Diary, we all stiffened as the footsteps got closer and the doors eventually slid open. Dany walked in, escorted by a guard as I prepared for the worst.
"Hello, friend" She said, a twisted smile on her face as she approached me. The way she pronounced the word, 'friend' made a chill run down my spine.
"What do you want with us?" Tony asked, his voice dangerously low. Dany shot him a glare and looked back at me.
"Let's have a chat. Shall we?" She asked, then turned to walk away without even waiting for my reply. I was about to ask her how I'd get up when the guard quickly ran to my chair and unlocked the braces ok my wrists and ankles.
"Cedric! "Dany called as the guard ran quickly to meet her in the hallway, dropping the key in the process.
"Sandy quick!" Anaia urged as I unlocked one of her braces and ran out to meet them. I knew the plan. Anaia would unlock the rest of her braces and help the others get free too.
"Where are we going? "I asked as she suddenly stopped and turned to face me.
"Don't pester me or I'll have the guard gag you up!" She seemed so picky and angry. She had a deep scowl on her face till we entered a room. It looked like a lounge of some sort.
It had a warm, inviting atmosphere, in sharp contrast to the cold, depressed atmosphere where we were kept; Plush sofas and armchairs were arranged around coffee tables, with floor lamps casting a soft glow. The walls were adorned with abstract artworks, and a large flat-screen TV hung above a minimalist fireplace. The air was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee.
Dany's mood changed when we entered the lounge.
"Oh look at this masterpiece! What'd you think? I designed it myself." Dany said, looking very proud. She had always had a penchant for luxury. I simply nodded as we took seats, opposite each other on a table.
Then I saw her whispering something to a guard I had come to know as Cedric. Something felt off.
Did he drop the key intentionally?
I just hoped this wasn't a trap.
"Espresso?" She asked as two cups of steaming hot espresso were placed before us. But I kept a straight face.
"No, I'm good." I said.
"C'mon I know you haven't had any real meal in days! Drink up." She said, sipping hers.
"You wanted to chat?" I asked as she rolled her eyes.
"San-"
"It's Sandra to you."
"We've been friends since like, forever! Yes there's been little changes here and there but you can have this cup. It's clean-"
"Little changes you say? Danielle you betrayed me!"
"Well you betrayed me first!" Dany screamed, sending everything on the table to the floor with a loud clatter with just one swipe of her hand. Her anger was terrible! I just sat there, quietly as she breathed heavily.
"What are you looking for? Huh? Why'd you come here?" She asked as I remained quiet.
"Answer me! No one dares to ignore me!" She screamed. I was beyond stunned. I had never seen this side of her before.
"Danielle, you can't keep doing this." I said, leaning in closer.
"You're not supposed to be with him! It's too dangerous. You're getting yourself into a deeper mess!" I said as her face twisted into a smirk.
"So you came to save me?" She asked, scoffing as I shrugged.
"There's hope for you."
"Well, keep it to yourself! Kyros is the love of my life! He's given me what no one else can; power, authority, wealth- everything I ever desired. So you and your little friends just watch me rise to the top!" She said, laughing maniacally.
"What's this place? " I asked her. Pride and bitterness oozed strongly off her. She was power drunk.
"Oh I forgot to give you and your friends a grand welcome when y'all finally became conscious. After all, we were once friends."
"How long were we out for?" I asked, ignoring her last statement.
"Long." She said simply. By this time, I had no idea what date today was. I'm guessing it was the early hours of the next day, June 13th because we were kidnapped during the late hours of the previous night. My wristwatch had stopped working so I had no idea of the accurate date. That's because, I also didn't know if we were unconscious for one whole day because of what Dany said.
I stared at the tatoo on her exposed arm and she caught me looking at it.
"Sick huh?"
"What's it?"
"An ouroboros. I belong to OET forever and my place is permanent." She said proudly as an image flashed in my head. I suddenly remembered the dream I had where I saw the emblem of an ouroboros.
"OET?" I asked.
"Order of the eternal throne. That's the cult Kyros owns and I'm second in command to." She said, smiling like she had achieved the whole world.
"Woaw" that was all I could say.
"Yeah." She replied.
I beginning to see how all these were connected.
"So, what do you want to do with us?" I asked as the smile disappeared off her face and was replaced by a devilish grin.
"End you." She said. I saw a pale white face, with black orb-like eyes and fangs. I blinked hard. It was like a quick vision, a flash.
I rebuke you in the name of Jesus!
She screamed and squirmed.
"Get out! Leave!" She ordered, holding her head.
I quickly got off my seat as I wondered what had just happened. My mouth felt heavy at the time but I remember rebuking what I saw. I just don't remember hearing myself say it. It was like I saw another entity dwelling in her. It had taken contrl of her being.
Lord have mercy....
I prayed quietly as I ran across the hall, down to the room where we were kept. I fell hard on my knees as I entered and suddenly, I blacked out.
"Sandy! Sandra!" I heard my name being called frantically as I slipped into unconsciousness.