"Stop spouting nonsense!" Gerald bellowed, causing Elena to flinch and the eye-patch man to step back slightly.
"Sir, this girl was bad luck ever since she stepped foot into this place…" he continued.
"I could feel it—"
Gerald sent him a hard glare, and he swallowed his words.
"What do you know about these people?"
"Not much, sir. But one thing is quite obvious—they are skilled fighters!"
Gerald hummed, stroking his beard in thought.
Elena looked around the room, desperately searching for a chance—any chance to escape.
It was already bad enough that she was caught in the middle of a crossfire between two gangs. What made it worse was that this mean-looking man was trying to pin the blame on her.
She couldn't help but admire the fact that he thought so highly of her, though.
At the same time, if Gerald had believed his thug for even a second, she wouldn't even know how she died.
"Join them. I can handle myself," Gerald instructed.
"Are you sure?" the man asked, casting Elena a hard, distrustful look.
"This little bitch is—"
"I'm not going to repeat myself again," Gerald replied in a low growl.
His good eye widened. He gave a quick bow before hurrying off to join the fight.
Elena began to step back slowly as Gerald paced around the room, lost in thought. She needed to leave this place as soon as possible.
She didn't have a plan—but she also didn't plan to leave the earth in this manner.
"If only I had done a lot of things differently over the past few days, I wouldn't be here right now…" she muttered.
The sound of swords clashing grew louder and louder.
Her nose caught the distinct smell of smoke. Something had begun to burn.
She sent a quick prayer to the heavens. Just as she reached for the door handle, a small knife flew past her face and embedded itself into the wall.
She shivered as she stared at it. A few centimeters more, and it would have pierced her face.
"Take another fucking step, Elena, and you won't be so lucky next time."
The smoke thickened.
"What else do you want?" Elena screamed in anger.
"For me to die with you?"
"Gerald," she continued,
"your men are fighting a battle out there. You should join them—"
"No. Do you know what I'm going to do?" he asked, striding forward and gripping her arm tightly.
Elena winced in pain.
"I am going to live to fight another fucking day," he said, "and you are coming with me."
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Elena spat.
Her ponytail loosened, her hair spilling over her shoulders.
"You've always been a pretty little thing," Gerald whispered, so close that she could smell his foul breath.
"If you try any more of your dirty tricks like that stunt you pulled at the tavern the other day…"
A cold blade pressed against the side of her stomach, sending a chill down her spine.
"I won't hesitate to plunge this dagger into you."
Elena shut her eyes, hoping, praying with all her heart that whatever had awakened in her at the tavern would return. This time, she didn't want to be merciful. She wanted to rid the earth of this awful man.
That feeling burned through her like fire.
Even as she waited, it didn't come.
Her strength was far below Gerald's, and she didn't dare struggle too much, afraid he would do exactly as he promised.
He shoved her roughly toward a dark corner of the room. With one hand, he pushed a shelf aside, revealing a hidden door behind it.
This door had been here all along?
He pushed her inside and slammed it shut. The space was dark and dusty, and she had to fight the urge to sneeze.
They stumbled down a flight of stairs before arriving at the ground floor.
Gerald grabbed a sword leaning against the wall near the exit. By now, their eyes had adjusted to the darkness enough for them to see clearly.
When they finally stepped outside, he replaced the dagger with the sword. The metal caught the sunlight, making it look even more menacing.
"Where are you taking me?" Elena asked quietly.
"Don't worry, my little doll," Gerald replied. "You'll soon find out."
She saw bodies scattered on the ground, and her stomach churned as flashes of them—alive just hours ago filled her mind.
They were nearing the edge of the forest behind his house when an arrow whizzed past them.
Gerald froze.
"I won't miss next time."
The voice came from behind them.
Gerald turned slowly, pulling Elena with him.
A hooded man stood there, dressed entirely in black. His face was concealed, leaving only his eyes visible.
"Who are you?" Gerald demanded.
"Tsk." The man stepped closer, close enough for his presence to feel heavy.
"You're not asking the right questions."
"If you spare me today, I promise you won't regret it," Gerald said quickly.
"We could partner together. I can give you whatever you wish.."
"The only thing I want—" the man paused, then corrected himself.
"No. The only thing I need today is your life."
Gerald chuckled. "That depends on whether you're capable."
"Why don't you let the girl go first?" the masked man asked.
Gerald tightened his grip on Elena.
"What business do you have with the girl?" he asked suspiciously before turning to her.
"Did you bring these people here, you little bitch!"
The sword pressed closer to her neck.
"I don't know who these people are," Elena replied, forcing her voice to stay steady.
"I swear"
The masked man laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" Gerald snapped.
"Your stupidity," he replied calmly.
"I have no business with the girl. My business is with you."
"I'm simply giving you an opportunity to fight back."
"I have a bow and a sword. I could end your life with an arrow… or we could duel right now. You decide."
Gerald hesitated.
"Hurry up," the man said. "I don't have time."
Gerald growled and shoved Elena away. She hit the ground with a groan.
"Let's do this!" Gerald roared, charging forward.
Unfortunately for him, he was no match.
The masked man handled him effortlessly, which only fueled Gerald's rage. He was being toyed with.
This was Elena's chance to run but she didn't.
She watched the fight, rooted to the spot.
The masked man met her gaze. She felt it—he wanted her to run. He was helping her.
The eye-patch man had been right. The attack was because of her.
Seeing her hesitation, the masked man stopped holding back.
A blade slashed Gerald's arm, then his leg.
Gerald staggered.
"What's wrong?" the man taunted.
"Getting cold feet already?"
"This isn't over!" Gerald snarled, pulling a small vial from his clothing and downing its contents.
The bottle slipped from his fingers as his body began to convulse.
His muscles expanded. His skin turned sickly pale. When his eyes opened again, they glowed blood-red.
"Holy shit," the masked man muttered.
Elena stumbled back. "What in the world…?"
Gerald attacked again, stronger and faster but still reckless.
The masked man fought harder now. Even then, Gerald wasn't enough.
Then Gerald's gaze locked onto Elena.
He lunged.
"Let her go!" the masked man shouted.
Gerald laughed. "I knew you cared."
The sword hovered at her throat.
"Don't worry about me!" Elena screamed. "End him!"
The masked man raised his bow, but his hands shook.
Elena's fingers closed around the dagger at Gerald's waist.
An arrow flew.
Gerald's blade grazed her neck as the arrow pierced his chest.
Elena collapsed.
Gerald surged back to life, ripping the arrow free, swinging wildly but too slowly.
The masked man's sword pierced his stomach.
Gerald laughed madly, dragging the blade deeper as he reached for a hidden knife.
He was going to deliver a dying blow to his killer.
Elena saw it.
She lunged forward, running as fast as she could and drove the dagger into Gerald's neck.
He fell—killed by his own weapon.
****
Dear Reader, It as new year!!
I'll drop a second chapter today as a new year's gift.
I also have a question for all you.
Who is the masked man that rescued Elena?
You can drop your answers in the comment section.
Have a great day and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @Moo_nlitquill.