The Price of Love

Chapter 21

Alex's PoV

A week passes. Many, many more scars are added to my ever-growing collection. I'm not fed at all, though I did get a sip of water three days ago. My sleep isn't regulated, but I haven't slept. By now, I've grown really pale from the amount of blood I'm losing. And weaker. I still have plenty of fight left in me, but I've given up struggling. I haven't lost hope that I'll be found. It's only been a week. Some people are POW for years. I can sit tight for a while longer until I crack and go insane. My muscles are cramped like you would not believe. Cornwallis walks in, blade in hand. "Hello." I greet him. "Can I please be untied? I'm weak, unarmed, bleeding, you can easily overpower me. Just please untie me to let me stretch. Look, get some of your men in here with their muskets. Please. Just for a few minutes. You can stay in here, make sure I'm not doing anything. Just let me stretch, walk around this part of the cabin for a bit." I plead. "I'll probably end up opening some of these wounds back up, causing me to lose more blood and making me weaker." I point out. He thinks about it for a few minutes before nodding and walking back out, gathering some of his troops. He comes back and warily unties me, pointing his musket at me the moment I'm free. I raise my hands innocently, wincing as my cramped muscles scream in protest. "I won't try anything. I'm a man of my word." I say calmly. "I have honor." To my surprise, he lowers his musket.

"I believe you." He says simply. "You may be my enemy, but I know you to be an honorable man." I nod and swing my arms, wincing at the deep muscular pain. I hiss in pain when I crack my back.

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck." I groan, stretching. "Everything hurts." I whine. Cornwallis chuckles softly.

"That's what you get for letting yourself be captured so easily." He says cockily.

"I know. I was being an idiot. But I can promise you, it won't happen again." I begin pacing back and forth. "You know, you're being pretty friendly. Why?" He shrugs.

"Just because you're my enemy and my prisoner doesn't mean I can't show basic kindness. I still hate you and want you dead though." He says, picking under his nails. I laugh.

"Alright, you can tie me back up." I say after a few minutes, putting my hands behind my back. I feel the sack slip back over my hands and the rope bite slightly into my flesh. I walk back to the chair and sit down, allowing myself to be tied back up. The ropes feel a little looser than before, but I can't be certain. They still dig deep into my flesh though, rubbing my skin raw. I allow myself to be again tied to the chair, forcing myself to not struggle and try to escape. That won't make matters any better, it'll make them worse. I'll just have to wait for there to be enough troops free for Dad to launch a rescue op for me. I can sit tight for a while. I have to.