STRANGULATE | Markicest

13 | CAPTIVE

Mark sat at the edge of the bed, wringing his hands together as he stared at the wall. Lux had taken all of Mark's possessions before they locked him in the room, leaving him unable to call anyone or use his tools to make his escape.

The window had even been locked, the glass impeccable, so even breaking his way out wasn't an option.

Mark fell onto his back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Hours had passed, only silence, and no way out.

He was trapped. Held captive with Evolveds that could kill him in a heartbeat.

Mark cursed at himself, wondering how he could be stupid, so impatient, so blind.

His thoughts whirred until sunrise filtered through the window, and his eyelids began to droop. The door slammed open, and he jumped up, body swaying from the lack of rest.

At the doorway stood Equinox, red eyes gazing through black lids and pale features. She stood tall, dress pooling gracefully down her frame.

"Human," she hummed, sweeping her eyes over his battered frame. "Come with me."

Mark hesitated, assessing his situation. The woman looked weak, fragile... yet the way she carried herself spoke otherwise.

"If you're thinking of attacking me, you won't have any luck," she said, pulling him from his thoughts. "You're in an entirely different world now." Her eyes flashed. "Now come with me."

Mark swallowed, hesitantly walking forward. Equinox leaned over and grabbed Mark's wrist, clicking a handcuff over it. He protested, tugging, but she caught his other wrist with the cuff and secured it. Mark grimaced, pulling against the binds, but Equinox grabbed the chain and forcefully dragged him out of the room.

"You need to eat," she said, pulling him down the hallway. Mark tripped over his feet, glaring at his situation.

This is nothing like I expected things to go, he thought bitterly.

They turned through a few hallways, and the dining hall opened up before them. Mark swallowed, heart skipping a beat when he spotted the Tear Stealer approaching them.

"He's all yours," said Equinox, shoving him forward. Mark stumbled, breath catching as he caught himself right before he almost rammed into the Tear Stealer. Dark nodded his head at Equinox in thanks, and she left the room, heels clicking against the wooden floors.

Dark gazed down at Mark for a moment, taking in his frame, suppressing a smirk at his shift of discomfort. He grabbed the chain of the handcuffs and dragged Mark to one of the chairs, undoing one of the cuffs to attach it to the table.

Mark glared at the Tear Stealer, who only sent him an amused glance. His robes swished as he sat down feet away from Mark, gaze intense.

"Eat," he ordered, directing his eyes towards the plate of fruit on the table. Mark grit his teeth together, staring at the food.

"I'm not hungry," he decided to say, glaring at the Tear Stealer. Dark merely stared back, features unreadable. He sat back in his seat, posture impeccable. That electricity from last night thrummed to life between them.

"I'm curious, Mark," said the Tear Stealer, voice a low drawl. "Last night, when you so failed to kill me." He stared evenly at him, gaze never wavering. "Had my people not caught you, how would you have done it?"

Mark swallowed, fists clenching under the table. "Do what," he hissed, shoulders tense.

"Killing me," he said simply. He picked up a knife, its edges sharp and glinting under the morning light filtering through the windows. Dark gazed at his reflection in the blade through half-lidded eyes. "How would you have done it?"