BEYOND DARKNESS

TER

the clan's stronghold suffocating him. He spent his days anxiously anticipating Arthur's return, clinging to the hope that the boy

th disappointment as he waited for Arthur. He glanced at Rihanna, who was curled up in a corner, her small frame shiver

of empathy. "Get up!" he barked at Rihanna, who stirred groggily at the command. Brian

he pleaded, his voice tr

wn to pull Rihanna to her feet. "You know

away, her eyes wide with fear. "Brian!" she crie

t paralyzed, the weight of his helplessness crashing over him like a wave. The guard shoved her forw

He needed to remain vigilant, to find a way to escape this nightmare. His eyes darted

and the murmur of grim conversations. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the arduous tasks ahead. As

corner, their voices barely audible above the clamor. Intrigued, he inc

id whispered, her eyes darting arou

her responded, her ton

irst maid continued, her voice low. "He flew him out of the co

to worry; Arthur had been taken away, leaving them to face the clan's wrath alo

now?" the second maid as

But you know how the boss is. He won't sh

e, and their only chance at escape had vanished with him. He felt

rment, he hesitated before sharing what he had overheard. She looked exhausted, her s

find the right words. "I heard so

see the fatigue pulling her down. "What is it,

try. His father found out he was helpin

er eyes widening in disbelief.

g the tears threaten to spill. "We're alone now,

er voice trembling as the reali

s for words. "I... I don't know," he admitted, the weight of uncertai

o reassure her, to promise that everything would be okay, but he couldn't bring

best to shield Rihanna from the worst of it, but there was only so much he could d

away under the strain of the clan's brutality. Brian could see the toll

boss. She trudged into the garden where Brian was working, her shoulders slumped, and h

ng to her side. "You look s

kering in her gaze. "I can't rest, Bri

insisted, trying to take the tools from her hands

o help," she insisted

h and unsteady. He wanted to argue, to force her to take a break, but deep down, he underst

s becoming increasingly erratic. She swayed slightly, he

concern flooding his v

and unfocused. "I'm fine," she repli

shouted, rushing to her side as panic surged through him. He knelt besi

espair wash over him. The reality of their situation crashed down on him

as he fought back tears. He felt the weight of the world on his

f it meant facing the very demons that had haunted them for so long. He would not let despair consume them; he wo

nation ignite within him. They would not be broken. Th

agile against him. He fought against the rising tide of despair threatening to swallow him whole, despera

a guard, someone who could intervene, and someone who could help his sister. Without

choing against the cold walls of the clan's stronghold. As he rou

barked, his brow furrowing

have to help her!" Brian pleaded, de

, and he quickly turned to his fellow guards. "Get the m

d out as he watched the guard signal for assistance. "Come on, Rih," he m

d he instinctively moved toward Rihanna. "I need to go wi

napped, stepping in front of him and block

ack, his heart pounding as he watched Rihanna being lifted

ning his grip. "We're taking her to the

for him to be with his sister, to protect her from whatever fate

orn between his instinct to protect his sister and the overpowering strength of the guards.

t filled with fear as the guards mov

it was no use. The guards dragged Rihanna down the corridor, her small

eart racing, a storm of emotions swirling within him. He was no longer just a boy tryin

nna, what kind of horrors she was facing. The clan's cruelty was boundless, and he feared the worst. Just as h

?" Brian rushed forward, despe

e man who is her worst nightmare standing hoverin

is a mont