SMILE: A Terrible Night.

The Taste of Blood

Chapter 26: (Scarlet's pov)

Taehyung released me from his grasp and took a step back, letting the tension in the air settle as he straightened up. He rubbed his hands together and cast a glance towards the small, dimly lit kitchen.

Taehyung: You know, all this excitement has made me hungry. I think I'll cook myself something.

He walked towards the kitchen, his boots thudding against the creaky floorboards. I kept my gaze fixed on him, trying to gauge his every move, searching for any sign that he might turn back. He began rummaging through the cabinets, tossing out pots and pans with little care.

Taehyung: Let's see... pots, pans... ugh, no seasoning? How do you even live like this?

I barely heard his words. My mind was focused on one thing, the knife. In his careless haste, he had left it lying on the floor, just a few feet away from me. Its handle was stained with dried blood, glinting faintly in the dim light. I glanced between Taehyung and the knife, calculating the risk.

He was still occupied with pulling open drawers and cabinets, his back turned towards me. This is my chance. I shifted in my chair, feeling the ropes dig into my skin as I struggled against them. My hands were bound tightly behind me, my wrists chafed raw, but desperation drove me forward.

I pushed with my feet, trying to inch closer to the knife, but each movement was agony, the rough chair scraping against the floor. My legs throbbed where Taehyung had cut me earlier, blood seeping through the fabric of my pants, but I forced myself to keep moving. He was still mumbling to himself.

Taehyung: Not even a decent knife set... how are you supposed to cook with this junk?

He tossed a metal lid across the room, the sound echoing like a gunshot, and I flinched, freezing in place. But he didn't look back, too caught up in his own world. I let out a shaky breath and kept pushing, inch by inch, until my fingers brushed against the knife's handle.

I tried to grab it, I pushed my chair to the ground, but the ropes made it impossible to get a proper grip. My fingers scraped against the floor, the knife slipping just out of reach as my frustration mounted. Tears blurred my vision, but I bit down on my lip to keep from sobbing, forcing myself to stay focused.

Scarlet: Come on, Scarlet. You have to do this.

I stretched my fingers further, the edge of the blade nicking my palm as I managed to hook my fingertips around the handle. Pain flared, but I didn't let go. With a desperate yank, I pulled the knife closer.

Taehyung's voice drifted from the kitchen, now humming some eerie melody, a sound that made my skin crawl. It reminded me that time was running out, that every second he stayed distracted was a second I had to use. My hands shook as I twisted the knife awkwardly in my grip, trying to angle it towards the ropes that bound my wrists.

The blade was so sharp, sharper than I had realized, and as I sawed through the thick ropes, the knife slipped more than once, biting into the tender flesh of my hands. Pain seared through me, but I gritted my teeth, focusing on the rhythm of cutting, back and forth, back and forth.

Blood started to pool on the floor beneath me, dripping from the wounds where the blade had cut too deep. My vision swam, and for a moment, I thought I might pass out from the pain, but I forced myself to keep going. The ropes were fraying, the fibers splitting beneath the blade's edge.

Scarlet: Just a little more... come on...

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last strand of rope snapped, and my arms fell free, aching and raw. I nearly dropped the knife in my relief, but I caught it just in time, cradling it against my chest as if it were my lifeline. My hands were slick with blood, trembling uncontrollably, but I didn't care. I had the knife. I had a chance.

Taehyung: I have become stubborn in loving you, this is such a passion that has no limit, whatever you want I will do, everything is mandatory for you

Taehyung's humming continued, but I knew it wouldn't last forever.

Taehyung: You also know that I am yours. But you will not be able to say this to others, I will be seen in your eyes, how will you be able to hide it from the world?

He could turn around at any moment, and if he saw what I had done, I knew he wouldn't hesitate to make good on his threats. My breath came in ragged gasps as I used the knife to slice through the ropes around my ankles, my skin burning where the blade slipped and cut too close.

When the last of the ropes fell away, I nearly collapsed, my body weak with exhaustion and pain. But I forced myself to stand, clutching the knife tightly in my hands, my legs trembling beneath me. The sound of Taehyung's voice reached me again, closer this time, and my heart lurched with fear. He spoke, his tone was almost a sing-song.

Taehyung: You know, Scarlet, I'm starting to think I might just make myself at home here... what do you think?

He was moving back towards the room, and I had only seconds to decide. I could feel my pulse racing, adrenaline surging through my veins as I turned towards the nearest shadowed corner. I had to hide, and had to find a way to catch him off guard before he realized what I had done.

Scarlet: Please, let this work.

I pressed myself into the darkness, clutching the knife close, my breath coming in shallow gasps as I listened for the sound of his footsteps, please not here, Taehyung.