X's in O's

Chapter II

I forced my self to keep my eyes open as the masked boy walked threw the woods, I couldn't see the faceless man anymore and hoped that the boy knew where he was going. Well, no, he wasn't a boy based on his height and the fact that he was carrying me I'd say he's probably around my age, 16 or 17. I finally let my head roll against his chest and rested, his light brown jacket was rough and worn as it scratched against my cheek. Closing my eyes I tried to focus on something, but the only thing that came to mind was how tired I was.

"I can't believe he would do this to her." The guy mumbled to himself.

What? Who did what to me? "Huh?" I opened my eyes and looked at him.

"Wha- oh, uh, sorry. Nothing." he seemed nervous, like he was afraid to talk about it.

"But-"

"You need to rest." he interrupted me.

I would have fought back but I was so tired, hearing that was what put me over the edge. I let my eyelids slide shut and drifted off.

I woke up a few times during the walk to hear a few muffled voices but I couldn't make out much. I heard things like "inexperienced" and "waste of time". Other then that everything was a big mass of blurry green trees and something else. I woke up in a small twin bed in the corner of a room that was about the size of a dorm room and it was completely bare, the floor was concrete and the walls were covered in peeling faded wall paper. Looking closer I saw that it must have been a pale blue color with flowers, now it was grey and warped. Sitting up I tested all my limbs, they seemed to be in place, but I was still pretty sore. Regardless, I slowly made my way over to the door on unsteady legs, as I reached for the brass handle the door suddenly swung open.

I jumped back and yelped in surprise, it was the masked boy from the other day. "Come with me." He said.

I blinked a few times "Why?"

"He wants to speak with you." he dead panned.

"W-Who wants to speak with me?" I shook my head and tried to figure out how I got here, and what happened.

"You will see, now come on." He said a bit more forcefully this time.

Hesitant to follow him anywhere, but also curious to see who 'He' was, I silently complied and trailed after him. I walked into what looked like the basement of somebodies house, it was old and filthy; the beamed ceilings were covered in cobwebs and a fine layer of dust covered most of the things. There were lots of furniture and old 17th century style couches down here, maybe even older. All of the furniture was covered in white sheets that hung there lifelessly, I was just waiting of someone to jump out from under one; I got a 'haunted mansion' vibe from it.

The basement was pretty big with hallways and doors leading into the darkness, but we pass all of them and ascended the creaky wooden staircase instead. When I stepped into the the top floor, I was sure I was in a mansion; there were three levels each one connected by a grand staircase, thick red and gold carpet was rolled out through out the second and third floor and down the staircase. There was a large window just above the front door and the light seeping in from the rising sun reflected off every tiny crystal in the giant chandelier that hung from the celling. I was so amazed that I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Whoa." I let out as I watched the light show on the walls. I had never been in a place so extravagant, it was like I was put back in a time where ladies wore elegant gowns and hoop skirts, and men wore waistcoats and carried around pocket watches. Taking a few small steps forward I was too captivated by this site to move.

I heard the boy groan as he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me along the endless hallway, I tripped when he yanked me but caught my footing and tore my eyes away from the art in front of me. I didn't pay attention as he lead me through the maze of hallways, we sped past countless turns and doors. After going up a floor and through a series of doors and sitting rooms we arrived in front of a set of Victorian style french doors, he knocked on the door and waited.