THE TRIP

CHAPTER TWO

The journey was long… painfully long.

For over an hour, I said nothing. I just sat there, blindfolded, listening to the low hum of the car and the steady rhythm of my own heartbeat.

Then the man beside me finally spoke.

“Why are you so quiet?” His voice was cold, sharp. “Or can’t you speak?”

I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening against my dress.

“Sir…” My voice trembled. “I’ve never met you before. I don’t know you. You didn’t ask me anything… so I didn’t say anything.”

There was a pause.

Then, his tone softened—just a little.

“I want to give you some information about where you’re going,” he said. “So listen carefully.”

My heart began to race.

“I am the butler of the house,” he continued. “And my master…” He hesitated briefly. “My master is a dog.”

My breath caught.

“He was cursed,” the butler added calmly, as if that explained everything. “And where we are heading is far from ordinary. If you want to make it out alive, you must learn to accept him the way he is… and love him regardless.”

Love him?

My mind spun.

“He may seem cold. Ruthless,” the butler went on. “But that is because of what he has become… and the war that surrounds us.”

War?

“He believes he does not need love,” he said quietly. “But if he does not receive it before it is too late… he will die.”

Silence filled the car.

“I love my master,” the butler said, his voice now carrying something deeper—loyalty… desperation. “And I want him to live. Help us achieve that, and you will not regret staying with us.”

I didn’t fully understand what he was saying.

But one thing became painfully clear—

Where I was going… was not normal.

Not even close.

“I don’t mean to scare you,” he added suddenly. “After all, I already know everything about you… just by looking at you.”

My brows furrowed beneath the blindfold.

“What do you mean?” I asked, curiosity replacing fear—if only for a moment. “What do you know? And how?”

And then he told me.

He spoke of my childhood… the neglect, the pain, the things no stranger should ever know.

Every word was accurate.

Every word cut deep.

Then he said something that made my blood run cold.

“You are not who you think you are.”

My breath hitched.

“I can see everything about you because it is my ability,” he continued. “And soon… you will have yours.”

My heart pounded violently against my chest.

“But only when you learn to accept him,” he added, “and love him in every way possible.”

He paused.

“I cannot tell you more,” he said. “Just remember this… you are heading into a battlefield.”

After a few more hours, I could no longer ignore the discomfort.

“Are we close?” I asked weakly. “I’m hungry… and this blindfold—”

“Do not remove it,” he interrupted firmly.

A moment later, he placed something in my hand.

I hesitated… then took a bite.

It wasn’t bad.

In fact, it was better than anything I had eaten in years.

Then suddenly—

The car came to a violent stop.

My entire body tensed.

Not a breakdown.

Not an accident.

An attack.

“Stay quiet,” the butler whispered urgently. “Do not move. Do not flinch. If you do… they will sense you.”

My breath became shallow.

Outside, chaos erupted.

Sounds of impact. Struggle. Something inhuman.

Time stretched endlessly.

Then finally—

Silence.

A few moments later, I heard his voice again… weaker this time.

“They were enemies of my master,” he said, exhaustion evident in his tone. “And that is only the beginning. Fortunately… we are close now.”

I could tell he was hurt.

“Are you okay?” I asked softly.

“I am fine,” he replied. “Just a minor injury.”

But I knew he was lying.

For the next hour, the journey continued in silence.

Until—

“Finally,” he said. “We are here.”

The car came to a stop.

Before stepping out, he spoke again—this time more serious than ever.

“When you see my master, bow your head. It is a sign of respect.”

I nodded slightly.

“Second… do not look him in the eyes. Not unless he allows it.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“And third…” he added, “never question him. Unless it is absolutely necessary.”

The door opened.

Cool air brushed against my skin.

He stepped out first, then gently helped me out of the car.

I stood there… blind, still, unsure.

The place felt… empty.

Too quiet.

Then—

Something changed.

The atmosphere shifted.

It was sudden.

Heavy.

Terrifying.

Something was there.

Something powerful.

Something… not human.

I couldn’t hear the butler anymore.

I couldn’t feel anyone around me.

Then—

A loud, terrifying bark shattered the silence.

I froze.

And immediately after, the butler’s voice rang out—sharp, commanding:

“Take off the blindfold.”

My hands trembled as I obeyed.

And then…

I saw it.