Tearful rivers fell and soaked the cloths around the humans' mouths. The whites of their gazes were scarlet in distress, their pupils contracted in their light eyes from the horror that held them captive. Anguish and fear stretched their faces behind the wraps. And they trembled.
Too afraid to move.
Too afraid to attempt an escape.
Suffocation antagonized me—wrapped its firm hands around my throat and strangled me. My chest was tight with fear I tried to restrain. However, my body seemed keen on fleeing this potential tragedy.
My foot slid back, heel connecting with the bottom step of the stairs.
Merian pressed something firm against my back. Restraining a shiver, I looked over my shoulder at the sword presented to me. I swiped my gaze to my father, imploring with my eyes, with my soul, with everything in me that was against this.
