The Darkest Shadows

Chapter 6

I've been laying here for what feels like hours. No one has come since I was shackled to this stone; I haven't heard any footsteps or voices outside this new cell. My only company is the chill of the rock beneath me and the stench of blood wafting from the walls. The silence is deafening and sweet—my exhaustion creeping on me like a lullaby but I can't sleep. If I do, I might never wake up. To distract myself and to make the silence less suffocating I start to sing.

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high. And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby..." I sing softly, letting the music drown out my terror and fear. For a few minutes I can be somewhere else, closing my eyes and imagining that I'm singing this in my apartment with Pierce laying down next to my and smiling as he joins in with his own baritone timber.

But it's only for a few minutes, and eventually I need to come back to the real world. Just as I end the song someone from the shadows starts clapping, causing me to jump against my bonds. I twist my head to try and see the new person that slipped into the room without me noticing. I can't lift my head though because of the strap along my neck, so I'm left waiting for the newcomer to circle into my line of sight.

The person doesn't waste time coming into the light. "That was beautiful my dear, just stunning," he says with a smile that feels more like a baring of teeth. I don't waste my breath trying to answer him, I doubt I even could as my heart begins to beat fast as I stare up into bright blue eyes. The same blue as the man who attacked me.

"Oh come now, you were so vocal before. I just wanna hear more of that beautiful voice." He's got a sing-song tone to his voice as he drags his fingers down my neck, his blue eyes following the trail they make on my skin. I keep my eyes on his face, memorizing the sharp planes of his cheeks, nose, and mouth. He looks as if cut from stone in the dark light of the room.

Offhandedly he asks, "Would it help if I introduce myself?" His question goes unanswered but it doesn't matter as he continues on without hesitation, this time leaning close to my face and whispering almost against my skin. "Most people call me the Scarlet Blade. Quite a striking name if I do say so myself. You can of course call me Blade if you are inclined but from your current silence I doubt you will do much besides scream."

With that chilling statement, he walks away from my slab and out of my eyesight. I can hear a clatter of metal and some cheery whistling before he comes back over to me again, this time with his clothes covered with a grey apron and a cart of the tools from earlier being pushed in front of him. He clicks his tongue a few times before taking a long knife from the tray. He contemplates it a few moments, obviously building suspense. It's working.

Finally he puts the knife away and says to himself, "No no, that won't do. No no no. Hmmm." I focus on my own breathing as he peruses his array of tools. After what seems like hours of him picking his preferred weapon, he turns to me and apologizes. "I am so sorry for making you wait Elethia. Is there anything you want to say before we start?"

In response I raise my head up as much as I can and bare my teeth in the same fashion as his smile from before. I can hear him whisper under his breath, "Oh this is going to be fun," before he takes the jagged blade in his hand and slowly slices it down my bicep.

I bite down a scream, the sudden pain catching me by surprise, even though I knew it would happen. Blade coos at me but I refuse to look at him as he does another slice on my other arm. I can feel my warm blood start to slide down my limbs, but it's moving sluggishly. With careful movements Blade does another few shallow cuts on my arms, legs, chest, and stomach.

When he finally stops, I take the time to let loose the breath held in my chest that I'd kept in so I wouldn't scream, but at that moment he pushes something blazing hot on my stomach. I reflexively buck against my bonds as the burning takes over my torso before Blade finally finally takes away the object. When I open my eyes again, I see him standing over me with an annoyed face, the red hot poker he used to burn me in hand. I can feel the sweat slide down my forehead as I pant heavily under his close scrutiny.

Eventually he sighs and says, "Elethia, Elethia darling. You need to understand something here. It is so boring for me if you don't scream. It's completely devoid of fun. In fact it's un-fun. So please, when I tell you to scream." He leans in close to my face. "Scream." When he stabs me again with the poker, I don't try to mask my pain with silence.

~~~

Pierce paces the messy room, one hand tangled in his hair and another wrapped around a near empty bottle of vodka. His friend Joey stands in the doorway, her eyes watching as he mutters against the lip of the bottle. Sometimes she sees his gaze flick over to wall that's covered with crime scene photos, witness statements, and possible theories. Finally Joey decides to make her presence known and knocks softly on the door. Pierce flinches and whirls around, drops of liquor flying from the bottle.

"Joey. Do you have anything?" he asks, rushing forward and grabbing her my the shoulders.

She shakes her head, staring at a shadow of the man she knew. His eyes are sunken in, his skin pale. His eyes would be bloodshot if he could get drunk, but as it is the alcohol is wafting from him. When he sees her answer, his head drops onto her shoulder and she can feel his body start to shake.

"She's been missing for two days already. You know The Scarlet Blade, he only keeps his victims for five. And I just...Joey I don't know what to do," he sobs against her, his voice cracking every now and then. She just wraps her arms around him and comforts him as much as she can.

Then, gently, she pushes him away. Joey makes some quick movements with her hands, translating from ASL to We will find her Pierce, don't worry. You'll save her.

He only nods and stares forlornly at his bottle still clutched in his hands, as if he was cursing his own ability to not become inebriated. She grabs the bottle and tosses it across the room with one hand while pulling his face so he is looking at her. Pierce, I know you. You can do this. And Elethia is strong. If anyone can survive him, it's her. Have faith in her. And in you.

He sighs, rubs his eyes, and says, "Okay. You're right. Let's go."

~~~~~~~
Oml this took way too long to get done. I'm sorry. My schedule is all out of wonk. Please forgive me, both for being lazy with getting this out, and the pain I brought to my babies ;-;
~~~~~~