Chapter 28: Chapter 28

CARL'S POV 

We traverse the path back to the inn, the magnitude of the events that had transpired earlier this day seemed to bear down upon us with immense force. The palpable sense of disappointment and frustration that we are experiencing is clearly visible on our visages, as if etched into our very being. Despite our efforts to rid ourselves of this negative sentiment, it seems to have taken a hold of us, refusing to be shaken off. It is as if a cloud of gloom has descended upon us, casting a shadow over our thoughts and actions. 

As we step through the threshold of the inn, we are met with a familiar sense of anxiousness. We try to push these emotions down, attempting to remain composed as we scan the room for the faces of our loved ones. It does not take long for us to locate them, but something about the situation seems off. Perhaps it is simply my perception from my somewhat remote position, but I can't shake the feeling that something is awry. Despite our efforts to rid ourselves of any negative sentiments, it seems that an undercurrent of unease lingers within us.

As we drew closer to the group, it became increasingly clear that something was amiss. Luna's face was etched with concern, and she was visibly agitated, pacing back and forth and wringing her hands nervously. Samantha, meanwhile, sat at a nearby table, her brow furrowed with worry. My wife stood off to the side, seeming to not paying attention to the conversation that was taking place. It was clear that something was troubling the group, and we couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as we joined them, wondering what could be causing such distress.

I approach the treo, my worry and concern evident in my tone as I ask them, "What's wrong?" My heart races as I anticipate their response, knowing that whatever they are about to tell me will not be good. I can feel the tension in the air and I can sense that something serious must have happened. I stand there, waiting for them to speak, hoping that whatever it is can be resolved quickly and easily. My mind races with possible scenarios and I try to prepare myself for the worst.

Samantha is the first to take action, Sprinting towards Gray with reckless abandon. She collides into him with such force that it seems as though she might knock him down, tears streaming down her face as she begs for his help. "Gray, please! Please, you have to do something! Ash and Sack have both gone missing!" she cries out, her voice shaking and her entire body trembling with fear and desperation. She stood before him, pleading with her eyes and imploring him to take action, her appearance suggesting that she is on the verge of collapsing from the overwhelming weight of her emotions.

As she had spoken, my entire being was consumed with a single thought: how could I possibly feel such a powerful and all-consuming sense of anger and disbelief at the words coming out of her mouth? It was as if everything else had been pushed to the back of my mind, and all that mattered in that moment was the intense emotion coursing through my veins. 

Despite my concern that she might collapse at any moment, I found it impossible to focus on anything other than the storm of feelings that had been unleashed within me. The emotions that I had worked so hard to suppress and keep at bay now seemed to have vanished into thin air, replaced by a sense of confusion and rage that threatened to consume me entirely.

As she crumpled to the ground with Gray embracing her tightly, she continued to speak with a sense of urgency and concern in her voice. "We had thought they were in their rooms, but when we went to check on them, we discovered that they had both vanished without a trace. Gray, please, I beg of you, go and find Ash," she implored.

Her words sent my mind into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and thoughts. I felt a sense of panic and confusion wash over me as I tried to make sense of the situation. I couldn't believe that Ash and Sack were missing, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled in the pit of my stomach. My thoughts were jumbled and chaotic, and I felt as though I was completely and utterly lost. I struggled to think clearly.

As Gray tightly held her, She continued, with her voice shaking, "We had searched every nook and cranny of the inn, but it was like they had vanished into thin air. Gray, you have to find them, you have to find Ash, I beg of you!" Her plea was genuine and filled with worry, it jolted me out of my stunned stupor.

The idea of taking action began to form in my mind, noticing a sense of serenity and purpose washing over me. My eyes naturally gravitated towards Claire, who was sitting just a few feet away from me, and upon closer inspection, I was struck by the realization that she seemed to be just as distressed, if not more so, than Samantha. Her gaze was fixated on something far off in the distance, and it was clear that she was completely absorbed in her own thoughts, completely unaware of her surroundings. This realization brought about a sense of disappointment and concern for her well-being.

Gray carefully picked up the limp body of Samantha in his arms, her head resting against his chest as he cradled her. He didn't say anything at first, but as he walked towards the side of the room where Luna was, he muttered under his breath, "Please take care of her." He walked with purpose, making sure to avoid any obstacles in his path. 

Once he reached the designated spot, he gently laid Samantha down on the sofa. He made sure to adjust her body so she was lying comfortably and in a stable position. Claire was sitting nearby, tears streaming down her face as she looked on in distress. Gray stood by her side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as he spoke in a soothing tone. "Everything is going to be okay. We'll find Sack and Ash, and they will be safe. I promise you." He looked into her eyes, trying to convey the reassurance he felt through his gaze.

As he spoke with conviction and determination, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret and anger. My inability to be there when Sack had been kidnapped was a source of constant turmoil for me, and the fact that he had been taken in the first place only amplified my feelings of anger. Despite my internal struggles, I remained silent, merely nodding in response to his words. The intense emotions I was experiencing were preventing me from being able to approach my wife, as I was consumed by my regrets and rage. I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt for not being there to protect Sack, and the thought of him being taken filled me with a burning anger that was difficult to contain.

"Lets go" I exclaim towards my companion, Gray, who had just begun to stand up from his kneeling position. I quickly turned around, not wanting to waste any time, and briskly made my way towards the exit of the inn. My pace was so quick and determined that the double doors seemed to quiver under the force of my movements, as if they were in danger of collapsing. My mind was set on one thing and one thing only: retrieving our kidnapped boys. And whoever had dared to commit such a heinous act would pay dearly. I was determined to make sure of it. With each step I took, my resolve only grew stronger, fueled by my unyielding determination to see this through to the end.

ASH'S POV 

Upon waking from what I can only describe as the most restful and rejuvenating nap of my entire existence, I slowly opened my eyes, fully expecting to be met with the familiar surroundings of my own room. Instead, my gaze was met with the unmistakable sight of iron bars that seemed to be blocking the room I now found myself residing in.

The reality of my situation quickly set in, feeling a sense of confinement and imprisonment. I was trapped, there was no denying that. As I took in my surroundings, I couldn't help but notice that I was not alone. Lying on the floor beside me, was my dear friend Sack, and scattered around the room were seven other children, all of whom were currently sound asleep. The room was small and cramped, with barely enough space for all of us to lay down comfortably.

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I lay there in silence, wondering how we had ended up in this situation. How had we ended up trapped in this small, dark room with iron bars blocking our way to freedom? Had we been kidnapped? Were we being held for ransom? Or was there a more sinister reason behind our captivity? These thoughts and questions raced through my mind as I tried to make sense of the situation.

I found myself embroiled in a tricky predicament, the old adage 'where there's a will, there's a way' echoed in my mind. I knew that if I was going to make a successful escape, I needed to bring my A-game and devise a plan that was nothing short of brilliance. And so, I began to scrutinize my surroundings like a detective on the hunt for clues. I examined every nook and cranny, looking for weaknesses to exploit and opportunities to seize. It was like a real-life game of Clue, determined to be the master detective who cracked the case.

I took note of the window and its thick, heavy bars that seemed to be an impenetrable barrier. However, I also observed a small ventilation shaft in the ceiling, which I realized could be a potential escape route, despite the fact that it was too small for any of us to fit through. As I continued to scour the room for any useful information, I eventually turned my attention to the door. To my surprise, I noticed that the door was not as secure as I initially thought. The metal appeared to be thinner and there was a noticeable gap between the door and the frame. They were old and rusted in some places and I wondered if there was a way I could use that to my advantage. But it was going to be hard work alone. I needed help.

I cast my gaze towards the figure of Sack than I begin to gently rock him back and forth in an effort to rouse him from his slumber. Despite my initial efforts, it takes a bit of time and persistence on my part before he finally begins to stir. As he slowly opens his eyes and comes to, he too seems to be disoriented and confused by the unfamiliar surroundings that he finds himself in. He gazes intently at the metal bars enclosing us, his expression one of befuddlement and uncertainty as he struggles to make sense of our current predicament.

The young boy looked around him until his eyes fell upon the sight of several unconscious children lying on the ground beside him. Not comprehending what was happening and why they were there. The confusion that he was already feeling only intensified as he took in this bizarre display. As he turned his gaze behind him, he saw me standing there, with a reassuring smile on my face. I could tell that he was in a state of shock and fear, and I wanted to do what I could to help him. My goal was to try and calm him down, even though I too was in a difficult and uncertain situation.

I carefully reach out and extend my hands towards both of his shoulders, making sure to do so softly, not wanting to worsen his already terrible mood any further. I look into his eyes and speak with a gentle but firm voice, "Sack, please listen to me. I understand that you are feeling confused and afraid right now, but we will not be able to make any progress if our minds are clouded by such emotions. The best course of action in this scenario is to try to calm down, so that we can think more clearly and come up with a solution. Do you understand what I am saying to you?"

After a moment of consideration, he slowly nods his head, the movement almost unnoticeable. He takes a deep breath in and then exhales, slowly relaxing his tense body. I give him a small smile of encouragement and say, "Good. Now that we are both calm, let's work together to find a solution to this problem."

As I stood up from my seated position, I made my way over to the nearest unconscious child, who happened to be a young boy. I then gestured towards another child who was also unconscious and spoke to the person next to me, "Sack, please wake up that one while I attend to this one." My companion, Sack, acknowledged my request and made his way towards a young girl. 

Together, we each attempted to rouse the unconscious children. Much like what had occurred with Sack when he had awakened, these children also displayed the same blank expressions on their faces upon regaining consciousness.

The young boy before me, a commoner I presume, stands up with a timid posture, his eyes wide with an apparent fear. His midnight hair, dark as the starless sky, flow in graceful waves, cascading down his shoulders like a waterfall of obsidian. Each strand, as resilient as a young bamboo shoot, stands tall and strong, glistening in the light with a shine that rivals that of polished onyx. 

His hair, a crown of raven silk, forms a regal mane fit for a miniature monarch. The child, no more than a mere sapling in age, stands before me with his head held high, his locks a testament to his strength and vitality, a true representation of the youth and potential that lies within him. 

The young girl, with a delicate and innocent appearance, sat next to Sack, frantically scanning her surroundings. In her arms, she tightly clutched a teddy bear, the origin of which was unknown. Her hair, a vibrant shade of pink, cascaded down her shoulders in a wild and unkempt manner, contrasting sharply with the fear and vulnerability written plainly on her face.

Her eyes, large and resembling those of a timid doe, brimmed with tears as her petite body was wracked with sobs. The teddy bear, with its familiar and comforting embrace, seemed to be the only source of solace for her in this uncertain and frightening situation. She clung to it desperately, as if it were a lifeline in a tumultuous sea.

I stood up tall and showed my hands to them, making sure they could see that I was not holding anything that could hurt them. "Don't be scared, I promise that you will see your mommies and daddies again soon. Let's take big deep breaths and calm down."

As I was trying to soothe the two young children in my care, an unfamiliar voice suddenly entered my ears like a harsh intrusion. The source of the voice seemed to be coming from beyond the iron bars that held us, me and seven other kids, captive in this tiny, cramped jail cell. The person responsible for snatching us and keeping us against our will, was now addressing us with a sense of self-assurance, saying "Oh yes, mommy and daddy, I am sure you will meet them one day."

A figure emerged from the shadows, shrouded in a voluminous cloak of midnight black. The hood obscured their face, leaving only a hint of piercing eyes visible from beneath. The fabric of the robes flowed like a river of ink, rippling with each step as they glided towards their destination. The person was like a mysterious specter, a dark enigma wrapped in the cloak of secrecy. Their very presence commanded attention, inspiring feelings of unease and uneasiness in those who laid eyes upon them.

But despite this vague promise, their tone made it clear that there was no guarantee that we would ever be reunited with our loved ones. In fact, the implication was that it was highly unlikely that we would be freed any time soon. The crushing feeling of uncertainty and despair that now enveloped me, was made all the worse by the knowledge that we were entirely at the mercy of our captor, with little chance of escape.

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