The Cold Truth
The night enveloped Gilbert's form, making it almost impossible to notice that he had been tied to a tree. His loss of being able to see around him had his anxiety go haywire. Heart pounding painfully in his chest, he squirmed in his spot.
"O-Oz?" He stuttered when he heard a sound that sounded like footsteps. Fast-moving footsteps. Turning his head in every direction, hoping to spot the source. But with no prevail. The noise sounded again, only this time it sounded like it was closer. "Z-Zai?"
No answer.
Gilbert whimpered loudly and fumbled with the knot of rope that held his wrists together. Oz had tied him to a tree a couple of times in the past, he briefly remembered how he managed to get himself out of that predicament. His mind was racing as he fumbled with the knot, trying to undo it. A bright, quivering smile appeared as he managed to loosen it, then eventually untie it all together.
He started to stumble away from the tree, but felt himself being pushed by the shoulders. His eyes went wide and he tried to scream, but a hand covered his opened mouth before sound could release itself.
"No one can hear you scream, so why waste your breath?" The voice growled in his ear, breathing hot against his neck.
"W-who are you?"
"Someone who knows more about the boy you call 'Master' than you do."
"W-what do you mean by that? He's the heir to the Vessalius.."
"No, he's not. Zai is keeping a terrible secret. One that I'm not sure Oz could live with."
"Secret..?" Gil said in a quivering voice and the stranger nodded.
"Yes... Oz isn't the real Vessalius heir. The one you know is a fake. Imposter. Why else do you think that Zai likes to watch him suffer so badly?"
"B-but.."
"He caught his wife committing infidelity. Oz was the result in her … Affair. Or so he thinks.. Such a conspiracy wouldn't be good for the Vessalius name, so he kept quiet. The real heir is out there somewhere... Zai had also cheated on Rachel, which led her to cheating on him."
"How do you know all this?"
"Because, I'm her brother."
Evelyn: DUN DUN DUNNN. Please let me know what you think. Feedback is loved and appreciated!