Death Comes With Open Arms

Chapter 10: A Cursed Past

The icy cold air bites at my skin and the sour smell of blood, rust, and mold welcomes me. My body feels numb and cold and my mind is dazed. My head pounds and feels as if it's being stabbed by a thousand knives while my mouth feels dry and stings. My eyes flutter open and skim over my sorrowful surroundings. I haven't moved from where I was, yet it feels like I have. I try to move my body but feel restricted. I'm not sure if it's my possible concussion making me feel like I'm floating or I actually am. I look down at my legs and see thick, black-colored metal chains covering my ankles. My feet aren't touching the ground and the chains on my legs are anchored deep into the wall. My hands are secured the same, except the handcuffs cover both of my hands entirely. My body hangs limply and the only thing holding it up is the chains. Unlike the rest of what seems to be a jail cell, these chains seem brand new with no hint of rust on them. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," says a familiar voice as the heavy, metal door is opened. A bright light shines behind the door and is blinding compared to the once dim, torch-lit room. I look towards a figure at the door and see... Tentacles? "Jericho? What's happening? Where's Ryker?" I ask. "You'll figure that out later. Lucky for you, he's asked to see you," Jericho says to me. "Did you hurt him? If you did, so help me, I won't hesitate to kill you!" I yell as I squirm in the chains binding me. "Such a change of character, Thyra. Just a few days ago, you were opposed to killing anyone," Jericho says teasingly. "If you don't answer me, damn it!" I yell. "Relax. Your little boyfriend is fine. Now, shut up before I have to silence you again," Jericho says. He uses his tentacle-like hands to unlock the locks and grabs me. He quickly puts a new pair of handcuffs on me, similar to the ones before, but not attached to anything. He puts a mask-like restraint over my mouth and smirks. "For precautions. We can't take any risks with disgusting creatures like you. Also, don't bother trying to do your little blood tricks. They're useless here. All surfaces, including the chains, were bitch-proofed," he says. "I'm going to fucking kill you," I growl. He chuckles, grabs me roughly by the hair, and yanks me back. My back touches his chest and he leans forward to whisper in my ear. "I doubt that, Sweetheart," he says mockingly before licking my ear. I cringe in disgust and he kicks me forwards. "Walk," he orders, and I have no choice but to listen. I walk forwards and out the door, into the light. It's so different than it was before, the village. The buildings are crumbling or burned, the torches glow with a purple-colored flame, and the red flags, which once blew gracefully in the wind, are now a darkening purple with some sort of black symbol on it. Familiar faces gaze at me through the shadows as I walk past. Jericho walks close behind me and I can feel multiple pairs of eyes piercing into my back. We begin to near the governor's tower of the village and I notice how much it's changed. They changed the color of the bricks from gray to black and red. Wait, no... I feel my face pale as I look at the sight before me. Bodies, thousands of them. They decorate the ceiling of the tower, each pierced by a blade. Some of the bodies are skewered on the tower's flagpole, like a human or creature kabob. It's terrifying and revolting. Who could do such a thing? "Do you like our new decor, Thyra? We did our best. We only chose the best civilians from their cottages," Jericho says from behind me. "How could you?" I ask as tears burn my eyes. "Careful with your words, Sweetheart. You're at my mercy," Jericho says with a disgusting grin on his face, "Now walk." I can't move. My body feels numb once again and aches. Jericho grabs me like a log and carries me inside the tower. The tower's interior has been relatively untouched except for the flags and colors changed like the outside. It used to have a strange smell before from the mold growing on the stones but now it smells like... Vanilla? I try to order him to set me down by my voice is stuck in my throat. My eyes burn and my chest aches as I'm still filled with shock. Jericho carries me to a large, purple set of doors before dropping me on the ground roughly. "Ouch, fuck. Couldn't have been more nice about it?" I ask. "I'm not your free transport service, Princess. Now get up," Jericho says snippily. "Fucking choke on a dick, you dirtbag," I hiss as I stand up. He ignores me and knocks on the heavy doors. "Come in," says a familiar, cheerful voice. Jericho then pushes open the large doors rather dramatically and behind the doors are a very unscathed Ryker. He's dressed in a dapper, violet-tinted suit jacket with a lighter purple undershirt that is halfly unbuttoned. He wears matching dress pants with it and nice dress shoes. There's a hint of makeup on his face and his fingers are adorned with expensive wedding rings that appear stolen--not out of character for him. "Ryker, you're not hurt. Thank goodness," I say as I quick run to him and out of Jericho's reach, "Your little friend was being a dick the whole time... Speaking of your dick-of-a-friend, why did you bring me here?" "Well, Thee. There's been a few... Changes around here," Ryker says as he runs his fingers through my hair. "What kind of changes?" I ask as I feel a chill run down my spine. I watch Ryker give Jericho a look and grabs my arm roughly. I begin to panic and Jericho grabs me tightly. He holds me in place and makes me look at Ryker while being unable to move. "Life isn't going to be how it used to. The ones who are 'different' won't be killed for being different, the ones who deserve to be put behind bars will be, and the 'lower' individuals will be in power. It will be how it deserves to be," Ryker whispers in my ear. I pause and think about what he said before asking, "Ryker... What did you do with our mayor?" "What mayor? There is no mayor... Unless you mean the new mayor, our Ryker," says a feminine voice as the mayor of Rye Combe's otherworldly village walks over to Ryker and takes his arm. "I thought you were the mayor," I say. "It was just a sham. Ryker has been the one pulling the strings the entire time," she says. Ryker gives her a look and pushes her away from him. "Enough talking, Edith," he hisses. She huffs with attitude and sits on the edge of his desk next to him. "What?... But why? What... I don't understand. What happened to the hunters? What happened to everyone captured? We... We watched them get captured. That wasn't just... Was it fake?" I ask as I feel myself begin to panic. I see Edith roll her eyes as Ryker responds to me, "It was staged so we could lure you in, Thyra. All of this was for you. All of the people in this village who stood in our way were all eliminated easily and swiftly while bringing you in. It was almost perfect." "But why? What do you want from me?" I ask. "You wouldn't understand," Ryker says. "Then help me understand! There has to be someone who can," I say. "There was... But... They're not here anymore," he says to me. "Where are they?" I ask. "You ask too many questions," Ryker says with an irritated look. He shoots Jericho a look, who grabs me and drags me out of the room. "Ektor, take her to her cell," he growls at the old oak before storming back into the room with Ryker and slamming the door behind him. "No! I don't understand!" I yell. "Come, young sapling. All will make sense in due time. You're best to comply for now," Ektor says softly as he helps me to my feet. "I don't understand what is happening, Ektor. Why is Ryker acting so strange?" I ask as tears threaten to spill from my eyes. "Now, now, Dear Thyra. You're very tired. You should rest," Ektor says as he leads me down a hallway. "You're avoiding the question, Ektor," I cry out. He sighs softly and unlocks a large cell with a hanging, metal bed and heavy metal door with a small, sliding door big enough for a tray and a small bit of light to emerge. "All will make sense in due time," he says. "That doesn't explain anything," I say as I feel hot, burning tears stream down my face. "I'm sorry but I cannot say anything more than I have... Expect your meal around midnight, small sapling," Ektor says before nudging me into the cell and closing the heavy door behind me. The only noise I hear is the loud clanking of the lock before creaking footsteps exit the danger room. Now it is only myself alone with the company of silence and my many thoughts. That was until around midnight, I was greeted by the small door sliding open, followed by a tray. On the tray is a small portion of what may have been leftovers of food, including mashed potatoes and biscuits, and a small note. The note reads: Tomorrow, when the moon reaches its highest peak, will you see it's clear beauty again.