Do you remember that cliche in writing where the Main Character ends up in a plane of darkness or unending white or any other colour of the rainbow?
You do?! Great.
I initially wrote it off as no other way of starting a story. It seemed like those creators weren't original in creating their stories.
That was until I had done it myself, I learnt that either my earlier statement wasn't true or I was the same.
Definitely, totally not the same. Still with me?
Very cool.
I don't think many of the authors knew how scary it was to experience something like that. To not be able to understand where you were or why you were there. To be pulled away from the comfort of your own home and forced away to some unknown land without any warning.
How do these characters pull it off so easily? It's like they don't experience fear.
As H.P Lovecraft said:
'The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.'
You know those stories that have the MC reincarnated with their mind still intact the second they were born or, god forbid, before they were born?
Just imagine what it's like to be born again, months and months of just being stuck within one's mind.
Many of these characters would have gone insane. It's stories like these that I don't like.
Stories that have them taken to another where they become extremely powerful for no reason.
But now?
Now...I wished I was them.
I mean...have you ever opened your eyes only to see the darkness looking back at you? Scary, right?
Now imagine that mixed in with the smell of seawater, the rocking of a boat and crashing waves?
The unknown was scary to most people but I was utterly terrified. I hate the fact that I don't know where I am or who I'm with.
I hate the fact that I'm tied up with ropes.
I hate the fact that this makes no sense to me. Just...How did I get in this situation?
With all this on my mind, you know what really caught me off guard?
It was the sounds of crying children, something that is hitting many red flags in my head. I could hear them calling out for their families and older siblings cradling younger ones, calming them down.
Like a steady heartbeat, the sounds of footsteps were loud. It was echoing through the area, causing everyone to quieten down instantly.
I had waited till the footsteps had stopped before us in hopes of finding some answers to where
I am…
...and telling me who to punch when I get of here.
"ALLRIGHT, YOU LITTLE BRATS…" A voice screamed out causing me let out a quiet sound of pain for my ears. There must have been speakers on this boat somewhere or something to produce that kind of sound"...WE'RE GONNA GET OFF THE BOAT." He paused for a second "SO GET THE FUCK UP."
The sound of shuffling as many people, those kids I presume, where being let out of the area.
This just makes the whole thing that much scarier, I'm in the hands of whoever these people are and I can't do anything about it. This must be some human trafficking scheme, but how did they get me from all the way from within my home? Someone must have seen me being taken away and the harbours around london would have noticed people being taken.
So how did they do it?
"Why the hell are you still sitting here?!" The voice had come near me, uncomfortably near. Who's he talking to? I don't hear anyone else around me.
"Are you talking to me?" I growled, my anger not bothering to hide itself.
Pain flared up from my body, my stomach specifically. A powerful impact had winded me making me heave on the floor, hands still tied before me.
"Shut..." Something slammed down on my hand, causing me to scream out in pain. "...the fuck..."
A hit to the side of my face made me hit the floor. "...up."He started to grind something on my head harshly, I'm guessing his foot but it was too painful to tell.
The man had suddenly released my head from underneath his shoe. In that momentary relief, I
held back a sigh.
However, as I said before, it was only momentary.
His rough hand had grabbed me by the top of my hair as I grimaced. I could smell the warm, heavy and unbrushed breath upon my head as he pulled me close to him. A pained filled grimace was painted on my face in retaliation.
"It's that kind of expression that will keep you from surviving here. I'd consider you lucky…" he chuckled making me scoff.
Though, I didn't like how he finished his sentence.
The man, his voice was definitely male, had grabbed the rope and started to drag me along.
After stumbling, I was able to find my pace to keep up with this man. It was still quite hard as I had to take quick strides to keep up with him. Weird, considering the fact that I was 6 ft 2, I was usually the one who was walking too fast for other people.
Just how tall was he?
We walked off the boat, wooden if the texture underneath my feet was something to go by. It must be an older boat or ship that had taken me wherever I am.
There must have been some sort of plan to use wooden boats in their operation. Kind of a stretch but I don't know how this works.
It would be suspicious if I did.
It was clear that this was some sort of kidnapping with the amount of children that were here. Children are much more malleable than adults and have weaker wills. It would be easier to train them.
Wow, that was dark. I didn't mean it like that. I wouldn't want to do it, just that it would be easier to break the wills of children than adults.
Ok, let's think about something else and get away from this.
Was I with some more children? Or was I with any adults they had?
I don't know or understand what is going on but I can't show these people that. They prey on emotions and break people down using their weaknesses. It's disgusting and honestly…
...Wouldn't be too hard to achieve with a lot of people. We already have the first steps down. "What the fuck is going on?" I asked myself. However the man before me had heard my outburst.
"Oh a potty mouth as well" The man snickered, a cold sweat breaking out on me. I tried to hide it but I could tell he knew.
I ignore the man, he's most likely trying to rile me up. For all I know, this might be some TV show where they steal people from their homes and put them in strange situations, not that weird if you consider what's on TV nowadays.
Outwardly, I'm trying to keep my cool but, internally, I'm figuring out how to escape and burn this place to the ground whilst these people are still within it.
These fuckers...How would they like it if they were dragged around in rope?
In my thought, I noticed the man had stopped and had done so myself, almost hitting him in the process.
"Hurry up, I can't be asked to look after you." The man seemed irritated, I may not be as good as those people online but I can definitely tell when someone is irritated.
He's definitely got something planned for me, that 's for certain.
But that's the question, Just what the hell are they planning to do with me? Is this some shitty isekai? Please don't tell me this is. I'd rather- "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
The sounds of screaming from behind a wall sent a shiver down my spine, breaking me of my anger. The agony I could hear, I could feel, from that scream broke out of the wall. My hands started to shake, the rope to burning my skin.
The sounds of crying echoing didn't help my case. It vibrated all over the walls keeping me from knowing where they come from.
Is this a punishment or something? I don't remember doing anything wrong.
"Hey, I thought this was sound proofed" My capturer said to himself. I couldn't hear any tone of guilt or disgust from his voice. Either he doesn't care or he could be very good at hiding it and I don't know which one I would prefer.
I could feel my teeth grinding against each other, I don't know if he was messing with me or not. Sound of a metal door opening to the side of me made me turn my head. The repulsive heavy
breathing of a man opened the door. I could tell easily with my nose, it was clear that he hadn't
washed in a good while.
"Just how many more are there?" The man asked. He sounded tired.
"Shut it, Fatass. All you need to do is take one." There's more people here? How did I not notice anyone else here? "I don't want to be near your disgusting man cave so hurry up."
The new man, I like the name Fatass, stayed silent before giving the first man a hesitant sound of confirmation " whatever.."
"Enine, meine-" Fatass is pissing me off already. A new record, only held by the man before him.
"..Mo" Fatass finished, the sounds of rope being cut invaded my ears. Soon after small steps started to walk around me.
"Finally," The man that held my rope, let's call him 'Asshole', stated with a sigh. "I'm taking these ones down to the Pit."
The Pit? Sounds like generic arena #1 for bloodthirst punch-punch guys.
I'm slowly wondering where my luck has gone. I'm just supposed to live my life in my nice warm home without any interruptions. Sure it was boring but it was safe.
I bet it was one of those terms and conditions that I've never read.
By accepting the Term and Conditions, you will be isekai'd.
Next time, let's read the fine print.
"Ohhh, It's been a while since we've seen some fresh blood." Fatass snorted "Let's hope that they have some chance."
"They'd better or I'd send them to you" Asshole chuckled, ignoring whatever Fatass said as pulled the rest of us along.
I've walked for longer than this and haven't felt any pain whatsoever. What the hell is wrong with me? My legs feel like they are on fire.
Maybe it's the fact that I have no shoes on. But that shouldn't be a problem concerning these smooth floors.
It also didn't help that I already felt really tired. It was like my body didn't want to work with me today. I could have been drugged, that would explain a lot of what's going on.
Don't do drugs kids.
Get you in this situation.
The slow creak of an opening door snapped me back into attention. I really hated that sound. My ears are stinging.
The soon became secondary as I had to adjust to the bright light that's shining in my face. The blindfold had been snatched from my face causing my head to snap towards the large and dirty hand that had came into contact with me.
The first time seeing this man was one that I wished to forget. His robe had large dirt marks and cuts that made him look like he went toe to toe with wolverine in a mud pile. His face wasn't even any better. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared me down with a smug grin that fit his punchable face.
Did I mention his rotting yellow teeth?
He had as scruffy beard as if he hadn't of heard of a shaver and a hairstyle that looks reminiscent of 80's afro without combing it.
I watched as he pulled the blindfold off of another person, a man around the same size. He looked like puberty never had hit him. His face was boyish with bright red eyes. His hair was a weird shade of blue, makes me think that he had dyed it. Other than the annoyed expression he was making, there wasn't anything else I could comment on.
"Oi, what are you waiting for?." Asshole pointed towards the large open gate that I had missed. Inside was much darker than I had anticipated it to be. There were no windows, nothing to let
any light into the room. The floor was much rougher than what we were standing on now. The
only indication that there was even a room there, and not a painted wall, was the small amount of light that was escaping from the hallway where we were standing.
A large amount of force had pushed me forward, right into the room. It seemed like it was the boy that had been forced upon me as we had entangled with each other in a pile of useless limbs.
I barely able to see the man give a sarcastic salute as he guffawed down the hallway, dragging along people of all different ages and sizes.
"HELLO! IS ANYONE THERE?!" The boy that was with me bellowed into the small hole that was left open in the door. I suspect it was broken but I couldn't know.
"Holy shit, do you know how to shut up?" I told the boy. However, instead of listening to my clearly brilliant advice, he turned to me.
Seeing his face, I only just realised how real this all was.
The boy had tears running down his face, eyes red from excessive crying. Snot dripped down his nose and his lip quivered. He looked at me with anger and despair in his eyes.
"Why? Why do they have to do this?" He asked himself, I doubt he was asking me. "Mom said that if I was a good boy then life would work out for me..." His took a second to sit down and hug his knees "Did she lie to me?"
The fact that I had a small child in my hands that was having an emotional breakdown destroyed the last shreds of hope that this was fake.
Damn Terms and Conditions.
For Fucks sake, I'm going to have to deal with this crybaby now, aren't I?
"Everything your mother said…" I started, much to the boy's confusion. I needed something to distract me from that message. "...was to protect you. Everything she did was to give you your best life, or at least that's what a mother should do."
I know I sound comforting but I couldn't really care less about him right now. Most of my brain power is being directed into figuring out any solutions to my current problem. I know it seems harsh but I care more about myself than a kid that I've never met or have any connection to.
The boy looked right into my eyes, his own eyes widening "It's my fault then…" He said to himself, hugging his knees harder. "...I was the one who ran away from her."
Now he's annoying me, better to deal with whatever problem he has so I can think in peace. Well, it's that or knocking him out to stop the crying.
"You ran away from her?" I asked getting a small nod from him "Why did you do that?"
It was clear why. He couldn't stomach something or it went against something he liked. I know since I've seen this multiple times before.
"She-she…" He sniffled as he stuttered " ...She told me that I was getting a younger sister and I ran away." He turned his gaze away from me and onto the floor. "And to the forest where she told me not to go, she said it was dangerous."
I know his a child but is he really this petty? What am I talking about, of course he is.
He must of been one of those spoiled kids that cling to their parent's every word. What's the term?
Ah, entitled.
He wasn't able to handle the fact that his mother was going to have to split her attention away from him so he ran away. I guess this is the universe's way of saying that you're being a bit annoying so we'll knock you down a peg.
However,as annoying as he is currently, he shouldn't be forced to deal with whatever this place is. I may not have seen what they are going to do to us but it doesn't seem nice with the tour Asshole has given us.
"You know I have a little sibling." I stated, making him snap back at me with wide eyes. I'm lying but this seems the best way to get him to shut up for a while.
"Really? How did you deal with it?" He asked me, arms slowly unwrapping themselves from around him.
"It's like having someone who looks up to you and makes you their role model." I started, getting a look of confusion from him. "It's like you're their hero in their eyes, even if they don't admit it."
The last statement made him starry eyed "Me, a hero?" He asked me.
I nodded "They copy what you do, take what you have and grow in the same environment. It gets annoying sometimes but you have to protect them with all you can and watch as they grow with you."
He giggled "So I need to be strong right? So I can protect her."
I smiled back "Make sure you have each other's back and you'll be fine." I stated but he wasn't listening.
Making him feel better helps me as well. It helps that children are gullible enough that they'll believe almost anything easily. It makes quoting someone else make more effective than it would be before.
But I never said anything but the truth so that counts for something.
"What are siblings like then? Are they fun?" He asked, his knees falling to the floor as he waited for my answer.
Well shit. I hadn't planned for this. Lying usually gets you into trouble if you're found out. I had learnt to make sure I have a solid story before I lie, making sure I believe it to make it much more believable.
It was a hindrance at times but it pros counteract the cons.
"Well, sometimes. There was one time were on my 19th birthday-"
"19? How are you 19?" He interrupted me, much to my confusion. I know I look older but come on.
"I'm actually 20 years old." I started making him pout in anger.
"No you're not!" He shouted "You look like a boy, you can't be an adult."
"What on earth are you talking about?" I asked him only to raise an eyebrow as he didn't answer and walked over to me. He grabbed my hand placed his open palm on mine.
"See my hand is bigger than yours so-" I slowly tuned him out.
I looked at the two touching hands, they were both so small. How does that even work? Is he delusional or what?
I noticed my the heavy beating of my heart as the sounds of heavy breaths permeated the background.
This makes no the fuck was going on? I need someone to explain it to me. I need someone to get me out of here.
I need someone. Anyone.
Please help me. Help me.
Help me. Help me.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
He̞̺̙l̹p̪̩ ̥m̘e̹.̪̜He̻̼̟l̠̠̘p̹ m̹e̞̻.̼̰̪̟H̬él̪̼̜p̥̝̟̬ ̹m̩ę.̟̟̰H̩̪̠e̬l̟̰̤̤p̩̬̟̬̰
̞me̹̠̞.̼̝He̪̬̠l̯p̬̟ m̠̹̼e̼.̼̘̟Hel̺̬̰p̟̪̺̟ ̙m̘̩̹é.H̙ḛ̴lp̞ ̥̻̻̻m̻e̺̰.̠̞̯̤̯Help̻̰̬̻
̘m̘̝l̝p̤ ̻̙̤̺m̥̰e̟̤.̬̯̞He̙
̪̹̞p ̤̺̰̥me.H
ļp̙̜
̟̻m̩̟e̠̟.̬̠H̞̤e̬̘lp̻̪
̘̣l̹
̜̬e ̤ ̘
̴̻̝me.̴̰̩H̹̬el̞p̯̙ ̰me.̯̪H̝̙̹el̯p̩̻ ̘̹̣m̠̯̰e.̴He̘̩l̝̰p ̞̙̹̟m̪̹̙̞̰e̟̤̥.H̯e̺̬̪l̙̼̼p̙
̠̩̤m̘e̹̪.̤̘̼H̟̥ẹlp̰̬
̞e.̻H
̻̬p̼͡ ̞̤m̰e.̞̣He̙̰l̝̼p̰̯̝ ̙m̟e.̥He̯̺̝̰l̯̞p̼
̤m ęl̪
m̥e̞.̬̜̤H̹e̘̹̣lp̬̪ ̙m̼̙e.̩H̜e̝̜̥̬lp ̬̝m̯̺̙e̞̼.̝H̜̘̹e̟̰ļp̻ ̘̠m̞̥̰̺̪e.̥̪He̬̟̹lp̪̩̜
̻̰m̝̙̠e̻̜̪̤.̼̩Help̰̻̠ mé.̼̤̠̪H̙e̩lp̠̩ ̞̜̻m̪̝̬e̠.H̴̙̥̝̺̹e̹l̺̺̪p
̬̼m ̝̪e̤̘̟̤̻̞.H̰̪̰e̹̟̞̜̣l
p̴̥̘ ̠m̯̹e̻.̪̜H̞e̻l̟p̤̟ me.̙̟̟̙Hel̘̘̥̥̬p̺̞
̘̼
m̹̙̹̬ẹ.H̬̜̻el̝̹p̺̻ ̰͡m̥̥̞è.̟̠He̝̜̻l̪̣͡p me̥̥.He̤̙l̥̪p̞̬̯̩ ̯̼̜m̘e̼̘̤.̻̺̼Ḥe̟l̟p̬̻̜
̙me̤.̝H̤̞̰̪e̤̹l̘̰̤p̞̝ m̹e̙̝̤.̙̯̩̠̥H̯el̰̟p̙̯̻ ̤m̬ḛ̞̼̜.̠He̯l̙p̬̯̙̠̜
̩̟̟̣m̩̞̰e̼̥.H̼̺e̠l̘̩̜p̹̠̜ ̙̬me̞̞̝.̞̥̣Heļp̟̰ ̟̥m̼̰̟͡e̤.̞H̞e̞̰l̟̝̞p ̯̘me̼̬.H̪̪̯̤̣e̯l̤̪̠p
̹̟̻̝m̬̬e.̟̙Hel̻̞̜̝p̪̩̪ ̰̼̹̘̹̬m̻̰e̬.̜̩H̙el̼̼̯p̪̙̯ ̺̟me̹̥.̪He̯̻l̰̞̬p̠̥ ̟̼̻me.H̼el̼p
̰ṃe.̼̥H̹el̩p m̰̹̠̝e̯̰.̙H̝e̴̥̟̺l̯̠̞p̠ ̰̩̹m̹̟e̻.̥̤He̜lp̯ ̩m̰̥̬e̻.̝̘̰He̹̯̞ĺp
̝m̼e̥̰̞.H̯̯̬el̺̠p̘̥ ̟̜m̤̙̯e̘̩.̤̰̺̯H̘̠̤e̥̪l̝p̻̟ m̯e̘̞.H̻elp m̯e.̠̝H̝̹̟̟el̰p̴̻̻
̜̯̜̬m̰e.̪H̤̞e̘l͡p̞̯̠ m̘̼̰ḛ̙̪̻.̜
What the fuck just happened?
Loads of pain just erupted within me and I- I don't even know. I blame that guy, Simon I think, boyish looking man, he did something to me, didn't he?
There's no way I could be a c̜̜̽h̴̯̻i̞l̽̆d̰̰̜̥.
"OI, MY SOUL ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO BE EATEN, TAKE SOMEONE ELSE'S." I screamed upwards? I think it was upwards at least. This dark encompassing area did not help with my sense of direction.
"I welcome you to my domain. Such unfortunate circumstances have caused you to appear here. However, with my power, I can offer you a way. Although will you be willing?"
I did not scream at the bellowing voice that came out of nowhere
I did not.
"The fuck?" I questioned the large booming voice, trying to hide my 'manly yelp'. Granted whatever it was going to say, I'm still grateful that it's here. I would have gone insane on my own. I don't even know how long I've been here. Where the fuck was that demon/man thing?
"I would advise you to hear me out. This would be beneficial to the both of us." The voice states, it's tone implies that whatever it is is calm but I can hear the anger behind it. I don't think it liked me not choosing an answer.
"That all depends on what the offer is, for all I know, you could be trying to steal my soul." I
wagged my finger "And like I said before, It won't taste good."
"You have two options." It started, ignoring what I said before. "You either accept my offer or you can stay within your broken mind, indulging in your insanity for the rest of eternity."
Eternity?
I don't like the sound of that.
"Why would I want to stay here?" I asked the all encompassing voice. "Is there an option 3? For example, waking up and finding out this was a dream like a bad ending?"
I couldn't see anything, nothing at all, but I could feel the place starting to shake. It felt as if my bones were trying jump from my body, as if my head was going to implode with the pain, as if my heart was going to stop itself in fear of continuing in this environment.
"Do not be absurd." The voice stated. "Your humanity will not give you what you desire. Humanity cannot find joy in their lives without sacrifice. You are merely animals that have above average intelligence."
Without sacrifice, we cannot find joy? Why does that make so much sense?
"Yet again, I am somewhat similar in that regard" The voice said absent-mindedly.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked this voice, the more it spoke. The more questions I had that I wanted answers.
"No matter about that…" The voice had dismissed my question "I have given you these options, answer whilst you still have a choice."
"I guess I have to accept. I mean, there's nothing else I could do here." I shrugged. "Well done. I shall reward your insignificant sense of wisdom."
Whatever I was getting myself into, It had better get me home or there'll be hell to pay.