I took a step back and almost stumbled, my heart pounding in my chest. Walsh's frown deepened, and he marched toward me with determined strides. Panic surged through me, snapping my brain back into action. I spun on my heel and bolted, my breath coming in ragged gasps. His footsteps thundered behind me, growing louder with each passing second, but I didn't dare look back.
The narrow corridor seemed to stretch endlessly before me, its walls closing in as my fear heightened. My legs felt like lead, my muscles protesting with every stride, but I pushed forward, driven by sheer desperation. I could hear Walsh's breath, harsh and relentless, just a few steps behind. The urgency of the situation propelled me forward, my mind racing with thoughts of escape.
Every corner I rounded seemed to lead to another dead end, each door I passed taunting me with its unyielding frame. I needed to find a way out, a sanctuary where I could catch my breath and plan my next move. But Walsh was relentless, his footsteps a constant reminder of the danger looming ever closer.
"Faina!" Walsh's voice echoed through the hallway, a mix of anger and desperation. But I couldn't afford to listen, couldn't allow his words to seep into my mind and weaken my resolve. I had to keep moving, had to stay one step ahead if I wanted any chance of freedom.
I spotted an open door up ahead, a glimmer of hope in the oppressive darkness. Summoning every ounce of strength, I surged toward it, my heart pounding in my ears.
Walsh's footsteps approached quickly but I shut everything out. For a moment, all I could hear was the deafening silence, broken only by my ragged breathing.
'Not yet, not like this,' I kept telling myself.
I ran to a room and closed the door behind me. I rushed to lock it, but Walsh pushed it open before I could. I turned and ran to the balcony, and he followed.
"Faina, stop this already. It's pointless," he warned. "Come, we're leaving. There are some intruders," he said. I turned and looked down desperately. I had nowhere to go.
I bit my bottom lip violently, injuring myself in the process. I couldn't get caught.
I climbed the railing and locked eyes with him. He stared at me wide-eyed as if trying to guess what I'd do.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Dying," I said, my first words in a while.
"Stop this nonsense and get down from there now," he shouted. I was scared; I'd always been. But knowing the future just takes away sanity. What waits for me is worse than death. It's best to embrace it now.
"Faina," I heard a familiar voice. I turned, holding on to the last hope I had left. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the person I wanted to see the most.
"What..." I couldn't speak as emotions that I had bottled up threatened to win.
"I came for you," Teon said. I turned and looked at Walsh; he looked angrier.
"Get down from there," he threatened.
"Faina," Teon called, and I glanced back. "Jump," he said with a reassuring smile. It wasn't my first time.
"You think you can actually jump from the second floor?" Walsh asked. I sighed and looked at Teon, then back at Walsh. He seemed to have gotten impatient because he stepped forward.
"It's not my first time, Walsh," I said and fell back. The shocked look on Walsh's face was satisfying.
As expected, Teon caught me easily. I looked up at him but was caught off guard by the tight hug.
"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" he asked. The thought of Teon being worried made my face heat up.
"Thank you," I whispered, hiding my face. I struggled to come down, but Teon held tighter. He moved away and looked at me as if searching for any signs of injury. I couldn't meet his gaze.
"I'm just glad you're okay," he said, and I nodded. I looked up but was caught off guard again. Our lips suddenly met, and it took me a second to realize what was going on.
Teon broke the kiss and stared at me, his ears looking similar to how I believed my face was.
"W... We'd have to get out of here quickly," he said, looking away.
"Yes," I muttered. We didn't have time for this. I forgot that for a minute.
We went back to a horse that was tied outside. Teon's group was already preparing to leave. They had caused serious confusion in the mansion. I wasn't surprised no one came to the room.
Riding the horse with Teon made me feel shyer than I'd ever felt in my life. I kept my head down the entire time, trying to focus on something else, but it was just not possible.
…
I opened my eyes when I heard someone calling me. I looked up and saw a large manor in front of me. Where am I?
"Fay," I heard and turned my head slightly. I looked up and saw that I was in Teon's arms. My face burned as I turned to look at the door that was open.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"You're awake?" he asked, and I nodded.
"Can you let me down?" I asked, but he didn't say a word or do what I asked.
"We'd stay here for the night and leave first thing in the morning," Teon said, and I nodded, looking around. I didn't recognize the place. "I own the place. It's closest to the capital borders, and no one knows that it's mine," he explained, and I nodded.
He walked into a room and moved slowly toward the bed and dropped me on it. I moved away quickly and avoided his gaze.
"Rest up," he said and stood up to leave. I watched his movement until he was out of the door.
I looked up at the ceiling and breathed finally. I was saved, luckily. I was willing to kill myself if it meant escaping the Rosens. I covered my eyes with my hands and lay there processing the night's events.
The night was so intense my body is finding it hard to keep up. All I wanted and needed was to sleep, but my mind went back to Teon. What did that kiss mean? How am I supposed to react? What do I do? What's going on?