Burned - A Koralie fanfic

Two sides of the Council

Kenric's POV:

Breathe. Just breathe.

The air was smoky, clinging to his lungs, building in his throat. 

But there was nothing he could do about that. 

His wrists were raw, and he held them very still so they wouldn't touch the sharp metal cuffs locking him to his chair. 

Kenric's back ached, and he longed for an end to this endless torture. 

His throat itched with a cough and he struggled to keep it down.

Don't cough. Just breathe. 

Kenric kept his eyes closed. Even blinking would hurt. 

The world around him was too hot and too cold at the same time. He could feel goosebumps  along his arms but also sweat falling from his forehead. 

Drip. 

A bead of sweat, trickling down his cheek. Or was that a tear? Kenric couldn't tell anymore. 

The little droplet of sweat fell off his face and landed on his left cuff. A sizzling sound was audible when the drop landed. 

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Footsteps. Or the sound of the machinery lining the walls of the danky cave. 

A figure appeared outside his cell and unlocked it. They walked away.

Are they taunting me? Kenric thought, dreams of escape from this horrible place clouded his mind. 

Another person appeared, wearing a thick, black, coat and a hood covering their face. They had a silver band on both wrists, their hands frail and brittle. 

How ominous. Kenric thought, getting hotter. 

The fire was still inside Kenric. Inside his head, his body, on him, with him. 

"Councillor Kenric Fathdon." The person said, their voice sounding like the dampness of the cave affected them as well. 

The person cleared their throat and stepped closer. Kenric flinched, which made his body hurt.

"How is being a hostage treating you?" The person asked in a mocking tone. Kenric didn't respond. 

He felt angry and scared. 

He wanted to rip the cuffs off but was scared of the pain.

He wanted to fight the hooded Neverseen member, but was afraid of the fight.

Most of all, he wanted to go home. But he was afraid of seeing his friends and loved ones.

Loved ones.

Oralie.

It hurt to think about her. 

So he didn't.

Let her think I'm dead. It's better than her knowing I'm being held hostage. 

"Too weak to even respond." The hooded person said, a small laugh bubbling at the end of the sentence. "Fintan would be satisfied with your condition."

"Who are you?" Kenric croaked out, his throat dry from the fires.

"I would like to say your terminator, but unfortunately, I am merely your guard. Fintan will be arriving soon."

"Why don't you just kill me now? You have a weapon." Kenric said, looking at the dagger sitting on the table near him.

The hooded figure seemed to contemplate the possibility for a moment, but shook their head.