Thread: Shades of Gray

Caroline knew what shed requested of this man was at best mad, at worst suicide. But such were her the choices set before her. She wouldnt turn back now, wouldnt regret. No. She had to do this, was meant to and now shed see it through to whatever end that might be. Being two and twenty, she was a grown woman now. Capable of making her own decisions. This was one of those and probably the biggest one ever set before her. The feel of the lush velvet as the robed man bound her hands was not nearly as soft as shed thought it would be. No. This man wasnt about to spare her there, show her mercy. Caroline supposed she could understand that. After all, his life was on the line here. Literally. For her, it was her future. Though similar, at least for her own resulted in her heart continuing to beat, her lungs continuing to rise and fall. At that, another strip of velvet came around her head, pushing its way past her pink lips and into the warm wetness of her mouth. Just then, Caroline let out a tiny groan, though most of the sound had been muffled by the velvet within her mouth, as she felt strong hands tug at her thick, dark hair. No mercy. None. The man was taking her hostage, even if she was going willingly. She was his now, her fate in his hands. Of course, this was all part of the plan. Wasnt it? Starting to tremble, her blue eyes wide, she shook her head as he whispered against her ear. Without further hesitation, Caroline did as told. She began to move, letting this man holding onto her tightly lead the way even though she stood in front of him. She was glad that no one was about to witness the scene. None of them wouldve been spared. She was sure of it. The way this man held onto her, the way he pulled at her hair, had bound her. She honestly started to wonder if shed make it out into the night air alive. The rest of their journey through the estate, down the staircase, along the corridors and through the servants quarters had been all but a blur. Carolines heart had been pounding beneath her breast, her feet so cold as they padded quickly along the unforgiving hardness and cold of the wood. Finally, she saw the exit just up ahead. So close, nearly there. But, her captor had paused. She could feel his anxiety and wondered what might be wrong, who could be there No. No one was up or about. The halls were black as pitch, not a single sound could be heard save the two of them as they slowly and quietly approached the door. Nearly there. Finally, the man urged Caroline forward and the two reached the door. The one that would lead to freedom and a future unknown. He pushed open the door and immediately, she felt a chilling blast of night air kiss her skin. Her body immediately began to react, shaking and trembling as the air seeped through the flimsy material of the nightdress she wore. Her skin broke out into gooseflesh and a tiny jolting shiver made her body jump ever so slightly. She tried to glance over her shoulder, but wasnt given the chance. For at that moment, she was pushed outside, her feet striking cold earth as the dampness of night enshrouded her entirely. Run, came the mans voice. Caroline heard it so clearly. So plainly. Not allowing her mind to think, Caroline just did as commanded. She ran. She knew the barn was across the way on the other side of the estate. The men would be preoccupied with the fire, the collapse. Theyd have much to clean and contain. Knowing that theyd make it, she ran toward the woods bordering the lands. Once under the cover of trees, out of the harsh silvery rays of the moonlight, shed be able to speak to her captor. Caroline felt a fear wash over her as she ran toward those trees. Shed have no where to go, no one to turn to. She was on her own now. Oh what had she done? In her desperation to get away from a fate worse than death she hadnt thought about what would happen if shed managed to get away. Would this man help her? After all, shed helped him escape. Maybe they could arrange some sort of bargain? He seemed reasonable enough for a murderer. Then, he claimed he only killed those deserving. Oh, shed risk it. So far, hed given her no cause to distrust him. Shed have to hope. Shed have to try. Shed have to ask him if she could stay with him wherever that might be. Finally, Caroline stopped running. She all but collapsed against a nearby tree. Her lungs were on fire, her body so cold. As she tried to breathe, to gain her breath, she looked at the man now holding her hostage. Her eyes pleaded with him. Letting him know that she needed to speak with him, that she was scared, worried. But her question would have to wait. To wait until he removed the gag that stifled her speech, that prevented her from speaking about the fears that were trying to consume her as they stood there under the cover of the trees in the night.