Matthew Wild
I awoke suddenly in the dead of night, my heart pounding in my chest. The room was bathed in darkness, only the faint glow of moonlight seeping through the cracks in the shutters. For a moment, I lay still, trying to steady my breathing, but a noise from outside the room sent a shiver down my spine. It was faint, like the soft creak of a floorboard underfoot, yet in the stillness of the inn, it felt ominous.
I slowly sat up, careful not to disturb Marcus, who was sleeping soundly beside me. Alice and Elizabeth were curled up in the bed across the room, their breathing deep and steady. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by that subtle, irregular creak coming from somewhere in the inn.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my bare feet meeting the cold wooden floor. My arm, still bandaged, throbbed with a dull ache, but I ignored it as I crept toward the door. My heart raced with each step, the silence around me amplifying every slight sound I made.
As I reached the door, I hesitated, my hand hovering over the handle. The inn was eerily quiet, too quiet, as if the building itself was holding its breath. The creaking sound came again, closer this time, and my pulse quickened. I gripped the handle, slowly turning it so as not to make a noise, and pulled the door open just a crack.
The hallway beyond was shrouded in shadows, the faintest hint of moonlight spilling in from the small window at the far end. The floorboards creaked beneath me as I stepped into the corridor, the sound seeming impossibly loud in the silence. I paused, straining to hear anything that might indicate where the noise was coming from, but the inn remained unnervingly still.
As I moved further down the hall, the shadows seemed to shift and twist, playing tricks on my eyes. The air felt thick, heavy with a sense of foreboding. I reached the top of the staircase and peered down into the darkness below. The noise had stopped, but an unsettling feeling of being watched crawled over my skin.
A sudden chill swept through the hallway, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. I glanced back toward the room where Marcus, Alice, and Elizabeth were still sleeping, a growing sense of dread gnawing at me. Something was wrong. The silence was no longer just eerie; it felt unnatural, as if the inn itself had fallen under some malevolent spell.
I took a step back, intending to return to the safety of the room, when a faint whisper echoed through the hall. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. The voice was barely audible, more like a breath than actual words, but it sent a jolt of fear through me. I couldn't make out what it was saying, but the tone was unmistakably cold, as if it carried a warningâor a threat.
Every instinct screamed at me to retreat, to wake the others, but I found myself rooted to the spot, unable to move. The whisper came again, closer this time, and the shadows around me seemed to deepen, pressing in on all sides.
With a surge of adrenaline, I turned and bolted back to the room, slamming the door behind me. The noise echoed in the small space, rousing Marcus with a start. He sat up, eyes bleary with sleep. "Matthew? What's going on?"
"I don't know," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Something's not right. We need to get out of here."
...
Marcus, Alice, and Elizabeth were already on their feet, grabbing their things and preparing to leave as quickly as possible. The sense of urgency was palpable, the fear that had gripped me now spreading to them. We moved swiftly, making our way to the door and out into the darkened hallway.
As we descended the creaky stairs, the air was thick with tension, each of us hyper-aware of the ominous quiet that surrounded us. The only sounds were the soft thuds of our footsteps and the faint creak of wood under our weight. My heart raced, pounding in my ears, as we moved closer to the inn's main floor, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
Alice, her voice barely above a whisper, glanced back at me. "Matthew, do you feel that too? It's like the air itself is warning us."
I nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah... something's not right. We need to get out of here, fast."
Elizabeth tightened her grip on her dagger, her eyes darting around the dimly lit stairwell. "Stay close," she urged, her voice steely with determination. "If anything happens, we fight our way out. We don't leave anyone behind."
Marcus, leading the way, paused at the bottom of the stairs, peering into the shadowy inn. "I don't like this," he muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "It's too quiet."
Just as we reached the bottom of the stairs, I felt a sudden, strong grip on my arm, yanking me backward with such force that I was nearly thrown off my feet. Panic surged through me as I tried to twist free, but the hold tightened, and I realized with horror that someone was trying to drag me away.
"Matthew!" Alice screamed, her voice filled with panic as she spun around, her eyes wide with terror.
I struggled against the grip, but the attacker was relentless, dragging me further into the darkness. My heart pounded wildly as I fought to free myself, but a sharp pain shot through my side as a blade grazed my ribs. I gasped, the shock momentarily paralyzing me.
Marcus and Elizabeth reacted instantly, their weapons flashing as they lunged at my assailant. The inn exploded into chaos, the shadows coming to life as more figures emerged from the darkened corners, surrounding us. The clanging of steel and the grunts of effort filled the air as we were plunged into a full-out battle.
"Don't let them take him!" Marcus shouted, his sword slicing through the air as he fought off two attackers at once.
Elizabeth moved with deadly precision, her dagger a blur as she fended off the bandits, but there were too many. "They've been waiting for us!" she hissed, slashing at a figure that got too close.
Alice fought fiercely beside them, her face a mask of determination, but I could see the fear in her eyes. "We can't lose him!" she cried out, desperately trying to reach me.
But there were too many of them. More figures poured into the inn, overwhelming us with their sheer numbers. The fight spilled into the main room of the inn, tables and chairs toppling over as the battle raged. The sounds of clashing metal, grunts of pain, and shouts filled the air, creating a chaotic, nightmarish scene.
Just when it seemed we were about to be overwhelmed, the door to the inn burst open, and Clive and his crew charged in, weapons drawn. The tide of the battle shifted as Clive's men threw themselves into the fray, their arrival catching the attackers off guard. It was an all-out war, with no quarter given on either side.
"Get them out of here!" Clive bellowed, his massive frame cutting through the attackers like a force of nature.
The fighting spilled out into the street, the night air thick with the sounds of battle. The inn's windows shattered, and the once quiet street became a battlefield. I fought as best I could, dodging blows and trying to stay on my feet, but the chaos was disorienting, and my injured arm made it difficult to defend myself.
Then, through the madness, I saw himâPrince Sebastian, charging through the melee on his horse, his eyes scanning the battlefield with a mixture of fury and desperation. For a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. The sight of him, alive and here, filled me with a hope I hadn't felt in years.
"Sebastian?" I breathed, my voice barely audible over the din of battle. Time seemed to slow as our eyes met, the shock and fear in his gaze mirroring my own.
But the moment of distraction cost me. Before I could react, I felt a sharp, searing pain in my stomach. I looked down to see the hilt of a sword protruding from my abdomen, blood already soaking my clothes. The pain was blinding, and I doubled over, gasping for breath, my vision swimming.
The world around me blurred, the sounds of the battle fading into a dull roar. I thought I heard Sebastian scream my name, his voice full of anguish, but I couldn't be sure. Everything was becoming distant, like I was slipping away from reality.
Strong arms lifted me, the movement sending fresh waves of agony through my body. I tried to struggle, but my strength was draining away with every heartbeat. I was hoisted onto a horse, my head lolling as I tried to focus, but the pain and blood loss were too much. The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Sebastian, his face twisted in horror, as I was carried away into the night.
...
Cold water splashed across my face, shocking me awake with a jolt. I gasped, sputtering as I blinked against the sudden, harsh light. Pain radiated through my body, a dull throb in my stomach where the sword had pierced me. My arm felt like it was on fire, the cut from earlier now a raw, searing agony. I tried to move, but my arms were bound, heavy chains clanking as I struggled against them.
I was in a dimly lit cell, the walls damp and close, the air thick with the smell of mold and rot. My hands were shackled above my head, the metal biting into my wrists. The floor beneath me was cold stone, rough and unforgiving against my skin. I was soaked, my clothes clinging to me as I shivered uncontrollably.
The door to the cell creaked open, and two figures stepped inside. The first was a tall man, dressed in the fine, dark robes of a ruler. His presence was commanding, his expression one of cold detachment. The crown on his head, gleaming even in the dim light, left no doubtâthis was the King of Valoria. Beside him stood another man, one I recognized immediately despite the years that had passed. Lord Gregory, the traitor, his thin lips curled into a sneer as he took in my pitiful state.
"Well, well," the king said, his voice smooth and cruel, "look what we have here. The infamous Matthew, or is it Winston, finally at our mercy."
I glared up at them, defiance flaring in my chest despite the pain. "If you're expecting me to beg, you'll be disappointed," I spat, though the effort made me wince as pain shot through my abdomen.
Lord Gregory laughed, a sharp, unpleasant sound. "Who knew the son of Lord Canterbury could be this stubborn."
The king moved closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied me with a cold, calculating gaze. "Your prince caused quite a bit of trouble for us," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Sebastian's rebellion... it's been a thorn in my side. But now... he's led us right to you. A fitting end for his misguided efforts, wouldn't you say?"
My heart pounded in my chest as his words sank in. They knew about Sebastian, about our relationship. They had used his search for me to tighten the noose around us both.
"Did you really think you could escape the consequences of your actions?" the king continued, his voice dripping with condescension. "You played a dangerous game, Matthew. And now, everyone who stands with you will pay the price."
"You won't get away with this," I hissed, struggling against the chains that held me. "Sebastian won't stop until you're finished."
The king's cold eyes narrowed, a twisted smile playing on his lips as he continued, "You see, Matthew, King Alden is easily persuaded. A few threats here, a bit of pressure there, and he bends to my will without questionâanything to keep his precious capital safe. He's weak, a coward who hides behind his throne, doing whatever it takes to maintain his fragile grip on power. Quite an inadequate ruler, wouldn't you say?"
I clenched my jaw, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response, but the king's words cut deep. King Alden was no saint, but to see him manipulated like this, to be used as a puppet in Valoria's schemes, only made the situation more dire.
"But your prince..." the king continued, his tone darkening. "He's the real problem. Sebastian is stubborn, defiant, and far too noble for his own good. He doesn't know when to quit, when to bow down. But with you in our hands, we have the leverage we need to force him to his knees. He'll do whatever we say now."
A cold chill ran through me. They were going to use me as bait, to bend Sebastian to their will. The thought of him sacrificing everything for my sake made my stomach churn. I couldn't let that happen. But chained and bleeding, I was helpless to stop them.
"He'll come for you, you know," the king mused, his eyes gleaming with cruel delight. "And when he does, we'll be ready. We'll crush him and his rebellion once and for all. And you, Matthew, will have the privilege of watching it all unfoldâwatching him fall, because of you."
I clenched my fists, fury bubbling up inside me despite the pain coursing through my body. I fought the urge to shout back, to tell him he was wrong, that Sebastian would never fall for their trap. But deep down, I knew how much Sebastian cared for me, how far he would go to save me. And that terrified me more than anything.
"It's such a shame," the king sneered, his voice dripping with contempt, "that the prince fell in love with the likes of you. Quite disgusting, to be honest. The Prince of Kinsley is a fag."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, not just because of the hatred laced in them, but because of the way they reduced everything Sebastian and I shared to something vile in their eyes. I bit down on the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.
"You can say whatever you want," I hissed, meeting the king's gaze with as much defiance as I could muster. "But Sebastian will forever be the true ruler."
Lord Gregory snorted, stepping closer with a twisted grin. "Don't delude yourself, boy. This is about power. And right now, we have it. Good thing Queen Elenor read her son's letter. She came straight to King Alden about it. After all these years, he's still hung up on you. Well, I guess it's a good thing for us."
A chill ran through me at the mention of the queen. "What do you mean by that?" I demanded, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the turmoil inside me.
The king's smile widened, cruel and triumphant. "You see, with Alden's blessing and Elenor's influence, we can easily manipulate the situation to our advantage. If we can break you, we can break him. You are the key to bringing Kinsley to its knees."
I shook my head, struggling against the chains binding me. "You think you can just use me as a pawn? You're underestimating Sebastian. He won't be swayed by your threats. He's stronger than you think."
Lord Gregory stepped forward, leaning in so close that I could see the gleam in his eyes. "And yet, here you are, chained and helpless. The moment we reveal your capture, the prince will rush in like the lovesick fool he is. It'll be the end of him, and you'll watch it happen."
"No," I said firmly, though my heart raced with doubt. "He won't fall for your tricks. He knows me better than you ever will."
The king's laughter echoed through the cell, cold and mocking. "Ah, but we'll see about that. In the meantime, it's time to teach you the price of defiance. Deal with him," the king ordered to the guards standing in the room, his voice icy and indifferent. "Make sure he stays weak. We can't have him too energised to escape."
He turned on his heel and left the cell, his robes sweeping behind him, leaving me alone with the three men.
The door clanged shut, sealing me in with my tormentors. The guards, three of them, exchanged cold, knowing glances before advancing toward me. The leader, a burly man with a cruel smirk, cracked his knuckles as he approached, his eyes glinting with sadistic anticipation.
"You heard the king," he sneered, grabbing a rusted iron rod from a corner of the cell. "Time to show you what happens to traitors."
Without warning, he swung the rod down, and it connected with my side with a sickening thud. Pain exploded through my ribs, forcing the air from my lungs. I gasped, the sharp, searing agony consuming my senses, but I refused to cry out. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
Another guard, this one leaner but no less cruel, stepped forward. He pulled a small, sharp knife from his belt, twirling it in his fingers as he approached. "Let's see how much more you can take," he murmured, almost casually, before pressing the blade into my shoulder, slowly dragging it down. The pain was white-hot, blinding, and I felt the warm trickle of blood running down my chest.
I clenched my teeth, biting back a scream as the knife bit deeper into my flesh. The world narrowed to a haze of agony, each cut, each blow designed to break me down, to weaken me until I was nothing more than a broken shell.
The third guard, silent and expressionless, stepped in with a bucket of water. I barely had time to register the cold splash before he grabbed a fistful of my hair, forcing my head back. He poured the water over my face, drowning me in icy darkness. My body convulsed, instinctively fighting for air, but the chains held me firm.
Just as I thought I would suffocate, he pulled back, letting me gasp for breath. "We can keep this up all night," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion. "Or you can make it easier on yourself."
I spat out a mouthful of water, glaring up at him through blood and pain. "Go to hell."
The leader laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "We'll see who ends up in hell first," he growled, raising the iron rod again.
"He's a fag; he'll like this rod up his arse," one of the guards jeered, a cruel smirk stretching across his face.
My heart dropped, panic coursing through my veins like ice. My breath quickened as I tried to gather my thoughts, my body betraying me with its instinctive dread. I couldn't let them see my fear; I had to fight back, even if only with words.
"Do you think you can break me?" I spat, forcing defiance into my voice. "You're pathetic, hiding behind that rod and your cowardice."
The leader's smile faded, replaced by a scowl. "You talk a big game for someone in chains," he snarled, stepping closer. "Let's see how tough you are when we're done."
As he raised the iron rod again, I braced myself, my mind racing with thoughts of Sebastian and what he would do if he were here. I couldn't give in; I wouldn't allow them to have that victory over me.
But as the rod came down, there was no one to intervene. No prince charging in to save me, no friends or allies to fight for my freedom. Just me, alone in this darkness, with only my resolve to hold on to.
"Time to strip, I guess," the guard said, his laughter echoing in the cold cell.
I clenched my fists, my heart pounding as the reality of my situation sank in. They were going to break me, to take everything I had left. I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on the pain, the blood, and the fire of my anger.
"You think you can take away my dignity?" I hissed, trying to mask my fear with fury. "You'll never win. You'll regret this."
The leader stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. "We'll see about that," he sneered, and as he brought the rod down, darkness engulfed me, swallowing my defiance whole.
And so it continued, the guards taking turns inflicting their punishment. Every strike, every cut, was meant to break me, to ensure I was too weak, too battered to ever think of escape. The pain was relentless, a constant wave crashing over me, drowning out everything else.
But through it all, I held on. I had to. For Sebastian, for everyone who was counting on me. No matter how much they hurt me, I wouldn't let them win. Not like this.