Summoning my will, I mustered the motivation to rise from my seat and prepare a meal for myself—Enduring Fried Wild Greens. A couple of hours elapsed as I indulged in the nourishment and attended to my personal hygiene. Night time had fallen and fatigue began to take its toll after these grueling past 24h, causing me to doze off intermittently at the table. However, my serenity was abruptly shattered by a resounding crash, jolting me back to alertness. The source of the disturbance was my own room. Hastily, I ascended the stairs, gradually slowing my pace as I reached the top, my senses heightened. There was a distinct sound, a voice, or perhaps multiple voices. Amongst the cacophony, I recognized the muffled utterances of the traveler, though in a pained and plaintive tone. Intrigued and perplexed, I cautiously advanced, striving to maintain utmost stealth, eager to gather the nature of the conversation unfolding beyond the confines of the closed door.
Unable to discern any coherent words, I took the bold step of opening the door, yearning to uncover the identity of the other presence within the room. Stepping into the enveloping darkness, I caught sight of a fleeting shadow dissipating into thin air. My gaze lingered upon the corner for a few moments, questioning my own sanity as doubts crept into my mind. However, my attention quickly redirected towards the man occupying my bed, his anguished sounds filling the room. He appeared to be locked in a restless slumber, his face glistening with perspiration. The sheets beneath him were drenched, evidence of his profound distress. Restless twitches and contorted movements accompanied his groans, prompting me to conclude that his troubled state was more comparable to a nightmarish ordeal than a mere bad dream.
Approaching him with concern, I gently pressed my palm against his forehead, only to be met with searing heat. Realizing the urgency to lower his body temperature, I hurriedly made my way to the adjacent bathroom and flicked on the light switch. In an instant, my vision was assaulted by a vivid, crimson hue. A surge of panic overcame me as I noticed the red stains smeared across my hands . A small cry escaped my lips as I paused, trying to process the alarming revelation. It dawned on me—this was blood, and it had undoubtedly come from the man lying in my bed. Rushing back to my room in a state of panic, I quickly flicked on the light switch, illuminating the scene before me. What I had believed to be dampened sheets from profuse sweating turned out to be drenched in a pool of blood. His blood. The stranger lying on the bed underwent an inexplicable transformation, his hair shifting from blond to white and his skin oscillating between shades of tan and charcoal. My heart sank at the sight before me, sending waves of terror through my veins, causing me to instinctively stumble backward, losing my balance and tripping over my own feet. As I fell to the ground, my eyes involuntarily clenched shut, seeking comfort from the nightmarish spectacle.
Dazed and disoriented, I remained on the floor for a brief moment, the sound of my racing heartbeat reverberating in my ears. Slowly, I crawled back towards the bathroom, my mind still reeling from the unsettling experience. As I neared the bathroom light, a sudden realization struck me. I examined my hands, expecting to find traces of blood, but to my bewilderment, they were completely clean. Confusion enveloped me as I questioned whether I had hallucinated the entire episode. Doubts of my sanity crept into my thoughts, causing unease to settle within me. Rising to my feet, I turned my gaze back towards my room, only to discover an empty space where the injured traveler had once lain. Panic surged through me, and I hurriedly entered the room, scanning the bed for any signs of blood or disturbance, but found none. It was as if the previous events had vanished without a trace, leaving me baffled and uncertain.
I was abruptly interrupted before I could even begin processing my thoughts.
In an instant, a chilling sensation gripped my shoulder, and I was forcefully pressed against the unyielding wall. The force of the impact rattled my senses, leaving me disoriented and vulnerable. My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation and find a way to escape this harrowing grasp. I desperately tried to create distance between whatever was pinning me against the wall, but it showed no signs of flinching or relenting. Instead, hands pressed harder against my collarbone, disabling my movements. The weight on me felt suffocating, evident of the danger I was in. Struggling to find my voice through the overwhelming shock, tears welled up in my eyes, a mix of fear and desperation escaping as cries from my lips.
Amidst the tumultuous struggle, eyes ablaze with bloodlust seared into my own widened gaze brimming with terror. I found myself confronted by the stranger, reverted to his original state—the menacing figure I had initially encountered. His posture exuded darkness and demonic energy, his piercing red eyes hypnotizing my own. Ashen strands of hair cascaded over his eyes, while his skin, as dark as charcoal, seemed to emit wisps of smoke. The sheer force of his fingers digging in my skin unleashed waves of anguish and panic throughout my body, causing me to grimace in agony.
"What are you doing to me? Who are you working for?!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with accusation and frustration. He appeared entranced, his thoughts shrouded in confusion and haze, as though affected by the disorienting effects of a Muddle Bud. His behaviour was erratic, engaged in an internal struggle to regain control. He was completely unhinged, his mind consumed by madness. Despite his sinister presence, a glimmer of fear flickered deep within his eyes.
With a desperate determination, I attempted to push aside his forearm, yearning for any relief from the suffocating hold he had on me. He steadied his right hand against the wall, providing him stability while the pressure that had initially been on my collarbone from his other hand shifted to my neck, sending a chilling sensation down my spine. It was a cruel reminder of the power he held over me, a stark demonstration of his capacity for violence.
"You tricked me," he whispered through gritted teeth, his accusation barely audible. The audacity of his claim made my frown deepen, disbelief defined itself across my face.
"Are you serious right now?" I challenged, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and disgust, fear mingled with resentment as his furious gaze sunk into mine. His accusation and demand for answers left me perplexed and defensive. The absurdity of his allegation sparked a deep sense of indignation within me. Despite the precarious situation, I mustered the courage to challenge him.
"Do you honestly believe I would willingly put myself in danger by helping you if I had ulterior motives?" I asserted. My words were a defiant plea to cease his grip on my throat. Disgust appeared across my face, while I dared to confront him, even with his hand tight around my neck. As he realized his inquiries were yielding no satisfactory answers, his tone turned aggressive.
"Where are my weapons?" he demanded, his voice dripping with menace. Struggling to convey my defiance, I fought to speak despite the distance between us.
"I don't know! And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you!" I managed to assert, my words strained. His despicable behaviour provoked me, emanating a fire within me.
In response, his right hand previously resting against the wall disengaged and firmly seized my chin roughly, forcing me to look directly in his menacing gaze. The threat in his voice was evident as he declared, "Well, if you don't tell me, I will kill you." His casual tone was a stark contrast to the intensity of the moment. Although fear coursed through me, I summoned every ounce of courage within me to retort, "If you kill me," my voice faint, "you'll never know where they are."
'I'm dancing with the devil himself' I thought to myself, a hint of sarcasm lacing my internal monologue. The irony of my decision was not lost on me. To my surprise, it was the art of cunningness that proved necessary to match the wickedness of the demon standing before me.
There was a fleeting moment where he seemed to contemplate my words, a flicker of consideration crossing his eyes. Gradually, his grip loosened, allowing a precious rush of air to fill my lungs once again. The room seemed to spin around me as I struggled to regain my composure. The intensity of the encounter had taken its toll, both physically and emotionally.
His expression shifted, a mix of anger and uncertainty clouding his features. He released his hold completely, taking a step back, seemingly conflicted, creating a physical distance between us. I took the opportunity to steady myself against the wall, my hand rubbing my sore throat. The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the sound of our labored breaths. The tension between us remained evident, the air heavy with unspoken questions and the weight of our encounter.
The realization that violence wouldn't guarantee the answers he sought began to seep into his consciousness.
"I need those weapons," he muttered, his voice a mixture of frustration and desperation. "My life depends on it."
I could see the torment engraved on his face, the weight of his mission bearing down on him. Something in me softened, an empathetic pang tugging at my heartstrings. Despite the danger he posed, I couldn't ignore the humanity beneath his hardened exterior. It felt as though my body acted on instinct, a primal response to save myself from the imminent danger that unfolded before me. Drawing in a deep breath, I composed my thoughts, preparing myself for the forthcoming deception. It was imperative that he remained unaware of the fact that I had concealed his weapons, as the fear of what he might do with them compelled me to withhold that knowledge. The risk I was undertaking was immense, yet I straightened my posture, meeting his ruby eyes with a blend of unwavering determination and genuine sincerity.
"Listen," I began, my voice steady. "While I may not possess the answers you seek, rest assured that my intention is not to inflict harm upon you. After all, I willingly chose to assist you," I replied, my words resonating with firm conviction. The room fell into a tense silence as we locked eyes, each searching for signs of deception or sincerity.
"I don't have time for games," he grumbled, his voice carrying traces of lingering aggression.
"I may not be able to provide you with the weapons you search, but I do possess valuable information," I offered, attempting to find common ground. "There exists a hidden enclave, a sanctuary of knowledge and secrets. If anyone possesses knowledge of your weapons, it is there."
He studied me intently, his gaze piercing and calculating. The tension between us hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. He weighed his options, knowing that aligning himself with an unknown individual carried both risks and opportunities to unravel the mysteries that enveloped him. I observed him closely, noting his guarded stance, as if anticipating my words and inspecting my every move. It was clear that he harbored doubts and mistrust, questioning the authenticity of my offer to assist him. I tortured my brain for a convincing argument, desperately seeking a way to persuade him of my sincerity. The weight of my impending doom pressed upon me, urging me to come up with anything that could spare me from the clutches of certain death.
"Allow me to serve as your guide," I added, searching for a compromise. "I possess extensive knowledge of the surrounding lands beyond this village. If your weapons were taken, there is a possibility they were transported or concealed nearby. I can aid you in your search, but it requires us to establish trust." I tested the waters cautiously, seeking reassurance for my own safety.
Furrowing his brows, his expression a blend of frustration and disappointment, he reluctantly conceded, "Fine." A hint of resignation colored his voice. "But be warned, if I discover that you are lying or withholding information, there will be consequences." His deadly stare focused on me with lethal intensity, piercing through the depths of my being and causing my heart to momentarily falter. In that moment, I felt exposed and vulnerable, extremely aware of the imminent danger that lurked within his eyes.
I nodded, acknowledging the gravity of his warning. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, and the stakes had risen considerably. We had embarked on a treacherous path, bound together by circumstance and the pursuit of our individual objectives. Trust would have to be earned, step by cautious step.