IN HIS RUINS

POV - ARIEL

The weather had been too calm all day.

The kind of calm that makes your skin crawl.

The hospital loomed ahead. Big enough to swallow me whole.

I stared up at it. My face was still. My heart wasn't.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

I sat at reception, waiting for my father.

He'd been admitted years ago after collapsing at work. Dementia.

Since then, my paycheck disappeared before I even earned it. All for his bills.

The college fund I'd been saving? Gone.

Every birthday gift, every holiday, every "maybe next year" I told myself... gone.

Dad didn't even remember my name half the time. But I still came. Every week.

Because what kind of daughter doesn't?

I tilted my head back and stared at the ceiling.

On the outside, I looked composed.

On the inside, I was breaking.

The nurse came, calling me in. I followed her.

"Good day, Doctor," I greeted. He pointed to the chair for me to sit.

"Good day, Ariel. How are you?" he asked.

"I'm good. You?"

"I'm fine."

"So, Doctor... is there any progress with my dad's health?" I asked.

"I'm glad to tell you that he's improving really fast. Soon he'll be discharged," he revealed.

I exclaimed, "Wow, that's wonderful news, Doc!"

"Of course it is. For now he just needs to be monitored steadily before discharge," he stated.

"You can come back next week to take him home. You can go see him now."

"Okay, Doc. Thank you so much," I said, rushing off to see him.

The ward smelled like antiseptic and old food. Beeping machines. Muted TVs.

Dad was asleep in bed 4B. Thinner than last week. His hands looked like paper.

I sat beside him and held his hand. "Hey, Dad. It's me. Ariel."

No response. Just the rise and fall of his chest.

I whispered, "The doctor says you might come home next week. You hear that?"

For a second I thought his fingers twitched. Maybe I imagined it.

I stayed until the nurse called me back.

On my way out, a nurse called me back. "Wait, ma'am. You have to sign for your guidance and care attendance."

She said, so I followed her to the hall where I was before. She told me to sit in the waiting room, and I did.

Now I felt like the only one there.

I waited for almost 10 minutes, but the nurse wasn't coming.

Then I felt it.

Someone watching me.

Not a glance. A stare.

Like she knew something I didn't.

I shifted in my seat.

That's when I saw them. Two men behind her. Tall. Built. Solid like walls.

My stomach dropped.

The woman walked in wearing a fitted red dress, a black bag on her shoulder. The men followed.

As they got closer, my gut screamed _run_.

I shot to my feet.

I almost made it to the doors.

Until I heard it.

_Click._

A gun, aimed at my head.

"Stop right there, Miss Ariel."

I froze.

She knew my name.

I turned slowly, eyes wide. A gun pointed at my face.

"Who are you?" My voice shook.

"My identity isn't something you need to know," the woman said, smiling faintly.

"You won't live long enough to remember it anyway."

"What do you want from me? Why are you doing this?"

She didn't answer. She just gestured to the men.

I fought. I screamed. It didn't matter.

They threw me to the ground like trash.

The woman crouched and slapped me across the face. Pain burned.

Then the men joined in. Fists. Kicks. Everywhere.

I curled in on myself and screamed.

Then,

Movement.

One punch. A body hit the floor.

Another punch. The second man dropped.

I couldn't see clearly. But I felt him.

Cold. Heavy. Dangerous.

He walked toward me like he owned the room.

When my vision cleared, I wished it hadn't.

He was too handsome to be real.

Sharp jaw. Cold eyes. Black hair.

He didn't look human. He looked carved from stone.

His grip closed around my arm. His stare sent shivers through my nerves.

His grip wasn't painful. It was possessive. Like if he let go I'd disappear.

"Please," I whispered. "I didn't do anything."

"Didn't say you did," he murmured, eyes scanning the room like he was bored.

"But you were in the wrong place. At the wrong time. Talking to the wrong people."

The woman was still screaming behind us.

I couldn't look. "What are you going to do to me?"

He finally looked at me. Really looked. Cold grey eyes that didn't blink.

"Keep you alive," he said simply. "For now."

"You're mine now," he said.

His voice was low. Final.

The world went black.

*EARLIER THAT SAME DAY*

I sat in my room, organizing files for a job interview.

No mistakes. I needed this job.

My phone rang. Unknown number.

I answered too quickly. Like I'd been waiting.

"Are you Ariel?"

The voice was deep. It rolled down my spine.

For a second, I thought it was a prank.

But how did he know my name?

"Yes. Who is this?"

"Go to the hospital. Now.

You don't need to know who I am yet.

When the time comes, you will."

_Click._

He hung up.

I should've ignored it.

But I knew exactly which hospital he meant.

I grabbed my bag and left, not thinking twice.

The drive was a blur. Traffic. Horns. My hands shaking on the wheel.

By the time I reached the hospital entrance, my phone was already buzzing with missed calls from the job.

I ignored them.

The last thing I remember was stepping through the sliding doors.

The smell of antiseptic. Cold tiles.

Then nothing.

*BACK TO THE HOSPITAL*

I woke up to voices. My head was pounding.

The woman was standing there, staring at the man holding me.

"What are you doing here? Blackwood," she spat.

The man didn't even look at her. His arms were locked around me.

"Taking what belongs to me," he said. Bored.

"Belongs to you? We both know clearly that she's not yours!" the woman shouted.

His voice dropped. Cold. Dangerous.

"I'm more surprised by your stupidity than your mouth. You should've run when you had the chance."

"You... you can't hurt me," the woman stammered.

"I won't," he said. "If I kill you now, who will tell the story?"

He set me down gently on the floor.

I tried to move, but my vision was blurry.

Then I heard the woman scream.

"Let me give you a little gift," the man said, voice low. "Next time you wouldn't dare to speak."

His hand slid into the inner pocket of his suit. Slow. Deliberate.

He brought out a stiletto. Small. Silver. Deadly.

She noticed his little dagger and ran.

Just one step from the door.

Too late.

The blade flashed. A clean, vicious line tore across her cheek.

Blood streamed down, pouring out like a cracked tank.

She screamed.

But before she could escape, his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, yanking her back.

"Listen closely," he said over her crying.

"Next time you try to dare me, you won't escape from death. And you shouldn't take what belongs to the Blackwoods."

My heart was pounding fast as he walked toward me.

Strong arms lifted me again. I was too weak to fight.

Right before we left, his voice was right by my ear.

"You'll get yours somewhere else."

I couldn't believe it. Is this a dream? If it is, then I really need to wake up from this terrible nightmare.

And then we were gone, leaving the woman behind, crying on the floor.

But wait...!

Where was he taking me?...

POV - ARIEL

I woke up to black.

No sound. No light. Nothing about this place felt right.

I felt along the floor, searching for my bag. Was I even awake? Or was this still a dream? I pinched my thigh so hard I almost screamed.

"What the hell. This isn't a fucking dream." I sucked in a breath.

I kept searching. My fingers finally brushed leather. I clutched my bag to my chest and dug inside. Phone. I unlocked it and turned on the torch.

"How did I even end up here?" I whispered, sweeping the light around.

The beam caught a door. It was instinct. I scrambled for it.

I threw it open, desperate for the breeze of life.

My eyes went wide. My lips parted. My heart dropped.

I froze, cold all over, as it hit me.

"It's him... the same guy who saved me," I said, like someone was standing beside me. My heart slammed against my ribs. My hands shook.

How can a person look so handsome?

Is he even human?

Then I saw what was in front of me.

A man lay bleeding on the floor. Every breath rattled in his chest. Scratches and deep cuts split his half-naked body. Blood streamed down his arm.

Mr. Shawn. What is he doing here? And why is he being tortured? Questions filled my head.

A year ago he lost Jason, my best friend.

Jason was the only person that stood by me, helping me through the worst times of my life. He eased all my worries. He secretly went against his father to stay away from me, because he knew what kind of man Shawn was.

He was right there when I needed someone. He taught me to live, no matter what. In the nights I thought I wouldn't make it, Jason was the reason I did.

But he was murdered. At least that's what I was sure about. The killer was never found.

My heart still aches when I remember him. And now I'm facing a darker moment of my life without him.

My head spun, and my mind was glued to the scene in front of me.

Him?... I was even more surprised because he was the one that saved me. But now he's the danger.

Did he save me just to bring me here and torture me too? No. Don't think too much.

I looked for an exit and found his eyes instead.

Deadly. Fixed on me.

I was too stunned to move. I hit the ground as if the shock knocked me down. I began to sweat. He pulled off his black gloves, now soaked in blood, and let them drop.

My mind blanked. My heart stalled. Then dyspnea hit. My chest locked up. I couldn't draw a breath. Tears slipped down my cheeks before I even realized I was crying.

Why am I crying? Wait, why am I even scared? Maybe because he's torturing someone I know.

He didn't look like a monster. He looked... handsome. But he didn't look safe either.

I forced myself up and wiped my face fast.

Again I remembered how he said it. "You'll get yours somewhere else." I trembled.

Blackwood. That's the name. The lady at the hospital called him that.

He watched me. Cold flint in his eyes. No expression. No words. He walked closer and I took a deeper breath until he was right in front of me. There was barely any space between us.

"Who are you?" My voice shook.

He ignored me. His gaze bored into mine, like he was searching for something. Then he spoke.

"How ungrateful can you be?"

"How so?" I hissed.

"I saved your life. You should thank me properly." he snarled at me.

He suddenly sounded angry for no reason.

"You saved and kidnapped me!" I squeaked.

He grabbed my neck, almost choking me. I struggled hard. "Let go!"

"Apologize... then I might!" he barked.

"I'll do that after my safety is confirmed," I choked out. I was scared, but I hated being snapped at.

He released his firm hold.

"Are you bargaining? Your life is at stake."

"I wouldn't call that a bargain. I just want to confirm my safety. How would I thank you when I don't even know whether I'm safe or not?"

"Safe? No one will dare near you after seeing you with me."

Hmm. I couldn't even figure out what he was thinking. His face was empty. Cold. Angelic but dangerous. It was almost impossible to know what he was thinking.

"I have unfinished business to finish," he said with a straight face.

He pulled me like an object and shoved me into the room.

I growled angrily, but my knees trembled. "What just happened?" I could barely stand on my own.

This is just another moment of me regretting the fact that I dumped a good policeman. Creighton.

Creighton had always loved me. He helped me a lot. He was steady, safe, and he would've come looking for me. But what was I supposed to do when I had no real feelings for him?

I thought saying no was the right thing. I didn't want to lie to him.

But now? Now I regret not having those feelings for him. Because if I did, maybe I wouldn't be here. Maybe someone would be tearing this place apart to find me.

Mira will be worried sick right now. Mira was the only friend I had. We've lived together for years and today happens to be the only day I went out without telling her. Now I'm stuck here.

My head was spinning and I could feel my feet getting cold. The screams became louder, the thuds became rougher. The groans became deeper. Then slowly the sounds faded. Silence filled the room.

He's dead... I could feel it. What the hell! Did he kill him? Uncle Shawn... My spine shivered and tears began dripping down my cheek. I froze.

Then I heard the footsteps. They got closer toward me.

The door cracked open and then his gaze fell on me.

Dark. Cold.

His legs walked towards me, every step getting larger. I moved backwards by each step until there was no space behind me. At that very moment I wished I could pass through the wall and disappear, but was never possible. He pulled my arm drawing me to himself and twisted my arm behind my back. The pain rushed in.

"Now it's your turn" His voice sang through my ears. He slipped the stiletto out. Tracing it down my arms to the middle of my chest down to my belly button. I shivered. Every point of me shouted. Scream. But I couldn't. I struggle in his grip trying to break free. But I felt a sharp cut on my arm right before he dropped the dagger.

He released his grip letting go of my arm. I rushed few steps away from him. Holding the arm that got twisted. I breathe heavily.

Before I could notice, he came at me again. By this time it was his fingers aggressively holding my neck. Choking me to the very edge.

I could barely mutter. "No.. No... Please let go..! "

POV: DARIEN

The blood on my hands was still warm, yet all I could feel was the ghost of her pulse under my fingers where I'd almost choked her.

She fainted. Too frail.

She was scared to death when she saw me with Shawn. The man getting a good beating by me until she interrupted.

As if she'd seen a ghost. Probably what others would say.

Trembling hard, hair a mess, with blood-stained clothes. She still somehow looks interesting.

I keep finding more reasons to be interested in her.

I notice everything about her.

How she shivered when my hand brushed her arm in the hospital. How her breath hitched when I got too close.

She flinched when I carried her, like she wanted to push me away but she couldn't.

Her skin was dry and pale under the lights. Her hair, soft like silk, falling over her face as she fought sleep.

She's frail. Breakable. And the thought of marking her, of ruining that clean, untouched look... it sent something hot and wrong curling through me.

The kind of ecstasy I usually only get from a blade.

I want to see what color she turns when she breaks. Not dead. Just... cracked open enough to fit me inside.

A few days ago I found out that my uncle was in hiding. He didn't die all along, but he decided to hide himself from me.

Never thought that girl. Ariel. Could be related to that bastard.

I once saw her in Chinatown like a year ago. She was accompanied by a guy.

They looked pretty close. She looked decent, but he didn't.

He was Shawn's son. Jace. A loan shark investor trying to gain powers beyond his reach.

He had no idea he'd messed with the wrong man when he sent his little disciples to attack me.

Unfortunately, they managed a scratch and caused a scar on my skin. But his son paid for it.

As soon as I saw him with that girl, he had to pay for his father's mistakes.

I shot him right in the leg, in front of Shawn. As if it wasn't enough, he made another attempt. Failed to get me, but got my driver. So I killed his son and made him a cripple.

My anger had no limits and my revenge was inevitable.

He thought I spared him, but I kept him hostage because he's the only person that has more information about my uncle Silas.

Not too long after, I got information that Uncle Silas was admitted to the hospital for reasons unknown to me.

I thought my revenge had failed. But after good torture, Shawn told me everything.

And the girl with Shawn's son was his daughter. Ariel.

And all the times I thought he was in hiding, he was battling dementia and was admitted to the hospital.

I could no longer use him. But his daughter will be useful. She'll atone for her father's sins.

Somehow she doesn't seem to be aware of her father's activities. But she would soon get to know why she's here and why she's being attacked.

I stood right in front of bleeding Shawn, watching him growl in pain. It brings me pleasure to watch him in pain.

I grabbed his neck, almost choking.

"You have such a loyal worker... they're putting their life on the line to save yours," I smirked.

"Je..jessica.." he managed to say through a bleeding mouth.

"Yes, Jessica. She attacked. But you don't have to worry. I didn't kill her... I gave her a gift to remember," I snarled at him.

He looked relieved, in pain. But it didn't last as I began to smash his head to the ground tiles till he was dead.

Quite disgusting to see blood all over. But it's thrilling.

The sound of bone giving way. The wet slap of it. God, I missed this.

I learned control early.

The urge to open things, to see what's inside, started with stray animals in the alleys.

The way their bodies went still under my hands. The quiet. The precision.

It was ecstasy.

I couldn't let the beast run wild. A Blackwood doesn't end up in prison.

So I made it legal.

I studied surgery.

I learned how to cut clean, how to keep a heart beating while I worked, how to make pain look like healing.

By day I wear gloves and a mask and save lives.

By night I wear the same gloves and take them.

No one suspects the surgeon.

No one suspects the man at the top of the hierarchy.

And then I became the heir to Blackwood. Hades.

That's the point.

That little frail girl would have made a mess if she'd watched what just happened.

She could die of tension. She already seemed so frightened and disturbed, like she just got out of a horror film.

I wonder what's so terrifying that makes people get scared.

I have always been immune to that feeling.

I don't get scared. I don't feel guilt. I don't feel anything.

The only thing that makes the ice in my veins melt is blood on my hands.

***

My steps were slow. Bold as I walked to the door, where I threw her. A few minutes ago she was awake and now, she's unconscious. I fixed my sight on her for a little while. Quite interesting.

I reached down. Touched her hair, soft like silk with dry skin. She looked fair, pale and a little frail. I carried her up, into my arms. I could nearly feel her curves as I took her out of the dorm.

The clean up was simple. Gloves off. Wipe the blade. Bag the evidence.

Surgeons are good at making messes disappear.

As we reached the car, my phone vibrated in my pocket. A message from Carl, my twin.

"Where the hell are you?"

"On my way." I texted back.

I walked to the other side of the car and opened the door.

Before I even sat down, I saw it.

Her fingers twitched. A tiny, stupid glitch.

The tell. The same one she had in the hospital when she wanted to run.

She jolted awake with a panicked attack, trying to escape.

I was already on her. I pinned her down.

"You know you can't," I murmured against her ear, voice soft like a prayer.

Her eyes were wild. Terrified.

I leaned closer. My breath ghosted over her skin.

And then I smiled.

"Do you wanna know a little secret?"