House of Pain

Chapter 6: Dungeon Pain

I continued to run quickly in the murkystinky sewer. I stopped running when I nearly slipped on something. Managing to balance myself I decided to continue the rest of the way by walking. I couldn't see what made me nearly slip but I was grateful for the lit torches. Maybe the crazy vampire was in the process of lighting them all up. Moving forward I noticed many bulky things hanging on the wall. Glancing on either side, it seemed more like a dungeon with latches on both sides. I wondered if they were used to tie their unwilling victims to get possibly tortured. I didn't dare to stop especially when I got taken back with the sudden smell of decay and death. It took me by surprise. As I reached closer to those bulky hangings on the wall I realized what they were. Automatically my hands went to cover my mouth to prevent my scream from being heard. All Jenks did was gasp as he grabbed onto my collar.

There were swollen corpses still hanging on the latches. I noticed that not all were human, some were even vampires. I could tell by the visible fangs, their mouths were wide open as if they were stuck in mid scream. I walked quickly through this part of the tunnel. I had to keep it together because I sure didn't want to lose my dinner. Jenks sat on my shoulder and covered his nose with both his hands. Keeping to the middle of the tunnel I began to jog. I sure hoped that none of them moved or tried to reach me.

Relief hit me when I saw the end of the tunnel. I kept focused on my new goal because I sure didn't want to be looking at the lifeless bodies that hung awkwardly. I could hear the thudding sound of my heart and it didn't help that my entire body tickled with a creepy crawly sensation. The end of the tunnel was similar to the entrance, with the empty latches.

"Do you think they have him like this?" Jenks asked me suddenly. I yelped as he startled me. That got him laughing. "You ok?"

"Yeah…yeah," I said as I stopped jogging and resumed a slow pace. "This is just too creepy. Even for me. I sure hope they don't have him like this."

I meant it. I don't know why but I felt a sudden sense of sorrow. He may be a jerk but the unexpected memories of those intense green eyes and his warm kisses that I had tried to push out of my mind had taken over my thoughts. I felt myself blush.

"You do care, don't you?"

"What makes you say that?"

"The way you said the last part."

"And how exactly did I say it. I don't like the guy but no one deserves to be tortured like this."

"It's ok to say it Rache. As of tonight my pixie eyes are opening to possibilities I didn't think were there."

"Enlighten me Jenks."

"Well, Ivy and David. I tell you those two are a fun bunch to watch. Behaving like awkward teenagers."

"You noticed it too, huh?"

"Yeah. And then we have you. What was all that about at Ceri's baby shower?"

I forgot I had only explained it, partially, to Ivy. "What about that?"

"You must be the dumbest witch or you think I was born yesterday."

"Ok, ok. I…the Turn with this, it feels stupid."

"Try me. It's better to get our minds away from this horrible stench."

He was right. I hate it when he is. My mind raced about telling him the truth or the partial truth I gave Ivy. Yet something in my heart told me to say what happened. If I never saw Trent alive at least I owe it to him to say the truth.

"When I went to Takata's party I'll admit I enjoyed myself a little too much. I got drunk and I was in the dance floor. Dancing with everyone…even with Trent."

For the second time the pixie man startled me, this time with his laughter. "You and Trent dancing? Tink's a dirty whore! I can't believe I missed it!"

"Yeah, you sure missed quite a show," I added dryly.

"Ok, I'm done laughing. Then what happened because I doubt that was enough to have you arguing with Trent. I take it back, you two argue about anything. But go on."

I really hated this because I was beginning to feel warm all over from my memories of what happened next. "I…I was too drunk that I went with Trent that night. I didn't spend the night at my mom's…" I said looking down.

"He took advantage of you!?" I was surprised at the sudden hint of anger. I guess I should feel happy that he was taking it as fatherly as he was.

"It's not like that. He was drunk as well. We were both too drunk that we didn't realize what we were doing. Besides we don't remember much of that night."

"Are you defending him?"

"No! It's just the truth." I looked up and stopped when I looked at my surrounding.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

His question was answered when he looked up and saw that we had exited the tunnel and were now in a circular room with three tunnels. Two of them were before us and the third one seemed to run parallel from the one I had just stepped out of. This was getting interesting and interesting. I heard footsteps coming from the tunnel that was to my right. I scrambled back on the tunnel I had just stepped out and crouched. I reached for my splat gun and had it ready to shoot. I remained crouched while Jenks stood on my shoulder and had his sword out. Two figures emerged from the tunnel. Slowly I raised my splat gun and pointed at them. Sweat began to drip down from my forehead stinging the corners of my eyes. I could make out the silhouette of a man and a woman as they stood in the middle of the room. If they were guards they clearly seemed to be confused about which way to take. Unless, they had been recently hired. I heard them whisper among themselves, I couldn't make out their words. Then the male companion turned around and seemed to look at my direction. The Turn! They had seen me!

"Rachel?"

"David? Ivy? Ivy!" I stood up from my position and ran towards them, as I stuffed the splat gun behind my jeans. I was so happy to know she was fine. "I'm so glad to see both of you!"

"You can stop hugging me now, Rache," Ivy said clearly happy to see me as well.

"David, your hands? What happened?"

"Nothing that a day or two won't heal."

I realized that he had gone back and helped Ivy. A huge pang of guilt hit me like a cold shower. He who always tried to run away from her had run back to her aide. I felt Jenks' tiny hand on my cheek.

"Let it go Rache. We did as we were asked. Besides I doubt Ivy is angry with you. Look at her," he whispered in my ear.

I looked up and noticed that she was trying to hide a smile under her serious demeanor. Even David seemed more at ease as he stood there with her not too far away. I wondered if I missed something because they looked too comfortable.

"I guess we should get a move on." I finally said.

"Right. Ivy and I could take the right tunnel and you two could continue on the left."

That surprised me, especially since it came out of David's mouth. "Yeah, sounds like a plan." I said and started to walk towards the left tunnel.

I had walked for a minute or so when I had to say something about what I had witnessed. "Jenks-"

"Yes."

"I didn't even start my sentence!"

"I know what you're going to say."

"Really? And what would that be?"

"That if it was weird seeing David take the lead and have Ivy on his team."

I looked at the pixie next to me. "Something like that. I just wonder if we missed something?"

"You can wonder all you like once we are out of this filthy dungeon-sewer I don't know what the Turn this is. But let's find the Weres and your boyfriend."

"What did you say?"

Jenks had taken flight and was out of my reach. He laughed at my outburst. We were now walking in an area that had metal doors that were probably jail cells. Except of bars they were solid metal. I stopped talking and began to walk slowly and with caution. If this was where they had them I should probably start opening each door. I took out my splat gun and walked back towards the first door. I decided to start from the beginning and make my way down the tunnel.

"I got your back, Rache." His tone had changed back to serious.

"Thanks," I said. I was glad that my voice didn't show the fear I was beginning to feel. Which was deep in my belly. With gun at hand, I opened the first door. I was relieved that nothing jumped out on me. That's one. I closed the door and proceeded to the next door. I pulled on the handle but this one was locked. I knocked on the cold metal and waited in case I heard anyone in there. Nothing stirred within the cell. I figured it was empty and moved to the next one. I grabbed the handle and pulled it, another empty cell. I sure hoped Ivy and David were having better luck. I glanced down the tunnel, three more doors.

I went to the next one and reached to open the door. I never got to the handle because the sudden rattling sound made me recoil away from the door. I looked around with gun at hand. I realized the rattling was coming from the last door.

"Ok, this could either be good or bad. What do you think?" I asked Jenks.

"Only one way to find out. I'm ready when you are."

I nodded. Slowly I made my way towards the last door. The beating of my heart was up to my ears. I had my splat gun on my right hand; I switched the weapon to wipe my hands clean from my sweat. I switched it back to my right and wiggled my fingers on the left one.

"Ok, I'm going to open it." And I reached for the handle.

To be continued…