Bathing in Blood

Bathing in Blood - Part 12

I am so sorry about the wait, especially since the conclusion is drawing near! My laptop wasn't connecting to the wifi properly, it was a mess. Anyways, I will be posting two chapters (this one and the next) tonight, and the rest will follow tomorrow. Enjoy!

Excitement lit up Elizabeth's face. Her auburn hair was hanging loose, her fingers running feverishly down the blade of her dagger. The Countess's usual calm and sweet demeanor was gone completely. Left behind, a mad rush of thrills and adrenaline. It excited Anna to see her mistress that way. It promised a fresh victim to kill, the spilling of blood, and a night of enjoyment.

"We should probably tell the little darling that we've begun to look for her," she half- whispered, talking more to herself than to Anna. "Ready or not, my sweet! We are coming for you!" She cackled wildly, sending chills down Anna's spine, but more from anticipation than fear.

"You are scared, aren't you, angel? Scared of sweet little Elizabeth? Don't be frightened dear, I just want to play!"

The bloodhounds were already working, noses to the ground and moving quickly. The dungeon was large, but certainly small enough for the dogs to find Natalia in under a few minutes. Every few seconds they would bark a little and then continue to drag Anna along, Elizabeth walking behind.

"Can you feel it, Anna? The thrill of it all? Like a predator stalking a helpless little woodland creature."

"Yes, Elizabeth," she replied in a whisper. Her fingers were starting to buzz, itching at the thought of a victim to slay.

Elizabeth called out again, her eyes dancing. "Darling, where are you? Why don't you answer?"

The dogs were nearly running now. They were getting closer and closer. The girl didn't stand a chance.

"I smell fear, Anna. So much fear. I can feel it."

Anna didn't respond this time. She simply closed her eyes and felt it herself. The powerful stench of pure terror, wafting through the air like a virus. It enveloped her, snaring her senses, bringing out the bloodlust in her. When she opened her eyes again they were no longer dark brown. Her irises seemed to glow a fiery red.

"I can see you are just as excited as I am." Elizabeth laughed shrilly, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. "Soon, Anna, we can feel death's power over our little girl."

Suddenly the bloodhounds stopped, their noses twitching wildly. They began to bay and bark, scraping their paws against the ground.

"Are we here? That was quick. Little lamb didn't hide very well, did she?"

"No. She didn't." A grin began to creep up on Anna's face.

The two women surveyed the area. The only real thing of consequence was a large pile of wooden barrels, all stacked haphazardly in the corner.

The Countess's taunting voice called out. "Hiding in the barrels, Natalia? Not very creative. But perhaps you panicked?" She turned to Anna. "Search through them and get me the girl."

"Yes, Elizabeth."

She dropped the leashes of the two dogs and walked slowly towards the barrels.

"We've almost got you, Natalia. You cannot run from us anymore."

Anna began to push the barrels out of the way one by one. She threw them to the side, or rolled them across the floor, or pushed them from the top of the pile. Her ears were listening for the noises of another human, perhaps a muffled cry if she threw the right barrel. And of course it would be the only one that was heavy.

"Are you scared, Natalia? Scared I will find you? Because I will. I will find you, and I will make you suffer for what you said about my mistress."

Pick up a barrel, toss it aside. Pick up a barrel, toss it aside. Pick up a barrel, toss it aside. Anna worked through the pile slowly. What point was there in rushing? The girl couldn't go anywhere. Pick up a barrel, toss it aside. Pick up a barrel, toss it aside. Pick up a barrel...

But no.

She couldn't pick up this one. It was too heavy.

The corner of Anna's lip twitched. "Found you, pet. The game is over."