“We’ve got a clear shot to get out of here. We are going to head out the back of the kitchen,” a man said behind him.
I put my hand back on my ear to muffle the noise, and the man carrying me turned, and we shuffled out of the room. The turning, the racing up the stairs, and the heavy footsteps were all movements I wasn’t ready for. Luckily, my stomach was empty, and the noise was minimal.
Once outside, I took in my first breath of fresh air. My eyes widened, and I dared to open them all the way and saw the brightest moon I’d ever witnessed. It wasn’t completely full, but it was the most beautiful thing I’d seen.
As I leaned against the towering figure holding me, I gazed up at the vast expanse of the sky. The cool evening breeze swept over my skin, carrying the scent of blooming flowers. With a heart full of gratitude, I silently whispered a thank you to the heavens above. I let out a contented sigh, feeling the soft fabric of the man’s shirt beneath my fingertips. It was as if his embrace was shielding me from the harshness of the world. The rhythmic sound of his steady breathing was a soothing lullaby, lulling me into a peaceful state. At that moment, I realized I felt safe for the first time in what felt like an eternity. Perhaps it was because his touch was the first human contact I had experienced in so long, or maybe it was because he had chased away the darkness from not just my dreams but my reality as well.
I could die happy now.
He tightened his hold on me. My head fell back into his chest, and I smiled, so happy to be out of the prison. Wherever these people were taking me, may it be another prison—I knew I wouldn’t last long. I could pretend this man was my savior. That there was some part of good in the world, even if it was just for another day.
The area was dark as the men slinked their way across the courtyard. They were quiet, guns in their hands and looking all around them. They were trained and skillful in what they did, but the giant holding me stood out more than the others.
He was taller and broader; he didn’t fit in with the rest of them. He didn’t duck behind statues or trees; he walked like he owned the estate, and his jaw was set so tense I feared he might break his teeth.
“Bones, have the medical bed ready,” he spoke. I jumped in his arms, and his thumb rubbed over my cheek. “Easy,” his voice rumbled. “We have a doctor on board ready to look at you when we take off.”
I swallowed hard and balled my fist into his shirt.
Why help me?I wanted to ask.
Once we arrived, there was another woman in the arms of another. I’d never seen her before, but she was wearing a uniform that was like mine but newer, and she had a collar around her neck. “Break it and get in.” I heard behind me as I was carried inside.
The plane engine roared, and I covered my ears again, the sound overwhelming. My heart raced at the new surroundings and my body shook with the anxiety of not knowing what was going to happen to me. For years I’d spent time in the same space, and now I was out—which I was grateful for—but where was I going?
The male set me down in a chair, the blanket still wrapped around me. He knelt in front of me and buckled me in. It was all I could do to sit upright. My body shook and tilted, trying to lean on the wall next to the window. My teeth chattered, my body already losing the heat from his body.
The man frowned. I couldn’t look him in the eye; I was too ashamed, too weak to do anything more.
He lifted my chin. “My name is Bear. What is yours?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
I shook my head, my hair covering my face. “Shh, it’s alright,” Bear’s soft words for a giant comforted me. He unbuckled my seat belt, picked me up again, and brought me into his lap.
I didn’t protest. I soaked up the massive amount of heat that he radiated. I wanted it, craved it, and I buried my face into his chest. My bones didn’t ache. My body warmed. I wanted more of it.
Only because he’s warm. It’s for survival.I told myself as I buried my face in his chest.
His arms wrapped around me, his breathing deepened, and a loud growling noise radiated from his chest. He petted my hair and ran his fingers through it, and I melted.
The plane went into motion, and soon enough, it was airborne, and the shaking in my body soon subsided.
It was better than food.
As soon as the plane stabilized and the distinct clicking of seatbelts being undone filled the air, I instinctively brought my hands up to my ears. I winced at the high-pitched noises, burying my face further into Bear’s chest.
“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” Bear asked. He tried to pull my hands down, but I refused and kept them close to my ears.
Too much noise. Too much.
Bear growled deeply.
I’m becoming a problem.
Bear unbuckled our seat belt, picked me up, and traveled to the back of the plane. Bear tapped on a door, and it opened rapidly, revealing a gentleman with salt and peppered hair.
I say gentleman because he looks well put together and nothing like the other men I saw who were dressed in assassin black clothes. This man looked put together with his black button-down shirt and dark jeans.
