Ch. 4 -Forbidden Fruit
xx
The plagus was growing.
It was so easy to tell that Ashley would lose her sanity in less then hours and turn into a brainwashed body bent on the instinct to kill. That would make a lovely present home to her father and then the world would fall to the outbreak of destruction and Salazar could sit back and hear his Lord tell him that it was all thanks to him. Yet the plan was questioning since a cure had been created in case something were to go out of hand but of course things would, a certain someone would find that cure and ruin everything. Thinking now, why the hell was there a cure anyway? The Castellan thought to himself annoyed with a scowl on his pale face, leaning his chin against his closed palm.
"Yet with me being in complete control over the parasite, things will go according to plan and if not..."
There was never an "if not", there couldn't be. World chaos did not hold any source of a "we take control or if not...". There had to be options though.
"If not then I'll just have to kill Mr. Kennedy myself to prevent him for getting the cure and as for Ashley..." His golden eyes wandered to the rich color of the flooring, his scowl falling to hold a frown as he was left pondering.
"She will remain within my care." Yes, to even think of putting her within any of care, to have gandos or even his monks to even go near and touch her would be out of the question. With a calm breath, the thought was out of mind. The girl was just a prisoner but it was he how held the decision to keep her breathing. It seemed though as long as she was in that American agent's hands that she was safe from the dirty palms of the minions but closer to true escape.
The college girl was still pinned against that wall, her cries could be heard easily and the sound nearly made the Castellan grind his teeth. Not even able to stand the sight of Ashley after the last chat he had with her, talk of Leon drive his mind into riddles and puzzles. What to do next if the agent found her again, what forces could hold him back, what weakness could be found through the stupid human? Touching his temples, Salazar released a deep breath from his small figure, his body leaned against a cream colored pillar in a room beside the one withholding his prisoner. The tingle of of her skin still on his fingers as his hands shook, quickly he sucked in a cold breath as his open palms closed to fists. His left and right men stood before him at each side, only staring with their red eyes that hide under their hood, gripping their gold staffs tightly as they remained silent. Golden eyes staring to the well polished tile flooring, slight heavy breathing keeping the silence from it's grim visit.
"Why," At last was spoken in a false whisper, the Castellan now gritting his yellowed jagged teeth shut as he hit the pillar behind him.
"Why is it that every thought in my mind is of her?" He snarled as his head shot up to his minions, the gold color tense in his hard glare to them, his breathing heavier through his teeth. It angered him how they didn't speak back to him but he knew why they didn't, he would sentence them to death if they did. That was just how it worked, his anger drove his body not the plagus. The damned virus. Raising a veiny pale hand over his chest, he felt barely a heart beat, it made his angered expression falter into nothingness. The mental images acted if nails on a chalkboard as they dragged through his memory.
He could still feel it.
xx
It was strange to find a friendly face.
Along the hell of the castle, there was a man. Leon had him at gunpoint seeing as he looked as if he could be an enemy, cautious to fire as the new face didn't mumble any gibberish in Spanish or attack him whatsoever. What was the catch exactly? Who knows but the strange topic of Las Plagus seemed to a nice way to start. Leon had learned the man's name was Luis, a Spaniard who knew of a cure of the damn parasite squirming within the agent and a man who held the interest in a smoke or two. That made Leon chuckle, of all the men and women driving to kill in the village how could someone want a smoke that bad? Remaining on track of the mission, Ashley had to be close which is what the blond hoped for. The rooms in the castle seemed to grew larger and larger and full of more men who would love to greet him with a dagger to the head. He had gotten very used to the sound of a clip clicking into his handgun or quickly pumping shells into his shotgun and such.
At moments he would gaze down at his radio to see if it buzzed but it didn't, Hunnigan hadn't contacted much after the whole reunion with Ada but then again maybe the line was still just hacked by Salazar. Kicking the door to a room open, the hero aimed his shotgun forward, scanning with squinted eyes. The sound of low voice chanting and footsteps clear as can be were heard which made it a bit tough to tell how many were exactly wandering about. Moving quickly, the male pressed his back to a large bookcase to hold some cover and stay hidden from his enemies. Slowly reaching to one of his pockets, a grenade cloaked in green coloring was in hand, pulling the tab with his teeth, Leon peeked around the bookcase and made a lucky toss to the men who mindlessly wandered forward in his direction. With a satisfying explosion, last dying groans were heard and soon the gando bodies bubbled to nothing and disappeared.
Able to walk casually now without any sign of harm, Leon lowered his gun to released a built up a sigh of calm emotion. Finding treasures of pteas and ammo scattered where the bodies faded, the blond bent to collect them. The silence that followed after him held an eerie peace, it seemed nice to hear shouts of help and his name being screamed at him but it wasn't the college girl's fault. This place was Hell sure enough but he seemed to handle himself quite well without any episodes. Hopefully she hadn't gotten too far into the castle, it was hard enough searching the large rooms of the castle but with the mouth she's got on her then maybe it wouldn't be so hard. Distracted within his own thoughts, a sparkle of silver caught the corner of his eye as a scythe met his shoulder.
"¡Te voy a matar!" Cursing behind gritted teeth, the blond agent shuffled back and jumped to his feet, ignoring the cold rush of liquid that was soaking his shirt. Switching his shotgun into hand, he fired at the twisted horn skull helmet of the man, shooting again to make the enemy fall flat onto the floor. Loading more shells in, the agent moved forward and paused before the body, lowering his gun to aim down at it, a single fire was released and the body squirmed with a dying cry before it was motionless and sunk into the rich red designed carpet. Touching a gloved hand to his shoulder, pressure was given to the wound as the agent took out a first aid spray from his pocket. The fabric of the shirt was already torn from the attack so a clear visual was shown. The blood was mostly soaked in the shirt's fabric, cleaning the wound to be clear off fresh blood, the first aid was sprayed. Once the wound was mended, the agent moved to the next room with a kick of the door.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Leon turned and grinned as he lowered his gun.
xx
The brown haired man grinned back.
Lifting a hand victoriously, a small purple capsule rested his his grip. It was funny how an entire village could be turned upside down over some as silly as a virus and be solved by a small vaccine.
"I got it Leon." The Spaniard said with a sigh of relief, taking a step forward toward his American friend. After all the research and finding, the answer to the virus and chaos that was caused astir in Spain was bound resting in a laboratory. Running a hand through the shagged brown hair of his, Luis made his loud footsteps known, shifting his head to turn at an angle to hear of the almost silent footsteps that hide at his heels like a shadow. This was the time of choice.
Which was it, to live or to die. Swiftly moving his hand to touch the Red9 at his side pocket, the man turned on his heel and pointed his magnum forward. Nearly inches from his face was a bloody flesh spear, if time was faster, it would have plunged through his body.
"Saddler!" Leon exclaimed as he took a step forward, his sight on the purple robe man before Luis, one who stood bearing a flesh eyed staff and a robe of rich purple and a hood to cover his eldest features. The aged eyes looked to the capsule in hand of who had almost fallen as his victim in death.
"The sample..." Came out in a hoarse raspy whisper from beneath the hood. "Give it to me."
Luis chuckled and shook his head to the village ruler, clutching the sample tightly in his hand as his finger played at the trigger of his magnum.
"Not on my life."
Saddler smiled his aged smile at that comment, finding it can certainly be arranged.
"Very well, My boy Salazar will make sure you suffer your fate."
Luis eased a bit with his pointed gun as the old man turned and walked off, shifting his eyes to Leon, he released a sigh and then a heartful laugh as he shrugged, somehow he had escaped death. Leon shook his head, the last thing he needed was another dead friend.
"That was too close." The blond agent commented and without a response a capsule of pills were held out to him.
"Here, they should suppress the virus, even if for a little bit." Taking the pills, a "thanks" was mumbled lowly. Hearing a beeping sound, Leon looked to his radio and picked it up, seeing Hunnigan's face with a tired look.
Purple bags were under her eyes but her emotions were kept in check as her features were blank.
"Have you found her?" Before Leon could respond, Luis gazed upon the woman on the screen and whistled a bit.
"Well Hello Hello, who's your friend Leon?" The brunette transmitter rolled her eyes at the man and looked her brown eyes to Leon for an answer.
"Not yet but I'm sure she didn't get too far." Hunnigan nodded and touched her headset for a moment to confirm his words and gazing down to her computer's keyboard, she fell silent.
"Alright, Call back if there's an update." The dull words were spoken and quickly the picture faded out. Luis whistled again and set a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Sounds like your girlfriend is upset, good luck with that one, cop." With that, the Spaniard faded from sight and Leon sighed as the mission was difficult enough. Sure he could take on gandos and all but women just seemed to be another thing.
Screaming shook him from his thoughts and he moved on.
xx
"Help! Leon! Help Me!"
Ashley shouted nearly at the top of her lungs, her body in panic as she struggle, finding the fear of the Castellan's return to give her body a charge and want to escape. The man had already messed with her mind and slowly she felt the plagus worm it's way deeper to her core, the cringeful pains in her gut kept her much of company. Huffing loudly, the college student jerked against the bar of metal that bound her.
"Ashley!" Lifting her eyes she saw her hero on the low platform of the room. About damn time he came, what the hell was he doing anyway?
"Don't just stand there," She said and continued to shake,
"Get the bars off!" Seeing the smirk on Leon's face, the agent lifted his rifle as he aimed and the red target dot lightly bounced at one of the bar and with an echoing shot, the metal bar broke and within the college girl erupted a yelp. The top bar now free, she waited and soon the middle bar was gonna and eagerly she pulled at the one binding her legs. With a small 'heh', Leon aimed the rifle lower and gave a clean shot to the last bar.
Stumbling a bit, the girl let out a sigh, her body as bit stiff from being bound, she crossed her arms as her hazel eyes remained on Leon.
"Talk about near death experience."
She muttered with a small smile. Hell, the man may not make time quite well but he was all she got and maybe she could loosen up a bit. A heavy thud pounded in her chest, it made her lurch a bit. Hearing a door being kicked open, both set of eyes looked to see a herd of monks. All in black expect for one, a silver key hung around his neck against his red cloak, a mask on the face of a white skull and twisted horns. He pointed a grimy finger at Ashley as he yelled to his followers and all rushed closer to her as archers scattered and pointed their attention to Leon.
"Ashley! Get out of there!" Leon called down as he quickly aimed his rifle to the men, leaving the girl to shift into a sense of panic. Her hazel eyes scattering around as her heart quickened and she broke out into a run before any of the monks could touch her, finding a door, she threw herself against it and pulled at the handle. It was locked, of course. The key around the monk's neck.
"Leon! Shoot the red one, he has the key!" She shouted and ran again as she was becoming closed in, her arms moving fast against her sides, her arm was caught and the college girl struggled as she was set on the shoulders of the monk, she hit her fists at his back. With a defeated groan, the monk fell from the gun shot that had hit him. With a grunt, the college girl slowly got up from her fall to the tiled floor, the now blood ruined tile flooring. The red liquid touched the edge of her green plaid skirt and coated bits and parts of her fingers as she made herself stand.
Wiping her face, the red smeared it's color to her cheek. Looking around the fallen bodies that started to fade into the tiles, a silver key stood out and slowly she walked to it, silent as she bent down to bring the thing into her hand. Grasping the key in her hand, she moved back to the door and unlocked it, pushing it open she walked through the dark and into a new room. Blindly she moved forward, her eyes looking to what the dim candle lanterns lit. Finding a bigger room, she saw a monk.
Slowly she picked up a candle lantern from the table beside her and threw it hard. The man hissed as the flames engulfed him and his body squirmed about and soon fell to take in death at last. A small laugh occurred not too far from where she stood and looking to the direction, Ashley hesitated to run to it as her hands squeezed tightly into fists, biting her lip out of nervousness. She was shaking. Again her body lurched, feeling the squirming parasite rot away at her, she groaned as her hands gripped to her chest. Time was ticking and she was only standing still allowing the parasite to take on it's part. In an instant, she crawled through a small space into the next room and stood to see it as a bedroom and the only way out was barred. A bit confused, she slowly moved her sight, her eyes widened as she saw that yellow grin of his.
She found him.
xx
Salazar sat on the bed.
Kicking his legs a bit as his hands rested on the surface of the blanket and sheets. With a smirk, the Castellan tilted his head as he continued to kick his legs, his gold eyes not taking it's attention from the blonde girl. "Surprised to see me, Miss Ashley?" He questioned for just the look on her face, he could read it just like before. Fear and anger seemed to clog her mind but her eyes, her eyes weren't as hazel as he remembered. A lovely tinted red coated her small fearful eyes and that made his smirk grow more, the plagus was growing pretty quickly. The sight falling from her eyes, the man searched the blood at her cheek that continued to her green skirt, surely she still had the heart to not kill someone. With a bit of a snarl, the Castellan raised a tiny hand and beckoned forth the girl.
"Come here, Ashley."
The expression on Ashley looked as if a deer in headlights, frozen as if she forbid her body to move.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
He tried to comfort, his voice holding his usual bouncy tone but his eyes showed meaning of lust and a driven emotion from his own personal demon. She didn't trust him and he knew that well enough when she had bit him and nearly screamed her damn head off when he merely touched his fingers to her. Salazar winced at the memory, his ears seemed to be still ringing even after that. Ashely moved her eyes from each side of the room, making sure there wasn't any men to capture her. The small man blinked as he followed after her action curiously.
"None of my men are here if that's what you're wondering." He told her and held out his small paled veiny hand for her to take.
"Trust me Ashley." His hand cringed a bit as he wanted to force the parasite's will within her but on her own free will, she moved to him.
Once she sat beside him, the man let his hand fall and his eyes looked to the floor as he cleared his throat. A small snarl on his face as he felt his parasite heart beat, aching a bit as he felt the dreaded pulse that held his body.
"You can't leave." He mumbled to the girl and made Ashley gaze to him with wide hazel eyes.
"I will leave, Leon will save me and I can finally leave this place and go home and-" Salazar snapped his head to her with hard golden eyes and instantly roared.
"You can't leave!" It certainly silenced her and put that fearful gaze back in her eyes and the small Castellan felt his breathing grow heavier and he lifted a hand to touch his chest as he turned away once again.
"Mr. Scott, I can't let him take you." He told her, watching her from the corner of his eye. It was a misunderstanding and of course she wouldn't understand any of it. Saddler needed her for the plan to unfold and if she were to leave it would all burn in flames and then he would be all alone. The small man gritted his teeth, he wouldn't be alone. There were many men for him to command and many women of the village for him to have.
"Why do you want me to stay so badly?" Blinking questionably at the spoken words, Salazar looked to the sun blond college girl who stared to him.
"Because Miss Ashley, you are mine." He mumbled and leaned himself closer to let his hot breath touch her lips. She was like the forbidden fruit, the temptation that drove him to become insane. Salazar felt his braid fall from his shoulder as his head tilted and his lips touched the younger girl's, stunning her and freezing every motion of her body and mind.
The forbidden fruit was sweet, indeed.
xx
A deep sigh was released from the tension that was held.
Taking out the tie that held the brunette locks tightly in a bun was set aside, a pair of glasses rested on the desk beside the keyboard of the computer. A headset laid on it's side as a minor hum of fuzz transferred through it. It was tempting to put it back on and feed words through it to tell of some aid or to ask for another update, after all, the president's daughter wasn't going to save herself. Fingers danced at the mouthpiece of the black headset but a bitten lip made the thought cautious of putting it back on. There was no shame in asking for another update on the location, right? After all, it didn't make her paranoid or such like that. With a small sigh, the headset was picked up and set back to rest in it's original place as well as the glasses were set before the chocolate eyes of the woman.
Working behind the scenes of the whole operation of saving the president's daughter seemed like a pain but there were advantages. Touching the side of her headset, Ingrid Hunnigan began to speak.
"Leon? Are you alright?" Seeing the blond man appear on the computer screen, that wave of relief came over her and a small smile appeared.
"I'm fine Hunnigan, Ashley's almost with me." He said with a nod, bits of his blond fringe falling.
"What's with the new look?" Hunnigan blinked a bit and then noted that she had left her hair down, chuckling a bit, she tilted her head.
"It's been a long day, I felt like taking my hair down." She told him with a small shrug and her head lowered a bit.
Leon smirked a bit, giving a small 'heh' as he looked off a bit as well, keeping a look out of his surroundings.
"It's cute, now If I could just know what you look like without those glasses." The brunette rolled her eyes playfully at that.
"Maybe you should be focusing more on your mission, we can talk of personal matters later." The American agent tilted his head, his smirk grew and strangely the communicator felt herself shyly squirm.
" Only if that's a promise." This just so happened to be one of those advantages.
"Just call if there's an update, Leon." She told him and received a nod. "Oh and be-" She was interrupted.
"Careful, got it." Leon supplied for her with a friendly smile, nodding to her as he watched her face fade as he end the calling. Sighing once his face was gone, Hunnigan leaned back in her chair, she had to play the waiting game once again. Thinking a bit of the man's words, she touched the side of her glasses with a small hum.
Maybe there was a surprise for Leon at the end of his mission.
Chapter Four Complete.