So, is anyone going to be saved? Well, let's roll on with this chapter!

Chapter 9: An Unexpected Ally

Now, what's the first thing you want to do: investigate some more or get out? I would pick door number 2. If you want the first one, be my guest but good luck. I want to know where the sound was coming from. Who knows, it could be one of my friends.

I can't help but shudder in disgust as I clean up my feet and wipe the gel from both my stomach and arms. The sound of my feet in my shoes were squelching at every step I took. I better hurry!

I do my best to follow the scream. But, something stopped me. At the corner of the corridor, I could hear two men talking. I can't tell what they're saying but something tells me that I have to go to the other direction.

I quickly move towards a room with it's door slightly ajar. I tried to be as quiet as possible. When I hid among the furnitures, I could here the footsteps. 'Control yourself,' the voice inside my head instructs. 'Don't struggle and don't panic.'

Be calm.

Soon, the footsteps died away. My heart was about to calm down until...I heard another footstep. Coming towards me! I place a hand over my mouth to stop myself from screaming.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

The footsteps echo throughout the room. I could not move. With an idiotic thought, I move my head up to see who was in the room with me. I could make out a tall, stoic, figure standing at the door way. It was hard to make out the features because the room I'm in is really dark.

And I mean REALLY dark!

" I hate the dark," I mutter to myself. It's true! At the age of seventeen, I am still afraid of the dark. It's kind of childish but it's not when you know the fear and phobia lingers inside your mind.

I could hear a grunt, and then a sigh as the figures comes close to me.

The figure kneels down and look at me intensely with those piercing crimson-red eyes. He had what my uncle would call, a 'poker' face. He just stare at me as if he's looking at a rare artifact.

Without thinking, I manage to speak with knotted voice. " Are you going to kill me?"

I ask that because he had a shovel in his right hand while a small pistol was visible from his pocket. I also noticed that he has a grey scarf that's around his neck.

But the man just shook his head.

" So you are not going to kill me?"

He did the same action as before. He sat down at the opposite side, still having that poker face. We just sat in silence, in the dark, without moving from out spot. I am usually used to the silence but tonight, the suspense is killing me!

" Why don't you want to kill me?" I asked, while focusing on the man with hostility.

" I am not sure," he whispered. Somehow, he talks in a soft, yet gruff voice. The minute he spoke, I could detect his Russian accent. His crimson eyes were misty like he is looking for the answer himself. I look into his eyes to detect a lie.

But there wasn't any.

" I know you and your friends are here," he continued. " But, some are safe while some are in the traps."

That hit me! " So you know where my friends are?" I asked him, raising my voice. " Are they alright?" He nodded.

" Da," he said. " But one of them is going to lose her innocence soon."

My eyes look at him with both shock and anger. " What?!"

" She's that young one who I heard could speak French," he told me. Oh no, Alyssa! She's gonna get raped!

" What else?"

" Another of your friend was at the library but I placed her into a secret room behind the bookshelves. Don't worry, she'll find her way out safely." Kathryn! So she is safe!

" And the others?" I ask hopefully. But he just shrugs. My stomach was churning with anxiety. I mentally note that once I get home, I must have tea. And I mean a LOT of tea.

" Why are you telling me all this and not killing me?" I ask him, forgetting the shakiness of my voice. Then, I saw that he close his eyes for a while before opening them.

" Perhaps my body is old and worn now," he sighs. " After all, what am I going to do as a retirement. Even if I show my face outside, the police will just put me back to the mental asylum. I won't find peace."

" So," he continued. " My last wish before retiring is doing something good. You understand, devochka?"

I nodded. So, a serial killer who doesn't want to kill because he is almost going to retire. And the fact that he's Viktor Braginsky. THE COMMIE! But, another part of me wants to feel sorry for him. Damn it, Lena! You feel sorry for psychos!

" Listen, Viktor," he nodded slowly as I said his name. " You've been in this mansion with the others. And I think you know another way out. So if you could help us, maybe my friends and I could convince the police to release you and maybe find a place where you could live in peace. How about that?"

Viktor thought for a moment and then nods. " Alright. I guess this is a chance to prove how I will help you and your friends."

" Thank you," I thank him as I stand up. He did the same thing too.

" Come," he said. " Let's go save your friend."

And so, that's a start for an unexpected alliance.

Oh, Lena has a new friend! Creepy but useful. We'll see how it will go in the next chapter.

Please review!