Blood Bound

ii.

"Secrets are meant to come out."

     
        The storm had only gotten worse, the wind picking up and yelling at those inside.

"There wasn't much to find." X mumbled as he dropped some wood down that they found, from broken chairs to parts of book shelves.

"It'll have to do," I sighed, leaning down to help X start the fire.

      "Where's Danny?" Elise spoke, her quiet voice barely reaching us.

      "He's looking around for more stuff," X began, glancing over his shoulder at her with a teasing smile.

      "Don't worry, lover boy will be back." X teased, making Elise turn bright red. She quickly looked away and busied herself in her weaving.

      Elise tended to do this when she got nervous, but it was useful at times. From rope to baskets, she was good at making a lot from just a little grass. The fact that her and Danny were so close with nature kind of creeped me out.

      "Oh, apparently there's a basement to this place?" X whispered, making sure to keep it between us. He let off a cheer as sparks ignited to fire and a little flame waved at us.

      "Really?" I murmured, sitting back and allowing X to do his thing. In a matter of seconds, the flame turned onto a good sized fire and was giving enough heat to keep us warm.

     "Yeah, I think this place was some secret research facility." X chuckled, sitting back to admire his work.

      "Like the kind in the stories?" Elise spoke up, her voice almost drowned out by the wind as it picked up.

       "Exactly." X lowered his voice, a joking tone behind it. Elise didn't hear the sarcasm behind it and cowered to herself, making me jab X in the side.

      "Don't scare the poor girl." I hissed at him, watching her hands shake as she continued her weaving.

       "Those were stories, nothing more." I reassured Elise, making her give me a small smile.

      Elise came from a family that was very superstitious, carrying on the word of the Reaping. These stories scared Elise shitless, so when her parents passed, she didn't ever want to hear them again. Danny had found her holed up in an abandoned apartment, barely surviving from walkers.

       It had been a little since Danny had came back, so I decided to go check on him.

       "I'll be back." I whispered to X, glancing over at Elise who was struggling to stay awake.

      Making my way around the old scattered tables, I push through the old doorway that had been overgrown with greenery.

      "Danny?" I called out, glancing around the unlit hallway. A shiver ran down my spine as my eyes landed on the only open door, it creaking from the wind.

      Cursing under my breath, I slowly make my way to the door. The wind picked up, about giving me a heart attack as the door slammed open.

     "I'm going to kill you, Danny." I mumbled under my breath, rolling my shoulders before stepping through the doorway.

     Stairs greeted my sight, growing darker as it went farther down. Danny always was too curious for his own good.

     Shaking my head, I cautiously take my first step, testing the old steps. The step groaned under my weight, but kept me up.

     Slowly, but surely, I began making my way down the steps. My eyes slowly began adjusting to the dark, silence surrounding me and a growing urge to turn back.

     "Danny?" I called out, my voice echoing. I took the last step, having to feel my way around. I could barely see in front of me, so I resorted to just brushing against the wall to steer myself.

      My hand caught an indent, nearly making me fall. I must've hit something because a grinding sound began, making me yank my hand back.

      "Jesus Christ." I all but gawked, staring at the opening in front of me.

      Daniel had gotten himself into some deep shit.

      Lights began flickering on, one by one, showing off a hallway leading to the only door. How there's power, the hell I know.

      This screamed danger and I knew Daniel couldn't help himself.

       Cursing silently, I quickly make my down the hall before I could talk myself out of it. Jumping, I turn around at the grinding sound again.

       There was no longer an opening where I came through.

       "Fucking hell." I groan, turning back around to the door. There was only one way to go now.

         Daniel, you're a fucking idiot.