Akuma

Chapter 5

A/N: Bleh, same warnings as always.

I pulled against my chains again. The sound of metal rang out, again. My wrists hurt, again.

I moved backwards to the edge of my cell for the slack on the chains. With the new slack on my wrists, I checked my wrists. The groves of the shackles were dug deep into my skin, some semi-fresh blood was still running down my arms. It was impressive that I hadn't broken any bones trying to escape.

I suddenly sprinted towards the exit, just to be snapped back. I let out a small cry as a reflex, but then built up to a much larger one. If anyone, other than her, heard me, I'd be free. Of course, I've tried this many more times than I care to count. Each time, no one has shown up. I really must be in the middle of nowhere, like she said.

Frustration and fear pushed me to try again. I continued to pull at my arms, not-quite-blindly hoping that I could tear free from the rusty, old chains. I didn't want to die. I couldn't let mom die, either. Even if she does deserve it.

After a small pause, I yanked at my left arm. There was a sudden slacking of the chains confused me. Then, a very audible crash startled me. As I turned, I saw part of the draining pipe from the ceiling on the ground. I must've broken the part of the pipe that the chain was on, since the pipe was as old as the rundown building she put me in.

I looked up to investigate, and sure enough, a reasonable size section of the pipe is missing. After a bit more thinking, I concluded that if I could slide my right arm's chain a bit further, it'd be free too. Then I'd be free.

I tugged on my right arm. The chain slid towards the edge, but stopped a few inches away. I pulled again, but to no avail. Squinting my eyes to try and get a better look, I could see how the chain attaching my right arm to the pipe had another chain clinging to it. I couldn't tell where it went, though, it was too dark. It never managed to get very bright in my cell, since I didn't have a window.

I was about to start back up with my attempts, but decided that hiding the pipe first was a better idea. After a small bit of work, I managed to get the chain untied from the pipe. I still couldn't manage to get the chains off of the shackles on my hands; they had a much more complicated knots, and there was a lock on each of them. Even with one of my hands having part of the chain gone, I just couldn't get it off. I stopped trying to get my hands free after a couple of minutes, and just finished rolling the pipe against the darkest wall.

Just as I was about to try again with getting my right arm free, she came back. I let out a small yelp and backed up slightly. She shot me a semi-amused look before she opened the cell door and threw in a deer. Wait, no, it's dead too.

"You're welcome," She stated.

"I-I don't... is this even cooked?!" I sputtered out.

"It might still be warm, maybe not," She replied. I gagged, she scoffed in response. "Oh come on! I know you have to eat to survive."

"Yeah, but the other times you brought something that wouldn't kill me if I ate it," I mumbled.

"Eat it," She growled. I glanced wearly at the deer. Its head had landed closest to me, with its eyes still open. It looked like it was missing something.

"What happened to the antlers?" I asked, concerned. She shifted, but didn't answer. I rocked from side to side, trying to reason myself into eating. I just couldn't though, with the smell, and just the thought of it. I had already eaten yesterday, there was no real reason to eat today.

I slowly moved the head away with my foot. "Just eat already!" She snapped. I jumped slightly and almost fell over. I looked at her, it was odd to see her so impatient. Suspicious. I thought to myself.

I broke eye contact before speaking, "Why don't you continue with your story of your past?"

She shifted again. "About that," she hesitated. "I don't remember anything else."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"My mother is a witch, come on Willow," She huffed, upset that I didn't understand right away. I felt a pang of remorse once I remembered how it was her mom, not mine.

When I didn't reply, she took it as a chance to keep talking. Does she really like the sound of her voice that much?

"But! I did get some closure with Edien," She said happily.

"Edien?" I echoed.

"Oh, the kid who's arm I broke," She stated. I had a sinking feeling that I knew where this was going. I desperately tried to delay it. "How come you remember his name now?" I ask.

"If I work at it hard enough, I'll eventually recall it. It helps if I'm exposed to it, too." She shrugged. I remained quiet, hoping desperately that she'll spare me the detai-

"I put a stick through his throat," There go my hopes. I turned away from her.

"You baby," She scoffed upon my reaction.

"You monster," I spat before I could stop myself. There was a small pause before bitter laughter began echoing around the old building.

"You caught me off guard there, Willow," She said. I could practically see grin just from the way she said it.

The creak of my cell door frightened me, especially after they were followed by footsteps towards me. I looked up, and was startled that she was actually in my cell with me. It seemed like she was hiding something behind her back. Any sort of light that my cell usually gets was behind her, so I couldn't see her expression.

"I'm going to be honest," She hummed. "I expected for you to be more useful." I began shaking.

"However, mother doesn't care for you nearly as much as I assumed she would," She was getting closer now.

"So, I don't have a reason to keep you alive for longer than usual," Eight inches away. She moved the object behind her back a bit.

"W-wait, but what about, you have to-" I tried to stutter out before she interrupted me.

"I really don't have to do anything. I told you everything that happened that I remember. I promised nothing to you," She spat. I reluctantly made eye contact. She hesitated slightly, probably surprised.

She scowled slightly before suddenly lunging for me. An abrupt shot of adrenaline forced me to move. I dodged to the left, taking up only about a fourth of the slack on my chain. Acting on a whim, I stuck out my foot.

I caught a glance of her shocked expression before she tripped. I flinched when I heard her head crash against the pipe I broke earlier. After about a second, I checked on her, since she didn't get back up.

She was still breathing, but she definitely wasn't awake. I let out a short breath of relief that I was still alive. I noticed the fact that her necklace was shaking, and that it felt warmer around her; which was nice, since it was actually pretty cold.

I backed up slightly, with hope restored in my being. I aggressively tugged at my right arm again. Forcing myself to believe that if the rusty chain just snapped, I would be free.

A/N: Any and all constructive criticism welcome!