Walking around Derek, I peek into the doorway into the kitchen. I can't see Beldam, but I can hear the running water from the sink. Looking back at Derek I nod and motion for him to follow. I went out first, Derek right behind. Scanning the kitchen, I saw Beldam at the sink with his back towards us humming a tune. The shiny, silver glint of a kitchen knife caught my eye. It was just lying there on the countertop of the bar. I could grab it; it would be so easy. And stupid, he wants us to pick it up. Letting his prisoners loose, leaving a knife on the bar where we could get it, it's too convenient.
I was just going to pass it by, but Derek grabbed my elbow. Turning back, he nodded his head towards the knife with an expectant look. I shook my head, shifting my eyes towards Beldam and back. He had that "really?" look on his face, I nodded my head. Derek huffed and I breathed a breath of relief. I turned back and walked on. I had just passed the end when a bad feeling blossomed in my chest. Quickly turning around once again, Derek had grabbed the knife and was approaching Beldam briskly.
"Derek, no!" I tried to stop him, but I was too late. He was already behind him with the knife held high. Derek brought the cold metal down, intending to stab the unsuspecting man in the neck. I couldn't watch, it doesn't matter if it is a criminal, I still don't want to see someone die. I turned my head away and shut my eyes, preparing for the gruesome scene awaiting me.
The feel of blood being sprayed or the sound of a body hitting the cold tiles of the floor didn't happen. It was the clanging from a metal object hitting the ground. Opening my eyes, I turned my head back only to be shocked. Beldam had Derek's wrist in a vise-grip. Pain contorted Derek's face, but he wasn't done. He swung his left hand in a desperate attempt to hit the man restricting him. His punch was caught, mere inches from his captors unamused face. Beldam didn't even flinch. His arms were steady, he wasn't straining to contend with Derek's strength. Derek was contending with him and losing.
"You're all the same, just no fun." Beldam said in a bored tone. With Derek's left hand caught, he proceeded to twist the arm. Derek cried out in pain, his knees going weak. I was frozen, I didn't know what to do. The knife Derek dropped landed near me, I could pick it up and distract Beldam. That could quickly go south, though.
Purple eyes peered over to me, they looked daunting. "Pick it up." He said commandingly.
I hesitated to move. The sharp yelp from Derek made me flinch, "Now." Derek's arm looked like it was about to break from the unsightly angle. Just one more push. I bent to pick the sharp object, keeping my eyes on the two. After grabbing it, I promptly stepped back.
"Good," he said pleased, "It's good you aren't as stupid as this one. I wouldn't want to break you…just yet." His Cheshire grin reappeared as he dislocated Derek's left wrist and continued to crush his right. Derek fell to the ground writhing in pain. Beldam stood above him, that unnerving smile gone. Turning around, he nonchalantly turned off the still running water.
"You fucking coward!! You just stood there like a fucking idiot!" Derek gritted out through his pain. Yes, I got into fights, but I always played it smart. If bravery means getting myself killed, then I'd rather be a coward. I am not going to die because you couldn't wait 'till we made it to the basement.
He was about to open his mouth again until a black booted foot swung across his face. Blood was spat out of his mouth. One of his teeth flew out clicking across the tile floor, red dots following in its wake. Beldam squatted beside him and roughly grabbed his face. In a condescending tone he said, "And where has bravery gotten you, you disgusting pig? Be thankful to said coward. A missing tooth and a dislocated wrist aren't the worst things I would have done."
"Would" not "could". He'd gone farther and harsher if I weren't here. He didn't though, and that makes it more terrifying. He probably would have used the knife to cut off his wrist. He'd make it slow and painful. Derek would fight, but he'd only waste his strength as his pooling blood made him weaker and weaker as it grew. And that wouldn't be the end of it.
Taking his hands off Derek's bloody face, he grabbed the back of the man's blue shirt. I moved to the side to let them pass. "Follow. And bring the knife." He ordered as he passed.
He dragged Derek's heavy body all the way to the basement door. Stopping in front of it, he opened the door and bowed. "Ladies first~" He said airily.
"Oh my, what a gentleman." I said sarcastically. I really should hold my tongue sometimes, but I just can't help myself. Going down the dim lit steps, I kept the knife close to me. Beldam followed close behind, Derek thumping after us. At the bottom, there was a metal corridor with five metal doors, two on each side and one at the end of the corridor.
"We're going to the second door on the right." Beldam whispered in my ear. I shivered, but I pushed forward to the seemingly ordinary door.
"Open it." He pushed. I could attack him, but he might be expecting that. Opening the door and locking him in wouldn't suffice either. Locking myself in would be suicide. My thoughts kept going back and forth, but my hand continued to shakily reach for the handle. Turning the knob, I push the door open to reveal… myself? From across the room there was a mirror reflecting the light from the hall. Other than that, it was pitch black inside. I rubbed my hand against the wall, trying to find a light switch. There was none.
"Workroom lights." Beldam said. The room instantly filled with light. Okay, so some things are voice activated, good to know. Inside was basically a gym room with a mirrored wall on the other side. Weights, medicine balls, a treadmill, a bench press, barbells, a stationary bike, and humorously… Total Gym by Chuck Norris. Walking further in, I couldn't figure out why he would take us in here. He doesn't bash his victim's heads in, he breaks them apart and sews them back together with buttons for eyes.
I was about to question him, but he cut me off. "Confused? Heh, you're not the first. It's quite amusing to see people's reactions when they learn we're in the Sewing Room. Your eyes just can't see it."
I was confused, what did he mean by "My eyes just can't see it"? The room looked like a regular at home gym… all except the mirror. I walk towards it and lightly tap on the smooth reflective surface.
"Always so perceptive," He said. I could see him move closer behind me in the reflection. "People are just like this mirror. You can't see in, but they can see out. And you'll never hear their screams." He whispered next to my ear. Purple irises bore into my stunned ones. It was a one-way mirror.
"Reap what you sow." A beep sounded out after he spoke. A paper-thin seam appeared in the shape of a door where we stood. Out of reflex, I took a step back only to collide with the hard chest of Beldam. His frame engulfed me, making me feel even smaller than the taller man. A small smile formed on his lips, other than that, he didn't comment. Instead he raised his free hand and pushed the mirror.
A dim lit room showed itself to me. It was unexpectedly clean. I had imagined blood on the walls and floor, rusty tools hanging, and the smell of rotting corpses. It was nothing like that. The room was a simplified surgery room. In the middle of the room, a headlamp overlooked an empty metal table. Leather restraint straps hung loosely on it. A drain lied underneath, to catch blood or water, I didn't know. Probably both.
A large hand pressed on my lower back, urging me to move forward. With each step, I could see more, and the hairs on my neck skin stood on end. Meat hooks dangled from the ceiling behind the mirror door. Shackles with short chains were also bolted to the obviously clawed up wall. Beside it, there was a large sink with a retractable hose connected to it. At least he cleans up after himself and whatever comes out of his new dolls. The opposite wall had steel cabinets, as tall as the ceiling, with padlocks. I can't imagine what he's hidden in those.
At the back, another room was sectioned off. Glass windows with criss crossed wire allowed one to view the drawers, boxes, and other supplies inside. They seemed to be labeled but I was too far away to make out what they said. The door into the room was, you guessed it, another lock. Although, this one's different, it's a keypad. Why lock this room? I walked closer to the caged windows. Closer, I could read the many labels inside. Bandages, dressings, gauze, gloves, glasses, gowns, syringes; that's not even all of it. There were others labeled Penicillin, Insulin, Morphine, Aspirin, Azithromycin, Epogen, and much more. It was a one-man hospital, almost fully equipped.
"I spent quite a lot to make this with everything I'll need." Beldam said proudly behind me. I turned my head slightly to see him. He had dragged Derek onto the surgical table, strapping him down tight. Derek seemed to fade in and out of consciousness, which that kick really did a number on him. The mirror door had already been closed, sealing us in his "Sewing Room." Thankfully, there was a lever to let us out. To let me out.
"Anthony," he called me calmly. "Do you think all humans are good?" Well… of course not! You're the best example. I would never say this to him, though; I still want to see the light of day again.
"Why the question all of a sudden?" I countered him. Yes, Anthony, don't answer the Murderers question. Instead question him instead, what a great idea. He's so the understanding type and not a person who kills people because of their eye color. I'm truly an idiot.
"Just a question. I fancy other opinions at times, it's refreshing." He explained reasonably. I couldn't help but to feel there was more to it. I couldn't see his expression, dark shadows cascaded down his face. But even the shadows and the long locks of silver couldn't hide those mysterious irises. They stared right into my soul as he leaned against the table.
I shivered from his intense stare. I grip the knife in my hand harder, brining it even closer to me. It's probably useless against him, but it gave me protection, an assurance. Is that why he let me take the knife? No, he's playing mind games with me. Planting a false sense of security so he can relish in his victims despair when he takes it away. I can't trust him or anything he says. The only person I can rely on is Derek in this sick and twisted situation. I just hope I can help him before it's too late. This bad feeling in my stomach is only growing by the second.