Snippet #2811682

A few yelps caught Samara's ears as one of the captive men was coincidentally whacked with several low hanging branches as he was dragged along through the forest. It eventually resulting in him being too preoccupied with nursing his sore and scratched nose and cheek to worry about struggling. It seemed as though one of the other villagers got a thwack to the head by unfortunate circumstance, though their protesting ended much quicker.

Samara glared at their captors, distrustful and uncomfortable around them despite their noted lack of interest (or perhaps ability) to harm her and her fellow humans. She let out a few very un ladylike curses if she was dragged without ceremony over gnarled roots that nearly tripped her, or in any way further distressed. The demons didn't seem to care, nor did they give any indication of answering. The young woman didn't particularly like not being able to read or figure out her captors.

The abrupt shifting and opening of the ground elicited panicked cries and gasps from Samara and the villagers, many freezing and balking at the newly opened chasm before being dragged in. One young woman in particular began to verbally protest, eyes widening anew with fear and choked whimpers meeting Samara's ears.

Mirela was pale and shaking like a leaf, her fear of dark places and anything cave-like freezing her in her tracks. She began to cry at the realization of where they were headed.

"Please! I'll be good, but please don't make me go down there!" She begged to no avail, her captors tightening their grip and ushering the panicking female forward.

Samara began to struggle again, straining to try and reach her best friend who was three demons ahead. "Stop it! Can't you see she's terrified? Let her go you monsters!" She tried in vain, being dragged right along without comment. Damn them all!

Seeing her attempts at reasoning with and gaining any modicum of sympathy from their captors fail, Samara tried for a different approach, attempting to get closer to her crying friend. "Mirela! Mirela, behind you! It's me." Samara called out, hoping to gain her friend's attention.

Mirela turned, still able to make out her friend through a thin curtain of dirty blonde hair that had gotten in her face during her struggles and head shakes. A mixture of relief and despair filled her at seeing the noble. "Samara...!" She answered, trying to smile at her friend, but failing. "I...I know you were trying to help me earlier. I'm sorry if I got you caught too!" She mewled pitifully, looking like a guilty child after a sound spanking.

Samara met her friend's eyes, shaking her head in dismissal. "You didn't Mirela, don't you dare think that! Now look at me. We...we will get out of here. But stay with me ok? Look at me, and we're gonna go sneak off to the lake, yeah?" She tried to distract the panicked female, using their usual sanctuary. The two would frequently try to find time just to enjoy themselves- time outside of chores ( Mirela) and lessons (Samara) to be free of their expectations. Mirela was by far the more disciplined of the two, but even she would sneak out with Samara when the noble had had enough.
"So, what snacks do you want me to bring?" Samara slipped into their old preparations, forcing herself to smile and act as casual as possible. It was obviously still terrifying for her fairer friend, but Samara was relieved to see Mirela relax ever so slightly as she thought of what pastries she liked best.


Finally, the group reached what seemed to be the end, a spiral staircase with light streaming from above. Mirela let out a sob of relief, collapsing to her knees as soon as she was released.
Samara barely spared her captor a glare before rushing over to Mirela's side, helping her companion up. She was also relieved, having run out of ways to distract Mirela from her fears.

The humans looked up, some hopeful, others anxious, and two full on doubtful. One was the unfortunate man who tried picking a fight, and now his ire was back, arms folded over his chest.

"How the hell do we know they aren't just gonna gobble us up at the top? This could be some elaborate trap."

"But why go through the trouble? It doesn't make sense..."

" You say that, but I bet we're piggies led to a pen right about now."

"Stop it." Samara commanded, noting Mirela looking incredibly fearful despite her desire to get out from the underground as soon as possible. "No point in staying here. And outside we can try to figure this out." Taking her friend by the hand, Samara looked up at the staircase, nervous despite her words. However, it looked like sunlight shining down, and she could faintly smell the outdoors. "I'm pretty sure that is earth and sun up there..." she murmured to Mirela, earning a nod.

Wasting no more time, they began to ascend the stairs, Mirela first in her haste to be free of her underground terror, followed by Samara. Everyone else began to follow in earnest, happy to be free of their demon captors.

Whatever Samara was expecting at the top, what she saw wasn't it. She echoed her friend's soft gasp of surprise, eyes scanning her surroundings. They emerged onto a long, columned pavillian that seemed to surround a large garden. The garden itself appeared to be enclosed within incredibly tall walls- akin to the castles her parents had visited on rare occasion when attending a royal function. Despite the varying paths through the garden and visible doors along the walls, Samara was still somewhat wary, not yet trusting any of them. She kept on the corridor, slowly making her way around and only half listening to Mirela. Her thoughts were spinning, trying to figure out just where they were and what the hell was going on.