Airon approached the woman and the girl cautiously, who lay unconscious in front of the imposing building. With gentleness, he touched their shoulders to try and wake them up. The woman suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with confusion and fear, while the girl, still dazed, blinked slowly.
"Stay calm! I don't want to hurt you." Airon said softly but firmly, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "I've just arrived here, I don't know what's going on. I'm trying to find answers and make sure you're safe."
The woman and the girl looked at each other, still visibly alert and distrustful. They assumed defensive positions, ready for any eventuality. Airon noticed the fear in their eyes and decided to lower his voice, trying to convey calmness.
"I know this may seem terrifying, but I'm here to help," Airon continued in a reassuring tone. "I don't have all the answers, but I can promise you that I'm not with those who have harmed us. We need to stick together and find a way out of this place while searching for any signs of other survivors. My people will arrive soon, and I'm confident we'll make it out of here safely."
The woman and the girl observed Airon more attentively, evaluating his words and body language. Slowly, the tension in their bodies began to diminish, and their faces reflected a cautious trust.
"Who are you?" The woman asked cautiously, her voice trembling.
"I'm Airon." He replied, maintaining his calm and friendly voice. "I don't know how you ended up here or what has happened to you, but I'm here to help. Can I know your names?"
The woman and the girl exchanged a quick glance before the woman responded cautiously, "I'm Laura, and she's Elena."
Airon nodded, gesturing kindly to them. "Elena, Laura, we're in a dangerous situation, but together we have a better chance of survival. Let me help you, and let's do our best to find answers and a safe place."
The two women looked at each other again, and finally, Elena nodded, accepting Airon's help. Airon knew they couldn't waste time. Together, they prepared to face the unknown challenges that awaited them, hoping to find answers and a place where they would be safe from the horrors lurking in that mysterious place.
...
Minutes after familiarizing themselves, Airon handed a knife to each of them so they could defend themselves, unknowingly deepening their trust in him.
Airon sat in front of Elena and Laura, prepared to listen to their story and gather more information about how they had ended up in that place and their relationship with the Red Army. He knew their accounts could be key to unraveling the mysteries surrounding that dark enclave.
"Thank you for trusting me and sharing your story," Airon said softly but firmly. "I want to understand how you ended up here and what has happened to you. Can you tell me more about your experience with the Red Army?"
Elena, visibly distressed, took a moment to compose herself before starting to speak. "It was a few months ago... The Red Army came to our community and took control of everything. We had no choice, they forced us to join them or suffer the consequences."
Laura, the girl, nodded sadly. "They came and took our parents. They said they needed them for something important, but we never saw them again."
Airon furrowed his brow, absorbing the information. "So, they were kidnapped by the Red Army?"
Elena nodded, her gaze lost. "Yes, they took everything from us. They brought us to a dark and gloomy place where we witnessed horrible things. Sacrifices, rituals... all in the name of their leader, whom they called Deucalion."
Airon clenched his fists, feeling a mix of anger and determination. "Deucalion... I've heard that name before. What else can you tell me about him? What is their ultimate goal?"
Laura shrugged, her voice trembling. "I'm not entirely sure, but they seem to worship him like a god. They talk about purification and sacrifice to achieve a new order. They want to eliminate everyone they consider impure."
Elena took a breath, her face reflecting determination. "But we escaped, Airon. We did everything we could to break free from their control. It's dangerous, very dangerous. But we can't allow them to continue with their atrocities."
Airon nodded, admiring their courage. "Don't worry, we won't let them escape unpunished. We will stop the Red Army and put an end to their malevolent acts. But first, we need to find a way out of this place and gather reinforcements."
Looking at the building in front of them, Airon decided to investigate and search for survivors. By the time his people arrived, they could eliminate all their enemies from this place.
Elena and Laura nodded, sharing their determination. Together, they would devise a plan to dismantle the Red Army and put an end to their reign of terror. They knew the path would be difficult and filled with dangers, but they were willing to fight for justice and the liberation of those who had suffered under the yoke of the Red Army.
...
Airon and the others ventured into the imposing building, its shadows seemingly enveloping them in a chilling embrace. The air was filled with a damp and decaying odor, echoing the somber atmosphere that surrounded them. Airon took out his flashlight from his jacket pocket and turned it on, weakly illuminating the path ahead.
"Stay alert." Whispered Airon, his voice resonating in the darkness. "This place is much larger than we thought. Stay close and make sure we don't leave anyone behind."
Laura, with her eyes fixed on the child in her care, nodded with determination. She kept the little one close, ensuring his safety at all times. The child, still frightened by what they had witnessed, held her hand tightly, finding support in Laura amidst the darkness.
With the flashlight guiding their way, Airon and the others explored the different rooms of the building. Each door they opened revealed a desolate scene: worn-out furniture, peeling walls, and remnants of what was once a home. However, the most disturbing were the bloodstains splattered on the floor and walls, silent witnesses to the violence that had unfolded in that place.
As they progressed, the sound of their footsteps echoed in the oppressive silence of the building. Every time they stopped, it seemed as if the echo of their own heartbeats merged with the dark ambiance, creating a sense of unease. The building seemed to hold the darkest and most sinister secrets, and Airon knew they had to be prepared for the worst.
At one point, Airon's flashlight halted in a particular room. The light revealed a gruesome scene: walls covered with torn and broken photographs, distorted images of people and events related to the Red Army. The faces of its members, with malevolent expressions, seemed to stare directly at Airon, as if challenging him from the torn paper.
"This is... disturbing." Murmured Airon, his gaze fixed on the photographs. "These images confirm that we are in an abandoned Red Army base. We must be careful and stay alert at all times."
Laura, who had been cautiously observing the photos, nodded with concern. "It seems like they're watching us from every direction..."
Airon turned off the flashlight and stood up, looking at his group with determination. "Let's proceed with caution. Our goal is to find an exit and, in the process, search for survivors. But remember, our priority is to stay safe and protect those who have suffered at the hands of this cult."
With their hearts pounding, Airon and the others continued their venture into the building, delving further into the darkness that surrounded them. The path ahead was filled with uncertainty, but they were determined to face any challenge that came their way in their quest for justice and liberation.
Novel finished on my Patreon: SrCuervo