The Hunt

Part 21

THE HUNT

PART TWENTY-ONE

Lauren

After Elsie had left, I took in my surroundings. The only way out was the door but Elsie has broken the lock, so it would be easy escaping.

But the guards. I could hear them rustling outside of the door, and I mentally counted around five men.

I even checked the ceiling for a way out, but there was nothing. Then I realised the floor was easy for me to break through, but I couldn't escape from the stupid chair.

I struggled with the restrains that held me down, but it was no use. The bar across the chair was too heavy.

Not to mention my burning hand, despite it healing already.

I sighed and almost gave up for a moment, but the door creaked open and I expected to see a pissed off Elsie there, but it wasn't.

It was Tom.

I glared at him and he strolled over to me, with a sad expression that was probably fake.

"Let me explain," he told me, guilt in his tone. I raised an eyebrow at him as he continued. "I really did think-"

"Tom," I cut him off. "I really don't give a toss about your sob story." My voice was harsh, but that was mainly due to my legs being crushed by a stupid metal bar.

"I didn't realise what I was doing, please understand I didn't mean you to get hurt."

"Why do you even care anyway?" I snarled. "How come this is so important for you?"

Tom winced at my tone and stood up, making his way around to me.

"Because I really liked you. When we met, I didn't know you were involved in this, that girl, Evie or whatever, just came up to me and told me about you needing help. So I saved you, and there was something about you. The way you spoke, I just knew you were different."

I rolled my eyes, glancing at the bar restraining me.

"And now you know why."

"It's not that, it-"

"Tom, I have a ship full of people to save, including a bunch of angels. I don't have time for this," I said, trying lift the heavy bar off my lap.

"Here," Tom said, grabbing the bar with both his hands and lifting it up. I glared at him, not moving.

"I don't need your help."

He chuckled heavily with a small, friendly smile. "I think you do."

I raised an eyebrow at him as I finished getting out of the chair, and I concentrated on my burning hand. There was still a wound there, but it won't be there for long.

"What makes you think I need your help?" I paused for a moment and I looked into his eyes. A feeling rushed through me but I didn't recognise it. "I liked you, too, Tom." I found myself saying. "But you're not the person I thought you were."

Tom shook his head and drew a step closer to me. I let his hand slip over my cheek and I felt another rush of warmth.

"That person you were with, that boy who saved you and spent time with you, that was me. It was the real me despite the situation. Look, I think I lov-"

Suddenly the boat rocked slightly as lightening cracked over us. I heard the crack and frowned. I didn't even know what time it was.

"I know how to get out," Tom said. "But you'd have to trust me."