I'm so sorry I took so long to update! I hope this chapter is going to make up for the long wait...

Enjoy :D

Chapter 13: Ambushed

It's already dark out. Who would've thought that the bright halls of Alfea would look so lonely when no one's walking through them. I let out a heavy sigh. What am I doing? The girls are probably disappointed that I didn't join them. I go sit on the edge of one of the closed windows. I start daydreaming while looking at the stars. For some reason, the first image that I see in my mind is Professor Palladium. I feel my cheeks heating up. I quickly shake my head, trying to get rid of these thoughts. Why am I thinking about him? He's my teacher, it's completely weird to feel such weird feelings towards him. Besides, he's probably nice to me because he pities me. No other reason behind it.

I should do something to keep my mind from imagining such weird things. I wander around and find myself in the entrance hall, empty just like everything else. Completely deserted, completely silent…

Crash!

I instinctively turn around towards where the sound came from. What was that? It sounded like something shattering. I thought I was the only one here.I frown slightly, slowly and carefully making my way to the cafeteria, where the sound seems to have come from. I open the door, looking left and right. Nothing's here. As soon as I step further in, I hear a blunt noise, and a sharp pain courses through my body. My vision blurs and fades. Someone… hit me on the head… but who…?

I open my eyes. My head is pounding like crazy. I try to get up, but, for some reason, my limbs won't respond. No… it's not that they won't respond, it's that they can't! I move my head to look at my current position. I'm tied up and lying on the floor. My mouth is also gagged. I feel panic starting to rise. Where am I? Who did this? Looking around, it seems that I'm still in the cafeteria.

"So, you're awake?"

A malicious voice comes from behind me. I recognize it… Icy! These three witches are behind it then… If I just hadn't let my guard down.

"It seems even a great almighty Ankelon can't do anything if they're tied up, haha."

Stormy laughs in a cruel manner. Whatever they plan to do with me won't be good. I need to find a way to get out of this situation. I can't perform any spells with my hands bound like this. And I can't even use my mouth to incant anything. Maybe I can loosen the rope… I try to move my hands around. That's when I feel a blow to my stomach. I let out a muffled cough. One of them just kicked me…

"Don't think we'll let you go that easy."

Her voice was full of hatred. Darcy… I did torture her quite a bit. She probably plans on making me feel much more pain than I made her feel.

"Hey, how about we make this even more frightening for you?"

Darcy said as she pulled on my hair, bringing my head up. I wince in pain. Then, something is put on my eyes and tied behind my head. Blindfold? I see… The darkness will make me fear the unknown. And it is… scary. It's really scary. I don't know what they'll do to me. I just want to get out of here. I feel tears coming out of my eyes and being absorbed by the cloth that is blocking my vision.

I hear their cruel laughs. Then a blow comes. And another. They kick me, punch me, and all I can do is let out muffled cries.

"Since we can't use our magic around you, we'll just get creative with whatever we have here."

I don't even know anymore who's the one who said that. I'm just too much in pain to even concentrate on that. I then hear glass breaking.

"I think that's sharp enough."

More laughing. They probably broke something. Are they planning to use something sharp on me? No, please. I'm so scared. Someone, please help me. Professor… Palladium… More tears fall as I think of Professor Palladium. I… I just want to see Palladium…

"Let's see… Where to carve your sickeningly white skin first?"

I start breathing in and out irregularly, my breath being broken by hiccups and sobs. They'll pay… They'll all pay! I'll kill them! I feel rage and hatred welling up inside of me alongside of my fear. The frustration of not being able to do anything makes my body shake and tremble. I start getting cold sweat which makes me shiver. Saliva is running down my mouth from all the blows they inflicted on me.

"I think the face should be the most obvious place."

I don't know when they'll strike, when they'll start cutting through my flesh. The seconds feel like hours. Palladium… Help me…

"What do you think you're doing?!"

What…? Am I… dreaming? This voice…

"Huh?"

Icy seems surprised.

"How dare you lay a hand on my student…"

It is…! Professor Palladium! But… how?

"Hey, I thought everyone was at the concert!"

"Well they should've all been at the concert."

"We're in trouble…"

The witches sound like they weren't expecting to find anyone here. I wasn't expecting to find anyone here either. But I'm still so happy he's here… I hear the witches let out a surprised cry. I also hear objects clashing. Professor Palladium probably blew them away with a magic spell. Steps get closer to me. Who is it? Professor Palladium? The witches?

I feel fingers brush past my cheeks. I instinctively fidget in fear.

"It's alright, Onyx. It's me."

Professor… His voice is so soft and soothing. He takes off my blindfold and proceeds to undo my other bindings.

"Oh no! He's setting her free!"

"We have to get out of here."

Palladium helps me up on my feet. I then turn around to see the witches try to escape. I feel even more rage at seeing their faces. They will pay. As soon as I start making my way to where they are, I feel a hand on my wrist, stopping me from going further. Professor Palladium?

"Onyx, don't. I'll make sure they're dealt with in the proper manner. You shouldn't involve yourself in this."

"But…!"

I wince in pain as I force that word out of my mouth. They really did a number on me. The witches escape. I let out a frustrated groan.

"Onyx… You're hurt. What's more important right now is to take care of these wounds."

I look at the ground and feel my tears overflowing. It's no good; I can't stop.

"Oh Onyx…"

I feel his arms wrap around me. I cry even harder as I burry my head into his shoulder.

"I… I was so scared…"

He doesn't say anything and just caresses my head soothingly.

"Professor Palladium… thank you…"

"I should've been here sooner… Don't worry, Onyx. I'll make sure they get proper punishment for what they did to you. This… is unforgivable."

For the first time, I felt actual anger in his voice. He was mad for my sake. He cared so much for me. Do I really only see him as a teacher? I want him to be more than that. I want to be closer to him. I… I love him.

So what did you guys think? Was it too much? Not enough? XD I don't know, just tell me in the reviews what you thought of this chapter!

Thanks for reading :)