The Hurt Game

❧ forty-seven

A fierce knock was placed on the door. It startled both Royden and I as it interrupted the comfortable peace we had been living in. I frowned while glancing up at Royden, who didn't look pleased either.

He turned his head towards me. "Ignore it. Whoever it is, will go away," he murmured to me. I nodded my head and laid it down on his shoulder again.

The person didn't go away. He knocked fiercer than before. "Open up!" he shouted.

I sat up straight and tugged my legs towards me, hugging my knees to my chest. "Who is it?" I whispered to Royden.

He stared at the door with narrowed eyes. He shook his head a little, saying he didn't know who it could be. Slowly he stood up and strolled to the door. He took a peek through the hole. His whole body was tensed as he glanced over my shoulder.

"Who is it?" I asked again, keeping my voice low.

"Don't know. Wave, if I say run, you run. No questions asked, okay?" he said.

"What? Why?" I asked. My voice was strained and trembled only slightly. I dropped my arms from my legs and they slid to the ground. I inched towards the edge of the couch.

"Just do it, okay? Trust me."

I held his eyes for a moment and swallowed thickly before nodding my head. He turned towards the door as another loud knock was placed. My fingers curled around the pillow next to me tightly. I held my breath as Royden opened the door slightly. The chain was still on.

"Can I help you?" Royden questioned the person.

"Are you Royden Connery?" the person asked. His voice was deep, a lot like Royden's.

"Who is asking?"

"None of your business."

"Then leave." Royden was loud and clear, but that didn't seem to impress the person. He actually went as far to kick, or punch, or throw his body against the door. Because of this, the door opened wider and I was grateful for the latch.

"Tell me who you are!" the person yelled in Royden's face.

"Leave this fucking place. Now!"

I swallowed thickly and waited for my cue to run, but Royden didn't look back at me once. My heart was beating loudly, almost deafening as it pounded in my ears.

A louder bang sounded as the door flew open till the latch stopped it. Royden didn't waver from the door as he covered the opening.

Then a deafening sound. It continued to ring in my ears. I stopped breathing when I watched Royden stumble back slightly. He held on his side and my eyes widened a little as I noticed something dripping on the ground.

Blood. He was bleeding.

He glanced towards me. His eyes were wide, but I could tell he was alert and there might not be too much damage yet. "Run," he simply said.

I hesitated for a moment, but the person banged against the door once more and the latch broke free. I jumped over the couch, bent down to feel underneath it and finally found the hidden gun. I glanced over the couch to see the person pointing a gun at my boyfriend's head.

I swallowed thickly as my chest tightened. Before I could think through my action, I stood and raised my hands which were tightened around the gun. Royden's eyes flickered towards me, something the stranger failed to notice and I threw the gun at him. Luckily we had practiced this multiple times it became easy.

The stranger noticed me for the first time, but I was already running towards the bedroom. I closed the door behind me quietly and went to the wardrobe. My hands were shaking violently, but I managed to rummage through the clothes and retrieve another hidden gun.