The Escape Attempt

The room was pitch black, and I couldn't tell if it was day or night. I had no idea how long I'd been trapped there, alone and scared. The rope around my wrist was cutting into my skin, and I was drifting in and out of consciousness.

Suddenly, I heard a sound - the lock clicking open. I squinted as the light flooded in, trying to adjust my eyes to the sudden brightness. The bonds fell away. I fought the urge to rub my sore wrist.

Before I could even catch my breath, Carter was there, pulling me up and dragging me into the kitchen. He forced me into a chair and tied a rope around my ankle, then shoved a bowl of soup in front of me.


"Eat," he demanded, his voice cold and menacing.


With cautious anticipation, I took small bites of the food in front of me, each morsel a delicate dance between hunger and suspicion. The room, shrouded in tense silence, seemed to hold its breath as Carter, my captor, scrutinized my every move with a predatory gaze.


"Are you going to try and escape again?"

His voice cut through the air like a knife, its sharpness slicing through the fragile facade of normalcy. I shook my head, a silent oath of compliance, my eyes fixed on the plate before me as if it held the secrets of my survival. I couldn't afford to give him any reason to doubt me, not when the consequences of failure loomed over me like a specter in the night.

I finished my meal . Relief washed over me like a cleansing tide when Carter unexpectedly reached for the bonds around my feet. With a quick flick of his wrist, the suffocating restraints fell away, freeing me from their grip. He grabbed my arm, his touch both firm and strangely gentle, and led me up the creaky stairs to a dimly lit room that felt like a chamber of secrets.


"I will not bind you tonight," he declared, his voice softer now, devoid of its usual edge.

"I will not lock the door."


His words hung in the air like a fragile promise, a glimmer of hope in the darkness that surrounded us. With a final nod, he closed the door behind me, leaving me alone in the eerie silence of the room. Despite his assurances, I couldn't shake the feeling that this newfound freedom was nothing more than a fleeting illusion.

Time seemed to stretch and warp as I waited, each heartbeat echoing like a drumbeat of anticipation in the confines of my chest. The darkness pressed in around me, suffocating and oppressive, but I knew that this was my chance, my only opportunity to break free from the chains that bound me.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the rhythmic cadence of Carter's snores drifted through the walls, a siren's song beckoning me towards freedom. With bated breath, I crept towards the door, my movements slow and deliberate, every muscle in my body coiled like a spring ready to snap.

I turned the doorknob, a silent prayer whispered on my lips, I couldn't shake the feeling that every creak and groan of the ancient wood was a warning, a harbinger of the danger that lurked just beyond. I pushed the thought aside, steeling myself for the perilous journey ahead.

Step by agonizing step, I made my way down the stairs, my senses hyperaware of the slightest sound or movement. The adrenaline surged through my veins, drowning out the thudding of my own heart as I reached for the door, my fingers trembling with a mixture of fear and determination.

Soon after I thought I had outsmarted him, just as I dared to believe that I was finally free, I heard it. The unmistakable sound of Carter stirring from his slumber, his footsteps echoing like a death knell in the silence of the night. With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I realized that my time was running out, that my escape was nothing more than a fleeting dream in the face of an unforgiving reality.


Without a moment's hesitation, I bolted out into the night, my bare feet pounding against the cold ground, each step a desperate plea for freedom. Panic and uncertainty gripped me like a vice as I realized I had no idea where I was or where to go. Instinctively, I headed towards the flickering lights of a bustling inn, hoping to find refuge and assistance amidst the chaos of the crowd.

I made my way down the street, my heart racing in my chest, I felt a sudden jolt as his muscular arms wrapped around me, his grip like iron chains binding me to him. My screams were muffled by his hand, and I struggled to break free, but it was futile; his strength was unmatched.

In what felt like mere moments, we arrived at his house, a looming fortress of fear and despair. With a chilling finality, he dragged me upstairs, each step a march towards my captivity.

My heart raced as I took in my surroundings, the room looming larger and more menacing than the one I had just fled. His discarded shirt lay crumpled on the floor, a silent testament to the violence that lurked within these walls. Fear turned to panic as he locked the door behind us, his eyes burning with a malevolent fire.


"You'll regret trying to escape," he growled, his voice dripping with venomous intent.


I refused to be held captive, my defiance a beacon of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume me.


"You can't keep me here," I proclaimed, my voice trembling but resolute, a declaration of defiance in the face of oppression.


Suddenly, with a force that knocked the breath from my lungs, he shoved me onto the bed, his grip like a vise around my throat, crushing the air from my lungs. Desperation fueled my instincts as I clawed at his hands, fighting for my very life. Yet, his laughter echoed in the suffocating silence, a cruel symphony of dominance and despair.

When I thought my last breath was upon me, he released his grip, allowing me to gasp for precious air. There was no respite from his torment, no escape from the prison of his embrace. He crawled into the bed beside me, his presence suffocating, his words dripping with a twisted sense of gratitude that sent chills down my spine.

The life growing within me was my only shield, my only salvation from his murderous intentions. With every beat of my heart, I vowed to protect it, to defy the darkness that threatened to consume us both.

In his tight embrace, I was trapped, helpless against the storm that raged within him. Even in the depths of despair, I refused to surrender. With every fiber of my being, I clung to hope, to the belief that one day, somehow, I would break free from his suffocating grip and emerge into the light once more.


The sun's rays filtered through the window, I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to avoid any unwanted attention from Carter. I needed some peace and quiet. He got dressed and left the room. I breathed a sigh of relief. Who knows what he was up to?

I quickly made my way to the window, eager to take in the view of the quaint little village we were in. It was small, with only a handful of houses and shops scattered around. I spotted a few horses outside and wondered if I could sneak away. Just as I was lost in thought, the door creaked open.


"My queen, you're awake!"

"Good morning Carter!" I greeted as he walked in.

"I've got a few errands to run in town, so I'll be out for a bit."


With a quick wave, he was out the door, locking it behind him. Once he was out of sight, I couldn't resist checking out the window. To my delight, it opened easily, and I peered down to see if the vines outside would hold my weight. To my delight, they did hold my weight.

Without a second thought, I wrapped one around my hand and climbed out onto the ledge. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but I made it down to the ground safely. I quickly untethered one of the horses and hopped onto its back, urging it out of the village without looking back.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the countryside, I knew that my journey had reached a critical point. Supplies were running low, and I needed to find a place to rest for the night. Just when I thought all hope was lost, a quaint village emerged on the horizon, a beacon of relief in the encroaching darkness.


With a sigh of relief, I urged the horse forward through the dense forest. The sun was beginning to set casting shadows upon the winding path ahead, guiding me towards the distant flicker of lights that promised solace and respite. My heart quickened with anticipation as I drew nearer to the village, the silhouette of the inn standing tall against setting sun.


The warmth emanating from within the inn beckoned me like a beacon of hope, thawing the chill that had settled deep into my bones. I tied the horse to the post outside. I pushed open the heavy oak door, the cozy embrace of the inn enveloped me, washing away the weariness that had plagued me for days. The scent of hearth fire and hearty stew danced in the air, mingling with the murmurs of conversation that filled the room.

The innkeeper, a stout man with a kind face, glanced up from behind the polished counter, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of me. His gaze lingered on my disheveled appearance, a silent question hanging in the air between us.


"How can I be of service to you?" His voice, rich with concern, broke the silence, drawing me back to the present moment.

"I am in need of a room for the night," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, the weight of my exhaustion evident in every word.


The innkeeper's eyes flickered with doubt, uncertainty clouding his features. Almost as if a veil had been lifted, recognition dawned in his eyes when I produced the royal seal from the depths of my cloak.



"I am the queen of Lodamir," I announced, my voice steady and sure, reclaiming the regal stature that had been stripped away in the darkness of captivity.

"I have been abducted and am on my way home."


A moment of silence hung in the air, thick with disbelief and awe, before the innkeeper bowed low, a gesture of reverence and respect.


"Right this way, your Majesty," he said, his voice filled with newfound reverence as he led me towards the staircase that wound its way upwards.


I settled into the softness of the bed, the weight of the day's trials began to lift from my shoulders. Even in the safety of the inn, fear still gnawed at the edges of my consciousness, threatening to consume me once more.





"If anyone comes looking for me, please do not reveal my whereabouts," I implored, the words tumbling from my lips in a rush of desperation.

"The young man who abducted me has sandy blond hair and piercing brown eyes.”

“His name is Carter."


The innkeeper's eyes widened with understanding, his expression solemn as he nodded in silent agreement.


"Your secret is safe with me, Your Majesty," he vowed, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of uncertainty that raged within me.


Moments later, he returned with a warm dress and a pair of sturdy riding boots, his hands gentle as he helped me prepare for the journey that awaited me in the morning.


"Lodamir lies about three hours east from here," he informed me, his voice filled with quiet determination.

"In the morning, I will provide you with supplies for your journey."

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath.


I sank into the embrace of sleep, the weight of the day's trials slipping away into the darkness.