The Sword Bearer

Chapter 13

The woman didn’t come back that day but the man did. He had his familiar smile on and I wondered if he, like the boy, was forced into this. He seemed like he had such a nice heart. I hoped he was or I would never be able to trust myself on judging people again. If I couldn’t judge people well how would I know who to trust? It could cost me a lot if I judged someone wrong and they crossed me but these were not things I should have been thinking about then. I should be thinking about a way out. If I never got out none of these thoughts would ever be of any use to me. I looked to Daren. He was deep in thought again but this time it wasn’t a despairing one. His frown became lighter and lighter until a smile was lighting up his face. By then I knew he was done creating his whole plan. The heart fluttered at the thought of getting out of this dump. I couldn’t wait for the man to come so that Daren could reveal his plan to me. I would do anything to help so we could get out and get away from the woman. She wanted something we didn’t possess and she would soon enough find out and kill us. I waited till the end of that day but the man never came. It seemed he was never going to come when the door opened revealing his face. I couldn’t help but smile back. He had come twice today. I didn’t realize that was more than usual because I wanted to know Daren’s plan so bad.

As he unlocked my cuffs I rushed to Daren. "What's your plan" I asked him beaming. I couldn't help it. I was so excited to get out of this place. "What plan" he said coolly. I turned to see the man looking at us. I muttered under my breath. "The injuries are getting to your head" he said looking at me smirking. He looked like he actually believed that. I gaped at him. How could he say that? I was sure he had a plan. The man retreated to a corner. Daren pulled me to his chest. I was going to push him off but then he whispered "You have to be more careful". I nodded to him letting my hair fall on my face as I blushed. He held me close as he whispered the plan of our escape in my ear, "First you are going to start screaming and crying when the man comes back next and uncuffs us. You have to go and bang on the door. The woman will come and be furious at man for letting us out. While she is busy with him we are going to run outside and escape." 

“What if there are guards?" I whispered still next to him. “I have a knife under my shirt" he said. He grabbed my hand. He held my hand and let it pass over a lump under his shirt. I nodded to him. It felt wrong getting the man in trouble for doing us a favor. It felt like abusing his trust but I couldn't see any other way to get us out of here. I doubted any punishment the woman gave the man would be as horrible as when she would find out we didn't know how to get what she wanted. It had to be done but I didn't make me feel any less guilty. The man came after a few minutes when we stopped talking but just sat next to each other thinking. I was too busy thinking so I let the man lead me to my chains easily. He seemed confused. Usually I would beg him for a little more time with Daren. When I was sitting back down, again bound he felt my forehead. I looked at him quizzically. Did he actually think I was sick? When he finally left did I start to start trying to really think. Usually when I was thinking I would run my hand through my hair or bite my nails. It was involuntary but my hands were bond. I played with the chains trying to figure out how my conscience would let me do this. I would feel guilty for a long time if I did it. I sighed and resolved a few disturbed were nothing compared to how much I wanted freedom. 

I waited sadly for the man to come back. I wouldn't argue with myself anymore. I tried to distract from the task that lay ahead of us. As the man came in I hung my head down trying not to look at him. If I did I couldn't trust myself to go on with the plan. The man looked at Daren and winked. I looked at him confused. He was part of our plan? I didn't understand. He was putting himself in danger so we could escape. Maybe I was right about him being a good person. I didn’t even know of what other punishments the woman had in store. What if she didn’t need the man alive? Would she torture him to death? I pushed all these thoughts away with the horrific images they caused. The man was doing this willingly which eased some of my discomfort from before. It would still be our fault if he got punished harshly but I would feel as bad as if we had betrayed his trust. It lifted a huge weight off my chest. The man looked at me solemnly as he took the cuffs out of his hands. “You need to get out no matter what. Don’t falter until you’re out” he whispered under breath as if he would be heard by someone he didn’t want to hear the words. His voice was deep and it stirred something in my memory. I couldn’t quite place it. As soon as he had unbound both of us Daren nodded to me. The man closed his eyes. I walked toward to the door taking a deep breath trying to calm my racing heart. My hands twitched with the nerves that were rattling in me. I took one last look back. Daren was in a ready position to bolt on short notice. The man’s eyes were still closed. I went to the door and started to bang and scream. I heard the rough voices of the guards and footsteps heading toward us. I backed away from the door to where Daren stood and waited for the guards to enter. I had to think that they were downright idiots. It was the oldest trick in books but I wasn’t complaining.