WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MINOR DISTRESSING CONTENT NEAR THE END. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
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Shivering against the stone wall, Luke blew hot air into his hands as his body shook. The cold air flowed through the barred window on his wall, and Luke had been stripped of his heavy coat upon being taken into custody.
He hoped that the others were safe, despite him not being the only one of their group in this prison. But Luke hoped he would come up with something that could get them out.
Just as he was beginning to formulate a plan, however, the door to his cell opened and a man walked in.
Although Luke didn’t originally recognize the man, his stature and image commanded power and respect. His arms were folded behind his back, his posture straight and tall as he towered over Luke. There was a certain gleam in his eyes, screaming intelligence and something darker.
Luke stared at him in silence, before glaring at the man.
“I won’t tell you anything,” Luke immediately grumbled, knowing that this strange man wanted something. And even if he didn’t know what information he would want, Luke wanted it to seem like he was in control at the moment.
“Oh, no,” the man waved his hand dismissively, “You are not here for information, Luke.”
Luke crossed his arms, trying not to seem surprised that he knew his name or that he seemed to be pulling the strings behind this all. Even the way he talked was strange, not just his choice of words, but the cadence and tone of his voice, as well.
It was strange. It messed with Luke’s head because he talked in such a calm and quiet voice that it almost sounded comforting, despite the fact that Luke knew this man was worse than any other enemy they had met.
“I have no need for asking you any questions as that would be futile,” he began to pace around the small cell, his hands once again folded behind his back. “I already know enough about you and your friends, so there would be no need to question you.”
“Then…what am I here for?” Luke asked suspiciously.
He stopped pacing for a moment, slowly turning so half of his face could be seen by Luke. A small smile tugged at the man’s lips.
“Oh, I believe you know exactly why you’re here,” the man responded as he resumed pacing, “You are quite admirable in your courage and spirit, so selfless in your actions. I am surprised we have not caught you sooner. But…perhaps there are…others who prevent you from sacrificing yourself as much.”
As he talked, Luke began to put the pieces together.
“So…if you’re not here for information, then I must be-” his heart fell to his feet as he realized he was a part of this man’s plans all along. “The bait.”
A small chuckle escaped the man’s body, an unnatural sound that was too hoarse and silent to be a comforting sound. It sent chills down Luke’s spine.
“You are as smart as I presumed,” the man mused, “Although, I can’t say I’m surprised, as I am rarely wrong.”
Luke’s breathing began to become panicked as he realized that the others would soon be there. No…no, then everything would be for nothing. Then everybody would be in the hands of this…man, and they’d be in the possession of…her.
“But…if you want me here…if you knew I was the bait, then…”
“Then your friends have fallen right into my trap,” he finished for Luke.
“Who…who are you?” Luke asked, trying to steady his panicked breaths.
The man smiled, his dark eyes glinting in the afternoon light. “Both you and the other two seem to have forgotten,” he chuckled again, “But, oh well, it will come to you in time.”
Luke thought hard, staring at the man’s face. The look in his eyes had been familiar, but where had he seen it before…
He gasped. “A-Achilles?”
“Yes,” Achilles nodded, “Lord Achilles. Although, I mustn’t blame you for forgetting, as we have only met once.”
“But-but…then you were…you were…”
“Angry, I know,” Achilles finished once again, “But you must forgive me for my actions there, as I had been quite enraged by Boromir at the time.”
The panic once again gripped Luke’s heart as Achilles’ face loomed over his own.
“And trust me,” Achilles promised, “I can be equally upset as I was then, now. But, you wouldn’t quite understand that, as I’m unsure you’ve ever experienced the emotion of anger before.”
Luke turned himself away from this frightening man, recognizing something about him that reminded him of another person. One long dead by now.
“What troubles you, dear boy?” Achilles purred, “I can see into your mind thanks to the power of her, so I suppose there is no need to ask.”
“I know that I remind you of someone, one you fear greatly and believe is dead,” he continued, causing goosebumps to appear on Luke’s arms.
Luke pleaded in his mind for him not to say his name, but he knew what Achilles would say next.
“Boromir,” he whispered in Luke’s ear.
The images flashed in his mind’s eye–Boromir stabbing Skylar, Boromir killing Old Joe, Boromir standing over Skylar with a sword in his hands, preparing to kill her, Boromir falling off the Cliffs of Abdomes, killing him.
“I wouldn’t be so sure that he is dead, as well,” Achilles muttered, reading Luke’s thoughts. He heard Achilles’ fingers snap, and a figure appeared at the door.
“No,” Luke gasped, staring at the man he had once thought he would never have to see again.
A face full of scars and bloodshot eyes, yet just as strong and scary as before with a sword at his side stood the man who had ruined Luke and his friends’ lives for an entire week. His arms were crossed as he faced Luke, a cold and lifeless stare that sent chills down his spine.
Boromir.
“No, no, no,” Luke shook his head, not allowing himself to look at him again. “This isn’t real, you’re-he’s dead…”
Achilles offered no answer, however, and allowed Boromir to step into the cell to let two other soldiers step in.
“I believe that is all, Luke,” Achilles’ soft yet uncomforting voice spoke into his thoughts.
“I observed your fighting out there before,” Luke lifted his head to look at Achille’s emotionless face. “I believe you are proficient with your left hand, am I right?”
He was. But Luke couldn’t speak.
“Oh well,” Achilles sighed, “I suppose it doesn’t matter. But I can’t have you breaking out with you and your friends.”
Achilles snapped, and one of the soldiers surged forward, wrapping one arm around his chest and the other gripping Luke’s left arm. The other brought out a club.
“No,” Luke shouted as he tried to wrestle out of the soldier’s grip, “No, wait-”
Crack!
The club hit Luke’s forearm with a sickening crack and Luke screamed in his throat.
The soldier released him, sending Luke crashing to the ground in a heap. For a moment, his arm was numb. But then the fire spread up his forearm to his shoulder, sending a shock throughout his whole body. He thought he had even heard the bone itself crack.
“I apologize for the inconvenience,” Achilles said, “You are just too dangerous to keep in fighting condition.”
Achilles, Boromir, and the other two soldiers left the cell, leaving Luke shaking on the floor from the pain and the cold before it eventually overtook him and the world turned to darkness...
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