Bound By Blood.

ch.48~ Too little, Too late.

"I wanted to thank you, for saving my life,

but in ways I feel like you just doomed it even worse."

Recovered Translated Correspondents between Alexandra Brooks, to Death Eater Mattheo Riddle, 2003.

Riddle Manor, 2003.

Alexandra. 

"Ah, It's just you and me now."

That was truly the last piece of a solid memory I had, before I yanked to my feet by the chains bounding my arms, and forced to walk. 

The chill of the air bit into my skin, a constant reminder of my vulnerability. 

I had no shoes, just the thin fabric of my clothing clinging desperately to what little warmth remained in my body. 

Lorenzo's grip was harsh and unforgiving as he dragged me through the overgrown gardens, his intentions clocking my every thought with a haze of confusion and fear.

I wanted to scream, but the words fell silent in my throat, weighed down by exhaustion and the pounding headache that seemed to synchronize with every step I was forced to take. 

I wanted to fight. 

I wanted to kill him. 

But, I couldn't. 

I physically couldn't. 

The gardens were a blur of colors and shadows, too dazzling in their twisted beauty to be anything but a cruel joke in my current state. 

I stumbled yet again as he yanked me forward, my heart racing with each jolt.

Then we were in the woods, where the trees loomed like giants, their dark limbs reaching out to engulf me. 

The underbrush scratched at my bare feet, but Lorenzo, relentless, only yelled at me to "Run." 

"At least you'll think you had a chance." He said.

I had always thought that my body was capable of more, but as I dashed through the foliage, the weight of my fatigue pressed down, a suffocating blanket intent on forcing me to the ground.

It was a fleeting chance, I knew. 

He didn't expect me to make it far; this was a game for him, a twisted temptation laced with malice. 

Even as I pushed through the brambles and over the gnarled roots, I could feel the pulse of magic swirling behind me, echoing with every hex he hurled in my direction.

I couldn't feel my feet. 

The snow had finally moved from a burning feeling, to numbness. 

Though, some steps still felt like stepping on glass. 

Each incantation whizzed past like a bullet, just grazing the edges of my skin, drawing trickles of warmth into the air. 

With each burst of pain, my anger grew—anger at this maniac who took pleasure in my suffering. 

But more than that, I felt a deep-seated betrayal coursing through me, one directed at Mattheo. 

Why had he left me? 

Why had he let this happen?

Cursing his name through grit teeth as my body finally gave in.