Tick tock goes the clock,
Until this Manor is
No more
Will the mouse
Find a way out?
Free of guilt;
Oh, safe and sound?
Time is running out, detective.
Angel Mallory has always been unlucky. Seemingly retired from their old job working for the Guil...
Important: I'd suggest taking a brief, little look at the Prologue: 'Out Of Time' if you don't remember it or have forgotten how it went.
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"I swear if they don't wake up-" a shaky exhale of frustration followed suit "-I'll get my hands on that fool."
I awoke to a hand slowly tapping my chin. I acted like I was lost in a trance, dazed. My eyelids fluttered shut. I turned my face away from the person, unaware of who was in front of me. Desperate, I shuffled backwards, my back hitting the marble pole.
Who? What? Where? With a sharp movement, I forced the hand off my jaw, snapping my head sideways. I opened my eyes again, careful not to be blinded by the sunlight filtered by the arched window. I was nursing a cluster of a headache, making my vision blurry with tears.
Ava Hansen was crouched down, shaking me lightly with a frown on her face. She was almost... angry. "Oh my gods... You're awake!" She leaned backwards, running a hand through her ruby hair. Her eyes widened, like she had just remembered something
"It's okay, I'm here to help," she said gently, her voice soothing my frayed nerves. She knelt beside me, her hands working quickly to cut through the zip ties. I grimaced at her touch, not realising what she was going to do in my disoriented state.
Her hands worked methodically- she didn't fear pressing over the bruised areas on my forearms. She moved quickly in order to free me as soon as possible. I appreciated her professionalism.
"How-long-" I rasped, my voice still hoarse. I felt embarrassed with my situation. I was not a damsel in distress nor in desperate need of saving. I hummed, annoyed. Sure, I spent a few hours tied up- and?
Not my first rodeo.
Ava was patient and explained everything she did. She shushed me, not letting me finish my phrase:
"Shh, no talking. I've got you- you'll be okay" She moved a digit in front of my face, continuing to work on getting those cursed things off my wrists. As the zip-ties finally snapped and fell away, a massive wave of relief washed over me.
My body slumped over and the intense pressure on my forearms eased. My hands were numb, almost foreign as I tried to move them, clenching my fists . Ava helped me to my feet, my legs slightly wobbling from the hours spent still.
"Steady now, don't want you to fall over." she spoke with a husky voice. I tried to clear my throat, a dry sound escaping my lips. The world spun- I had to blink many times to clear my vision as blood rushed to my head.
"Do-you-have-water" I managed to gasp out, leaning on the wall.
"Oh I am so sorry. I'm so sorry for leaving you alone yesterday- if I had known I-" she spouted a mouthful of apologies- so many it would've seemed forced in any other case. She reached for a half-filled bottle of water in her purse. I lifted it to my lips, taking long sips. The cold water soothed my throat wonderfully.
