18 Kidnapped?

Back at an alleyway.

Lily had turned around hearing an awfully familiar voice.

Upon turning, she saw a girl with a simple green dress, dull black pumps, and a brown cloak kneeling before her. It was the same girl from a few days ago! She bent down due to the dimness of the passage and realized who it really was.

"Mei mei!" Lily widen her eyes in shock. "What .... how...did you..."

Mei-mei frowned seeing Lily called her name. "Lady Baihe, Please come back soon! They are suspecting that you are not staying with the Merrow queen." She begged Lily, tears threatened to stream down her face. "They have sent people coming to look for you!"

Lily helped her up and said. "Xiao Mei, calm down and tell me slowly."

"I overheard that they were going to meet with that northwest uprising country. I immediately volunteered to go along since I told them I was milady's personal maid, and they agreed to take me." Xiao Mei frantically said.

Lily was taken off-guard, face in distraught. "B-But how did they even think that I would be here?"

Xiao Mei held her head with both of her hands and urgently said, "They didn't, It was a personal request, and the ruler of that country couldn't refuse. The northwest was planning to gather information from today's festival and allowed me to tag along." She got tearier and confessed. "Since her highness resides near here, they had assumed you would be around the area. If you don't come back soon, they'll...they'll!!!!"

"..."

Lily expressed a tensed look before ultimately hugging Mei-mei. "You did well to get this far. I'm very grateful."

"You deserve happiness, miss." Xiao Mei finally burst into tears. "This lowly servant isn't of much use for your praise."

"Can you stall for just a bit more? A week should be enough." Lily requested as she patted Xiao Mei's back gently, calming her down. "Tell them you have yet to find me. I'll come back with you after meeting aunty."

Xiao Mei quickly wiped her tears away and happily said, "As you wish. But my lady, there are two others with me. You have to be careful. They don't know what you look like, only a description, but it'll be a matter of time. They are dangerous; they are planning to turn this place inside out."

"I understand, now off you go, I don't want you to be suspected of anything. Promise me you'll be safe." Lily gently nudged her.

"Farewell, my lady. Please be careful." Xiao Mei quickly left.

Lily waved her goodbye.

She stood there in the dark alleyway staring off into the distance. Her eyes were devoid of any life as if she was ready to die. Again.

The wind blew her hair gently and the force wiggled the skewer back and forth before ultimately dropping to the ground with a clacking sound. Lily dropped them and slowly slid down to the ground, lost in the silence of her surroundings. She leaned on the side of the wall let out a very deep sigh.

__________________

On the other side, Chen was walking to a more residential area near the festival.

After finding out the location, he walked quickly. It was as if a demon inside him was about to force itself out. His face was not pleased at all.

When he reached a small forest next to it, Chen opened the door to a shed and went in. "Where is he?" He said in a threatening tone.

Evan pulled down the dark covers in front of Chen. Facing him was a man in dark garments with a small emblem print on the corner of the chest, identifying him as one of the men of the Northwest. He was intricately tied up on a chair with his mouth stuffed with a towel and another rope wrapped around his face. Even Evan was pleased with his handy work.

From the looks of it, the way the man dressed was very discreet. His weapons were minimal, enough for self-protection and to kill others if he comes across ones. It was most likely to just spy on us, so he didn't need much. Chen thought.

Evan took off his blinds and uncovered his mouth. He then held the chair in place and shouted aggressively, "Speak! What are you doing here and why!"

"Hahaha...HAHAHAAH Why would I tell you that?" The man scoffed. "You all are idiots. IDIOTS!"

He proceeded to spit on them, but since the distance was off, it landed on the ground.

Evan gave a mocking look. He was about to lift his hand to silence him, but Chen raised his to stop him.

He then walked closer and looked at the man murderously that even Evan was induced with fear by the tension.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But I'll have you know; your nails are not going to exist." Chen explained slowly to make sure he listened loud and clear. Repeating himself was not an option. "It was quite stupid of you to have your emblem plastered on your shirt. Your employer must be damn stupid."

Chen leaned closer. "So, what are you doing here? Surely it's not to take a stroll and enjoy the festival."

"..." The man still refused to confess.

Chen gave him a patronizing look. Since no sound came from the man's mouth, He raised his hand as he kept watch of the fool.

Evan nodded and started to peel his nails off, one by one. Endless screaming filled the room, but no one will be helping this man. This continued until it was his entire hand.

The man still refused to speak. It was not useful to continue any further.

Eventually, they had to upgrade and started to break his bones to see if a harsher torturing method would work. He still refused to speak. Whether or not if it was due to his stubbornness or being tired from screaming and the pain, it was annoying that words didn't out of his mouth.

"Well if you do not say anything, I'll have your head first before I move on to the next." Chen said dryly.

The man was half-conscious at this point. He had enough energy to utter a few words in the drunken state.

"They won't be able you tell you anything either." He panted.

Chen slightly lifted the corners of his mouth, letting out an undetected smile. They? So there's more other than him.

"You don't need to worry about that." Chen glared. "Since you've proven yourself quite useful, We'll make it quick and easy."

His hand reached towards the man's head.

Blue, glowing lights appeared and slowly water consumed the man's body inside and out. It was a quiet process that no sounds expanded the room.

A couple of minutes later, blood slowly dripped from his nose and mouth. He leaned on one side and was quiet.

A silent death.

"Get rid of it. We're not going to display this unsightly appearance." Chen said resolutely. "Let's see what other tricks they are going to play first." Having his body displayed will only evoke war just faster. We need to see what they're after.

"Yes, Sir," Evan replied while looking at the body dully and began working. He use to this type of scene. This wasn't any different.

BANG!

The door suddenly opened behind them. Both of their eyes rapidly widen. Chen and Evan were alarmed.

"Sir!" A voice shouted.

They both looked at the door simultaneously. It was a guard that he had stationed earlier for Lily.

Chen furrowed his brows and said impatiently, "What is it?"

What is he doing here? He's supposed to keep watch of her! Why is he here?! His heart suddenly felt uneasy.

"The lady...The lady is missing!"