Seraph

I jolted when the door was hit with a loud thud, followed by a man's groan.

"Wai-wait, I know the one you work for! I- we worship it-!" It was Father's voice, quickly cut off and replaced with broken gurgling as though he was choking. I tucked myself as far behind a desk as I possibly could, terrified I'd be found. The door was slammed open, the room barely lit up as a shadow towered in the midst of it. I cringed as a squeak left my throat and I shut my eyes tight.

"Come out and I - promise not to hurt you." The voice that came was forced? Almost as though he was holding a cough or stutter back. I did not listen to his demand. His steps were quick as he began searching the room - my breath catching in my throat as he got closer to my hiding spot. My skin felt as though it was being shocked with every sound of furniture moving - and just as it had begun, it stopped. I could hear his breathing - muffled and too close. "Found you."

A handful of my hair was roughly grabbed and used to pull me from behind the desk - I screamed as the pain itched at my scalp. I reached both of my hands up to grab at my attacker's wrist, pathetically scratching with my bit-down nails. He did not care for my attempts and easily dragged me out of the room into the halls. The screams had well died down, the only thing to be heard were some cries and sniffling. My screaming was quickly shut up when I saw red at my feet and the grip on my head tightened painfully. Father's lifeless eyes stared back into mine, and while I was quickly dragged away, I still caught the disgusting glimpse of a large gash on the side of his throat. The fresh sight of torn skin and puddling blood would not be leaving my mind any time soon.

His grip loosened lightly, only to be readjusted to the back of my neck, hair still tangled in his fingers tightly. My focus was forced ahead of me instead of the blood soaked floor, and I was met with the faces of two girls, restrained the same as me by two men. A whine left my lips at the sight of these people, fearful. One had a creepy mask on - I think a ski mask - it had a red frowny face on it. The other wore an equally creepy mask, though this one was held on with straps and the lips and eyes were black. The girl's they held were two I knew- they grew up here with me. Lilith and Mary.

"Ha, I honestly expected more of a fight. These girls are nothin." The painted mask one was harsh with Mary, pulling her this and that way as he spoke. She cried, but tried to follow him. Probably to avoid making him angry.

"... Let's get going." A shiver ran over my body at the voice that came from the ski mask - it came out like static. It sounded slightly distorted and both feminine and masculine - it only added to the terrifying presence.

"Gladly. This place gives me- gives me the creeps." I had yet to see the features of the person holding onto me, but by now it was clear they did not speak normally - likely a stutter.

The painted mask scoffed. "How do you get creeped in our line of work?" He was given no response as the ski mask began walking away, dragging Lilith with him - painted mask followed, more aggressively tugging Mary with - and I was eventually being walked along as well.

They led us through the halls ridden with blood and bodies, some still breathing - barely. We were brought outside, hands and ankles tied tightly and shoved into the back of a white van. Ski mask sat with us.

We were silent, avoiding the assumed eye contact with the tall man in front of the back doors, clearly telling us we had no chance of escape. Not like I would try - while I could fear what these men have planned, I feared the open world even more. Father told us many stories of a broken and dangerous world that we could never go into. On top of that, where would I even go? My home was just destroyed and left with death.

Mary began crying as the van started to move, incredibly bumpy on the forest path. Painted mask was the one sat driving, and I finally got a glimpse of the other one. From my position, I could tell he had a mask on, and I think goggles. Painted mask, Ski mask, and Goggles - what a lovely trio.

-

We've been driving for what felt like a long time. Mary had long fallen asleep, exhausted from her constant crying. She had been threatened a few times by an incredibly annoyed Painted mask, but that only made her cry louder so he seemed to give up. As sad as it was, it got my hopes up - if these men hadn't killed us yet, we had a chance - if we're good, maybe we'll get to live. 

Lilith kept shifting around, digging her elbow into my sides on multiple accounts. I tried not to make any noise, but winced a lot. She moved yet again, her elbow somehow meeting my ribs and I hissed. Annoyed with the repeated pain, I did my best to scoot forward and lean against the interior away from Lilith. She whispered sorry, doing her best to not shove into me again and instead chose to lean into Mary. Hopefully she'll fall asleep soon.

The two of them were covered in blood, mainly at their legs. Per Father's rules, we were only wearing thin shorts and t-shirts. Mary was in all white, well not-so-white anymore. Her shorts were soaked with blood, along with the bottom of her shirt. Lilith's shorts were black, her shirt white with blood all along her back. I looked over myself, as much as I could cramped up. There was only blood at my feet, and I could feel it dried on my neck from when Goggles grabbed me.

I immediately snapped my eyes up to the face of Ski mask when I noticed he shifted. He hadn't really moved an inch since we had gotten in here, but he finally did - settling to sit less intimidating and more comfortably. The frowny face was turned in my direction, so I could only assume he was looking back at me. I held my stare, slightly tilting my head at him - my hair fell into my eyes, but I looked on through the strands. Only when he also tilted his head did I shiver and look down to my bound hands.

I tucked my legs against my chest, hands having to sit uncomfortably while bound, but it was tolerable. Seeing as Ski mask got comfy, we'd probably be in here for much longer. From my few glances out the windows, it was likely sunset and would be getting dark quickly. As much as I didn't want to sleep in front of these creeps who literally just kidnapped me, I couldn't stand to keep my eyes open much longer.

Sleep eventually took over.

-

My eyes felt heavy, I didn't want to open them. I was awake, but remained still. The van was no longer moving, the two up front must have gotten out - both doors had opened and shut. I couldn't hear Ski Mask, so he must still be exactly where he was before. I could hear breathing next to me, Lilith and Mary. 

There was a single knock to the doors that Ski Mask was against, and finally - movement.

I opened my eyes and shifted a bit - my limbs hurt, and the ropes around my wrist were digging. It wasn't pleasant, but I've dealt with worse. I could see the back of Ski Mask, kind of. It was dark, too dark to make out many details. 

"Only three?" A new voice, muffled behind a mask, of course. Ski Mask had nothing to say, just moved to get out of the van. I looked at Mary and Lilith - Mary was awake. She seemed to be much more calm now, watching just as I was. Lilith remained asleep. 

"Wake her up." Ski Mask demanded plainly, and when I looked up he was facing us again.

note : and that's where it ends off ! can't remember for the life of me where i was headed with this, but who knows, maybe it can be good...