The Merciless

6.

In a blink, in a single instant,the nightmarish face was gone and all that was left was Juliette's heavy breathing.
That was it. That was the last straw. She was leaving now.
She could hear footsteps running towards her room - by the sounds of it it was a few people.
Within seconds the bedroom door was flung open and a small group of servants rushed in.
"M'lady! What's the matter? Are you okay?"
She looked around the room with wide eyes before shooting up from the bed. The room became silent save for her ragged breaths. The small group of servants stared at her.
Without considering what could happen or even devising a plan, she slipped between two maids and made a run for her door that was, thankfully, already open.
Her bare feet connected with the cold floor over and over as she fled.
At the top of the hall she made a sharp turn and began to descend the large staircase that would take her to the ground floor.
It was at this point that the group of servants had snapped out of their shock and began to rush after her, yelling out to her and trying to console her about whatever they thought was wrong.
The ruckus, apparently, was so loud that it awoke the one person she was trying to get away from.
Her uncles loud booming voice echoes through the halls as he yelled out.
"What is the meaning of all this?!"
He didn't need an answer as his angry eyes met her scared ones. It was like everything clicked and he knew.
She didn't wait around any longer.
At an even faster pace than before, she leaped down the final few stairs and rushed towards the cellar.
"What are you doing?! Go after her!"
That was all she needed to hear to keep the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Closer she got the her escape.
As she entered the dining hall, she was forced to make a quick dive under the table. Two figured were stood talking across the room - right next to the archway where she needed to go.
Her heart clenched in fear as the sound of running footsteps entered the room.
They had caught up to her.
"Have you seen the young miss?! Did she come through here?!" The voice was undoubtedly talking to the two people who had blocked her escape.
They responded with no and that they had no idea where she was.
"Master told us that it's very important she doesn't escape. He said she's still delusional from the head injury and that she could hurt herself. You two, help find her. She must not be allowed to leave."
Delusional?!
Her offence was short lived as she heard the fast retreat of the servants. As quick as she could, she made her way out from under the table at towards the small room that would take her to the cellar.
Coming to a stop in front of the old wooded door, she gave herself no time to catch her breath before pushing it open.
Her sob of relief got caught in her throat, though, as when she looked at the small trapdoor, it was already open.  Juliette took a few steps back. She couldn't risk going down there - especially if her uncle was the one down there.
No no no!
She took a few more steps back before letting out a small squeak as her back came into contact with someone's torso.
"Shhh! He will hear you! Come on, this way!"
Marie.
In that moment, Juliette could have cried in relief. The short woman pulled her forward and led her through to the kitchens.
"Marie, where are we going?"
She didn't answer, instead she opened a narrow door and pushed Juliette's petit form inside. Closing the door behind them, the woman took Juliette's hand in her own.
"Juliette, this door will lead you to a tunnel of sorts that opens up to the stables. You need to run and you need to run far away. A horse is already waiting for you."
"Wait, Marie! What about you?!"
"Don't worry about me, I need to be here. There's much I have left to do."
"I don't understand, how did you..."
"Juliette, I love you like a daughter. You need to know that I've been watching your uncle and he is not a good man - which I'm sure you've already discovered. I had planned on getting you out soon anyway. Take this and leave. Find someone who can help you and find the truth for yourself."
A leather bag was pushed into Juliette's hands and before she was ready to say goodbye, Marie's was already closing the door behind her.
Confusion swelled in her mind. She had no idea what was going on and how much Marie knew. Even so, she turned around and with only a moment of hesitation, she took off down the passageway.
As the ran, the rough ground cut into her feet and her arms occasionally scraped the walls. Her hair stuck to her face as her trembling fingers tried to pry the strands away from her eyes.
Finally after what felt like an hour of running, her hands case into contact with the wood that meant she had found the door on the other end. She pushed on the door, using her body weight, until it gave way and allowed her to climb up into the poorly lit stables. She allowed herself a moment to catch her breath before once again springing into action. She quickly spotted the horse meant for her, saddled and tied onto a pole near the exit. She silently sent Marie her gratitude and she began untying the horse. It was a beautiful soft great colour. Her uncle's mare.
Once the knot finally came undone, she wasted no time in mounting the strong mare. It's height made it a tad difficult but it wasn't long before she had pulled herself up and was seated comfortably.
Digging her heels into the mare's sides, she urged it forwards. The sound of hooves on grass flooded her ears as she at last allowed herself to breathe properly. She heard distant shouts from the house but She continued riding until the house was out of sight and she could see the dirt road that would lead her to the ports.

Looking behind her, wind thrashing her hair all around her, she could see nothing but the dark silhouette of the trees that lined the road.
Her heart was thundering in her chest and the cold air wasn't helping. Nor was the fact that she was still in nothing but a night dress.
It was another fifteen minutes before she finally reached the port area of town, shivering and exhausted, and a further ten before she came out the other side.
She wouldn't be stopping in the town, not when it was so close to her uncle.