He stuffed clothes into his pack along with a couple of his favorite dolls. Kit would have to make do with his things, so Riju made a bundle for him to wear along with a pair of old boots. They were worn and likely a little too big for Kit, but they’d have to do. He also took his money from where he’d hidden it under a floorboard.
He’d tucked it away in case their shop was ever robbed. He didn’t think he’d need to grab it and run one night. Most likely, his plan would work, and he wouldn’t even need to dip into his savings, or at least not too much.
Since Trig wasn’t getting away with everything he’d done, Riju and Kit would most likely be set afterward although he felt better with the pack. If anything went wrong, they wouldn’t be stuck with nothing.
After a while, he slipped out of his room and into the privy to relieve himself. Sweet relief. He’d never held his bladder for so long and hoped he never had to again. Back in his room, he turned off his lantern and waited for a while.
He didn’t hear anything from Trig’s room. Dear Elira, please let him be sound asleep.
It had to be after midnight when Riju finally swung his cloak around himself, tucked his arms through the side slits, and slung his pack over his shoulders. It was crooked on his back, and he knew it wasn’t well-made. Oh, well. With the bundle, he listened at his door.
The house was silent. Trig was certainly sleeping like a baby. Like he hadn’t hurt the man he supposedly loved.
He started to shake when he tiptoed into the hallway, silently closed his door, and hugged the bundle of clothes to his chest. If Trig found out what he was doing, he’d get worse than a slap. Kit would too.
He stuck close to the wall. The floor creaked occasionally depending on where one stepped, and while it had neverbothered him before, a tiny creak would sound incredibly loud. If Trig woke up and heard…staying to the sides was quieter.
The basement door was latched. He slipped in and closed the door. A lantern had been left on. When he came down the stairs enough to see Kit by the wall, he almost wanted to cry again. He’d been left chained near the wall without enough slack to reach anything, and he was standing.
“Riju?” Relief flooded his face as he spoke in a low voice. “I knew you’d come! We’re leaving now, right?”
“We are,” Riju muttered as he hurried over with the bundle. “Did he leave the key in here?”
“It’s in the cabinet,” Kit said in a low voice as he pointed. “I peed on the floor. I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold it.”
Riju noticed the puddle to one side. “He didn’t even think to leave you a bucket?”
“No. What did he do? I heard you yelling earlier. I was afraid he’d hurt you.”
Riju opened the cabinet and saw the key hanging on a hook on the door. “He was violent. I’ll be fine. We’re not staying here because he’ll do it again, and if he hurts you-”
Trig probably planned to punish Kit for pissing on the floor even though it was ridiculous to expect a person to hold their bladder for that long. Just because Riju had managed all day didn’t mean everyone could. It was manipulative and meant to shame Kit.
“I talked back a lot. I was mad and scared-”
“He’s not punishing you. I won’t let him.” Riju set the bundle by Kit and crouched to undo the shackle around his ankle. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. He said he'd punish me tomorrow.”
Bastard. “Get dressed.”
Kit hurriedly dressed and laced up the boots Riju gave him. “I told him I was done, and I wanted to leave. He threatened me.”
“He’ll hurt us both. That’s why we’re going. Fuck. I forgot a cloak for you.”
“I don’t need one. Come on.” Kit grabbed his left hand.
Riju hissed and drew it back. “It’s sprained.” He used his other to grab Kit’s hand.
“Trig sprained it?”
“He grabbed me.” Riju led him to the door. “We’re going to the gate guards. They’ll help us, and we’ll figure out what to do af-”
Riju’s heart nearly stopped when he heard a faint creak from the basement door, and he paused with Kit on the bottom step as he looked up. Dear Elira, no.
Trig stood at the top in his drawers and a sleep shirt. A few strands of his messy hair hung in his face. Riju had been dead silent. How had he heard anything? Or did he wake up and think to check?
Trig finally broke the silence as he peered at the pair below him. “What the fuck are you doing?”
