Chapter 3

REN'S POV;

I am ruffled awake by a burning sensation in my arms and wrists. There's a persistent throb in my head as well. My first instinct is to rub the sore spot in relief, however, my hands seem to be stuck. Fear grapples me and my eyes flutter open, suddenly aware of the uncomfortable hardness prickling at my back and neck.

This isn't my apartment, I think to myself as my squinted eyes roam the small, dimly lit, stone-walled cell.

The air is thick with a musty scent, and the cold, damp floor sends shivers through me as I slowly pull myself to a sitting position. The chains around my wrists clinking together at my sluggish movements.

“Hello?”

I call out once, twice, thrice. No response.

I try desperately to recall what had happened to me... how I ended up here. Blurry images flash behind my eyelids, the loud rumble of thunder resounds and I clench my eyes shut as pain spikes at my skull.

Fuck.

It doesn't take long for me to make a couple of observations about my absurd situation.

Firstly; this couldn't have been a kidnapping, I am penniless and there aren't any relatives they could possibly make demands from. So perhaps trafficking?

And secondly; the chains holding me bound seem to burn harshly against my flesh when I fret and tug on them.

I reside to sitting on the uncomfortable floor for God knows how long, my brain working double time as it conjures up insane scenarios.

My body toggles on alert mode when I hear footsteps somewhere in the distance, growing thunderous with each passing moment as it approaches the bolted metal door of my cell.

At the sound of the bolt being pulled aside, I hastily press myself into the darkest corner of the room and curl my body into itself.

The door is tugged open and the person enters… except it isn't a person per se.

My breath catches in my throat, eyes widening.

Eyes the shade of precious rubies glare into my soul with animosity. The creature towers over me at an impressive height, possessing the facial features of a horse. In place of feet and toes, it is endowed with powerful hooves that clack against the concrete floor with each purposeful stride forward.

I doubt I could outrun it even if I tried.

Panic builds rapidly within me, my heart thudding wildly within its constraints and my jaws slacking as I stare wide-eyed at the horrific sight. Dreads fill the entirety of my being and instinctively my brain recognizes it as a threat, hence I find myself reacting accordingly; trembling and screaming.

My voice echoes in the small space, dread filled and shrill. I scream till I run out of air and my throat becomes scratchy.

The creature takes small, unhurried steps towards me with its nose upturned. Its eyes burn deep into my flesh as it regards me intently, taking note of every movement I make, including the troubled rise and fall of my bare chest. It doesn't stare down at me with a look of craving or want, but rather with an almost bored and unimpressed look.

It regards me as filth. I see it in its eyes, in its body language. I know.

It slows to a stop a few meters away from me, scenting heavily of burnt cider as it looms over me. The creature pays no heed to the tremble in my bones nor does it act like it notices the tears sliding down my flushed face as it pulls out a key that looks way too small in its very large hands and unlocks the chains restricting me.

Rubbing at the surely discolored flesh of my tender wrists, my freedom is short lived.

A rough hand is clasped tightly around my shoulder blades and I'm jerked to my feet, arms twisted behind me before a cold object is clasped around both my wrists once more, keeping them bound behind my back. He— if it does have a gender— barely gives me a moment of reprieve before he proceeds to drag me out of the cell by the arm and into a dark corridor lit with flaming torches hung strategically on the walls.

I struggle against its hold as it hauls me to my feet and drags me out the door and through the corridor. My bare feet scrub against the oddly scalding concrete and I hiss at the contact.

I stare wide-eyed, wondering to myself, 'What is this place?'

I plead, "look, if you let me go now I promise not to tell anyone about this." Like hell, I wouldn't.

Hot puffs of air escape its nostrils in a cloudy smoke, keeping its pace consistent as it urges me forward.

"I have money," I lie. Money is the solution to everything.

His head nods at something or someone hidden within the shadows of the stoned walls... another one of them I assume. My next words are rushed and pleading, "just name your price."

He only offers a harsh animal-like grunt before he tightens his hold on my bicep and pushes me forward, past the big double-barrel door, no doubt leading to my infinite doom.