Chapter 16

Bugs

The other side of the hole brought Luna to a rather grim location. Escaping the confines of a dingy room doomed to be crushed, her boots stepped against finely-groomed dirt, crunching hard against the dust as her eyes caught sight of a rocky-like intersection, filled with hundreds of torches bringing the world a rather ominous glow. She stood tall, feeling her muscles scream from the previous fall. Stretching, she felt a chill run through her hair. Wherever this was, she was definitely far below the ground, perhaps lower than the castle's own basement.

Everywhere she looked gave her a vibe that broke her spirit. Indented into the wall were iron bars, leading into smaller cage-like closets barely enough for a single soul to rest their head easily. Didn't take long for Luna to catch on to what this place was. "What the heck? A... dungeon? Under Loch Loud?" she felt horrified making the discovery. Never before had she heard of it, and frankly staring at it gave her no further proof that it actually existed. It was too surreal, almost impossible to fathom, that a kindhearted-if-raucous group like the Louds could possibly have a dark place like this.

Guess every family had their skeletons in their closets.

But that wasn't the important part. Luna darted her eyes back and forth, but found no sign of her savior. That voice that made her heart feel calm... who did it belong to? Well, it was obvious to her, of course, but there was no sign of that person being here. His guidance kept her alive, but now left in the dark, he was nowhere to be found.

She sighed, feeling anxiety brewing. "L-Lincoln? Where are you?"

Was it him? Lady Savino seemed rather disheartened that her little brother wasn't captured during the apparent raid on their home. If that's the case, he should be safe and sound, right? Far from what hell this place had become. Unless he snuck his way in, but he was smarter than that. He would never throw himself into danger like this.

"Heh," she chuckled to herself, feeling goosebumps break out on her skin, "of course he would. He's Linc."

Even still, there was no sight of him. Not even a trail of dust disturbed to show somebody truly saved her life. Whoever came to her aid left in a hurry. She shook her head; guess she had no time to worry about it, she supposed. She survived getting crushed, and now her next trial began: figuring out where to go from here. All directions were the same, with a dark, dilapidated hall that lead further into the darkness.

Well, with the exception of the path directly in front of her. Peering her eyes forward, she saw through the somber flames what appeared to be a stairwell up. There had to be more entrances than a simple hole in the dining hall, and it seemed one had at last presented itself. Making one last check to see if the coast was clear, Luna quickly stomped her feet, and began making her way towards the exit. She had to reach topside and fast; her family was still in active danger.

Of course, when were things ever easy for her? As soon as the first step began visible in her sights, a mighty iron wall suddenly came crashing down, nearly crushing her yet again. She was stunned by its appearance, before the anger sunk in. She clung to the bars, shaking them violently, but to no avail. "Dammit, come on!" She shouted.

As she struggled, her wrist began to shine. Nearly forgot she even had that. Luna brought the screen up to her face, once again seeing her terrified family. Once she and Rita made eye contact, the mother grew irate once more. "You crazy monster, let her go! You... you disgusting little piece of-"

"Is it wise to swear before your youngest?" Savino suddenly stepped into frame, somewhat smiling as she folded her arms. Rita silenced herself, but the anger was stewing. The rest could only shrink as the intimidating woman turned her attention towards the rocker. Her expression was not amused. "So... you live. How quaint of you."

Luna shook her head. "I don't like in front of them, but right now you're pushing me, brah. Listen, you asshole, enough with the games! If you got a beef with me, we'll settle it up there!"

The other woman clapped her hands slowly. "Well, at least you proved you have some strength, though how somebody saved you... well, I suppose it isn't important right now. I would honestly be hurt if you did die so early."

"Yeah, I bet you would. So what? Gonna make me struggle down here now?"

Another clap, this time with a sly smirk to break her lips. "Oh, I suppose so. After all, my family has had quite the history with you lot, and you? Well, we all have our own issues, you know? Some more personal than others."

This was getting revolting. Luna slammed a fist against the rocky wall. "So what the hell did I do, or my ancestor, or what? Dammit, at least make sense!"

Her anger was broken up by Savino's laughter. "Remember, dear Luna Loud, you are on camera. Make your family proud in your attempts to survive. Lord knows your predecessor wasn't exactly beloved, so to speak."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Why should I bother telling you? My twins are getting a little antsy, and I know how they are when they get inpatient." She looked back at Rita. "For once, I find myself sympathizing with one of you."

It was Lana's turn to speak. "Hey, for one thing, I like ants, and second of all, at least we aren't evil!"

The rage burning deep within Savino's eyes was a thing to truly behold. She glared deep into Lana's soul, forcing the young twin to cry out in pain. Everyone prepared for the gun to come right back out, but luckily the twisted woman kept her cool. After all, she needed them all alive to see the show. A grin broke out on her face as she looked back at Luna. "Tell me, dear one... what is your thought on insects?"

Already not liking where this was going, Luna had no choice but to play along. "Just get on with it. What's coming for me?"

Her grin broke her skin. "Lorenzo! Mattia! Attack!"

Oh crap. As soon as she shouted, the walls around the young rocker began to quiver. Luna stepped back, watching as what seemed to be a black ooze began pouring through every crevice. A fear broke out that she was about to be drowned, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that this wasn't a liquid in any regard.

They were hundreds-upon-thousands of spiders and centipede, suddenly finding a brand new home in the dungeon, and all enjoying the presence of Luna Loud, who had no other option but to scream her head off. "Oh shit! Crap!"

They began to flock over to her, some reaching her boots in record time. Luna saw their deadly eyes gazing upon her with envy, pincers ready to sink themselves into her flesh. Everyone on the camera shuddered (even Lana, the lover of the bug tribes) as their sister quickly became overwhelmed, running for her life down the hall as quick as she could. All the while Lady Savino laughed. "I never liked bugs, but they seem to fit you quite nicely!"

They poured from every room. If there was a tiny area they could fit in, they found refuge. Her run of terror preventing her from seeing the numerous skeletons resting in the rooms, slowly being devoured by the horde, and with their food source depleted, the rocker was a suitable replacement. Soon, giant beetles and what appeared to be ladybugs began making themselves known. Bites began finding their home on the poor sapless victim.

She needed a weapon, now.

And that was when Lisa Loud spoke. "Older sibling, the fire! Go for the torches!"

The torches? Indeed, hundreds littered themselves all around her, and though she wasn't the best at dealing with bugs, Luna had to admit fire seemed like the best course. With enough strength, she quickly grabbed one on her quest to escape, and with a scream, began to swing it. The bugs made an audible scream, before fleeing back into the shadows. She kept swinging and swinging, until the last spider finally disappeared from her shirt. It was only a brief respite, for she heard them crawling all about too close to comfort. As long as she had flame, she should hopefully be okay, but once it was out?

Pray it didn't come to that.

On the other end, Savino laughed. "Good luck, murderer. We will be watching with envy. My twins are not known for showing mercy."

Luna could only mutter. "Heh, just you wait, asshole..."

As she stood catching her breath, Luna caught sight of something rather grizzly. A severe hand, looking rather fresh, was apparently carried along by the bigger bugs. She gagged at its sight, but that the same time, also noticed something glowing underneath the flames. Two objects that made her look both relieved... and confused.

A rifle, much like the one she used in the village, and a knife. Two objects she desperately needed right now. She swooped them up, also giving her plenty of time to spy on the disturbed remains. The hand was nearly poached clean of its skin, but the cuffs of the shirt could still be made out. It was hard to tell, but it seemed like the same uniform the guys wore in that wreckage.

She shook her head. "Who the heck are they? Well, thanks, man. You didn't die for no reason," she whispered, before taking the objects for herself. She looked back at the screen, seeing her family crying their eyes out. Lady Savino was nowhere to be found.

"Are you guys okay?" She asked.

"Worry about yourself! Dammit, Luna...," Lori cried.

The rocker shook her head, giving her best smile possible. "Just hang in there, okay? I promise you, I'm getting you out."

Lisa sighed. Was she secretly writing something with her bound hands? Hard to tell. "Just... make it out with us, sister..."

"I will. Now hold on. I just gotta find my way through."

With the rifle in hand and the knife against her skirt, Luna began making her way down the dark hall before her, her next goal being unknown. Whoever it was that saved her, be it her brother or that unfortunate soul that was eaten, she had to make their sacrifice worth it.

And prepare for the new nightmare she found herself in.

FROM: The personal memoirs of Lady Savino, dated late 17th century

"I was blessed with two twins from a local in our kingdom. She was scared because of their hair. It hurts knowing that such a simple characteristic inspires so much fear, even if it's only a natural blessing from the lord above. Even as the leaders here, we get scorn from those on the outside, always thinking we are witches hellbent on eliminating humanity. Heh, in many ways, I guess they're right, but I seek not to kill, but rather to rebirth our kind, and destroy whatever sins we are cursed with. Is that so bad?

"But these two... the hair is the least of their concerns. They're sick with something I cannot fathom. I brought them to the doctor, but the hair scared them off. Even still, there didn't seem to be anything truly wrong with them. Just... they were sick, that's it. Why can't they stand, or barely survive near fire? It's rather odd. I fear I may lose them. I have four young boys now; I cannot fathom losing even one!"