Chapter 5 - Abandoning Isabelle

A mournful wind swept through the desolate air of a small town, marking the somber anniversary of the twelve teenagers' mysterious disappearance. It had been exactly four years since their bus was found parked outside the restricted area, clothes scattered beside a cave pool, hinting at a journey into the unknown depths.

"Sir, we're still investigating, but it's clear this is no ordinary disappearance," reported an investigator.

"Use every resource available to you," came the directive.

** **********

"Ughh," Phil winced, cradling his throbbing head. Slowly opening his eyes, he found himself within a massive iron cage, surrounded by imposing black stones.

"Where am I?"

"Shhh, keep your voice down," Isabelle hushed him while skillfully working on the lock with makeshift pins.

"What's happening? Where are we? Why are we in a prison?" Phil bombarded her with questions.

"In short, I believe the wormhole transported us to another planet, and we were captured the moment we arrived," Isabelle answered without halting her lock-picking efforts.

*Click*

The lock yielded. "Let's go," Isabelle motioned Phil to follow as she quietly swung the cage door open.

Nervously trailing behind her, Phil whispered, "Strange creature? What do you mean?"

"An orc kidnapped us. And keep your voice down!" Isabelle reprimanded him through gritted teeth.

As they maneuvered through the cavern, Isabelle had secretly secured a knife from the orc. "What's our plan now?" Phil asked.

"I expected more from someone they call smart. So far, you've fallen short," Isabelle quipped, showing little expression. She was already out of the cage, moving silently. Phil, irritated, followed suit.

Exiting the black stone enclave, they were met with an astonishing sight—a colossal house's basement, with a peculiar creature sprawled drunkenly on the floor.

'Orcs do exist!' Isabelle marveled internally.

"Where could the others be kept?" Isabelle and Phil searched the colossal house but found no trace of their companions. After half an hour, they stumbled upon a cage three times the size of their previous confinement.

"They were here," Phil murmured.

"What do you mean?" Isabelle inquired.

"I said they were here. I can smell Heidi's shampoo. That's Ethan's wristband..." Before Phil could finish, Isabelle's urgent shout interrupted him.

"PHIL, WATCH OUT!" Isabelle sprang into action, narrowly avoiding the orc's club.

The orc's weapon was formidable—a massive tree trunk turned club, bearing the scars of countless battles. Embedded splinters and dried blood adorned its coarse surface, and menacing knots protruded like threatening spikes. In the orc's grip, the club exuded primal strength.

"Humans," its deep, formidable voice reverberated in the cavernous house.

Swinging the club towards Phil, the orc aimed to smash him into the wall. Phil, however, exhibited remarkable reflexes. A meter away from impact, he bent and rolled beneath the menacing weapon.

"What now?" Even Isabelle, accustomed to unexpected twists, was taken aback by the sheer size of the orc and its lethal club. Tension gripped her.

"Run!" Phil shouted, sprinting toward the exit, leaving Isabelle behind with the formidable orc.

"Stop, Phil! We can't run. The others, we need to find them!" Isabelle's desperate plea echoed, but Phil, resolute in his escape, charged toward freedom, leaving Isabelle alone with the imposing orc.

The orc relentlessly pursued Isabelle, each swing of its massive club narrowly evaded by her agile movements. After five intense minutes, Isabelle's evasive maneuvers began to slow, her fatigue becoming increasingly evident to the orc.

With a calculated strike, the orc swung its club directly at Isabelle. The colossal weapon thunderously collided with the floor, causing the entire house to quake. Weakened, Isabelle slipped and fell just as the orc closed in.

"Oh, a beauty! You'll fetch me a good price, just like the others," the orc grinned, seizing one of her legs and dragging her away.

Separated from the rest, Isabelle and Phil faced a different fate. The orc intended to break their spirit, turning them into his house slaves, while the others had already been sold to his associates.

"Hey! Stupid orc!" Isabelle's defiant shout rang out as she hurled a stone, hitting the orc's head. The orc, seemingly unfazed, turned and stared at Isabelle.

"What if there's something I can do for you?" Isabelle suggested with a seductive smile, playing her cards to divert his attention.

"And what can you offer me?" The orc dropped her leg, giving her a skeptical glare.

Isabelle, fixing her gaze on his vulnerable area, hinted at her proposition. "It would be a good thing to have a taste before I sell you off." The orc grinned widely, dropping its club and lowering its trousers.

"Wait! I'd like to remove it myself," Isabelle said with a seductive grin as she approached the orc's vulnerable area. Sensing an opportunity, she swiftly reached for the hidden knife behind her.