Bathing in Blood

Bathing in Blood - Part 10

Okay, I know I already updated two parts today but I couldn't help myself. I'm really in the zone and I wanted to post another chapter, especially if I don't have time tomorrow. Enjoy your extra Christmas present!

Natalia was sent into the same back room where Addy sat waiting. She was beginning to shiver, not from the cold but from anticipation. She simply had to win the game. If she didn't she would never see the light of day again, never see her uncle, maybe not last the night by the sounds of it. She had to hide, and hide well. Thankfully she was amazing at hide-and-seek. Her nimble form allowed her to slip into small spaces, and the dungeon was very dark. With some luck she would be able to outsmart the Countess and her henchwoman.

"I see they be lettin' ye run fer it, lass. Very lucky ye are."

"Yes," she responded slowly.

"Best be careful though, lass. The Ma'am is a devious one. If ye don't look out fer yerself she may be playin' some kind o' trick."

Natalia was too nervous to listen properly. The adrenaline was kicking in. In a mere few minutes she would have to run and hide for her life, praying that her captors would not find her. Then, if the Countess kept her word, she would be free from this vile treatment.

"If I escape I shall go back to the country of my parents and tell them of the horrid things these women are doing."

Addy snorted. "That won't be happenin' lass. The Ma'am and Darvulia, they'll be makin' right sure you don't go tellin' tales, if you do win the game."

"Mm. I think they may be bluffing. Perhaps they were never planning to kill me.

"If ye go thinkin' like that you'll never get away!" The plump old woman walked up to Natalia and looked her right in the eye. "I've seen things ye couldn't conjure up in yer nightmares, ye silly girl. Don't ye go underestimatin' those two out there, or it'll be the last sure thing ye ever do. Ye hear me?"

"Right." Natalia thought over Addy's words, but decided to ignore them. What did it matter if she underestimated her captors or not? She only had one shot at freedom, and it wouldn't make a difference now anyhow.

"Hurry up in there!" Elizabeth called from outside the door.

Addy began to bustle about. She snipped Natalia's hair, neatening the chopped ends, and gave her a clean, white frock to put on. She took Natalia's old dirt-streaked clothes and set them on a chair. Lastly, she put the finishing touches on the girl's makeup.

"There lass. Good luck to ye, and if they catch ye, God bless yer soul."

. . .

When Natalia re-entered the dimly lit room she went to kneel patiently in front of Elizabeth. The Countess crouched down to her level and lifted the girl's chin with her delicate hand. She used her thumb to wipe away a small drop of blood that came from the cut where Natalia had been slapped.

Elizabeth stood and observed the blood on her finger. "Hm. Fresh blood. Of one so young and pretty, too. I cannot wait to see more of it."

Fear like cold water ran through Natalia's veins. Now, more than ever, she wanted to win the game. "But if I win, Madame, you shall let me go?" she ventured cautiously.

A hint of a smile graced Elizabeth's features. "Yes, girl. I always keep my word. If you win, you are free to leave." She walked away from Natalia. "Now, let us review the rules. You have one minute, that is sixty seconds, to hide. After the minute has passed Anna and I will leave this room and begin to look for you with any means that we can think of. You may run from us if we happen to see you. The game is over when either of us touches you or you can stay away for the full five minutes. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Madame."

"You have no objections? You are satisfied with all of my rules?"

Perhaps it was her fear and nervousness that prevented her from seeing it, perhaps it was simply the fact that she was looking at the floor, but at that moment a glimmer of mischief entered Elizabeth's eyes and Natalia didn't see it. If she had, perhaps her fate would've been different. But she saw nothing, and suspected nothing, and agreed to the Countess's rules.

"I have no objections, Madame."

"Wonderful! Now, girl, time to get up."

Natalia rose from the floor eagerly. Her mind was already racing with possibilities for hiding places; cupboards, crates, cells, nooks and crannies. She was trying hard to recall everything she had seen when she woke up in the dungeon, anything that would help her win the game.

"Are you ready, little lamb?"

Natalia nodded. "I am, Madame."

"Alright." Elizabeth nodded to Anna.

Anna walked slowly towards the door to the room and began to slide it open.

"I shall count to five. When I say 'go', you may leave the room and begin to hide."

Natalia shuffled closer to the door.

"One."

She took a deep breath.

"Two."

Heart pounding.

"Three."

Thoughts racing.

"Four."

Heavy breathing.

"Five."

This was it.

"Go!"

She ran out of the room.

Anna was still unsure of her mistress's plan. She didn't want to question Elizabeth, but she had to know what they were going to do to insure that they didn't lose their victim.

"Elizabeth?"

"Yes, Anna?"

"What are we doing?"

"Doing, Anna?"

"Yes, Elizabeth. What are we doing to make sure she doesn't win?"

Elizabeth grinned wickedly. "I will show you, dearest Anna." She called Addy's name, and the stout woman came bustling in almost immediately.

"Aye, Ma'am?"

"Addy, fetch Krov and Okhota. Bring them here quickly."

"Aye, Ma'am."

Anna's questions were still unanswered. "Who are Krov and Okhota?"

"They were presents from Ferenc. Such a generous man, isn't he?"

"Yes, but what are they?"

An evil smirk appeared on Elizabeth's face. "My new bloodhounds."