Zaniel AU (Love Sick).

Chapter 17

Daniel's POV:-
It's been a couple of days since I had the dream about Zach but I had no idea what to think of it. All I knew was that Zach was trapped somewhere and he needed my help. And so I racked my brains trying to think of what the dream had really tried to show me.

Then I suddenly remembered the forest and one part of it. Specifically a part that was really different from the rest of the forest. I remember seeing a tree there which kinda looked odd to me. It stood out from the other trees and was seemingly very different. It also seemed to have a double wall on it and I had felt like it was keeping some secret.

I don't know why and how I suddenly remembered the tree but I had a feeling it had something to do with Zach's disappearance. I don't how but I was going to find out. Besides it was worth a try to look at it. And so far it was my only clue to know about where Zach was.

So, that afternoon at 2pm I set out with my two usual servants and my personal bodyguard to go look for Zach once again.

I remembered the clearing pretty well where I had seen the tree and lead my servants and guard upto it.

I saw the tree and just as I had thought it was uneven on several parts. Besides that there seemed to be a latch of some kind attached to the side of the tree. I pulled it but nothing happened. I decided to push it still nothing happened. Then lastly I decided to slide it down and immediately a part of the tree slid back revealing a hollow space in between only big enough for an average person to fit in. I climbed in slowly followed by my two guards and cautiously started to make my way inside. After a while, I came to a dead end and looked up to see stairs probably leading somewhere to where Zach was held captive. I made my way upstairs with my guards following close behind.

We soon came to a much bigger passage way and I looked around to see several rooms in every corner. I signalled to my guards to check the other rooms while I went to one that had three locks on it. As I proceeded to open the locks, I heard a noise coming from somewhere in front of me and quickly signalled to my guards to hide inside one of the rooms while I myself his in the narrow space beside the door I had been trying to unlock just a few seconds ago. I heard footsteps approaching the door and popped my head out to see a figure crouched in front of the door. It opened it and quickly made it's way inside shutting the door loudly behind it. Several minutes later, I heard a few voices and it sounded someone was arguing.

Another few minutes later, the door opened again and someone came out. My eyes widened as I saw who it was. It was Zach's aunt.

As soon as she left, I signalled to my guards who had been from the slightly open door of the room where they had hidden and made my way towards the door again opening it and looking in. There was a trail of stairs leading downwards and I quickly made my way down leaving my guards at the door to keep an eye out and had instructed them to get help as soon as it looked like we were getting caught.

Once I approached the end of the stairs, I looked around only to see darkness. I waited for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting of the room then looked around again. What I saw broke my heart. In front of me bounded by ropes was a pale and skinny looking Zach lying down with his shoulders slumped and his face scrunched into an expression of pain. He was a clutching a knife in his right hand. I quickly made my way towards and grabbed the knife cutting his bounds.

He opened his eyes looking up at me. His eyes has bags underneath them probably from the lack of sleep. The sight made me so sad.

"D...Daniel?", he mumbled.

"Yes, my love", I whispered.

"Daniel. Is that really you?", he asked.

"Yes. Zach", I replied smiling slightly.

"Ryan and Reese", he said looking around.

"Where are they?", I asked grabbing his wrists and rubbing them softly.

"My aunt. She took them. We need to find them Dani. We need to get out of here", he said shaking.

"Shhh. Calm down Z", I said pulling gik into a hug."I'm here to get you out if this place. And don't worry we'll find Ryan and Reese".

He nodded hugging me back. I pulled away and got up grabbing him and picking him up bridal style figuring that he was too tired to walk then proceeded to go up the stairs with him. As I opened the door I got the biggest surprise of my life.

A/N:- Hey guys. Here is Chapter 17. Also this is my longest book so far. Anyways I hope you like it. And Thank you for reading. Have a good day or night and Stay Blessed. 😃❤. Love you guys:).

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