Chapter 123
Daria’s POV
The night was long, cold and trepidatious.
After some discussions with both Eric and Sabrina, we had agreed on trying to escape tonight. My heart pounded in my chest. The guards had just left after taking away the gruel they called our dinner. Neither Eric nor I had been able to stomach much of it, and Sabrina took a full bowl but ended up becoming nauseous. The chill sank into my bones. I lay down, closing my eyes and counting down, waiting for any sign that the guards would return.
It was after Eric whispered, “It’s clear,” that I rose, turning to face the cell bars. The hairpin was in my hand, and I began to fiddle with the chains binding me. It was difficult, having to bend my hand at an awkward position, but I managed it. It had been a while since I picked a lock, but the memories stayed with me. Sweat beaded at my forehead as I tried to turn the hairpin. My palms were getting clammy, and getting a grip on it was proving more difficult than expected.
“How’s it going, Daria?” Sabrina’s voice was hushed, fear coating it. My breath hitched and I put more force behind the twists and turns of the hairpin.
Great Moon Goddess, please let this work, I thought fervently, desperation filling my body.
A beat later and I felt it; a click that was audible enough in the dead silent dungeon. I sighed, all my worries fading away in an instant.
“Got it,” I shakily said, and the sighs of relief echoed in the air.
“Thank Goddess,” Eric muttered. The chains fell from my hands and I caught them before they could hit the floor and make too much sound. Placing them on the ground cautiously, I rushed, armed with the hairpin, to free myself from the bars. This time I was quicker, much better than before.
The cell bars swung open with a soft creak. I looked towards the direction of the exit cautiously, and Eric said, “They’re not close. Free your friend. I’ll keep an eye out.”
I nodded and crossed over to where Sabrina was. She gazed at me with wonder and hope brimming in her glossy eyes. I felt overwhelmed by emotions, my heart rapidly beating. Once I had opened her cell door, I moved to grasp her arms, checking over her.
My hands brushed her abdomen, and I froze, speechless.
What?
I realized I had been too silent after Sabrina jolted, saying my name in a small voice.
I had to be quick
“Dont worry,” I assured her, shakily. “Hold out your hand.”
As I unlocked the chains from her wrists, I wondered how I was going to tell her the news.
I should have known, I thought, my mind racing.
Sabrina was none the wiser at my slightly distracted state, and pulled me out of the cell. We moved over to Eric’s cell. I noticed his eyes were fixed on the exit behind us.
As soon as I got the cell door open for him, he immediately said. “Someone’s coming.”
My body froze, and Sabrina gasped, covering her mouth with panic flashing in her eyes.
“Come on,” Eric beckoned, and we followed his lead, shutting the bars of his cell and moving to stand at a much darker part of the room, so close to the exit.
The footsteps were quiet, but still there.
I realized after some listening that it was only one person.
“Hold on,” Eric muttered, gripping his chains with tension in his words.
As soon as the guard crossed our paths, not noticing us, Eric acted. He swung the chains over the guard and tightened it on the man’s neck. The man suddenly kicked out and was about to shift, but the physical contact with the aconitum chains wouldn’t let him. Sabrina and I watched as within seconds, the flailing man was strangled to death. Eric grunted and gave a twist, and the resounding crack felt like a burden had just lifted.
We had to move.
Eric must have felt the same, because he looked at me.
“There will be more coming,” He said, holding out his hand for me to free him. “You know the way out.”
“Y-Yes,” I replied. Once the chains were off his wrists, we hurriedly walked towards the exit. I led them out of the dungeon, my body filled with a pulsing rhythm that wasn’t there before. My wolf was back, and free.
We barely made it past the hallways when we sensed someone coming closer.
I froze. Not one person, by the sounds of it. Multiple.
“Quick,” I pulled Eric and Sabrina into a tiny room. It was one of the unused servant’s rooms. Realization and dread shot through me. “Theyre going to the dungeon. They’ll realize we’ve escaped.”
Luckily for me, Eric was more clear-minded than I was.
“Come,” he gestured towards the window. We were on the ground floor, and the window overlooked a large part backyard, with trees overlooking the distance.
Suddenly a loud bell rang.
“Escapees!” Someone called out, echoing in the air.
Damn it!
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