Deceit [h.s]

Twenty

Elizabeth:

Once Benjamin locked the door behind him, I waited patiently, listening for any type of sounds. I still had my phone with me and I planned on contacting Harry, although it was a huge risk.

After an hour of intent listening I realised that no one was standing behind my door or listening to my moves, so I removed the device from my inner pocket and checked the battery. I only had 10%, which meant ten minutes at most.

Walking towards the furthest corner of the room, I dialled his number in a rush, feeling my stomach flutter in anxiety. Despite the overwhelming situation, I still felt distressed because of the I love you I had said. His letter hadn't been enough soothing to my self consciousness.

The phone rang four times, each ring solidifying a dreadful feeling inside of me. When I was about to give up, the unexpected happened, and even though I couldn't see Harry's face I imagined a deep crease between his eyebrows and puckered lips. I was dying to see him again.

"Harry, please listen carefully. We don't have much time." I spoke, hearing his ragged breath on the background. That small sound was truly a blessing for me.

"I am fine and so is dad, but Benjamin is completely unstable and he is tricking my father into believing that we will get out of here alive. Don't trust anyone but my mum and Seb." I spoke in the lowest tone I could muster, praying that Harry was keeping our conversation private.

"Liz, which room are you staying at?" He enquired, making me smiled slightly at the sound of his husky voice. With quick movements I got up and trotted towards the window, trying to give him a better location.

"Second floor. My window is turned to East if I am not mistaken." I spoke, already returning to my previous spot. I couldn't afford the risk of being seen.

"I promise I'll be there in no time. Don't anger him, protect yourself, keep listening for any signs of our presence. It's not going to take long." He promised in a rush, and I checked my battery, realising I only had mere 4%.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I'm waiting for you." I assured him, looking down at my bruised wrists. Now was not the time to complain about petty things.

"Take care Liz. I can't bear to lose you." He mumbled and his words made a small surge of confidence run through my body. Closing my eyes and exhaling deeply, I mumbled those three words for the first time, feeling knots in my stomach.

"I love you Harry." Before he had the chance to say anything I checked my phone and realised the battery ended, leaving me alone and curled up in the corner of this unknown room. I hid my phone inside my jacket one more time, getting up and properly assessing my surroundings.

It was a rather plain room, with a bed, a desk and a chair. To the left there was a door and I walked there, opening and facing a plain bathroom. Rummaging through the cabinets I found nothing that could be potentially used as a weapon, but I was not ready to give up just yet.

I checked every corner of the room, looking for things underneath the bed and underneath the wooden floor. Nothing came up until I checked underneath the desk.

Something was definitely strapped there, and I almost cried out of joy once I realised what it was. A folding pocket knife. I couldn't quite believe my luck, but once I heard the doorknob twisting I started to panic, placing the knife on my back pocket and walking towards the window, trying to seem busy.

"Are you hungry Elizabeth?" Benjamin's voice startled me, and I immediately cringed at his tone. He was feeling incredibly superior and smarter, but perhaps his haughty attitude was exactly what would bring him down.