98. Blossoming Ballads Part 8

Spence could feel himself fading away. The feeling of existence, the warmth of a living soul, the consciousness of breathing, he couldn't feel a thing. Yet, there was some unknown string that kept him bound to the world of living. String was tied to his heart and ended at many others'. He decided to give in and experience the roller-coaster of death but a cold splash of water prevented him from doing so.

As he opened his eyes, he noticed familiar figures standing in front of him. He could recognize Sam, his sister and Michael, who had taken them there in the first place. He looked around and noticed himself sitting on a chair. His limbs were tied with ropes, and Bond was nowhere to be seen.

"What are you... all doing here?" He struggled to speak as he felt his bones crumble inside.

"Well, I think a person's appearance does really matter after all." Michael began to speak. "It's surprising how dumb humans can be."

"What does he mean?" He questioned to Sam, who seemed like the only one trustworthy in the room.

"I don't know."

"Why have you brought me here Raina?" He shot a glance at her, with desperation filled in his once soulless eyes.

"Humans are all brainless creatures. We should just know how vulnerable they are."

"What do you mean!" Spence yelled out loud as he struggled to get out of the ropes, but failed.

"Where is Bond!" He shouted to such an extent that everyone had to cover there ears to not go deaf. "What is all this! Let me go!" There was no end to his agony.

"Your friend, or should I say boyfriend?" Sam smirked. "Anyways, he has been sent to the training center and will remain there like the others."

Spence slumped back on his chair, deep in anxious thought. After all, there was no use screaming his lungs out. This place is Bright Leaders Academy where everyone is deaf, except for a few. This place was ominous enough to be evident but Bond disappearing has mean something to them.

'What were they actually wanting from him?' He thought to himself.

"I want to rest." He suddenly spoke up. "Get me food and give me a place to rest."

"We have plenty of space for that! Sam, take him with you." Raina commanded.

Sam immediately obliged his sister and walked towards Spence. He began to untangle the ropes and Spence stared in to his eyes, which seemed to have lost all life in them. The brown color had turned to a hazel, and Sam was not himself at that time.

"You never ignored me before." Spence muttered to Sam, who seemed unmoved.

Something had changed.

Sam took him to a room but didn't utter a single word. Spence also realized it would be best to stay silent. They reached the room and Spence walked inside. As he was about to close the door, Sam grabbed his arm.

"Don't lock the door." Sam's voice was monotonous, almost robotic. It sent a shiver down Spence's spine.

"Okay, I won't." He muttered before shutting the door.

The room was a mess, to say the least. There were pieces of rags on the floor, opened wooden boxes and a small flimsy bed made of straw.

"Perhaps this is their torture room." He muttered as he dusted off the bed and sat on it.

He looked around for somethings and found nothing but trash. The rags seemed to have been used multiple times, as they gave off a strong stench. He began to hunt through the pile, hoping to find something. At last, he landed his hands upon a rug, which seemed different.

He picked out the cloth and held it close to his face, trying to use his sense of smell to identify it. He gagged at the odor because it was too much for him to handle. The color was green and there were dark brown stains. After a while, it struck to him. The metallic odor could not be mistaken.

"It's blood!" He screeched out, throwing the rug away from himself.

His breathing now got heavier as he realized he wasn't in a particularly safe place. Curling up in a corner, he wrapped his arms around his legs and dug his head into the gap.

At that moment, the door opened.

Spence looked up to see who it was and recognized it was Mr. Michael. He was holding a tray of food in his hands, which he kept down on Spence's bed.

"What place is this?" He asked to Michael , as fury engulfed him.

"This is the training center. I don't know why I was brought here, but I was commanded by my officials to come here."

"Where is Bond?"

"Bond has been taken to the testing chambers. Besides that, I don't know anything." He wrinkled his forehead as he struggled to remember. "Ah yes... There was one more thing I heard them say."

"Go ahead."

"A sharp key can destroy the lock on the inside."