NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Flare, Disk, Behemer, and the Hunters.

Try typing with one hand for a while. It's so annoying! All my bad wrist can do is move the mouse and hit backspace. Argh. Had some free time today so I worked on this chapter for you guys. See! I can be nice!

Review and Enjoy!

Secrets, Lies, and Blood Chapter 10

Will gasped for breath as Serpent pulled him upward. Water raced down his face, soaking his clothing, forcing his hair to lie flat for once. Before him was a tub of ice cold water. His hands were bound securely behind his back. Serpent held onto the collar of his shirt. Coughing weakly, Will spat out a little water. Shakily he drew in another breath. His body was beaten and sore. Yet he knew he could not give in. He had to hold out until his friends found him.

"Had enough?" Serpent asked quietly.

Will coughed again then growled, "No matter what, I won't kneel to you."

The moment he finished, Serpent shoved his head back into the water. Almost instantly Will felt his face go numb. Valiantly he held his breath and closed his eyes. He had to remain strong. No matter what, he could not lose. If he did then everything he loved would be lost. Serpent pulled him out long enough to breath before shoving him back down. Deep within he felt Shadow moving. The other half, the darker half, was far from happy.

Finally Serpent dragged him away from the tub. Raven waited by the wall with several towels in his hands. Those green eyes watched as Will weakly kicked at Serpent. Reaching the wall, Serpent released him. Will sank to the ground, too exhausted to sit up. Raven knelt beside him and began drying him off. Once Will's face done, Raven grabbed his change of clothing. A new white shirt and brown pants. His cloak had been taken away before the torture began. The Ranger was willing to bet that Serpent buried it somewhere in his quarters or destroyed it. Will's weapons were hanging on two hooks near the bed. The thick bow was leaning against the bed. Serpent untied the bonds around his wrists. Then, with Raven's help, the leader of the Hunters pulled off the soaked shirt.

That's when you can see how much pain Will had suffered through.

Circles dotted his shoulders and neck where Hisler had bitten him. Longer strips crossed Will's back where Serpent had beaten him with a thick, ragged rope. Blade marks covered his arms where Raven had cut him. Lastly where red and black marks patterning his skin like his Ranger cloak. This was worst torture Serpent had put him through so far. Several times he had come in with a staff. At one end was a metal bulb. In the room's fireplace, he would place the bulb. Then he would talk to Will, trying to talk Shadow into coming out. When Shadow never responded, or responded violently, Serpent would calmly stand up and retrieve the staff. Keeping the now red hot bulb away from himself, he would then approach Will. Raven pull up Will's shirt as Serpent approached.

That's when Serpent would thrust the burning hot metal up against Will's body.

However, to Serpent's utter anger, Will continued to fight through it. He took the torture with his head held high. No matter what, Will was determined not to break. Thus, Serpent upped his game. The leader spent longer with Will. He tried all kinds of torture on top of everything already mentioned. Though fear and pain were shone through Will's eyes, the young man never backed down. He always refused Serpent's offers of mercy. Not once did he ever seem to crack. Not once did he ever act like giving in.

After the semiconscious Will was changed into new clothes, Serpent and Raven chained him back to the wall. Serpent went to the bed and picked up a box. Will, his vision blurring, recognized it instantly. He knew what was inside. Raven grabbed his head in a vice-like grip. He forced Will's mouth open. Serpent pulled out a small chain. On either end was a wooden ball covered in spikes. With great precision and care, Serpent placed the balls in Will's mouth. The Ranger tried move but Raven held him firm. Finished, Serpent stepped away and Raven released Will. Head dropping, Will gingerly closed his mouth. Already the balls were digging into his tongue, his cheeks, and roof of his mouth. By closing his mouth, Will knew that the spikes would dig deeper. However, if his mouth remained open, then the balls could move around and cause even more damage.

"Rest, Sssshadow," Serpent hissed softly, ruffling Will's wet brown hair. "I will be back sssshortly with sssssome food for you. Just because we are trying to kill your weaker half doessss not mean I want you to die completely."

With that, Serpent and Raven carried the tub of water out of the room. The wooden door closed with a resounding bang. Will hardly flinched at the noise. Unconsciousness was already pulling him deep. There, he knew, he would feel no pain. All his suffering would go away. There he would be able to sleep. Dream of those he loved. Remember the better times of his life. Feel Alyss' lips on his mouth.

The he could see her again.

"Going somewhere?" hissed a deadly voice.

Will turned and faced Shadow. They were in the forest once again. Here they always met. Here was the one place that they both existed. One wrapped in his green and gray cloak. The other clothed completely in black. One with shining brown eyes. The other with a deathly cold gaze. One that sought the light in the world. The other that sought to punish those who caused pain to world, particularly to them.

"Leave me in peace, Shadow," Will whispered with a tired sigh. "I need to rest. You heard Serpent. He will be back shortly. I have to try and get some strength back."

"So much for the powerful Ranger, apprentice of the legendary Halt," Shadow mocked, circling Will.

Now Will knew that something was wrong. He whirled on Shadow. Those black eyes stared back at him with anger and hate. Emotions that Will remembered well. Carefully Will started stepping away. So much for a peaceful sleep. For every step back, Shadow took two steps towards him. A familiar black dagger appeared in Shadow's right hand. Will's right hand drew his saxe.

"I guess our peace is over," Will whispered.

"Aye, weakling. I won't stand by and let you get us both killed," Shadow spat.

With that, he lunged at Will. The Ranger blocked the blow then shoved back. Black, ragged dagger arced for the kill. The shining saxe always met it. However, as they continued their dance, Will started sensing something was terribly wrong. No matter what he did, it always seemed so slow. Shadow was unaffected. He drove at Will, his anger continuing to build. With it came a sick, perverted pleasure. He was finally going to win. He was finally going to be the only one controlling their life!

No…his life.

The saxe went spinning away from Will's grasp. Shadow shoved Will into a tree. Quickly Shadow removed the throwing knife and tossed it aside. His knee pressed into Will's chest. The lighter half stared up at him. Shock. Fear. Sadness. Shadow smiled with wicked pleasure. No more pain. No more suffering. It was over with. Now that he was the master, no one would stand against him. Anyone who tried would pay with their life. Serpent could be forgiven, just this once. After all, Raven created him. Serpent freed him.

Scarlet blood splashed across the bushes.

Darkness spread, killing everything.

Serpent unlocked the door to Will's room. In his left hand was a plate piled high with food. Foods that Shadow seemed to like. He wanted the young man to be happy. That way, once Will was good and gone, Shadow would not turn on him. Entering, Serpent found a sight that shocked him. Those wooden balls were on the ground. A pool of blood had collected at Will's knees. Slowly the Ranger looked up. Blood dripped steadily from between his lips. Those brown eyes, however, had changed dramatically. So much darkness. So much anger. So much hate. The eyes had turned from brown to black.

A cold voice, colder than the wind outside, spoke softly.

"Greetings, Father."

Dun, Dun, Duuuunnnn! Hopefully I can get the next chapter up soon. Don't know with my wrist and all my homework. I promise to try!