Gravity Rises (S3)

MV: Part Ten

Ford was standing beside the door when the key turned in the lock. Finally! He moved right in front of the door, ready to push aside whoever was standing on the other side.

Then the door opened, revealing a nicely dressed woman with a startled expression.

Caught off guard, Ford hesitated in the crucial second that he should've used to push past her. He knew his opportunity was lost. He quickly retreated, hoping no servants had seen him ready to ambush them.

"Hello," he said the woman, trying to pretend that he hadn't been over by the door a second ago. "You must be Mrs. Northwest."

The woman hesitated. Then, "I am," she said carefully, stepping into the room. She was followed by Marcus the servant, who closed and locked the door behind them, heedless of Ford's glare on the back of his head.

"To what do I owe this visit?" Ford asked Mrs. Northwest. The last time Ford had seen Gaston, his servants had taken control and escorted him back to his Manor. It was safe to assume that neither Gaston nor his wife was in control now, and Ford had no problem showing respect to this woman.

"I. . ." Mrs. Northwest paused. "Well, I suppose I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable."

Ford studied her, trying to gauge her sincerity. "I am physically comfortable, thank you," he said. "But my family is in danger, and I really must help them."

Marcus laughed. "Don't appeal to her for your freedom, Stanford," he said. "She's not in control here."

Ford gave a small nod. "Yes, I can see that," he said, looking at Mrs. Northwest as he spoke. "I would assume she feels as trapped as I do, and that's part of why she wanted to visit me."

Mrs. Northwest glanced nervously around the room. "I suppose you're right," she admitted.

"Is that all you wanted, Geneva?" said Marcus. "To sympathize with Stanford? Looks like you've done that. Let's go."

Geneva stood up taller and looked at Marcus imperiously. "I will let you know when I am ready to leave."

Marcus shook his head. "That's not how this works anymore, ma'am," he said. He bowed slightly to her, but his attitude was anything but deferent.

Geneva glanced between Marcus and Ford. "Well, Stanford," she said, "I'm sorry you're being kept prisoner here. Please know that my husband and I have nothing to do with it."

"I understand," Ford said, nodding slightly. "Thank you for visiting."

"Your next meal will be here soon, Stanford," said Marcus. "Let's not wait behind any more doors, hmm? We haven't hurt you as of yet, but we won't hesitate if provoked."

Geneva flinched at this, but Ford kept his face neutral. Inwardly, he cursed himself for not taking the advantage and escaping, regardless of who was at the door.

With a final apologetic look, Geneva allowed herself to be led from the room. Ford was left alone again. He settled himself back onto his bed with a sigh and wondered if he should try to ambush the next person who came to the door. They'd be ready for him, and he'd probably get hurt, but he had to try, didn't he? For his family's sake?

He got into position by the door again.

"Don't say anything, Stanford, but you're not alone in here."

Ford froze and turned around. Where had that voice come from? For a moment, his mind hoped that it was Lee, contacting him from the spirit plane somehow. But the voice was far too young for that.

"You don't want to wait there," the voice said quietly. "Marcus wasn't lying when he said they would hurt you. I can help you escape, but not right now."