Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I'm applying to colleges so that was some fun stuff. But I hope y'all had a happy Halloween and here is a super special belated Halloween chapter for your enjoyment. ;)
Blinding artificial light dug into Will's corneas as he came to. Even though his head was strapped down it felt like it was spinning. He tried to raise his hands, but they were bound at his sides. He squinted to block out the light so he could see where he was.
It appeared he was in a laboratory. He'd been restrained on a lab gurney and his dress coat had been replaced by a blanket. Will had seen such blankets used by Beverly to absorb blood from autopsies. This made him shiver with fear. He realized with a shock that his face was numb. Then a shadow fell across the light. He tensed until he heard its voice.
"I hope you're comfortable Sir William," Chilton said, pulling his doctor's mask down to speak to Will. Even though his face was numb, he managed to glare at Chilton.
"Now, I want you to cooperate so this goes smoothly for both of us," he said, organizing his dissecting tools. "It's rather rude to glare at me. Really I'm doing all of London a favor. It's selfish not to donate your brain to science, especially if you're dying anyway. You're very lucky, really. I am the Academy's most advanced surgeon. Tobias and Mason just wanted to poison you, but I convinced them how wasteful that would be. In fact-"
"Chilton, get on with the surgery or I'll gut him with my sword and be done with it," Tobias said, making Will notice him and Mason waiting at the edge of the ring of light from the lantern above the lab table. He tried to form words but his lips were too numb to be coherent.
"Tobias, this is a delicate art," Chilton said. "I cannot be rushed."
"This'll be easier for us both if you're still," Chilton said, compelling Will to fight against his restraints. Chilton struggled to pin him back down. His hand briefly moved too close to Will's mouth and he took advantage of the opportunity. Even in his sedated state, he sunk his teeth into Chilton's hand.
He let out a piercing scream that echoed in the chamber but Will bit down harder. The taste of his blood was sweet on his lips. Finally Will let go and Chilton tumbled back. He clutched his bloody hand and rocked back and forth. Tobias rose with an expression on his face of pure irritation, and no actual concern for Chilton.
"My hands," Chilton moaned.
Tobias unsheathed his sword and raised it above his head but paused when Mason spoke up.
"Chilton, did you lock the door?" Mason asked but Chilton just continued to moan with agony.
"Shut up fool!" Tobias yelled at him. "Someone'll hear you."
"It sounds like someone already heard you," Mason said. "Tobias…"
Tobias lowered his sword and turned towards the door. Will tried to turn his head to view the doorway, but the leather straps kept it out of his sight. He noticed Tobias' body tense before he rushed towards the door with his sword.
Then he could hear the clash of metal on metal. He could hear Tobias shouting at someone and then the gasp of someone being impaled, and their blood-soaked body falling to the floor. The silence was then shattered by footsteps, wet with blood-someone else's? The speed of the runner implied they hadn't been injured, yet. But other footsteps, different tone, followed behind. Then they echoed down the hallway until they could be heard no more.
Will's heavy breathing filled the room, although there was a faint murmur from Chilton who was sitting in the corner. He realized that a fair amount of Chilton's blood had fallen onto his wrists and that it was just enough lubricant for him to slide one of his wrists out of the leather restraint. He untied his other wrist and freed his head.
Near the door he could see Tobias collapsed in a pile of blood. Will walked past him, found his clothes thrown onto a chair, and quickly put his coat back on. Will was relieved to find the diary still in his coat pocket.
He ran to follow the footsteps, but then paused in the doorway when a thought occurred to him. He turned back to Chilton and knelt before him.
"Chilton, it is essential you answer me," he said. "Were you three G.R.D.?"
Chilton ignored him and rocked back and forth. Will grabbed his shoulders and shook him.
"Are you G.R.D.?" he yelled. Chilton shook his head like a frightened child.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" he cried. It was evident that Chilton was telling the truth. Will stood up and stared down at him in his pitiful state.
"You know, Chilton," he said, taking the pleasure of the moment. "If you three had just waited longer, I would have killed the king for you."
Chilton paused and looked at Will with confusion before he completely broke down. Will knew he wouldn't respond to him anymore, and he'd gotten what he needed, so he left to find the footsteps.
Will followed the trail of blood into the dining room. He heard Mason's voice, pleading something inaudible. Will couldn't see him though because he had apparently fallen and was obstructed from Will's view by the dining room table.
Standing at the head of the table was Hannibal. His shirt was smeared with blood, but it was unclear whether it was his own, Tobias', or Mason's. He was holding his sword out, threatening Mason. When he noticed Will, his eyes brightened with delight. His body language seemed to invite Will to sit down and watch as he decided Mason's fate.
Will didn't sit, but he walked around to the other side of the table so he was able to see Mason. He didn't look at all surprised to see Will, just bitter about his current position.
"You two must be good at chess. You've expertly timed when to use your queen," he smirked, eyeing Will. Then he glanced at Hannibal. "And your king."
"Both of which are more powerful than the bishop," Hannibal said, cocking his head at Mason. "No matter how strategic he may play, the queen will always be ready to move across the board. And the king will never be far behind."
"Papa always used to tell me that a good chess player is always ready to sacrifice pawns to win," Mason said. "I've sacrificed my pawns, I think it's time you've sacrificed yours."
"You've hardly sacrificed enough," said Hannibal. Will could see he was thinking something wicked from the way his eyes twinkled. "As the Archbishop it is your duty to sacrifice your body, soul, and life to God. Perhaps we can send you on the righteous path to your Heavenly Father?"
Fear showed in Mason's eyes for a split second, but Will couldn't deny the jolt of satisfaction seeing it gave him. Time froze as Mason tried to predict what Hannibal had planned. Then Hannibal shattered the stillness by piercing the tip of his sword into Mason's hand. He screamed and clawed at his hand. Hannibal looked up at Will.
"Shall we?" he asked.