Demon's Prey
Alfred took in a deep breath of fresh air the second Arthur led him back above ground. Everything seemed brighter and much more beautiful than it used to seem to the American. The sound of breeze rustling through the air, bringing the fresh scent of the nearby lakes and streams brought a happiness and calm over the American, bringing a soft smile to his face.
Arthur watched Alfred with a small smile of his own, letting him down onto the ground but keeping a gentle grip on his hand. Alfred didn't mind though, actually quite enjoying the warm, protective feeling of the British… man's (?) hand around his. Alfred looked around at the view he had, before feeling Arthur's hand lightly tug at his. "Come on. It gets better," he spoke softly, almost like he was afraid of breaking The American's happiness for the mood he had developed while underground.
Alfred nodded a bit, following the Brit as he walked onto a small path hidden by the trees. Arthur looked back at Alfred, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Alfred raised an eyebrow at the angel curiously. "What's with that look?" he questioned. Arthur laughed, "Nothing, I'm just positive you'll love this, and I can't wait to see your face when you see it."
Alfred made a small face, but continued to follow anyway. After a few minutes of walking along the dimly lit dirt trail, it seemed to widen, opening to a rather large clearing. There was a large almost-lake in the middle of the clearing, one that obviously got its water from a small stream leading to the area that moved around a few obstacles, creating a small waterfall.
Alfred's eyes widened slightly, looking around the grassy area at the base of the waterfall. "Woah… Please tell me this is what you wanted to show me?" He looked back over at the Brit, who simply smirked and shrugged. "Somewhat. Although," he walked around the edge of the water, towards the base of the fall, "What I really wanted you to see is inside," Arthur smiled, carefully stepping onto a large rock with its top above the water's surface.
Alfred made a slight face at Arthur, furrowing his eyebrows. "Inside?" he questioned, walking around the lake in the same path Arthur had taken, "How do you go… inside a waterfall?" Arthur chuckled. "You need to learn to stop asking questions and just go with it."
The American stuck his tongue out at Arthur, watching as the angel carefully stepped onto the next stone, a bit closer to the waterfall itself. There seemed to be a path of stones in the water, leading right of to the base of the fall itself. They made their way across the rocks, and Arthur gave Alfred one last excited smile, almost that of a young child when it discovered a treasure or something new, and seemed to disappear into the running water.
Alfred looked around with wide eyes, staring at the waterfall in shock. It showed no trace of Arthur, almost like he had simply disappeared into thin air. "Come on, Alfred," Arthur's voice spoke, coming from the direction of the water fall. Alfred stared at the water in confusion. " A-Artie?"
A blur appeared in the water. The large white wings behind the main blur assured Alfred that is was indeed Arthur. He stepped a bit closer to the water, not hearing the shouts and yells of his name behind him as something seemed to call out to him, pulling him through the water and towards the figure.
Alfred let out a surprised gasp from the chill of the water hitting him, instantly soaking his clothes and hair. He blinked water out of his eyes, looking around a dim cave. His eyebrows knotted together in confusion when he couldn't see anyone else in the area. "Arthur?" He called out, looking towards the back, shadowed area of the cavern. There was a low chuckle, one that sent chills running down Alfred's spine. "Close enough," A voice purred, and Alfred felt that same pulling feeling in the back of his mind. He walked closer and closer to the back of the cave, his body and mind seeming to ignore every instinct that told him something was wrong.
He knew that it wasn't Arthur. Arthur didn't sound like that, or stay hidden like… whoever this was seemed to be doing. "Who are you?" Alfred called out weakly, totally unheroically.
A small insane giggle told him exactly who it was. Alfred froze, beginning to feel the initial effects of his own fight-or-flight response. His heartbeat pounded in his chest, echoing all the way to where he could feel his temples throbbing with each beat.
A sudden pressure on his chest frightened Alfred for a brief moment, until he felt his back hit the ground. 'Oh Shit! What is he doing?! Fuck, I can't feel anything!'
Alfred's body was slowly going numb, like his limbs had fallen asleep and didn't seem to want to wake up, no matter what he did. He could only weakly shake his head, and squirm slightly. He felt his mouth being forced open, and a small round object was placed on his tongue.
Water soon filled his mouth, and Alfred was forced to open it, or drown continuing to be stubborn. He swallowed quickly, then prodded at the inside of his mouth with his tongue. The small object, whatever it was, had disappeared. Alfred instantly felt panic bubble in his chest.
A low chuckle echoed in Alfred's ears, and he could feel a cool breath ghost across his cheeks. Bright, neon blue eyes entered his field of vision, darkened by the lack of light and a cruel, merciless look in the demon's eyes.
"Welcome to my home, my lovely little bird~," Oliver cooed, picking Alfred up to carry him bridal style back into the darkness of the hidden cavern. Alfred could feel himself losing control, the edges of his vision blurring and darkening. Before he knew it, everything went black and the American fell unconscious.
When he opened his eyes, Alfred was met with two sights. One, several dim candles were lit in a small room. And two, metal bars. Alfred slowly sat up, looking around him in a slightly blurred daze. He was in… almost a cage. The metal bars were beautifully sculpted, looking like black metal vines climbing up toward a steeped roof. The bottom was made of the same metal, although Alfred laid quite comfortably on a large pile of feather soft pillows and blankets.
"Awake, are we?" A voice questioned, although the American couldn't quite make out the form through slightly blurred vision. His glasses were gone, he could feel them missing from their usual perch on his face, but that didn't explain how things were this hazy… or why he felt so hot…
Oh shit. The small tablet he had been forced to take earlier... was it… what he thought it was?