A Hero Named Oliver Fitzroy (a Miss Scarlet and the Duke fanfic)

1 - An Unexpected Saviour

A thunder shook the whole house.
Clara clenched her jaw to suppress a scream of fear.
She hated that weather, she hated feeling so scared. It was like waiting for a shipwreck and beinh totally unprepared for it.

"Miss, you need to eat" the butler shadowed her, distracting her from her gloomy thoughts.

She glanced at the tray of untouched food and felt retching.
She couldn't swallow anything.

"Miss, I've spoken to men of Scotland Yard. You should stay in their headquarters until Fletcher is stopped".

She peered at the butler "You did what? Edgar, do you think it's wise to involve the police in this?".

Some rushed steps distracted them and a woman joined them.

"Margaret, what's going on?" the butler asked alarmed by her pale face.

"Some noises. The dogs are barking" the maid trembled.

Clara held her breath, her eyes widening as Edgar pulled out a gun.
"You'll be safe, Miss" he promised her and she couldn't imagine how wrong it was.

Clara knew they were coming for her.
She heard the noises of a battle at the front door, then gunshots.
Margaret encouraged her to go upstairs, but the masked men found her anyway.
Clara raised her hands, knowing her destiny was signed.
They wouldn't kill her. That would be mercy. It was just the beginning of her nightmare.
Other sounds of battle alarmed her, then behind the criminals she saw Edgar appearing.
The gunshot left her petrified as she saw one of the criminals collapse in front of her.

"Miss, run!" Edgar shouted at her before being silenced by gunshots.
She screamed in fear.
For a moment she wasn't sure of what just happened. Then she saw the butler fall while the other masked man was still standing, lowering his own gun.
Before she could react, he placed a bag on her head, tied her wrists together and wrapped his arms around her, dragging her away.
Her instinct made her rebel at that unwanted situation, but few jabs on her stomach silenced her.
Then other screams and gunshots exploded around her.
When would the hell end?
Did they kill everyone who lived in her house?
A sudden force dragged her on the floor, making the bag slip from her head.
She saw that also her kidnapper had fallen, but he reacted quickly, attacking a man who crossed his path.
She lowered her head fearing other deafening gunshots, but the young man disarmed the criminal in time, then avoided a punch and attacked back, managing to hit the marked man on his face.
The impact sent the criminal on the floor, while the young man waved his aching hand and before the criminal could stand up again, he pulled out handcuffs and restrained his wrists.
Clara was still petrified, slowly processing what just happened.
When the young man noticed her and kneeled in front of her, fear seized her again, although she noticed he was was well dressed. He was wearing a uniform.

"It's alright" he said gently "Let me help".
He helped her sit up, then freed her wrists.
Sounds of steps alarmed her, but another man in uniform appeared. He observed the scene.

"Take her away. We need to search through the whole building" he instructed, grabbing roughly the criminal on the floor to lead him away.
The man kneeling in front of her nodded.
When he noticed she was still panicking, he said softly placing a hand on his chest "I'm Detective Fitzroy. You're safe now. But we must go".

Clara just stared at him, that word "safe" had felt like something she couldn afford anymore. But there she was. Freed from the evil men who wanted her.