Run With The Devil

Unexpected Reactions

Lyras pov

The world came back to me slowly. I could feel the vibrations of the van beneath me, the hum of the engine a steady rhythm against my body. My eyes fluttered open, but I couldn't see clearly; everything was blurred and shifting. I tried to move, but a dull ache in my limbs reminded me of the restraints and the trauma I'd endured.

Deon's voice cut through the haze. "You're awake. We're almost there." His tone was calm, but I could sense the underlying worry in his words.

I tried to shift, but the pain in my limbs was sharp. My hand instinctively reached out for him. I could feel his warmth and strength, a stark contrast to the cold, sterile lab I had been in. "Deon... where are we?"

"We're heading back to the mansion. You're safe now," he reassured me, his hand brushing gently against my cheek. His touch was soothing, a small comfort amid the confusion and pain.

I could see him more clearly now, his face lined with concern. "The lab... the chemicals... did we get rid of them?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, it's gone. Vincent made sure of that. You don't have to worry about them anymore," Deon said. He seemed to be struggling to keep his emotions in check, his gaze softening as he looked at me.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. I didn't mean for any of this..."

"Don't apologize," Deon said, his voice firm yet gentle. "You did nothing wrong. We'll get you through this."

The van hit a bump, and I winced, clutching at Deon's arm. He adjusted his position to make me more comfortable, his protective demeanor never wavering.

As we drove, I tried to piece together my memories of the lab, the injections, and the false escape. The images were fragmented and fuzzy, but the fear and helplessness were clear. I closed my eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. I needed to focus on the present and get through this moment.

The van finally came to a stop, and Deon carefully lifted me into his arms, carrying me to his room, which surprised me. I could see the mansion's familiar grandeur, but everything felt distant and dreamlike. As he entered the room, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, my strength slipping away.

"Let's get you settled," Deon said softly, carrying me to the bed and arranging the pillows for comfort.

I watched him move, feeling a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability. Despite everything, having him by my side was a comfort I didn't expect.

"Thank you, Deon," I said quietly, my voice filled with sincerity. "For everything."

He looked at me, his expression softening. "You don't need to thank me. I'm here for you, no matter what."

As he adjusted the covers around me, I allowed myself to relax, the safety of the room and his presence providing a much-needed reprieve. I closed my eyes, hoping that the days ahead would bring healing and strength.

Deons pov

For the entire rest of the day, I didn't leave my bedroom unless it was to get food for myself and for Lyra. I sat at the desk I had in my room, working on the laptop while keeping a close eye on her. Lyra was sleeping on my bed, which I had to admit was not the most practical arrangement. Her presence in the room was both comforting and distracting, and the lingering scent of her only drew me in more.

Her injuries were minimal, which was a relief given the extent of the trauma she'd endured. I was grateful we managed to get to her in time. Despite the progress, she had been tossing and turning restlessly. It was clear she was struggling with nightmares or perhaps residual effects of the chemicals from the lab.

I glanced over from the desk, noting her discomfort. The way she was writhing under the covers made me uneasy. I decided to check on her, hoping to ease whatever she was experiencing. I approached the bed gently, reaching out to wake her.

Before I could even touch her, a sudden bolt of electricity surged from her, propelling me across the room. I hit the wall hard, a groan escaping me as I slumped down to the floor. The impact was jarring, but the pain was secondary to the shock of being thrown so violently.

I saw her stir awake, her eyes wide with panic as she noticed what had happened. She scrambled off the bed, speeding to my side in a blur. Her face was etched with worry as she knelt beside me, her hands reaching out to check on me.

"Oh my God, Deon, I'm so sorry!" she cried, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to- I was just having a nightmare and-"

"It's okay, Lyra," I managed to say, wincing as I touched my back. "You didn't mean to. It's just... part of the process."

She looked visibly distressed, her hands hovering over me as if she wasn't sure how to help. "Please, let me help. Are you hurt badly?"

I shook my head, trying to reassure her despite the dull ache in my body. "I'm fine, really. Just a bit sore. You need to calm down and take it easy."

Her eyes searched mine, filled with remorse and concern. "I'm so sorry for everything. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

I took a deep breath, pushing through the pain. "I know you didn't. We'll get through this. Just focus on resting and recovering."

She nodded, visibly relieved that I wasn't seriously injured. "Okay, I'll try to calm down. Thank you for being so understanding."

As she helped me to my feet, I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and tenderness. Despite everything, her vulnerability and guilt were clear. I wanted to be there for her, to help her heal from all the trauma she had endured.

"Why don't you get back to bed?" I suggested gently. "I'll be here. If you need anything, just let me know."

She nodded and, with a final apologetic glance, returned to the bed. I watched her settle back in, her eyes closing slowly as exhaustion took over. I resumed my seat at the desk, the weight of the day's events settling heavily on my shoulders. I knew that there was a lot more to deal with, but for now, my focus was on ensuring Lyra's safety and recovery.