The Devil's House

Chapter 15

Ryder

   

    Ryder twisted and turned on the couch. His ribs ached. He was only able to sleep for what seemed like a few minutes.

    He sat up and groaned at the pain shooting throughout his torso.

    Ryder looked at the bookshelves full of books. Saanvi would love this place. She always reads in her free time.

    Ryder sighed and put his head in his hands. She should be here. With me. Safe. Not scared like she probably is right now…

     If she’s still alive, one part of him thought.

    Saanvi is alive! Don’t think like that! She’s probably just scared.

    Or dead. She could be dead.

    No! I won’t accept that! She’s alive!

    How would you know?

    Ryder paused. He tried to find an answer. He tried to find a reason she could be alive.

    She’s strong. She wouldn’t give up easily, Ryder concluded.

    He didn’t want to continue the battle in his head. He didn’t want to think that she could be dead.

    She could’ve died a while ago.

    No!

    She could’ve died right when you passed out. The Devil could’ve killed her.

    No!

    You wouldn't have known.

    Stop it!

    You were passed out at and the Devil killed her. You didn’t save her.

    She’s not dead!

    She’s dead because of you!

    No she isn’t!

    It’s your fault she’s dead! The voice in his head yelled louder.

    No! Stop it!

    You didn’t save her! It’s your fault!

    No it isn’t!

    IT’S YOUR FAULT!

    “NO!” Ryder yelled out loud. He clutched his hair and yelled out in anger.

    Ryder took deep breaths. He had sweat on his face and his shirt had darkened patches where the sweat seeped through.

    He rubbed his hands on his face and sighed. He needed to stop thinking about her. It was killing him just thinking about her dying.

    Ryder got up and limped over to a bookshelf. He picked out a random book. He thought reading something might get his mind off of her.

    He picked up a book at random and brought it with him to the couch. He sat down and opened a random page and started reading.

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    CREAK!

    Ryder lifted his head slowly and looked around. He was lying on the couch. He saw the book in his hand and he assumed he fell asleep while reading.

    CREAK!

    Ryder turned his head to the sounds. He looked at the door and froze. It was opened a little bit.

    The demons, Ryder thought. They're here for me and Luci. Wait... Where's Luci?

    Ryder looked around, only moving his head so he didn't make a sound to alert the demons. He couldn't see Luci anywhere.

    They already took him!

    Ryder felt the daggers on his waist and legs. He heard the demon's pattering feet coming closer. Ryder took short breaths through his nose. The pattering feet came closer to the open door.

    Ryder placed a hand on the dagger on his waist, ready to pull it out and fight.

    The feet came closer.

    And closer.

    And closer.

    Soon they reached the door. Ryder closed his eyes for a moment, ready for the demons to barge through the door and take him.

    But they didn't come. They stopped at the door. Ryder held his breath. Then they started taking. It wasn't in a language he understood. He listened closely and realized he heard it before. But he couldn't pin point where he heard it.

    There was one voice taking in a low and quiet whisper. Then the other demons spoke. It was a deep voice. Ryder held his breath and focused all his attention to the familiar voice.

    After a moment of silence, Ryder heard a sigh and the familiar voice said, "Just leave the girl. Make sure no one kills her until it is time."

    The other voice spoke until the familiar voice interrupted it. "No! Do not do that! Just leave her. That is all I am asking. I will take care of the guy. Now go."

    The familiar voice pushed the door open as the other one walked away. Ryder closed his eyes a bit to make it look like he was asleep, but he had enough room between his eyelids to see.

    The familiar voice stepped inside and shut the door quietly behind him. "My demons are so useless. I have to do everything myself," the voice said angrily.

    Ryder thought, I've heard that voice before. I know who that is...

    Just as the voice stepped into light, Ryder thought, Luci.

    Luci paused in the light and looked down at Ryder. He smiled and said, "I love it when you sleep. You do not worry about Saanvi and ask to look for her. You are not annoying in your sleep."

    Luci walked over to the coffee and grabbed a cloth. As he reached for it, Ryder saw blood on his hands.

    Luci picked up the cloth and walked closer to Ryder until he towered over him.

    He felt Luci lift up his shirt. Luci ran his cold hand along his bruise.

    Ryder managed not to flinch at the cold touch.

    Luci sighed and said, "I can not believe he threw you into a wall. He knows that we need to make you guys last six days. You are bleeding internally and will not last for long. It is fine... Just four more days and my plan will be set."

    Luci walked away and sat down on the couch across from Ryder and sat down. Ryder could see the ghost of a smile on Luci's face. "Four more days, Ryder. Four more days until I put you out of your misery."