Chapter One
She could hear the wind howling outside, so strong it sounded as if someone was pounding on the walls, trying to break down the barrier surrounding them. She couldn't bring to mind any time at which a storm had been this violent. Granted, its origins were most likely of an unnatural means, but still…
She sighed. What a stupid thought. Of course she wouldn't be able to recall such a thing, her senses would have heightened lately…her eyes were of no use anymore, at least not in this place, so of course she could not bring such a thing to mind. What a waste of brainpower. She had the urge to smack her forehead. Hard.
"No, no. That won't help matters, and you know it. Instead, start thinking of strategies."
How did he…?
"Wha…what? H – how?"
She felt, rather than heard him sigh exasperatedly. "After however long it's been, it's a bit difficult not to notice when one's companion is about to start physically abusing herself. Don't beat yourself up about it, else you'll start going ma-" He stopped abruptly, and she had the feeling he was remembering…remembering them. In the silence now present, she heard him…gulp? Swallow? Sob…? No. He couldn't be. He was the strong one.
"You were saying?" she prompted him.
"Yeah, well, basically, I know everything," he said easily, the tension quickly evaporating.
"Cocky bastard," she retorted, a playful grin playing upon her lips.
He chuckled, the sound of it reverberating around the place, echoing against the cold stone walls.
"Yeah, well arrogance is not always a bad thing, you know," he said. She could practically feel his smirk from here. Since when did he smirk anyway?
She rolled her eyes. Not that anyone could see her doing it, she mused.
"Are you trying to play devil's advocate?"
"Maybe, maybe not," came the reply. She could hear the laughter in his voice, feel the very air brightening…even picture some of the other inhabitants of the place smiling…How long has it been since anybody spoke like that? You'd think we'd have forgotten the meaning of the word "tease."
She didn't waste further time questioning it though – why look a gift horse in the mouth? She could use the comic relief. They all could use some comic relief.
She opened her mouth to continue their bantering, when
Clap. Clap. Clap.
An aristocratic voice cut through the air, the playful mood quickly dissipating from it. "Truly a delight, you two are – a beacon of hope to everyone, I'm sure. So sorry to break up the party, but I am afraid there has been a –"
The speaker took a deep breath, as though unable to believe what he was saying, and ground out, "re..quest for one of you."
Nervous titters filled the air, and she felt cold, old, wrinkled hands grab onto her upper right arm.
"Don't…don't let them…" a broken voice croaked in her ear.
"I won't – not this time," she promised.
She felt a tug on her other arm – "Don't make promises you know you won't be able to keep," he whispered.
"What?" came the voice from her right, full of fear.
"Stay out of this!" she hissed at him. "Don't worry, Professor," she crooned to the woman holding onto her arm tightly, "they won't take you."
"She's right, old hag," that poisonous, cold voice came from overhead. From out of the darkness, she was wrenched up and held tightly against what felt like a pillar of marble. A piece of wood came across her throat, while an arm lay across her stomach, pulling her back against the foreign body.
"We're here for her."