doyoung alone once more. The boy curled up on the cold stone floor, his thoughts a tangled mess of fear, despair, and hopelessness.

As the silence of the cave enveloped him, Doyoung couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more terrifying. The demon's words echoed in his mind, a chilling reminder of the power that held him captive and the darkness that awaited him in the days to come...

To be continued......