The Darkest Shadows

Chapter 7

I don't know what wakes me up, but I wish it didn't. As soon as consciousness hits me, pain explodes across my body. My very bones seem to ache from the burns and cuts that Blade gave to me. I twist my head to see how bad he hurt me, only to see that all the injuries are bandaged. I guess that's good all things considered. I don't know if I could handle seeing what he did to me.

God, why is he doing this to me?

I know who the Scarlet Blade is. Pierce spoke of him in hushed whispers, some glossed over details of the horrors that Blade did to his victims. That he's doing to me. The police and Pierce haven't been able to find him, even though he's been killing in Graystone for a few months. If I remember correctly, he only keeps his victims for five days before...displaying them. So, if he stays on schedule, I will die in a few days. How fun.

But there's still something that's bothering me. Blade works alone. At least, that's what the police and Pierce understand. If they're right then who the hell is that woman that first showed up? And who are her silent minions?

I sigh against the chill of the cell, too many questions with too few answers chasing each other through my mind. Until the very last question hits me straight in the face, pausing everything: how the hell am I going to escape this?

I glance around at my surroundings, seeing that I'm back in my original cell. Once again, my wrists are chained to the wall. I give the chains a good tug to test their strength, the metal rubbing against already open sores on my wrists. I release a sharp hiss through my teeth, already regretting the action.

Again I sigh and shiver, my thin sheet for a dress doing nothing against the cold. A rumble comes from my stomach, hunger clawing my torso. Distantly I wonder when I last ate, bringing my thoughts to how long I've been here. It couldn't have been more than a day or two. I shift my legs so they rest more comfortably under my body weight, trying to take some of the strain off of my wrists.

Despite my growing fear of what will happen, I wish someone would show up.

As if on cue, the door to my cell is opened and one of the servants from before walks in. At least, I think it's one of the women from before. She's wearing the same garb as the other women but it could be that everyone wears them. In her hands she holds a tray and my stomach growls at the smell. She sets down the food in front me and starts to walk away before I call out to her.

"Wait! I can't eat this by myself." My voice croaks and cracks, probably from all the screaming when Blade tortured me, but she understands. At least, I think she does because she turns around at the doorway. Her dull silver eyes glance back and forth between me, the food, and the door. Finally she seems to come to a conclusion and walks back over to me. She kneels before me and starts to scoop up some of the edible sludge. I open my mouth obligingly. As she spoon feeds me, I try not to throw up at the lukewarm goo but my hunger soon overrides my gag reflex.

The woman seems disinterested at this task but I can't be sure because of the black cloth obscuring the lower half of her face. When she is done feeding me, she picks up the tray and spoon and starts to walk out the door.

For the second time I stop her, my voice quieter and less damaged than it was before. "Thank you."

I don't think she heard me until I see her give a small nod before walking out the door, leaving me alone once again.

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Another short one but I am so proud of myself. That's record timing for getting a chapter out lol.
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