A while back (Diana's P.O.V)
I kept waiting for Doll-san to arrive. I hid and made sure that I wouldn't make a sound.
My heart beated faster and faster as I stayed here, hidden under the table covered by the sheets.
The dark and silent space offered to no little of comfort, the silence felt eerie as it made the pounding of my heart louder
I can't find myself to relax, worrying that bad things may happen.
… …
…
Doll-san, I wonder what you are doing right now? Did you finally reach the place you wanted to go to?
When will you come back?
Many questions kept cycling inside my head. Many thoughts that wouldn't make me calm down.
… …
Time passed by as minutes felt like hours.
Minutes of worrying and minutes of pondering.
I thought of everything I could think of to the point that I feel exhausted from thinking.
I want to talk with Doll-san.
Waiting here while doing nothing is hard. I can't move because I might mess things up.
Messing up and troubling Doll-san is the least thing that I want to do. She is doing her best so I should also do my best by hiding here.
But again…
I want to do something. Anything that can give me something to do.
… …
...
"PIIIIIPPPP!!!!!"
Suddenly I heard a loud whistle and then following that are the noises that are getting louder and louder.
"Ehhh?"
The complete silence from a while ago vanished and was replaced by noise and stomping of people on the floor.
*Bang!*
I then heard a door suddenly being opened with a loud sound making my body tremble by surprise.
And at that moment, Voices of many people filled the room.
"Open the lights and search inside!!!"
"Yes sir! "
"Look for the intruder they might be hiding there!"
"Check every corner!"
From below the table, covered by the tablesheet, I cannot see what's happening inside the room. I don't want to peek outside, I don't want to be caught.
I closed my eyes and hoped that I wouldn't be found by them. I will just stay here and wait patiently, just like what Doll-san told me to do.
*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*
The footsteps echoed around the room. Their footsteps are drawing nearer and closer to my spot.
My body started to shake and I tried to calm myself down by holding both of my arms and tightly embracing myself more.
Please go away…Please…
Suddenly something bumped the table. Surprising me and unconsciously making my mouth create a sound.
"Ummmp!"
Realizing that I made a sound, I widened my eyes and covered my mouth with my trembling hand.
No no no…
"Hey did you hear something?"
"Yeah, it's a small sound when I bumped into this table"
"Check underneath that."
And just after that, the sheet that was covering me was pulled away, revealing the brightened room and people looking at me with a surprised look on their face.
Ahhh.....
At that moment I became angry at myself.
I ruined it all….I messed up…I am so stupid…
I am so sorry Doll-san…
I looked at the people, my eyes scared and my mouth trembling.
"Hey isn't this, the locked kid?"
"She is but anyway, grab her for now!"
"Right!"
The man then suddenly grabbed my hand and forcefully pulled me out from under the table.
"Do you think this girl is the one that killed the mistress?"
After hearing that, my eyebrows raised up and questions filled my head.
Mistress?
Could they be talking about the woman who is always hurting me?
"No, are you joking with me? There is no way a weak girl like her can harm and kill the mistress. Anyways bring her to the lord for now."
As I heard the word 'lord' I immediately knew who it was. It's none other than my father. Realizing this, fear surged through my body. My legs shook greatly, my body became tense and non responsive. I closed my eyes and tears suddenly coming out from my eyes. My chest became tight and I felt that it's getting harder and harder to breath.
No no no!
I don't want to go to him!
I can see myself getting punched again, being pulled by my neck, being thrown into the ground.
I can see myself, being pulled back to my room and getting locked again.
I don't want that! I don't want that anymore!
No!!! Please!!!
Save me! Please!
At that moment of despair, a voice came back to my mind.
'Diana.'
At that moment I recalled the smile of Doll-san. The smile of the person who had helped me so far. The person who protected me and took care of me.
I recalled what Doll-san told me after I asked her a question. A question of doubting myself and she answered telling me that I am strong.
The very first person who believes in me. The only person who said that I am not weak.
The only person who is risking her life to save me and escape with me.
The only person who is facing danger just because of me.
She did everything for me, but in return what did I give her? Did I ever repaid anything?
Did I do ever do something that can help Doll-san?
I never did anything isn't it?
No...
What am I doing….
Didn't I said that I want to help her? Didn't I received enough help from her already? Why am I still so being scared and useless?
I need to move.... I need to change myself.... If I don't anything that I will always useless and worthless.
My heartbeat calmed down a little and I opened my eyes.
I don't want to fail her… I don't want her to worry too much about me anymore.
I need to fight. I need to stand up on my own, Isn't that what I told myself before? So what am I doing right now?
Fight….
Fight!!!
I don't want to be weak anymore!!
I need to escape! I need to run away!
I need to go to Doll-san! If I am able to get to her then everything will be fine!!!
I tried to pull my hand that was grabbed by the man back and also quickly took a look behind my back, trying to look for anything to use.
"What are you doing you brat! Stay still!"
I then saw a tipped over flower vase on the table. I then grabbed it without a second thought before throwing it towards the man who is grabbing me.
"What the!!?"
Seeing my hand grabbing the vase and throwing it to the man's face, he quickly let go of my hand and tried to protect himself with it.
Using that moment, I pushed the man to the side and ran towards the door.
The man near that door glared at me and shouted. He positioned himself trying to grab me if I got close.
"You brat!!"
As I ran towards him, I quickly grabbed what I could grab on my side. There was a table and on top of it was a small picture frame with glass. I grabbed it and once I got close enough. I throwed it, aiming to hit his face.
"Whaa!!"
The man covered his face with both of his arms, creating an opening which allowed me to escape and create a distance from them..
"Catch her!!"
After the men finally realized what's going on, they quickly chased after me.
See, I can fight. I can do this. I can catch up with Doll-san
I ran as fast as I could but I was quickly cut off by the people on the front. Seeing that I cannot move forward I quickly turned around trying to see if I can still escape. But unfortunately, the men who were supposed to be away are now catching up.
"You got nowhere to go now you brat!!!!"
....
.....
Ahhh…
I guess…..I am still weak after all.
I just laugh to myself…. I laughed at the weak me who thought I could finally fight…
But hey…At least I tried…..Right?
I learned something, I learned that I can finally do something... Even if it was short lived.
Being able to do something for once.... Being able to fight....
I guess it's not a bad feeling afterall.
I closed my eyes and smiled as the feeling of despair enveloped me. There is nothing I could do now. I guess this is the end for me.
'I am really sorry Doll-san... I did my best, but, this is all that I can do.... '
'I hope, you can forgive me. '
And just like that, I got punched and got captured.
—-------------------------------
(Back to Doll-san)
Where is she!!???
I ran towards the hallway with no destination in mind.
My thoughts shrouded by worry and panic as I kept worrying about Diana's safety.
This is my fault…
If only I didn't take long. If I just did my task quicker. Maybe this wouldn't happen.
I clenched my fists as I continued to run when suddenly I heard a bunch of footsteps coming in front of me.
Urghhh.
Them again!!?
Those annoying pests!!!
My anger rises up as I get more frustrated and annoyed by the current situation.
I prepared my sword and ran quicker, aiming to kill them faster.
"It's the intruder!!! "
"Kill her!!"
The guards took formation but It didn't scare me. I launched myself towards them and swung my sword to aim for their necks.
Get out of my way!!!!
*Slash*
Blood showered from the necks of the men as their corpses stood still before falling.
Using the momentum I swung my other blade to the people that are close to me.
… …
After killing them, I continue running.
Where are you…..where…where!
Can someone tell me where she is!!
Please!!!
I wished and hoped for someone to tell me. Even a clue will do, I need to find her quickly before anythings happen to her
I can't afford to stop moving and wait. Every moment counts right now. I don't want her to be harmed…I don't want her to be killed!!
Faster…..Faster!!
I sprinted more quickly when suddenly, another wave of soldiers came to my view.
Ughhhhh…Why are there so many pests…
Why can't you all leave us alone and just run away.
Do you all really want to be killed that badly?
....
…
Fine.
I will give you all what you want…
If you really wish for death that much then I will gladly give it to you!!
Don't expect mercy this time you pests!!!
ARRRRGGGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I readied my blade again and charged in.
Shing!!
From the swing of my blade, the people on the front got their bodies cut into half. Separating their upper body from their lower parts.
I looked at my target and used the moment to slash them next.
As the people on the back saw what I did to their friends. They quickly turned around and ran away.
…
See if you just all ran away then I won't need to kill you scums.
You all wasted my time...
… …
… … …
Wait a minute.
A sudden thought appeared inside my mind just before I was about to move again.
I can just ask these scums where I can find Diana.
They should have an Idea right?
Why didn't I think of it much earlier!?
I quickly ran after them so that they won't escape. I ran past them before stopping ahead and facing them.
I readied my sword trying to intimidate them and hoping for them to comply with me.
Seeing the both of them stop and looking at me with despair, I could see that they were really scared.
Now then. I hope they will give the answer that I am hoping for. If not… well that depends.
"Did you all capture a small girl here? The one who was supposed to be locked up in here? The daughter of the master of this house?"
I tried to describe it specifically… If I just say that if they found a small girl then they will just be confused.
"… I don't know! Please don't kill me!"
One man answered me with his legs trembling nervously.
… …
Sigh…
"URKKK"
Maybe seeing me sighing, the both of them shuddered in fear.
"I… I!"
Suddenly the other person spoke.
"I think I saw that girl! If you are talking about the locked up child, I think they are bringing her to the Lord!"
The man seemed to be desperate to answer my question. Well it's no wonder, this is a life or death situation for him after all.
But…
At Least I now have a clue. And also, since he is a worker in this place, I should Just bring him along to guide me quicker.
"You are coming with me. "
"Wha- huh!!? "
I then decided to carry him on my shoulder.
"If you keep wobbling around I will kill you."
"... "
He stopped moving and stayed still on my shoulder.
I am glad he is quick to comply.
"Now, point the direction to the Lord, you know what will happen if you don't… "
I threatened him so that he would comply more quickly.
"Yes, go straight!"
And as he said that, I continued running with him giving direction on my shoulder. I ran straight without stopping, I killed all the people who tried to block my way. And it didn't take long before I finally reached the door of the master of this house.
Seeing that I finally reached my objective, I tossed the man I am carrying to myself and he quickly ran away from me. I stood straight and prepared myself to fight the people behind this door.
'Wait for me Diana…I am here…'