The Tainted (An Original Story)

Capture

Verb - Take into one's possession or control by force

Noun - The action of capturing or of being captured

September 2020

Lia's POV

We've been captured by a group of the Tainted. I tried to fight, tried to loosen the grip of my captor, but it was no use. He was stronger than I was. I had been gagged, just like Mercy had been. When this thing lifted me up over his shoulder, I was certain I was going to die. I was wrong, as we made our way back to our camp. The fire was burning and it was so warm. I shivered. When this thing put me down, he put me down gently, unlike the one that had Mercy; he just dumped her and walked away. She growled one she sat up on her own. I tried to move away from the one that had me and I tried to scream, but he knelt beside me and placed a hand over the gag covering my mouth. "Enough." He said in a foreign accent. An accent I hadn't heard in a very long time. I was scared. I heard all the horror stories of these things raping and killing females for their sick pleasure. Was Mercy and I next? "You'll be coming with us back to the city." He told me and I shook my head. I saw the anger in his eyes and he grabbed my arm roughly. I whimpered in pain. "You will be coming with us." He repeated and I did nothing. I was tired of fighting, tired of running and all I wanted to do was die.

I lowered my eyes and kept them trained on Mercy to see what she would do. I didn't know what happened to her in the past, but she made it clear from day one that was no fan of The Tainted. So when the one that had brought her back grabbed her by the hair and yanked her to the feet, did I gasp. I watched as she was yanked away from me, from the fire and further near the rest of them. I returned my attention to the one in front of me and watched as he studied me. I realized that he didn't have the pale blue eyes like the others, but a rather golden amber color. I took in his dark skin, maybe he was from Korea? He had gray-like skin with veins, but he still had a human quality to him. His eyes said it all. I saw them soften towards me. "Are you going to remain calm?" he asked.

I just stared at him. What else could I do? I was afraid to answer. Afraid that if I answered yes, I felt that Mercy would take it the wrong way. I shook my head and lowered my eyes to the ground. I could tell she was furious. I could sense it. "Look at me." He whispered.

I raised my eyes and looked at him. "Will you remain calm so I can let you lose?"

"Why would you?" I finally asked in a shaky voice.

He shrugged. "I was trying to be nice, but it seems you want to play it the hard way. Have it your way." He said and walked away.

I sat against the tree and took a deep breath. How the hell was I going to get Mercy and I free from them now? I had to find a way. There was no way we were going back to the city. I knew I didn't want to die. I sniffled. Damnit. I couldn't even wipe my nose, how pathetic.

I sat there in my thoughts for a long time. I debated everything from running away as soon as I was freed to holding my breath and passing out. But nothing seemed possible. I shook my head and looked over to Mercy and found her sleeping, at least for now. Maybe she was pretending to overhear them if they were talking. I wasn't sure, but I should have probably done the same, but I was too scared to.

I heard shuffling and that same thing came over to me and knelt down next to me. He pulled a piece of hair away from my face. He looked complex. I guess showing any kind of emotion was new to him? Who knew?

"Are you calm?" he asked.

I nodded. He then took my gag off from over my mouth and placed it on the ground next to me.