The room of mirrors (Hold)

Chapter 5: Whisked away

Emily was the last one standing in the bar. She walked into the kitchen, rubbing her head. It was a fairly large room filled with barrels and counters randomly lined up against the wall. Women crowded the room, some were laughing and some were gossiping and some were reapplying makeup to their face. Emily sat herself down on a chair furthest from the crowd and closest to the door, resting the sword across her lap.

“Howdya do it then? “One of the women came up to Emily.

Emily looked at her and frowned, “excuse me?” She couldn’t be bothered arguing with the town whore.

“Oh come on Sweet heart,” her voice was raspy and she had an accent, Emily concluded to be Irish, “Howdya do it. I mean you have no titties and a tiny little ass. Howdya do it?”

Emily was offendedand becoming even more impatient by the minute. She looked at the women. She was quite tanned and everything about her screamed.She was curvy with small facial features. She wore a black corset that pushed up her huge breasts and sucked in her stomach, in which Emily thought couldn’t get smaller. Her face was smothered in makeup like the other girls. “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about. And that remark was very rude.”

The lady threw her head back and laughed uncontrollably, “Oh Yes, I'm sorry, how dare I. You know what I'm talking about love. Jack never ever rejects my service,” she scowled at Emily, “until you came along.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Emily threw her hands up in the air, “Can you just leave me alone?”

The lady bent over so her fact was in Emily’s ear. She sneered, “You’re from the town aren’t you. We had a few men from town. I guess you ladies just don’t know how to give.”

“Libby dear,” A gentle voice broke Emily’s frustration. It was Smee standing in front of Emily, “Libby dear, let’s leave our guests alone.”

Libby straightened up and with one last glance at Emily she stormed off into the group of Girls.

“Thankyou Smee,” Emily sighed.

“It’s okay Miss Grenville.”

“You can call me Em-” she started but was interrupted by an indistinct CRASH!

“Where are ye Jack Bowen,” said the voice coming from the other room, “Come out and I won’t hurt anyone.”

Nemo opened up the back door instinctively as though he was expecting the intruders to attack them and the shrieking women started disappearing into town. It didn’t take long before everyone was gone, everyone except Emily. She could hear the glass breaking on the other side of the door, but fear got the better of her and she was stuck to her chair, unable to move. Nemo Whispered harshly, “Emily, Get UP!”

Emily glared at him. The door swung open behind her and a shot of adrenaline ran through her body. She turned on her heel and started towards the door. She was met by a forceful arm, pushing her backwards off her feet. She was thrown onto one of the kitchen benches, skidding off and falling into a crumpled mess on the other side. Her head collided with the wall and flew forward, thrashing against the floor.

The pain was excruciating. It was like a million headaches and at the same time made her feel quest, she wanted to cry and vomit at the same time but was frustrated with how little energy she had to do either. Emily felt the sharp sting of blood trickling down her face and arm. She tried to reach for the sword but it was too far. Emily looked through the slits of her blood soaked hair that fall over her eyes. Nemo was gone, and there was a man standing in the middle of the room with his back to her. He walked in and out of bench’s looking around, “Ah Jack. Leaving your women here unprotected, you coward,” he spoke in a thick Latino accent. He had long dark hair which was tied back into a ponytail. His skin was frighteningly pale. He wore a large overcoat with thick boots. He bore resemblance to a weed, very beautiful indeed but cold and harsh, and threatening.

The man picked up a mug then with one hand crushed it into tiny little glass crystals with no effort at all. He threw the powdered glass to the ground. He turned to Emily and met her gaze. Emily froze, “oh no,” was all she could think of to say.

“Hey you there,” He advanced on her, “Where is Jack Bowen?”

Emily tried to push up on her arms but they fell weak, “I don’t know,” she tried to sound confident but it came out as a whimpering cry.

He cocked his head and grabbed her arm, yanking her upright painfully, “One more time, where is Jack Bowen?”

Emily cried as his grip tightened on her arm. She stood up and cried again, “I don’t know, I'm not lying I don’t know.”

“Well that’s a shame,” he cooed. Both his hands wrapped around her neck. Her eye’s rounded, knowing what he was about to do. “Please don’t, I don’t know anything I swear,” She pleaded.

He clicked his tongue, “When the bad guy is about to kill someone, why do people cry and expect him to let them go, crying is just water from your eyes, don’t mean nothing to me,” he wrapped his hand around her neck, lifting her off the ground slightly he squeezed. She could feel the air escaping but not going back in. She gagged and spluttered, clawing at his hands but he just squeezed harder. Emily felt her eyes shut tight, she tried to force them open but her whole body was going to sleep.

“PUT HER DOWN!”

The man let go of Emily and she fell limply to the ground. She gathered herself enough energy to sit upright against the wall, but her eyes were falling her. She was falling asleep.

“Ah Jack, Finally.”

Emily’s body was weak. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t open her eyes but she could hear. The man had started walking away from her, “Jack Bowen, finally. You have something that my master desires,”

“A sense of humour?” Jack suggested.

The man didn’t seem fazed by Jacks joke, “Jack Bowen. Hand it over or the girl dies.”

“What the bloody hell are you ‘n about? Who are you?” He was serious now.

“I am Azuel. You must hand it over.”

“Look, I don’t know what you want but I’ll give it to you, just give me the girl.”

Emily forced her eyes open and caught a glimpse of Jack standing the in doorway, huffing and puffing. He had a crowbar in one hand and a rifle in the other. He was sweating vigorously.

“Jack,” Emily whimpered. She just wanted him to take her home.

Azuel shot her a glimpse, “Ah, she lives, but not for long Jack Bowen. Hand over thela

eterna juventud.”

“Look I don’t even know what that is. Spriken Ingles? I have never heard of it in my life. Just give me Emily. You’ve got the wrong guy,” Jack shook his head confused.

“I want the Elixir of eternal youth Jack Bowen. You have 24 hours to bring me the Elixir of Eternal youth. I shall be waiting at the cottage at the edge of town. I think you are familiar with what one.” Azuel said.

“Alright, now leave us alone, or I’ll be forced to kill you” Jack snapped.

“Oh no I'm afraid you misunderstand, to make sure that you know how serious I am,” He stood next to Emily, “I’m keeping the girl.”

Before Jack even had a chance to blink Azuel scooped Emily up in his arms and ran out the door. He was travelling so fast their surroundings were just coloured lines around them. Emily shut her eyes really tight and dug her head into his chest hoping he wouldn’t drop her. She was taken aback by heartbeat in Azuel’s chest. It wasn’t a regular thud. It was like a vibrating noise that was low and intense, and all together evil. At that speed shouldn’t it be pounding, not hissing?

A few seconds later they had stopped. Emily’s stomach fell into her feet. Her eyes were still shut but Azuel had put her down, “Azuel please don’t hurt me,” Emily whispered.

“Shh,” he pressed his fingers to her lips, “Have a rest. I will send someone to wake you up when I’m ready for you.” He nudged her and she fell backwards onto something soft. She opened her eyes. She was sitting on a mattress in a bare square room. It was much darker but not dark enough to sleep. Azuel walked out the door closing it behind him.