The Wrong Sister

What Is This Place

I woke up to an empty room. An empty, unfamiliar room. The last thing I remembered was Gabriel's concerned voice and tight grip.  

I winced at my dry throat when I tried to swallow. Cautiously I sat up. 

'What do I do now?'

I tried the door, it opened. 

'Of course it opened, Artemis. It's not like you've been kidnapped. Not sure why it was Gabriel who came to get me, but I guess I'll just have to talk to my sister and tell her not to set her crazy boyfriend on me again.'

I made my way through the house trying to find the exit or someone who could tell me where the exit was. The house was massive. Enormous Chandeliers seemed to drip out of high ceilings. Wide corridors with entrancing art made me slow my walking to a stop in awe. 

The painting was of a battle between wolves. It was dark and heart wrenching. Such beautiful creatures mimicking the worst thing about humans. War. 

I don't know how long I stared at the painting, but it seemed like I could spend eternity there.

"Artemis! What are you doing out of his room?" Riley's voice hissed to my left, "He's going to throw a fit. Come on."

"Riley? What are you doing here. Where is here?" I asked happy to see him.

 "Why are you joking? Don't you realize how serious your situation is!" He raised his voice.

"Okay jeeze. I'm sorry. Calm down" I tried to placate him, "Could you show me how to get out? I tried, but this place is like a maze." 

"No, you can't leave! He will kill us!" Riley was becoming more and more panicked.

"Who Gabriel? Psht please. I just need to talk to Chloe and clear this stuff up. How's he gonna stop me leaving? Tie me up?" I chuckled trying to lighten the mood.

"Maybe I should." A deep voice joined the conversation behind me.

I turned around trying to hide my fear. Last time he strangled me. Lots of fun.

"Oh hey, Gabe." I said with forced calm, "I wanted to talk to you actually. So I don't kn-".

"Did you now?" he interrupted raising his eyebrow,

My heart sped up. 'Calm down, jeepers'

"I-Yes I did want to talk to you. As I was saying: I'm not sure what Chloe told you, but you-" I nervously continued.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" He interrupted for the second time, smirking. 

I narrowed my eyes at him. This was becoming irritating, "If you would stop interrupting me you would know already." I retorted, "You can't just take me out of my car and I feel like I shouldn't have to say this, but you can't rip my car door off it's hinges. Many would consider it rude." 

Gabriel smirked, "Are you sure, rude is the word?"

I glared at him, "I was trying not to call you excessively aggressive, but if that's what you want I'm only too happy to oblige. You can't just attack people, you excessively aggressive, overly muscular crazy person!"

"Well as long as we're talking. I told you not to run from me." His eyes were dark again. Gabriel walked forward forcing me back into the wall. "And then you go and run from me. Again. With that pup that you are so close with."

I jumped to the side, away from the wall, "not again, bro. Uh uh. You aren't getting me again." 

Gabriel growled, "You think skipping is going to save you from me? You are a child." 

He lunged at me gripping my already bruised neck. pushing me against the wall facing him. I winced as his hands made contact with the bruise.

"Stop. Please. You're hurting me!" I pushed out. 

"No." He growled leaning his face into mine. "I could kill you easily. I could snap this neck of yours so easily. Don't think I won't. You mean nothing to me." 

"I know. Jesus what do you think is going on?" I choked out confused. 

"Gabriel! What are you doing?" Riley intervened.

"Teaching her a lesson!" Gabriel growled in response tightening his grip. 

"What do you think this is going to do? How is this going to help. What is she going to think of you?" He tried to reason.

"It doesn't matter! I would never want a brat like her!" 

"Well I hope you are sure about that decision because you are killing her." Riley spoke in a calm voice. 

'What! Why aren't you doing anything Riley!' I thought, the grip on my throat to tight to get anything out.

Gabriel dropped me quickly. he started walking away from us. Away from me coughing on the floor in tears. Riley hesitated coming to help me up. 

"Riley please" I gasped out, "help me." 

"Don't touch her, Riley. If you do, I'll cut off whatever part of your body touches her." Gabriel said pausing a little way down the hall to stare at me struggling on the floor.

"Please Riley!" tears started streaming down my face, "Just help me up." 

"Arte, I can't. I'm sorry" Riley said not looking me in the eye. 

"What is this place?"