Beyond the Gate chapter 6

At least three days, possibly more, of lying in bed caused the young albino boy pain, agony, and boredom. There was absolutely nothing to do in Chase’s bed, besides staring at the ceiling. He stared at it for hours on end, but nothing changed. Not even a single bug scurried across. In his own lab, he would have something interesting to occupy him.

But what really puzzled Jack was that Chase hadn’t visited him in the last couple of days. All he received were visits from his jungle cats; which Jack didn’t completely feel comfortable with. He got daily pain-easing pills, new bandages around his head, and food. But nothing else. He supposed that the dragon lord was purposely trying to ignore him. Or maybe he was out taking shen-gong-wu from those goody-two-shoes monks. The albino gritted his teeth together, looking towards the large oakwood door.

He could just take a walk… The pain-killers were working, and he did feel the strength to walk again.

Yet again, he could get his head ripped off clear off his shoulders by the warlord, also…

But the castle was silent for the entire morning, and Jack decided Chase had probably left with his overgrown kittens somewhere else.

“Well, here goes nothing.” Spicer said, sliding the covers off of his body. A quick glance around the dark room and he slid his legs over the side of the king-sized bed, and slid off.

Jack watched as his body swayed for a few moments, a dizzy feeling swarming his head. He pressed a hand to his forehead and tried to catch his balance by leaning against the cold cobblestone walls; which felt very nice against his warm skin.

“Just a bit wobbly from not walking around very much lately.” The albino said naively. Once he felt like he had his ‘land legs’ back again, he began to lean away from the wall and give a few steps a try. It worked, and soon enough, walking was simple once again.

But thoughts haunted him that if he opened up that door, a possibility of the jungle cats would trample him down and tear him to shreds for disobeying orders, or worse… Chase Young could be there.

But Jack wouldn’t lie in bed doing nothing anymore. He had to do something.

Wait! He suddenly jerked around, his hand on his forehead as if something were missing. And it was! His signature yellow-tinted goggles were off of his head, which left Jack feeling naked. Searching desperately around the barely-lit room, he caught a small glimmer reflecting off of the torches. As quick as he could, he shuffled over to the bedside, grabbed them from where they dangling off of the bed post, and pulled them over his head, adjusting them till’ they felt right.

Glancing back at the large door, his eyes went slightly wider. What could be waiting for him on the other side?  But he gathered all the courage he could, took a deep breath and walked back over. The frail albino hand touched the knob, and turned…

So far, the door was halfway open and nothing had jump out at him, with claws or hands.

It was completely open, and he was completely unharmed. But his heart was pounding like a racehorse running by. The hall cascading before him had a touch-me-not appearance. It was dark, yes, but even darker than the room he had resided in. A chill slithered its way down the young albino’s spine, and his mouth felt as dry as sandpaper. One question blundered his thoughts.

Should I continue? Is it worth it?

A long sigh escaped the pale lips of Jack, and finally, he continued to walk. His naked footsteps echoed down the hall, leaving him at a sense of uneasiness. At every flicker of light, every sound, it rattled the albino to no extent. He jumped, twitched, or squeaked in fear of the cats, or possibly even the mysterious Chase.

“What is with that guy anyway?” Jack mumbled to himself, very quietly though. He had been pondering over that question a lot lately. Why had the warlord taken him in anyway? Why here? And why that kiss? Before he knew it, Jack had lost himself in thought.

Suddenly,

a growl.

The youth froze in his tracks, not moving, not blinking, not even daring to breath. How could he, knowing that a killer animal could be hunting him this very moment? Protectively, he backed against the very cold cobblestone wall, quivering in fear. His teeth chattered together, and his ruby eyes were wide. He listened again. Nothing. But move he dared not do. One minute past. Another, and another. After that, Jack had lost count. Was it just his imagination? Was the growl all just in his head? The albino blinked, and pushed himself away from the wall.

It must’ve been…

Then, abruptly, a strong hand had wrapped around his neck, pushed back against the wall, in a stranglehold. Two vicious golden eyes were watching him with titanic hostility, and he could see the glint of fangs.

“And, what, may I ask, are you doing out of your chamber, Spicer?” The demanding voice of Chase Young snarled.

Jack struggled as his feet were gradually lifted off of the ground, which swung limply to try and obtain leverage. His voice rasped out in gasps, eyes squeezed shut for a few moments before opening.

“I--- I was just--- taking a walk----“

The hand around his neck squeezed firmer, and the golden eyes rapidly slitted.

“And what, or who, gave you the permission to do that?”

At this point, Jack didn’t know what on earth to say. He merely whimpered against Chase’s tight grip, his fingers trying to wedge the others away.

“Please--- let me go!” Jack squeaked, growing weaker and weaker.

At that moment, he saw a devious grin slink across the cheeks of Chase Young. The grin held ambition, slyness, and cruelty. And then, all the trust he had felt for the warlord had slipped out of reach, and was replaced by fear and hate.

“You must promise me you will stay in your chamber and obey me like the good little worm you are.” Chase growled, the grin still remaining on his cheeks.

Pain began to pound at Jack’s head, pain almost as worse as he had taken on when he fell. The room began to spin, vision began to blur, and he became voiceless.

“Spicer!” The voice, not recognizable anymore, roared. “PROMISE ME!”

And then, all went black…