Chapter 16

I felt a hand go around my elbow and I panicked. "Calm down" and London turned me around. I was too scared. "The lesser you struggle the easier this is going to be for me and you"

I didn't care,I had to at least go down with a fight. I started wiggling and twisting. "Stop it" London exclaimed.

I clawed his face which left him shocked, I started throwing blows at him which he was blocking without much effort.

When I had used up most of my energy, I finally stopped and I sagged. London then just held me.

I was trembling and I let him lead me back. I had exhausted all my energy and I couldn't fight any longer. What choice did I have?

Then I decided to take a different strategy to the one I had taken. I decided to beg, maybe it would work. I wouldn't know unless I tried.

"Please just let me go, You will never see me again and if I get caught I won't mention your name" As I was pleading with London. "I'm sorry Talia" was all he said.

I knew that all my hope was shattered, there was no escaping from this. I tried to sum up my courage to face Axel but I kept on shivering at the memory of him shooting the man.

We got to Axel's room and he opened the door and he locked me inside. I tried to still my shaking but I failed tremendously. At least Axel wasn't here yet.

So I gave up, I kept on thinking about the man they had killed whom I never knew, but I couldn't help but feel sad at the thought that he might have family.

His poor wife and kids waiting for him to come home, but that won't be happening as he was killed. What if I was next, for disobeying orders. My mind went to a messy frenzy of so many possibilities that could happen to me.

I was very stupid, Why had I screamed? I could have sneaked out in secret and then let loose of all the emotions that were bottled up in me.

I had lost my chance to escape because of my foolishness. I could have been free since they were no guards by the door, why did I let my curiosity get the best of me?

But there was nothing I could do as the events had turned out this way. There was no point in regret because it wouldn't change any circumstances.

I stood up and I went next to the door and I stood there. I heard the door finally opening, I knew this was my chance to try again. The door opened and Axel got in as he was about to close the door, I tried to run out but the door hit the side of my body and I landed on the floor.

I felt hands around my waist and I froze in fear. What would happen to me now as I had tried to escape for the second time around. He helped me up and then he locked the door. I was looking at my one hope of escaping being taken away from me.

I was still facing the door when he went and poured himself some whiskey. I sunk down by the door and I leaned my side against it as my legs were pulled up to my chest.

"Talk to me Talia."

How could life be like this as I thought, I had witnessed my first death in such a horrific manner. I couldn't get the image out of my head of the man whom I didn't even know.I was supposed to be in school and struggling with tuition.

I missed Mia so badly, how was she? I wonder if she missed me? I mean we were suppose to struggle to get prom dates. Work part-times and go partying but no life had other plans for me. I missed the old times. Even though I was alone and not well financed, I was still happy.

"TALIA ANSWER ME FOR FUCKS SAKE!"

I snapped out of my revenue, tears started slipping down my cheeks. I was so scared of him, I leaned more against the door. "Please don't hurt me" as I kept on saying in between gasps. "Please let me go, I won't ever look back nor talk about you I swear" as more hot tears were coming.

"Anything but that Talia, I can't never let you go. You are my life line"

If he had said this last night, it would be a different situation, but now it had changed.

I looked up at him and I flinched when I saw blood on his shirt, he then traced my gaze and he turned and went into the closet. I looked down and I wanted to wake up from this never ending nightmare, but I didn't.

I didn't know how long it had been.

Axel came out and he was wearing a fresh set of clothing. He had cleaned himself up, he came and he crouched in front of me. His hand rose and I flinched, when he saw my reaction he put it back down. Then he raked his hand through his hair.

"Go to sleep Talia" I didn't want to disobey him.

I got up shakily and I nearly fell when he caught me. I jerked out of his arms quickly, and I walked to bed and I lay on the edge. A few minutes later I felt the bed deep and after some time I heard his breaths had deepened.

Axel's Pov:

I woke and I saw it was 02:33 am, I wondered If Talia was still asleep. I couldn't shake it out of my mind, how her face looked like when she had just witnessed me shoot the traitor. She saw me just as the rest of the world saw me as a monster not be given a chance.

I thought about the previous week, when I had I kissed her.

I had felt a connection when we shared a kiss, the way she had kissed me back I knew she didn't have any experience. I don't know why I had liked it.

It was a different kiss to what I was used to. I knew it was very selfish of me but I couldn't let her go, no matter the cost.

I slowly turn around and I find her gone, panic sets in at the thought that she might have had escaped, I get out of my bed abruptly and I almost trip over her. She is huddled on the floor and she is cooing in her sleep.

This makes me feel conflicted, I touch her cheek to find it ice cold. How long had she been sleeping on the ground I wonder. I didn't even feel her leave, of course she didn't want to share a bed with a monster like me.

Yet I wanted her to understand me, I wondered why it was important for me. I couldn't afford to lose her at any cost.

I didn't like the fact that she was now more afraid of me.

I pick her up gently and I lay her on the bed and cover her with a blanket. I push out the hair tendrils on her face, then I place a kiss on her forehead.

I knew I couldn't let her go no matter what. I couldn't explain what I felt for her but when I looked at her I had hope, but I didn't know what I hoped for.

I woke up the next day very early, I had reprimanded my guards for leaving her door unguarded. I told them not to leave their spot no matter what. This time I had also told London to guard her door.

She wanted to escape so badly and I couldn't let her slip through my fingers. I had to have my best man guarding her, which meant London as he was second in command.

I knew we had more pressing matters but Talia mattered more to me. I didn't want anything to happen to her.

I would have stayed with her but she couldn't stand me at the moment and I wanted to give her space.

London's Pov:

It was lunch time and I had been assigned to be Talia's guard for today. To make sure she doesn't escape. I don't hear much, it seems like she was asleep or still in shock.

I don't know if I should get in and check in on her. The maids come with food, and they leave it for her. Which means she should be fine, I want to ask the maids but I think better of it.

At around 19:07pm I hear something shattering, I rush to the door. When I open the door, I find the room destroyed, everything is in array. The pillows are ripped out, she had spilled her food. I must admit she did quite a number on this room. Hopefully it would let her take out her rage or whatever emotions she was feeling that had been bottled up inside of her.

I walk up to Talia. Where she is crouched on the floor, she is heaving up and down.

"Please let me go outside for fresh air, I'm going to suffocate in here!" as she slurs out.

I can tell that she has been drinking some of Axel's whisky as she smells very strongly of it. I can see she is a bit drunk at the way her posture is. I looked at the bottle and I wondered how much she had drunk.

She had shattered the whisky bottle against the wall, and liquid was dripping down it. It was impossible to tell how much she drank.

I walked back to were she was. I looked at her to see if she was trying to escape but I see she is clear and just drunk.

I can't help but feel sorry for her, so I lightly help her up with a grip on her elbow. I motion for the other guard to stay there.

I take her outside to the square garden, she usually liked to sit there or sleep there.

Then she sits on the bench with her hands clasped on a lap. I hope this would help her a bit, even though it wasn't much.

I decide to sit next to her and I don't say anything.

She looks at me with very sad eyes. "Why me of all people London?"

"I don't know" I reply to her frankly.

I look her over and she looks like a mess, and the alcohol isn't helping her much either.

"Do you think Axel will get tired of me and let me go at some point?"

"I don't know Talia, why don't you ask him that?"

Her eyes pool with tears and she sobs uncontrollably, I didn't know what to do, so I put my arms around her and she leans into my shoulder and she cries more.

I don't know why her cries made my heart clench a lot. She didn't deserve this type of life, it was really breaking her.

It was a gruesome sight for someone who was as young as she was. So many things were happening to her, and she was trying to be strong but you could tell she was getting too broken.

"shh shh" I kept on saying it over and over again to her. "Everything is going to be fine"

she pulls out of my arms "How do you know?"

I don't reply to her, as she now seems very angry. "TELL ME, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT LONDON? WHAT IF IT GETS WORSE? HUH?"

"Sadly I don't know, Talia but it's up to you to make the best of your situation and how you take on life."

"You are right" I look at her and I see that she has calmed down a bit. She looks at me with lost eyes. I can't help but lean in and press my lips on to hers,

Our lips meet and she clutches my shirt.

As I'm about to deepen the kiss, I hear a voice yelling in rage

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER!".