Flowers and Darkness

Chapter 22

I was lying on my back, face to the ceiling, eyes wide awake. A week had passed since I was trapped in the cell with Luke.

I had returned to the cell to find Luke no longer there. Every night since I would leave my bed, making sure everyone was asleep, and would roam the corridors to find him.

I was deathly afraid that the same man that strangled me would return and finish the job. That terrified me. But the guilt for leaving Luke in the first place over-rides that fear. I couldn't sleep. I'd spend hours searching through the halls until dawn, when I'd heard footsteps from the maids getting ready for their morning shift, and I'd quickly retreat back to my room.

Since our engagement Dean had argued that we should be staying in the same room together. That me having my own room was pointless. I had persuaded him that we weren't married yet and we still need something to look forward to. That I still needed some time to adjust. He begrudgingly accepted, but now and then he'd still continue to push for it. He'd kiss my neck and cup my ass, and attempt to drag me to his room with puppy dog eyes.

Truth be told I still didn't know how I felt about him. My feelings towards him conflict with everything I've come to know about him. I feel like I don't know him. And with Luke trapped alone in that dark cell...

It was late. I'd heard the last shuffling, footsteps and noises hours ago. Now all was silent.

I slipped from my covers, sliding on my slippers and grabbing my zip hoody as I slowly crept out my door and through the corridors as I did every night.

I was wondering through the seemingly endless corridors when I heard footsteps behind me. They were distant and quiet. So soft that I could barely hear it.

Since my last encounter with the guard I've been on alert for the slightest of sounds. I halted. Was it him or am I being so overly paranoid that I'm just imagining it?

Sure enough the footsteps quickly got louder and louder. Heavy thumps that seemed to mirror my beating heart.

Was someone running?

I tried for the nearest door knob beside me but it was locked.

I tried one beside that, but it was locked too.

Come on, come on.

My heart raced faster. I tried for the next frantically and to my relief it opened. I shut it smoothly behind me and closed my eyes to release the breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding.

The room I was in was dark, but light enough for me to notice a shadow in the far corner coming closer to me.

I pushed my back to the door. Afraid of both what lies on the other side and what was slowly approaching me.

"Can I help you?" I squinted through until I made out a familiar face.

"Henry?"

He walked over in his striped gold pj's that instantly made me feel embarrassed for intruding what was clearly his bedroom and also guilty that I seemed to wake up him up.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" He quirked an eyebrow.

"No. No I- "

"Are you sure?" He pressed, curiously.

I paused. He's close to Dean from what I've been told. So how much can I really trust him?

He walked over agonisingly slow. I watched his movements cautiously. Thinking about to our previous encounter, I internally winced at the thought of him hitting me over the head again.