53 - Don't Lose Hope

A long scar covered from under his left eye to his chin. He was older, near his forties. The smile that stretched on his face was not one that gave her relief. It chilled her. His eyes seemed to be dilated with excitement. "Now that it's just us, let's enjoy this more."

She tried to get up but he slashed her right leg. Falling, she scraped her hands. The pain in her right leg made her cry out. The man laughed, staring down at her. "The one who hired us didn't say anything about what a cutie you are. Just a noble kid who is in their way."

Anemone pressed a hand over her leg. The cut was deep but she could try to stop the bleeding somehow. She pulled her sword forward, to protect herself. His next swing knocked the sword out. She moved slowly back from him. He laughed again and made a gash in her left leg.

Anemone couldn't move her legs and she felt the rock wall behind her. Her eyes were wide in fear as he stopped in front of her. "In your next life, make sure you don't block the wrong people. You are the most expensive and difficult contract I have taken."

His sword's tip pushed her chin up. "Too bad. You would have fetch a good price being sold." Her eyes closed tightly at the feel of cold steel. Fear was clouding her but anger was winning. With a quick move, she grabbed the blade and pulled it forward past her throat. It gave a small cut on her neck when she moved forward.

She could see his eyes widened in surprise as she climbed over his arm. Anemone took out her hairpin and stabbed the arm repeatedly with all her strength. He started screaming. "You little bitch!" His other hand tried to push her but she had wrapped herself around him.

He fell backwards from her additional weight. When he fell, she started stabbing his chest repeatedly, deeper. The sword he held had already fallen out of his right hand as he tried to pry her off him with his left. His left arm pushed at her neck back. She lowered her head and bit his arm hard.

His screaming echoed in the cavern as she repeatedly stabbed him with the hairpin. She let her rage and anger overcome her, the fear of losing her life. A metallic taste filled her mouth.

She had drawn his blood.

Anemone needed something bigger than her hairpin. The more she stabbed him, the more holes he had. But it wasn't enough to wound him. Kill him. His right arm had loosened and he punched her head.

She held on tightly as much as she could. The repeated punching made her dizzy and she soon let go. He pushed her against the wall and picked his sword. His face was filled with anger also. The only problem was... He was stronger and more experienced. Anemone couldn't move.

He thrust the sword in her gut.