Gnawing Hunger

After hours of wandering, we finally arrived at a vast forest, and gradually, my mind and body began to relax amidst the comforting embrace of the trees.

As we ventured deeper, a towering castle emerged before us as the forest gradually narrowed. I found myself growing accustomed to Alexa's silence, though it felt somewhat eerie. She continued to eat, but even her chewing seemed muted, only the movement of her jaw indicating her consumption.

As we neared the castle, I realized we were approaching it from the back. However, all I could see were imposing stone walls, with no sign of a door or any figures nearby. The castle stood silent, its secrets hidden behind the walls that confronted us.

I silently watched as Alexa meticulously examined each corner of the wall, her gaze darting left and right in search of any unusual occurrences. As time passed, a section of the wall protruded, revealing a small door made of sand. Alexa gestured for me to follow her, and with trembling knees, I entered alongside her.

I secured Griffin nearby to a tree, using him as a lookout in case anyone arrived.

As we stepped into the dark, narrow passage, the walls seemed to tremble around us. Suddenly, with a cascade of dust, the door behind us slid shut, confining us within.

Coldness enveloped me, and the echoing silence greeted us ominously.

I wanted to tell Alexa that I didn't want to continue. Even from a young age, darkness had been my greatest fear, along with uncertainty and the unknown. Somehow, I had begun to grow accustomed to them, but not yet.

As I lost sight of Alexa, panic threatened to consume me, but suddenly, the entire place illuminated. Countless white candles appeared, floating around us, dispelling the darkness. With newfound reassurance, I followed Alexa once more.

The air within the passage felt thin, and I had to take deep breaths to sustain myself as we ventured further.

The surroundings were filled with large, thick cobwebs, stretching across the walls and ceilings. Brownish rats scurried past us, their thin, creepy voices echoing in the dimly lit corridor. Despite the unsettling atmosphere, we pressed on.

Finally, we reached the end of the tunnel, and before us stood an expansive and elegant library, its shelves lined with books of all shapes and sizes.

Emerging from behind the bookshelf, it closed on its own, sealing us within the cavernous library. Books were scattered everywhere, most of them old and thick with age.

I followed Alexa as she walked through the maze of shelves, her cautious steps guiding us to another corner of the library. We repeated this process several times, with Alexa pausing to survey each direction before proceeding to the next shelf.

Entering a new tunnel, I followed behind her, feeling the labyrinthine layout of the castle becoming increasingly frightening and exhausting. I was unsure if there was an end to this maze-like structure.

As we entered the fourth tunnel, I was suddenly reminded of a substantial quake, as if there were earthquakes occurring both above and below us. Despite the unsettling tremors, Alexa continued her careful stride, while I struggled to keep pace, fearing being left behind in the darkness.

When we emerged, we found ourselves in a simple yet spacious room. A large lavender-covered bed stood prominently, surrounded by various other items.

"Listen to me carefully," Alexa said, capturing my attention. "Whatever happens, never leave this place unless it's Ludwig or Liam who gives you permission. Lock the doors and don't open them, even if someone knocks. And don't make any noise. Do you understand?"

Despite my curiosity, I refrained from asking, sensing a strange expression on Alexa's face that gave me pause. Her eyes held a seriousness I had never seen before. She was usually cheerful, always smiling, eating, or chatting incessantly, but never this serious, as if the situation were a matter of life or death.

This sudden change unsettled me deeply.

Before I could even nod in acknowledgment, Alexa had already left me alone in the room, her departure leaving me feeling apprehensive and uncertain of what was to come. 

I peered cautiously through the nearby window, concealing myself behind the thick curtain to avoid detection. My weary eyes beheld a scene that only added to the weight of my already heavy feelings.

Outside, I was greeted by a secluded forest faintly flourishing within the ancient castle's walls. The air buzzed with the unseen activity of creatures, and the sweet scent of wildflowers mingled with the earthy aroma of moss-covered stones.

Towering trees with gnarled branches reached toward the sky, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Among the foliage, butterflies with wings of sapphire and amethyst flitted gracefully.

As I surveyed the empty surroundings, relieved to find no one in sight for the moment, my stomach churned with hunger. The gnawing sensation reminded me of just how long it had been since my last meal.

The sun hung high in the sky, its rays reigning over the landscape, signaling that it was already past noon. I struggled to recall the last time I had eaten. My throat felt parched, the water we had brought now depleted.

I searched desperately for any sign of food or water nearby, but the barren room offered no solace. If only there were a lake nearby, I thought, where I could quench my thirst and fill my empty stomach.

I lay on the soft bed, the velvety bedsheets providing some comfort as I sought to conserve my strength and recover while awaiting Alexa's return. The hunger gnawed relentlessly at my stomach, and in my weakened state, I drifted into a deep slumber.

When I woke up, my stomach was sore, aching with a burning sensation that felt like acid churning inside me. As I struggled to adjust my eyes to the darkness, I realized that it was already night. I reached to touch my stomach, hoping to soothe the pain, but it only intensified, leaving me feeling even more weakened.

I attempted to stand, but my legs felt like jelly, and my vision blurred and spun, forcing me to remain seated for a while longer, unable to gather the strength to move.

My mouth watered as the delicious scent of food tantalized my senses. Despite my weakened state, I mustered the strength to stand and searched for the source with my eyes and nose, but found nothing. Determined, I followed the aroma until I realized it was leading me closer to the door.

A sudden recollection of Alexa's warning flashed through my mind. I hesitated, unsure of what to do. How long had I stood there, wrestling with the urge to open the door and satisfy my hunger? I knew there was a reason they didn't want me to leave the room, but what was it? Why hadn't they told me?

I remembered how paranoid Alexa had seemed when we returned from the forest last night after my failed attempt to escape. The memory sent a shiver down my spine, confirming that there was indeed a problem, one that I was now acutely aware of.

As the scent intensified, my resolve wavered. I knew I shouldn't disobey Alexa, but the hunger gnawed at me relentlessly. Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled with conflicting emotions.

I reminded myself of all the challenges I had faced since being kidnapped and thrown into this unknown world. I had endured being confined like a wild animal, losing my freedom, and being sold to a stranger. I had survived encounters with bizarre creatures like the hybrid centipede, endured countless trials and tribulations, including attacks from monstrous skeleton and giant rocks.

With a surge of determination, I resolved to give in to the temptation and escape from the safety of the room.

Carefully, I opened the door, peering into the quiet darkness of the hallway. The only illumination came from the dim moonlight filtering through the night sky.

Closing my eyes, I savored the taste of the wind, the tantalizing scent of food beckoning me forward. Without fully realizing it, my feet began to move of their own accord, leading me deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of the castle.

The aroma of chicken, beef, and bread filled my senses, driving me onward despite the uncertainty of my surroundings. I lost track of how many turns and passages I traversed, ascending and descending stairs, passing through numerous doors along the way.

There were moments when I nearly stumbled, but my hunger-fueled determination kept me moving forward.

Relief washed over me as I spotted the orbs of light, coinciding with the tantalizing aroma of food that filled my senses. With eager anticipation, I hastened toward the source of the light, my stomach growling in anticipation.

As I finally reached the illuminated area, my eyes widened in amazement at the sight before me. A lavish feast lay spread out on a table, overflowing with an abundance of food.

Whole chickens, succulent cuts of meat, an array of fruits, freshly baked bread, assorted cheeses, decadent cakes, and countless other delicacies adorned the table.

My mouth watered, and I could feel my stomach rumbling with hunger as I gazed upon the feast laid out before me. I was about to rush toward the table when I suddenly realized that I was not alone.

My heart pounded in my chest as I beheld the myriad figures standing on the corner of the table, their gazes fixed on me with expressions of confusion.

My eyes then fell upon Ludwig, seated elegantly at the end of the table, his gaze cast downward as he massaged his forehead, as if battling an unexpected headache.

A wave of embarrassment and anxiety washed over me, mingling with a myriad of other emotions coursing through my veins. Fear, surprise, shame, and disappointment all jumbled together, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.

Cautiously, I took a step back, the weight of the situation sinking in.