Barbarians Blood

Chapter 13

Willow sat tied and gagged to a chair. She was still locked in the room but now she was restrained, she had been for two days now. Her wrists were rubbed raw with her effort to get free from the ropes tying her to the chair. Again she tried to get free. The sound of multiple people could be heard. They were heading her way. She could barely hear what they were saying, but she recognized Sawyer's mother's voice. The sound of them walking stopped.

"Enough!" shouted a man. No, Sawyer. It was Sawyer who shouted. "I'm not marrying anyone that you or father pick, I'm not staying, I'm only here for Willow."

That's why they kidnapped her. They wanted him home so they could force him into marrying some woman. But he was here for her and only her.  It had gone silent out in the hall. What happened? Did they do something to her pup?

Then she heard it. His mother's lie. It was quiet but Willow heard every word. "Well then, you came back here for no reason she died a few days ago."

It was like the world just stopped. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Sawyer's mother was claiming that she had died a few days ago, right to Sawyer's face. Please don't listen to her, Willow internally begged, I'm alive, I'm here!

Footsteps could be heard again, but this time they sounded like they were getting further away. No!

Fighting against her restraints again Willow finally managed to get one of her hands free. Ripping the tape off her mouth she began shouting.

"Sawyer!" She shouted.

She listened. There was no reply but the footsteps stopped.

"Sawyer!" She shouted again. Please don't give up, your mother is lying.

Then she heard someone running. Not away but towards her. He was running to her.

"I'm here, I'm alive!" She shouted.

The running stopped. She could hear him on the other side of the door panting. But Willow heard another set of feet running. Sawyer must have too, for he only managed to kick the door in before his brother tackled him. She couldn't help but let out a yelp of terror. The two of them fought just outside of her room and out of sight. Sawyer's mother walked past her room not even glancing at her. Taking her opportunity she began to finish freeing herself. Getting to her feet Willow ran out of the room. Turning to her right she saw Sawyer on the ground holding back Thomas. Sawyer didn't even glance at her as he told her to run. Hesitating Willow stayed where she was.

"I said run!" Sawyer shouted at her glancing in her direction.

Mustering up her courage she turned and ran in the opposite direction. At first, she heard Sawyer's mother chasing her but soon stopped. As she neared the door she couldn't help but feel relief wash over her. She was free. Didn't see the boat so she turned and ran into the trees making her way to the other side of the island.

Stepping out of the forest Willow saw Sawyers boat docked. She was no longer able to run and she forced her feet to keep moving. As she got closer she heard Polly shouting that he had spotted her. Soon she was greeted by her friends and helped onto the boat. She walked over to Sawyer's chair and sat down allowing herself to fully rest.

"Willow, where's the captain?" Treasure asked.

"He was holding off Thomas and I think his mother," Willow said," he told me to run."

"You left the captain!?" Chase asked.

"I-I didn't want to, but could I do?" Willow asked.

"Absolutely nothing," Eleanor said walking over to her with the first aid kit," you did the right thing when he told you to run."

"But I hesitated," Willow informed," he had to tell me twice and the second time he told me he looked away from his brother."

"Okay, Willow, you need to breathe and not blame yourself," Eleanor instructed. Willow did as she was told. And when her heart finally calmed down she looked down at her now wrapped wrists.

                             ***

Hours had gone by and Sawyer still hadn't shown up. But Glow sticks and the others did. They told them that it would be a good idea to leave the island and wait out in open waters for Sawyer. And with the four angular's help, they managed to safely get the boat back out into open water. But as hours past Willow began to worry.

"Hey, can one of you go look for pup?" Willow asked her angular friends.

"Sure just give us a few minutes to look for him," Jack-o-lantern said.

She watched Jack-o-lantern, lighter fluid, and Christmas lights swim off. Glow sticks stayed near the boat.

"So did pup go to you guys for help?" Willow asked leaning against the railing. Glow sticks nodded his head. He didn't seem to be in a mood for talking.

"Are you okay?" Willow asked.

She watched as her friend dove into the water before his head popped back out. He turned and shown his back to her. It was covered in fresh, blood-red scratches. She couldn't help but gasp. He was hurt.

"Glow sticks why haven't you treated those?" Willow asked.

"Haven't had time," Glow sticks simply said.

Before she could say another word she saw the others swimming back to the boat. They were dragging something behind them. As they got closer Willow realized that they were dragging a person. And not just any person but Sawyer.

"Eleanor!" Willow shouted.

Running footsteps could be heard.

"What-" Eleanor asked but cut herself off seeing what Willow saw.

They stood back as the three angular people climbed up the boat passing Sawyer from one to another. When he reached Lighter fluid, Willow and Eleanor grabbed each arm and pulled Sawyer onto the boat. He was covered in blood and unconscious.

"Is he going to be okay?" Willow asked.

"He's strong, just you wait and see," Eleanor said," he'll be awake before you know it."