A dead man's wife chapter 2
I could barely breath. I ran through the castle, not feeling a thing. No guilt, no anger. Nothing for the army of men I had led to their deaths to get inside the gates and nothing for my best friend I had left fighting a hoard of hollow men just seconds ago. I had to save them. There was no other option. I had to get my family back. My beautiful girls. It was my fault they were in this situation. I should have kept them safe. I should never have left them. I navigated them twisting maze of corridors on instinct alone, trying to find the right room before it as too late. I had an overwhelming sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. I would never reach them. But I didn't stop. I couldn't let myself feel or the realization of what I'd done would sink in. I burst through a huge set of double doors and I allowed myself a brief flare of relief. I'd found the right room. Serpine stood in the centre, dressed in armour. To his left was my beautiful Scarlett. Her long red hair was tangled with clumps of blood and dirt and her dress was torn and bloody. She cradled an unconscious Ashling in her arms. The emotions I kept carefully locked away burst through their confines and flooded me. Guilt, rage and the tiniest sliver of hope. That last was the most dangerous. I turned a feral glare on Serpine and he smiled.
Without a word he raised the gun in his left hand and shot Ashling in the head. Scarlett shrieked. I went numb. My stomach dropped into my feet and I struggled to draw in a breath. Her life was gone so quickly it was like my brain couldn't process what my eyes had just witnessed. My one thought was at least she hadn't seen it, hadn't felt any fear before the bullet took her. If nothing else, I could be glad for that. His grin got wider as he walked around the growing pool of blood and aimed the gun at Scarlett. Her green eyes met mine, shiny with unshed tears. I knew her enough to know that she wouldn't cry. She was too brave, too full of pride.
"I love you." She whispered. I cried out and rushed forth but it was too late. The gun sounded. Her limp body fell over our daughters, her hair mixing with the blood spreading across the floor. I ran towards Serpine, grabbing the first weapon I saw, a silver dagger, glinting in the low light of the room. I raised my hand, about to slash his throat while he just stood there, when my arm froze. A burning pain spread through it down into my chest. I fell to my knees with my heart beating erratically., trying to push out the poison. From the dagger
"Ah Skulduggery, part of me didn't really believe you would fall for such a cheap trick." Serpine chuckled. "Of course, I'm overjoyed that you have."
The burning was spreading. My heart was slowing and I could feel my life draining away. This was not how I was meant to die. It should have been heroically, in battle, after saving the day. Not failing miserably and watching my world collapse around my feet. But even as I thought that, willed myself to live, the world was fading. I was dying. I slumped to my side and my breathing slowed. The burning was eating me from the inside out but I refused to make a sound. Scarlett had died strong. I would too. I breathed in deep, a struggle though it was as sweat rolled down my forehead. I closed my eyes. The last thing I heard before the pain became too much was Serpine's high cackling laugh.
SO! Were you happy with the way it ended? I was. Tell me what you think! Oh and if anyone knows a good story about Skul and his wife, let me know :) Thanks to Amy and Ignis Recreant who reviewed. You guys are the best.
-XXMarchHare7XX