Hey guys, hope you like this new story. A thank you once again goes to celticgal1041 for prereading this:)
Enjoy!
It was dark, that was the first thing that crossed the man's mind. The next was that the smell was horrible, and it was chilly wherever he was at. A groan rose from the man's lips as he rolled over onto his back, going to try and get a look around. His body had other ideas, cause when he moved a searing pain shot through his temples and all the way around his head. His whole body hurt. He could tell that he had some broken ribs, plus some bruised and cracked ones, a dislocated shoulder, his dominant one in fact...just his luck. He also had a sprained ankle and knee, both which felt like they were on fire and swollen to the size of a melon.
The man slowly opened his eyes, as the pain almost made it unbearable, but he pushed through, somehow knowing that if he didn't, he would never get out of here alive. Strange instinct, that. He didn't even know if he was somewhere dangerous, and yet here he was already making assumptions that he was in danger. Strange.
The man looked around slowly, eyes wandering to the different walls of what looked like a cell. Metal bars made up one wall, with what looked like the only opening. Unfortunately, it was chained shut from the outside, and a quick, if painful, look around the room showed no keys. Wonderful.
He slowly leveraged himself up, grimacing in pain the entire time. When he got himself up enough, he slid backwards a little to prop himself against a wall, knowing that he couldn't support himself. Another thought that was strange. It didn't help that he could almost hear a voice yelling at someone, yelling to take better care of themselves. Who was it and who were they yelling at?
The man shifted his head the side slightly, looking for any source of light. He didn't like the dark, and he didn't know why he didn't like the dark. God, what was wrong with him?
After finding no light, the man slowly and painstakingly pushed himself into a crouched position, groaning at the pain all across his body. After a moment to catch his breath, he pushed himself into a standing position, wincing when he put too much pressure on the injured knee and ankle.
After another moment, the man hobbled around the cell, looking for a way out, or anything to tell him where he was. He didn't remember arriving here, and he certainly didn't remember giving permission to be brought here. Actually, now that he thought about it, he didn't really remember anything at all. All he had to go on were instincts and feelings.
Who was he?
A group of three Musketeers wandered around the woods outside of Paris, calling out the name of their friend. It had been three whole days since he'd gone missing, after delivering a message to a city on the outskirts of France. It had been a simple mission, but one he'd never returned from. The men had gone and seen the person their friend delivered it to, only to find that he'd been there and left within record time. So where was he?
The three weren't the only ones searching for the missing Musketeer. Almost the whole regiment was searching, having split up to cover more ground, hoping to find a clue as to the whereabouts of their missing brother. But, as of the last communication, nobody had found anything. The three tried not to let that discourage them, but alas, it did. Nobody just disappeared into thin air. Yet, that is what seemed to have happened. They couldn't track the footprints, as the rain the other day washed all of them away. They couldn't trace the path that their friend had taken; they'd already done that and found nothing. Not even a broken tree limb off course. They'd found absolutely nothing.
The men continued to call for their friend, hoping with all they had that they might get a response this time, or maybe the next. But they all knew that it wasn't going to happen. If it was it would've happened by now. Now, they continued to call, just so they would have something to do. They had to find something, anything. They just had to. The alternative was unthinkable.
The men continued to ride until almost dark. They wanted to continue but knew that once dark fell, it would be safer for everyone if they stopped. They didn't need another one of them injured, as they knew that their missing comrade must be. That was the only explanation as to why he hadn't returned, other than being kidnapped, which was just as unthinkable. There were no other logical options. Or at least ones they would consider. They refused to think that he might be dead until his body was found. Only then would they believe it. Until then, there was still hope, minor though it may be.
The men slowly made their way towards the city, still looking for clues along the way. They'd take as much time as they could, and they knew that Captain Treville wouldn't say anything. Not now, at least.
The horses plodded along as slow and dreary as their masters. It was like even they felt the loss of their missing one. The path they were on lead straight to the city, so the men didn't have to worry about getting lost. They could just aimlessly let the horses take them home while their thoughts stayed on their missing companion and what might have happened to him.
They finally made it to the outskirts of the forest, the last rays of sun touching them with its glow as it descended across the sky. Paris was almost like a beacon, one they didn't want if it meant they returned empty handed, nothing to show for their search.
The men continued along until they reached the gates of the city. They pulled to a stop, almost unwilling to return to the safety and comfort of the garrison, their home. Finally, one of the men gave his horse a nudge and went through, another one behind him. The final one just stayed for a moment, sending a prayer to a God he had stopped believing in a long time ago, for the safe return of their brother. Once finished he turned one last time to look behind him at the trees they'd left behind.
"d'Artagnan, boy, where are you?" His voice quietly echoed in the air, wind sweeping it away, before turning and heading through the gates.
What did you think?