...

[donnie-mathison-blog]

After getting his fill of everything, he felt done with this room. It didn’t appear like much could be done besides looking around like tourists, unless his companion decided to be a wild card and test anything out. “Did Christmas come early for you?” He didn’t keep his back turned to David for that reason; the man looked too thrilled by the instruments. And though he had questioned without a hitch of unease in his tone, it almost felt dangerous to pose a confrontation about this man’s ways, especially in this room. Donnie had strayed towards the door. He wasn’t trying to make a dash, but rather cautiously peered out into the hallway they had came from to see if anything was coming for them. It remained empty, for now. “I think that’s our best bet.” Since this looked like David's first time here, it didn’t seem likely that this place was used by anyone besides whomever kept them captive.

[donnie-mathison-blog]

"Even if you imagined it, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself."

[donnie-mathison-blog]

"Maybe...I never thought about it that way." It was a good point, a possibility. He nodded in agreement; the word 'torture' unfortunately fit. "I'm Donnie. It's nice to meet you, considering the circumstances. Do you need anything?" With a glance her way, she looked like some aspirin, or a breather in general, would do her good.

[donnie-mathison-blog]

"Okay, but not quickly." If they were wanted dead, that could've been done simply. Instead it's being dragged out. "Yeah, everything that's been done has been intense. They like playing with us first."

[donnie-mathison-blog]

“Was there ever really a point before?” Donnie wasn’t quite sure there needed to be a motive. But if there was one, he could come up with a guess. “Cruelty, maybe.” Slipping his hands into his pants pockets, he shifted to lean back against the wall. “Losing track of reality can drive one insane.”

[vexed-charlie]

Regress

[donnie-mathison-blog]

A brow rose at her words. It sounded complex and horrid. Taking another look around and seeing no one, Donnie wondered what it’d take to calm her down. “He’s not here. Things aren’t the same anymore. We’re back in this place, but…” The blond motioned around, casually pressing his hand against the wall. It was solid; his hand didn’t go through like it would have had he still been a ghost. “Things are different.” He didn’t know this Max, but it looked to be all in her head.

[vexed-charlie]

Regress

“D- Did you see him?” Her voice is so quiet, it’s barely audible at all.

She wants to run, to hide and curl inside herself until she dissolves, away from people, from him. But nothing will make the sheer fear disappear, the shadow taunting her with promises of Him coming for her.

[donnie-mathison-blog]

Looking for other people had been his mission the moment he realized they were back. He needed some sort of confirmation that this was real and figured that another's perspective could help. Nearing the young woman, he noticed that she seemed paranoid or...haunted by something--someone. "See...see who?" His blue hues glanced around for good measure.

[carmen-akerman-blog]

I-is it over? Did they really give up? Or am I dreaming?

[donnie-mathison-blog]

"I think it'd be safer to take every precaution." Donnie murmured, his fingers brushing against the white wall. It might've appeared that he was checking that this was real; however, the blond had a mix of things on his mind beyond magically being back at Michaelson's.

[donnie-mathison-blog]

David’s musing wasn’t comical to him. With the candles giving him vision, his blue hues could see a darkness growing more and more alive in the other’s eyes. It was the kind of thing he should have used as a reason to leave. Not only was he in a bad place of the castle, but he was with a bad man. It wasn’t rocket science to figure that one out. Still, Donnie wasn’t one to scare easily. “Right behind you.” He murmured, stepping over the threshold. His hands were once again pocketed, resuming his at ease composure. On the inside though, the blond was thinking more than screaming or trying to convince himself to turn around. This was a place of torture and death and gave him the sense he’d have to shower to get rid of the smell that clung to every inch of him. His gaze gave another sweep of the room, making sure they were alone and that no helpless victim was stuck down here. Passing by one of the spiked chairs, he resisted the urge to outreach a finger. "Looks like someone was here recently." If the fire was dying out, someome had to have stocked and started it. It also meant whomever it was could easily discover them at any moment.

[donnie-mathison-blog]

"You weren't bothering me. I wasn't up to much anyway."

[donnie-mathison-blog]

Had they been in a different situation, maybe Donnie would have been amused; he could sense that the other was not amused in the slightest about taking the lead, but it wasn’t backed down from. Standing straighter, his hands subconsciously curled into fists as if it would help him against whatever waited for them. As much as he could try to defend himself, he knew he wasn’t a match against supernatural forces. After that moment had passed where nothing jumped out at them, his heart continued to race and the hairs at the back of his neck stood. The room was heavily lit with candles, making shadows dance along the walls and kicking the bone chilling sensation up a notch. There was a fireplace as well, but it looked to be fizzling out. The stone floor had a glossy glint, whether from water or blood, or both, he did not know. But what made him hesitate entering the room was the sight of the devices it was filled with. Tools that looked like they belonged to a mortician, but others more elaborate and probably unheard of that could have only been thought up by a malicious being. Chaires and tables waiting to keep victims hostage, some with built in spikes or needles waiting to pierce flesh. Cages that hanged from the ceiling. It was all very medieval and the stench told him it was still actively used. "Oh my god..."

[im-nota-killer]

Ilhoon’s face fell, a little pout now playing on his lips. “I’m fine.” He sighed, looking around. Maybe he had just imagined the door.

[donnie-mathison-blog]

“We can always try to find it another time.”

[david-burke-blog]

A forked tongue poked out from his lips to taste the air, though nothing of value was gained from the action; it was almost reflexive in nature. It was humid in the part of the dungeon they’d taken to exploring, in spite of the chilling temperature, giving off the impression that otherwordly forces were at work. Whatever they might have been walking into, it wasn’t anything short of ominous. The shadows resting against either wall had begun to encroach inwards, and he had the distinct feeling that the hallway had begun to thin; a quick jab at his left only confirmed it. Unease rose within him for a second time, causing his teeth to fasten into his lower lip. Should they have continued with their expedition… or were they just walking into the human equivalent of a mousetrap? As uncertain as he was, he managed to shove such thoughts aside in favor of the idea that should things go south, he always had Donnie to sacrifice. “If it’s interesting, yeah,” he replied, and though he’d had something to add after that, his thoughts had been sidetracked by a glow up ahead. 

[donnie-mathison-blog]

At that point, the mini conversation had left his mind. The glow up ahead came from the cracks of a large door. It didn’t seem like a good idea to continue, but if he had come this far then the journey would be entirely for nothing–a waste of time. Maybe whatever was behind the door would help him understand this castle a little more and whoever was keeping them here. “After you.” Donnie stepped aside for the other. It wasn’t out of the kindness of his heart, but it also wasn’t some ploy to be mean. He figured since he had entered the dungeons first, it was now David’s turn to go first. The blond wouldn’t care if he was called a chicken or whatever nonsense his companion could come up with. And if David refused, well, wouldn’t that make a statement?

[adelaidekay]

[donnie-mathison-blog]

He watched the other breathe, waiting for the guy to try to calm down. "Are you okay?" Donnie had been breathing as well and with each exhale the excitement had left his system. He just wanted to make sure Ilhoon wasn't going to get worked up again on a hunt for something that may or may not be there.

[donnie-mathison-blog]

Donnie had slowed his pace only to get a firm grasp at the direction he was going. His hand left his pocket in search for the wall beside him. As soon as his fingertips grazed the cool stone, it helped him gain a better sense of reality. Walking into the darkness made him feel unsteady due to the lack of vision. It felt as if at any moment his next step could send him into a bottomless hole with no warning. At least with the wall beside him, he knew the path led somewhere. The stone was damp and made his skin feel gross, but the minor detail went ignored. “Do you make it your business to know other people’s business?” It sure came across that way. The young man paid attention to David’s footsteps, relying on the rest of his senses to detect the slightest danger.

[donnie-mathison-blog]

He began down the new corridor, making a mental note on which directions they were going as to retrace his steps back. The blond hadn’t responded at first, more inside his own thoughts. The deeper they went, the colder it felt. Some part of his mind reminded him of the current small talk. Maybe he had known that David was trying to get to specifics and while Donnie was one for honesty, he found nothing wrong with keeping certain things private. “Maybe you’ll find out one day.” No time soon is what he aimed for and that included everyone, not just to the man he was on a mini adventure with. Something told him that if the dark haired male new something so private, it would be used against him. Suddenly his mother’s voice rang in his head as if he were a young boy once again–don’t trust anyone.