The villain inched closer and closer to the older man until the terror in the body reflected in his eyes, and pulsating warm, shallow breath onto the young lad's face.
"Aaah, I like the smell of your fear. Crisp and stimulating!" Frederick moaned in delight as he took a deep breath of his surroundings.
"I am yet to be satiated," he continued and gingerly placed his dagger on the madman's face with a sinister smile.
"P-p-please! I'll do anything!!!" The medical officer blubbered, not daring to move a muscle while ignoring the fact that he was losing blood faster than he could count his good luck.
"You know, I've just sharpened my darling dagger this morning. Let's test it."
The wicked evil grin never left his blood-stained face, exposing his almost perfect pearly whites like a psychopath gone crazy. He then began to scrape the man's cheek ever so tenderly, exposing a deeper and newer layer of red, raw skin underneath it.
"Hmm...," Frederick inspected the knife at close range and slashed his own palm. It was not a deep cut but enough to free the blood out of its normal course. "Not sharp enough," he said without skipping a beat.
His prey could not stand his fear any longer as he trembled on the spot and lose control of his bladder. It did not take long until he lose his consciousness.
"Make sure he's not dead," Frederick commanded his loyal soldiers and exited the warehouse.
He was not done with the man yet. He wanted to play with him longer and to suck his life at the perfect timing.
* * * * *
Audrey could not help but smile when she stared at the ultrasound image. She wished that time would fly sooner so she could give her baby a physical hug.
"Still staring at it?" asked the dark-haired man in a husky voice.
Frantic, she quickly put the picture in a drawer and face the man who was sitting on the sofa. Frederick was lighting up a cigarette and took a glorious whiff. Out of a sudden, he was in a coughing fit while scrambling to put the cigarette out on the ashtray.
Audrey looked at her captor sprinting out of her room. She dare not ask what was the matter as it would be considered as crossing the line according to her family. But she was relieved the man had stopped smoking when he reentered her room.
"I- uh. It- uh. It went to the wrong tube," he explained. One of his hands was scratching his head and the other was doing a visual representation of his word. The brown-haired woman only nodded with her head bowed.
"Ehem! Anyway, I hope you know what you're doing."
"Yes," she answered timidly, still standing up from a distance.
"Good. What's your plan?"
She hesitated to look at him but answered nonetheless, "If Sir Mortcombe would allow us to live longer,"
"Aye."
"And if we are no longer your prisoner,"
"Uhuh"
"I'll promise to move to an unknown land and to never return. I will also promise not to seek revenge."
"Huh."
Audrey was slightly perturbed by his reaction but from the bottom of her heart, she meant every word. She was never interested to be in a political affair with anyone, nor was she interested to live where people know of her past. That was the best solution she could come up with.
"Let's say you've got your wish granted, how are you going to an unknown land?" He asked while his hands were busy fumbling with the potpourri on the table
She was flustered by the surprise question. She may be a Bloodsworth who is also known for their wealth. But she was never given any money from her own family and thus, did not own a single cent.
"I- I'll work hard for it." She pumped her fist in determination.
"What's your skill?" Frederick asked again, as though this was some sort of interview.
Audrey thought really hard about it when she realised she was never given the opportunity to do anything but housework.
"I can do menial tasks or any odd jobs."
"Are you good at it?"
'"I would like to think so."
"Why?"
"I am taught by the harshest teacher."
"Good. Good."
She could not deny that it was a nice feeling when he complimented her. She was not aware of the ping-pong questionnaire he had been throwing nor was she aware of his nosiness. But all the minor victory came crashing when he said as a matter of factly, "But you're pregnant."
"I- I'll try my best," Audrey responded but this time her enthusiasm was not as cheery as before.
"People normally don't hire pregnant women. Also, once you've given birth, who would look after the baby if you're working?" He proceeded to crush her confidence with his statement.
Her head hung low as she thought over it once again. She mumbled, "I don't know how but I'll go through it together with my child. Please don't try to persuade me otherwise."
Her eyes were fiery with devotion but she did not dare to lift her head to glare at him. Nope. She was not seeking death. Not anymore since she is the last Bloodsworth standing.
This time, when she's no longer a prisoner, she would want to live a normal life.
'If only he would release me...'