Face the Truth

Escape Plan

I heard his boots making loud thumps with each step as his footsteps neared me. I shivered more violently now, knowing I was fully under this man’s control at this point and I couldn’t fight him. I felt him drape something warm over me with care and I curiously opened my eyes slowly. He had already turned away by the time I look and he walked over to his own side of the loft, giving me plenty of room. I noticed that his cloak was no longer on his body but instead it was laid over mine like a blanket. I looked down at it, curiosity overpowering my fear as I touched it gently with my trembling fingers. It was much finer than my own, it was heavy and the inside wasn’t even all that damp despite all the time we’d been riding in the rain. I looked back to the stranger, seeing him lay down in his own corner of the loft, not seemingly paying much attention to me.

    It was dark outside, making the light from the lantern in the barn too dim to clearly make out any of the man’s physical features. I could only see the build of his body in the dark, but after being held by him I already knew he was strong. I sighed softly and snuggled deeper into his cloak, wrapping it tight around me as I tried to stop shivering but I couldn’t force my body to stop trembling. I closed my eyes, trying to fall asleep again but I was too scared and nervous to ease myself into slumber. I rolled over, still trembling as I snuggled into the hay, clenching my eyes shut as I tried to calm myself. The man’s head turned, his luminous green gaze the only thing I could really see in the dim light. He stared at me for a moment, as if he was waiting for me to fall asleep and when I didn’t, he opened his mouth to speak.

    “I’m not going to sleep, so you should if you can…” He called out to me softly as he stared at me, his gaze making me even more uncomfortable. He watched as I backed further into the hay and covered myself up to my eyes with his cloak and his cheeks moved, his teeth gleaming in the dim light

“What are you afraid of? I’ve been only kind to you up to this point, I’ve not done anything to harm you.” He stated, as if trying to convince me he really meant no harm in what he was doing.  “You’ve no reason to fear me…” He murmured as he stood quietly, looking over at me still before he started walking towards me, closing the distance between us.I had heard his words and took them to heart but he had kidnapped me, how could I not fear him. I shut my eyes again and started trembling more violently now as I listened to him come closer. I felt him kneel down next to me but kept my eyes shut, unsure what he was planning to do now.

I waited for a moment and then felt his cold fingers tug his scarf and cloak away from my face. I clenched my jaw as he pressed his large hand against my cheek for a moment, and then the other. I opened my eyes slowly, a little confused now as he pressed his hand to my forehead, his eyes looking thoughtful as he looked down at my face but his eyes never met mine.

“You feel warm….I hope you’ve not fallen ill…” He mumbled as he looked away, standing up again before walking over to the ladder. “Stay here.” He stated but didn’t put my binds back on, apparently doubting I would try anything. He climbed down quickly before walking to the door of the barn, out of my sight now. What does he want with me then? Why does he care for my health? I thought, but both questions would go unanswered. Once I heard him open and close the door to the cabin I stood immediately, trying to devise a plan to escape the man. Perhaps I can steal his horse… I smiled slightly at this thought as I wrapped his cloak around me and started to climb down the ladder.

I quickly ran to the door, trying not to stumble as I made my way through the hay and sleeping animals. Once I reached the door I peaked outside into the pitch black darkness, only a dim glow being emitted from the cabin. I was happy to see that the storm had let up and all was silent now but realize that might not be a good thing. I noticed the dark outline of a horse off in the grass, seemingly forgotten about by my captor. I noticed that it was grazing on the grass, having not gone to sleep yet. I slowly walked towards it and watched as it picked its head up to look at me. It looked at me for only a moment but paid me no attention as I neared it. I reached out and put my hand on its neck, stroking his mane to gain its trust. When it didn’t react I started to carefully mount it, climbing on top of its saddle. I grabbed the reins and commanded him forward but to my surprise, he didn’t move, he just continued grazing the grass lazily.

I tried again with the same response from him and scoffed frustrated as I tried once more. I tried to figure out why he wasn’t listening to my commands and then I remembered how my captor had made the horse go. Getting excited I gave a “yip yip” like my captor had and the horse bolted forward. I gasped and held the reins tight as I fell backwards, yanking on the reins as I did. This cause the horse to rear back in confusion and I was thrown from the saddle, falling with a painful thud to the ground. I heard a loud thump as my skull hit against the ground, hitting something much harder than dirt. I felt my gaze go fazy as I tried to keep my eyes open, hearing the horse stomp around angrily.