On Contract • Lashton AU

Part Nine

Ashton walked closely behind Hemmings as he led him through the forested area.
Luke's fear was becoming increasingly apparent to Ashton and the familiar exhilaration of readying himself for the unspeakable began to return.
Luke's footsteps were uneven and he stumbled over the tiniest twigs. He would do anything to slow down the pace at which they were trudging.
Ashton suddenly shoved Luke forward and the blonde boy, not expecting that amount of force, lost his footing and fell forward onto the rough ground.
He caught himself, although his hands were left with scrapes and broken skin.
"Just let me... Just let me walk away... Please."
Hemmings found his voice, having been hit with the realisation that this was happening. And it would be happening slowly.
Ashton simply stared down at the boy kneeling on the floor, his gaze cold and unforgiving.
"Why did you stop walking? We have somewhere to be," His voice cut through the chilled night air with ease.
Luke hurriedly peeled himself off the ground, frantically apologising. His words became so jumbled, it was very difficult to make out all his vocabulary.
Ashton couldn't care less. Well, he could. But he wasn't going to admit that, maybe, he felt a little sympathy for the younger boy.
Ashton made no move towards Luke after that, only walking behind the now silent blonde.
The blonde's fear was evident, and the way his gaze flickered around him was a dead giveaway that he was waiting for the right moment.
It didn't come.
Not even as they passed a young couple walking through the forest path. It was too dangerous for Luke to speak up.
And then he did do something. There was a bank close by, at least forty to fifty foot to the bottom. And it was steep. But there was a chance he could get down fairly unharmed.
Luke knew he would come to regret it, but he attempted some kind of getaway. A desperate effort to escape from the nameless man, and whatever ideas he had.