Chapter 05 [arc one]

Finally, after she had exhausted all her tears and fallen into utter despair, the room opened. The light hit her weak body as she slowly opened her eyes. They burned, but she had no energy to raise a hand to cover them. Instead, she just lay on the dirty ground and stared into the opening. Beetles crawled over her legs, and dirt was caked all over her naked body. She had no hope. If it were a stranger, they might assume she's half dead and leave. If it was Kaname, he would laugh at her agony and spit on her. She let out a tiny whimper and closed her eyes.

Someone stepped forward, their footsteps bouncing loudly off the walls of the prison. They cursed, and she didn't recognize their voice. They walked around for a bit, sizing the room up. Finally, they came closer to her weakened body. Karilyn didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to roll over on her size and give in. Another wanted to just beg them to put her out of her misery. She'd rather go to heaven and be done than die another painful death. But neither won, as she was too sick to do anything but cry.

"I can't do it anymore." Karilyn was horrified by how wrong her voice sounded. It was so soft, she worried they couldn't even hear her. "I can't. I can't do this again. Please."

Her hands reached out for a part of them to grab. She felt their shoe and clawed at it, digging her broken nails into its sole. She was desperate for them to notice her. The twenty-two-year-old wanted them to see her and do something. They could slit her throat, kidnap her, or do anything. The redhead just needed someone to pay attention to. Her grip was weak, but she heard them crouch down to her level. A hand gently touched her cheek and caressed it. The touch felt like it had brought salt to be poured into her open wounds.

"How old are you?" They had a deep voice that reminded her of an old man. She couldn't answer and shook her head back and forth. "How long has he kept you here?"

Knowing they knew Kaname made her fearful. She trembled to the point where her body was slamming repeatedly into the ground. This startled the stranger, but she was too hurt to care. She tried to curl into herself but yelled in frustration when she couldn't. Her stupid legs wouldn't work, and she wanted to run. She wanted to run away and scream at this stranger to get her out of this hell. The twenty-two-year-old felt them move their hands to grab at her, holding her still briefly. Their other hand soon followed, and she realized it was gloved. The other was bare and felt weirdly hot.

"Stop. I will get you out of here. I just want to know when and how you were chosen as the sacrifice. The stranger, who she could now tell was a man, tried to comfort her. But she could tell that they were in a hurry and losing patience.

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Karilyn licked her lips, feeling how her dried blood felt on the bottom, before answering. She didn't want to upset them and get abandoned. "I don't know much." "My master gave me a concussion, and I've had trouble remembering things since."

Worried she wouldn't be believed, she opened her eyes and looked up. She couldn't really make out the man's face as her vision was too blurry. The bright light from outside also wasn't helping.

"Please, I'll do anything you want if you get me out." "I mean it, anything you need from me I'll give you." Desperately, she tried to pull herself up onto the man's chest. But she just fell back down and nearly slammed her chin into the floor.

Thankfully, the man caught her and looked to be considering her words as the truth. She was starting to see facial scars that were familiar. Their texture reminded her of burn victims she saw on reality television. His skin was wrinkled and tough, but he still somehow looked young. She decided she didn't care what he looked like. All that mattered was the look of sympathy he gave her. The man gave her a hesitant smile as he wiped some of her matted hair off her wet forehead. The gesture made her feel human for a little while.

He sighed. "I believe you. I'll get you out of here, but you need to listen closely. We're going to a place that might be another version of hell for you. "If you want to take your chances, stay."

Her words tumbled out of her mouth, her voice cloaked in disbelief. "No! I want out; let me out. "Take me with you, please!" Anything was better than being locked in a box with nothing but bugs and darkness to keep you company.

If he left, she would go completely mad. There was no one else here. For hours, she banged her fists on the stone until her skin bled and turned purple. She clawed at the wall, her nails ripping from the bursts of adrenaline she went through in a panic. No one was coming to save her, and the walls were closing in. The room was cramped with just the two of them sitting on the floor. Staying in here for another moment made her want to throw up. She was pretty sure she had already vomited from the horrible stench that filled her nostrils.

Her eyes were blown out as she heaved and shook her head erratically. Why wasn't he carrying her out of here already? "I'm begging you to get me out of here. He broke my legs. I can't feel them anymore. He's going to kill me if you leave me."

The man nodded but looked like he wanted to argue against what she was saying. "Okay, okay. I'll take you with me; just try to keep quiet. This place is in a cellar, so the walk will be long.

With a grunt, he wrapped his arms around her middle and picked her up. She felt like she was going to heaven; the relief that filled her was overwhelming. He was careful as he moved to put one arm under both of her legs. The man was gentle as he looked at how swollen they had become. Her heart fluttered. Karilyn hoped that wherever he was taking her, they would put her out of her misery. And with that in mind, without any protests, he carried her out of the dungeon.