Thankyou so much to all my reviewers, I'm glad you guys like it. Just a warning, this chapter might be a bit descriptive if you know what I mean, but the next chapter won't be so graphic. On with the story and don't forget to review!
Part IV
He moved unnoticed through the city, people turned their heads, but only felt a sudden rush of air. His chocolate brown hair whipped around by the wind, his blue eyes wide open. His long black coat trailed behind him, unable to keep up with his ever- increasing speed. Everything was a blur to Mick, the bright streetlights signaling to pedestrians that it was okay to cross the busy roads. The illuminated buildings, each one unique, all looked the same to him. Even the spectacular fountains, ever-changing in color, like a kaleidoscope held no interest for Mick. All he could think about was Beth.
Maybe I'm too late, but on the other hand he might just be some old loony with nothing better to do, and surely he can't be serious about this lighthouse thing, why would he need more hostages? Maybe this is all a charade; maybe he just likes mind games. Whatever his motive, he needs some desperate help.
In a matter of minutes, Mick found himself standing in a vast plain. A thin, almost invisible line of golden sand separated dry land from deep waters.
A building stands alone; surrounded by a home… he meant the ocean
A silver beam of light flashed once, making his way clear. Mick carefully crossed the barren plain and entered the lighthouse. Thousands of stairs greeted him, almost mocking him, but Mick had no patience, none at all to waste trudging up countless flights of stairs. He walked to the center of the stairs, and crouched down low, like a big cat, about to pounce on its next meal. Then in one quick, sudden movement, he released a sudden outburst of energy and landed skillfully on the marble floor next to the last step. He looked around cautiously, his eyes scanning for danger, searching for Beth. He was greeted with an image that would forever remain in his mind.
Three women hung upside down, strapped to each other, a large pool of blood reflected the occasional flicker of a nearby ceiling light. Their mouths were covered with a cloth, once white, now stained a deep crimson; their eyes were open, blue, green and golden brown orbs, once so full of life stared at Mick. Their hands were tied together with a thick leather strap; Mick took a few steps forward. A rather complex mechanism was perched on a low shelf, wires flung out from every direction somehow finding their way to their proper station. Mick's hands once again clenched into fists, his fingernails digging deep into his skin when he realized it was a torturing device. Mick took a deep breath, letting his vampire abilities take over.
The hostages were tied to a rotating pole; the pole was programmed to turn clockwise ninety degrees every thirteen minutes. A computer hidden under the shelf automatically shot a serrated blade at each ninety-degree angle every thirteen minutes. Positioned at every ninety-degree angle there was a hostage.
Too late. He was serious, how could he do that? And to three innocent women! What's in this for him, torturing psycho.
On the far eastern wall, pinned to the wall with a serrated blade identical to the ones now embedded in the three women, was a note. A small pouch hung from the handle of the blade, Mick pulled it down and opened it, his eyes caught a glimpse of something golden, a light honey color…a lock of Beth's hair. He retrieved the note, written in the same rough handwriting and read the message:
Too late have you come,
Have you seen what I have done?
If you intend to play the hero,
Next time you better solve my riddle before the clock strikes zero,
Quick thinking will be your friend,
So see if you can make it till the very end
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall;
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the King's horses, And all the King's men
couldn't put Humpty together again