Snippet #1712855

Drake was upon her before she could manage a protest. She winced and attempted to draw back from him but the man had her by the arm and was now dragging her down the hallway. Her heart and stomach lurched inside of her as she began to feel sick from fear.

'Oh my God...what's going to happen to me!? Is he going to k-' Drake continued to drag the girl toward the dining hall, bantering quickly. 'Wait...a meal? He wants to have a...a...?'

It sounded absolutely insane, but it sounded to Esther like the man wanted to organize a sort of luncheon with the other guests. The way he went on was not unlike an excited child. A sadistic, terribly frightening child, but the genuine enthusiasm was evident.

Drake scooped up the young butler on the way to the dining room and slung him over his shoulder. Esther stared into the boy's pale face and gasped softly at the sight of the dried blood about his head.

Soon they were left in the dining room as Drake turned to apparently fetch the others.

"Keep an eye on James, will you? I'll be back in a moment with food." Again, Esther did not get the chance to protest. As the sound of the man's footsteps faded away, she turned her head toward the unconscious James. She let out an inaudible sigh and soaked in the unnerving silence of the dining hall...