Disclaimer: I am not going to state the obviously blatant truth the Escaflowne is not mine.
Forbearance
Part VI
By: Penybright
Van awoke to the sound of grating metal. He tried to sit up, but failed miserably because Merle was still atop him. At the sudden movement, Merle stirred awake, blinking her sleep clouded blue eyes. Four guards filed into the cell, dragging the prisoners to their feet,
Van found himself beginning to hyperventilate as he realized what was coming. He already wanted to scream and weep, and they hadn't even begun yet. The mere thought of what awaited, was enough to freeze his blood. He couldn't let Merle suffer because of him, yet... how could he betray her?
Those haunting green eyes surfaced in his mind again. Eyes filled with love and trust... No! He... he couldn't betray her, but... he couldn't betray Merle either. As these thoughts played through Van's mind, he began to struggle feebly against the two burly guards holding him.
"Lord Van?" Merle whimpered fearfully. "What--- Where are they taking us?"
Van closed his eyes and sucked in a shaky breath.
"To see the questioners," Van responded with a shudder. As predicted, they took the right hallway, and stopped in front of a large wooden door. The door was opened, and the two prisoners were thrown inside.
"Ah, Van Fanel. So nice to see you again," the questioner rasped.
Van cringed and Merle grabbed a hold of his arm.
"And it seems that you have brought a friend with you this time."
"Don't... Please don't..." Van whispered, closing his eyes painfully.
"Why, whatever do you mean?" the questioner asked in mock innocence, smirking. Merle tried to hide behind Van as her blue eyes became wide with fear.
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Merle squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the screams. She wouldn't, no she couldn't watch. It was too painful.
"Lord Van..." she whimpered, as tears leaked out from her shut eyes. "Please stop!" Merle begged. "Don't hurt him anymore! Stop hurting Lord Van!"
"Tell me what I want to know, and I'll stop hurting him," the questioner prompted. Merle looked to Van, gasping at the blood that covered him.
"Don't... Merle... please," Van choked out breathily.
"Lord Van..." Merle pleaded.
The questioner left Van and advanced towards Merle.
"Now it's your turn, since you won't tell," the questioner said, grinning ferally.
"No... No!" Van cried. "Please don't! She doesn't know anything!"
Van's pleas fell on deaf ears. Van clasped his hands over his ears, trying to block out the screams, squeezing his eyes shut and turning his head away from the gruesome scene. Unable to stand it any longer, Van turned away and retched, before falling into the welcoming chasm of unconsciousness.