The rain felt like a storm, we moved with difficulty along the road. Behind us, five carriages followed at the speed allowed by the horses that pulled them. I held on tightly so I wouldn't fall; Eric was focused on what he was doing, but maybe he knew we would eventually be captured. That's why the investigator grabbed a shotgun from behind the seat, a weapon he wasn't familiar with, then handed me the reins. I widened my eyes at what he intended to do—it was too risky.
With each shot, the loud noise on the side startled me, making me almost lose control of the horses, so I gripped the reins even tighter, my hands beginning to ache from the strength I had to exert. I needed to keep control while Eric did something as risky as what only happened in detective novels.
— Hold on! — He shouted loudly so I could hear him amidst the sound of the rain and the shots. He kept firing. I still couldn't get used to the shrill noise that not even the rain could muffle. This was our chance; it was my chance to finally be free.
The shots kept coming, shattering the wheels of the carriages, even hitting the horses, leaving at least three of them out of reach, thrown onto the road. If they fired back at us, the accident would surely be disastrous, and we wouldn't survive. That's why, I assumed, William didn't allow them to shoot—and I was grateful for that obsession he had with me. His twisted love was what kept us alive.
However, we soon reached the bridge; we couldn't go any further. All the gears, the metal cables, showed it was still under construction. We had to stop. Felix grabbed my hand firmly and pulled me—what was he planning? The bridge ended in the middle, and there was no way to escape. Below, the river flowed, its current strong due to the rain. If we fell, death was almost certain.
— What are we going to do? — I asked, breathless. I grew even more desperate when I saw Gran Fort and three other henchmen approaching. The man looked triumphant; we were cornered, and that petulant smile on his face was justified. I would go back to my prison—the thought made me despair deeply.
— End of the line, Nathan. Come with me. — He extended his hand toward me. I felt fear. If I begged, maybe he'd let Eric go. That was the thought that crossed my mind, but then I felt the investigator's hand placing me behind him, as if to protect me. My face flushed, nervousness intensified, but it wasn't a bad feeling. Still, how long could we resist this?
— Not a chance. Nathan is an investigator and will go back to his duty. He's no longer trapped in your cage! — Eric spoke authoritatively and impatiently. Possessively, he stood in front of me. I appreciated the gesture and tried to stay just as confident.
— Get that arrogant fool, I'll handle Nathan myself. — The men moved towards Eric, surrounding him. There was nothing I could do for him now. They were all strong brutes—could Eric handle the situation? I didn't know, and it was starting to get worrisome. I wanted to intervene, maybe fight; if we stood together, side by side, perhaps we'd win. But the taller man had other plans.
— Go! — Felix said exasperatedly to me. I started to back away when I noticed Gran Fort getting closer. I ended up running, the path difficult due to all the metal beams and debris. I had to lean on hanging chains, enormous pieces of metal forcing me to crouch, trying to get as much support as possible. My heart pounded against my chest, my head throbbed with pain, I gasped under the pressure of the situation—I just wanted to get as far away from my cage as possible. The analogy of the place haunted me: the chains I used now to keep from falling would be the same to imprison me if William caught me.
— There's nowhere to run, Nathan. I'm willing to give you the world, and yet you try to flee, despite all my generosity? — The grinding of his teeth could be heard in his voice as he advanced towards me, almost nonchalantly. I couldn't look back at Eric to see how he was; I kept backing away until I reached the edge of the bridge and could see the water far below. It was a fall of more than twenty meters.
— No! I've had enough of being your prisoner. I'm not just a plaything; I have my own life now... someone now. I can't go back. — My words gave me strength. Despite that, I was cornered, clutching the chain hanging beside me, attached to an iron beam. — You don't want to give me the world; you want to trap me in your world.
— I'm willing to forgive your defiance if you're a good boy. I even promise to kill the investigator quickly, though I'd still prefer to torture him... but for you, I can be swift. — Those words horrified me. There was no way out—maybe jumping into the river. But when I was considering what to do, the man stood right in front of me and grabbed my wrist tightly.
— Let me go! I'll never go back, even if I have to die! — I roared in anger, trying to push him away. It felt like my strength had waned, and I knew it was his fault—that lack of energy was the result of the psychological terror he had subjected me to all my life. Even if I wasn't mentally fragile anymore, William was still stronger.
— You force me to correct this behavior. — From inside his black coat, he pulled out a small needle. My eyes widened, fear and cold washing over me. Not that again! — I'll make you behave. You'll live your whole life at my mercy, because I won't allow you to take your own life.
— S-stop! — Once again, I tried to fight, but I felt the needle sink into my neck, the only part exposed. In that spot, the effect would be even faster. I didn't want that! I struggled desperately before the liquid could be injected. My frantic movements made it difficult for him to manipulate the needle. Before he could stabilize it, something struck his head forcefully, making him stagger to the side and lean dangerously close to the edge of the bridge.
Felix dropped the iron bar, his body covered in various wounds, bruises, and scrapes, but he didn't seem truly hurt. I ripped the needle from my neck and threw it into the river, far enough so it would never pierce anyone again.
— Are you alright? — I asked, trying not to sound afraid. Before Eric could answer, William shoved the investigator, who fell among some debris, clinging on to avoid plummeting into the river. Gran Fort lunged at him, kicking to make him fall. I rushed to help before he fell, grabbing William's arm and trying to pull him off Felix. For a moment, I immobilized him. Eric kicked his stomach, taking advantage of my grip, making William lose balance and fall on top of me.
But we were too close to the edge. I stumbled on the debris and fell. Gran Fort lost his footing and fell as well. In the moment of the fall, due to the many hanging chains, one of them wrapped around my arm, preventing me from falling completely—not that it made me feel any safer. When Gran Fort grabbed my leg to avoid falling into the river, a sharp pain shot through my arm and shoulder. I screamed as my shoulder was strained, the pain excruciating. Something had happened to that part of my body—perhaps it was broken.
I looked down. It wouldn't be long before William slipped; even if he deserved to die, I didn't want to be responsible for it. Eric appeared at the edge and looked at the situation, seeing Gran Fort on the verge of falling. I saw a shadow in his eyes.
— Help us up, quickly! — I said impatiently. Eric grabbed the chain holding me, and as he pulled, the pain was intense. I tried not to scream so he wouldn't hesitate. I looked down, intending to extend my good hand to William, to help him grab one of the chains hanging near me. But instead, he pulled out something resembling a firearm—though much smaller. I had never seen one like that. He aimed at Eric, who was more focused on pulling me up. No—he would kill Eric...
With my free leg, I began to kick at his hand that clung to me. Realizing my intent, William looked surprised at my action, but I was determined to make him fall. I kicked as hard as I could. It was difficult in that position. He began to slip—it was inevitable—but he fired before falling into the river.
I looked up as I felt some drops of blood on my face. I feared the worst, but my body was being lifted until I reached Eric's level, who pulled me to him—as it always should be. The shot had grazed his arm.
— He fell. I made him fall... — I said, unable to believe what I had done, clutching Felix's clothes with my good arm. Lord William Gran Fort had fallen into the river and was possibly dead. Those were the thoughts rushing through my mind as I felt my body weaken—the horrifying image of the man who always called himself my owner and how betrayed he looked stirred me.
— You're free. — Eric said as if it were the only absolute truth. And I felt it was. I felt a certain relief—and guilt—filling my mind. I embraced him as best as I could. Though both of us were wounded, that moment was ours. I'd never have to return to that mansion, never again be Gran Fort's object of pleasure.
I don't know how long we stayed in each other's arms. But eventually, we had to separate and act. We tied up the men that the investigator had subdued. We returned to call for reinforcements, and soon the entire area was secured by the militia.
The situation wasn't over yet. I had to go to the hospital—I had indeed dislocated my shoulder. Eric had to take care of the gunshot wound and other minor injuries. My boss allowed me to return; he hadn't forwarded my resignation to the higher-ups. I had to amend my statement in the following days—I was reprimanded for that, but the chief understood my reasons. During those days, I stayed at Felix's house. We couldn't make any physical advances while I was injured—a mutual frustration, as I could tell.
After two weeks, things seemed to settle down. I don't know if the news about Gran Fort's body was comforting, as despite the searches, the Lord's body was never found. The current was too strong. He was declared dead, and the search was officially suspended.
The night in the house was cold—two weeks. I felt free and light. Despite the newfound freedom, I couldn't help but think that maybe there was a better solution than killing that man. I was in my room reading a book when I heard the door open. I officially lived with Eric now—it was almost an imposition, but I didn't mind; it would help reduce rent, though that wasn't the only reason. It was night and raining, as always outside. It was cold, but I was used to it now. My shoulder was much better, and I could take on a new case as Eric Felix's official partner. I had finally accepted it, which surprised some other investigators. After all, the older man didn't have the best reputation with his partners.
— Are you alright? — He asked, approaching me. I set the book aside—I couldn't concentrate on the reading anyway.
— Yes... Actually, I need to thank you for not giving up on me. For coming there. — I said timidly. Eric sat next to me and brushed my hair away from my face, looking at me. It had been a while since I avoided his gaze; now he seemed to truly see me.
— I should've heard your cry for help earlier... but I was selfish and jealous. — Eric seemed truly sincere and a little embarrassed. — Besides, hiding my feelings led to all of this.
— Jealous? — That sounded so good. I ended up moving closer; Eric still looked at me intensely. We kissed—it was warm and good, and he seemed eager for me, which made me want to feel him even more.
— Yes. Don't let anyone else touch you besides me. — Now, Eric's jealous nature made me feel desired and loved. I bit his neck possessively, wanting to mark him. I knew his jealousy wouldn't imprison me; that's why I felt so good with all his feelings poured onto me. Being in love, definitely, wasn't so bad.
— You too. — I whispered softly as I helped him undress. Seeing his body only filled me with more desire. I touched the scar from the gunshot on his arm gently—that could've been much worse. I shouldn't regret what I did.
That night, we loved each other slowly, letting the warmth of our bodies dispel the cold outside. Every touch, every whispered word carried the certainty that we were free now—to love, to live, and to belong only to each other.