Enslaved

by Kim Faulks

  She gripped the rock, tore her eyes away from the wolf that sought her out with his own, as he howled in triumph, and she focused on the male before her.

  "Tristan," she said forcing her voice to portray a lie. "Look at me."

  His eyes were wide, his breath coming in gasps and gulps as he tried desperately to fit his body through, knowing his life and hers depended on it. The wolves were almost there now, almost upon them.

  "I want you to do something for me. Can you do something for me Tristan?"

  He nodded, his head bouncing at he stared at her helplessly.

  "I want you to look at me. Do not take your eyes off me, it's very important, okay?

  The growl of the wolves reverberated in the air, filling it with a vibration that tingled her skin as he nodded.

  "Take a deep breath, a real deep one and then breath out. Keep breathing out until I tell you to stop okay?

  He nodded, sucking in the air, expanding his chest then he exhaled. When his breath was almost out and she could feel those fucking wolves at her neck she pushed with everything she had, sliding his body raw along the rocks as they moved into the crevice.

  In the reflection of Tristan's eyes she saw what reached for her and felt the mind-jarring pain tear through her back as she was shoved violently forward. She screamed, her knees bucking, unable to hold her weight any longer and with the momentum of her own crippling impact she forced his body through the opening and into the darkness of the belly of the mountain.

  The howl outside made her organs jump inside her body and she heard Alicia and Luke cry out in fear. She moved off Tristan, allowing him to go where he was needed - his family.

  She heard the soft smack of their bodies as they collided and hugged each other tightly, mirroring each other's cries and their moving whispers of I love you and I love you too. She looked away, even though she saw nothing but black, leaving this family to comfort each other in their moment of need and... felt... utterly... alone.

  Her hands trembled as she felt along the wall of rocks, using the pain that ripped through her back as an opportunity to explore where they were now trapped and move away from the others - running away felt more like it, but wallowing in self-pity wouldn't help anyone, especially her.

  The room seemed to balloon out and Natalie followed the wall using her hands to guide her, until the voices of the others were almost gone and she found a break in the wall. The tear of the mountain wall was large enough for her to move through freely, without sliding along the wall. She stopped and turned back, debating whether to wait for the others, or keep going and then she realized how pathetic and how removed from her real-self, she had become.

  Never once in her life had she waited for another to decide her fate. Even in the army and taking directions from her commanding officer did she feel hesitant when it came to making decisions. She had always prided herself at being a strong, independent woman.

  Until now.

  Chapter 9

  Following not only the broken wall of the cave, but the residue of her former self, Natalie trailed the rocks with her fingers as she followed the wall. Things scurried from her in the darkness. Big things that stopped her cold, waiting until she could hear their movements no more and when she gained the courage to keep going.

  "It's okay, they're not going to hurt me," she said whispering in the dark like a fucking child. "They are move afraid of me, than I am of them."

  "Who are you talking to?"

  She whirled around, using her elbows to puncture soft flesh as the reflex to hurt or be hurt roared like a savage Lioness inside her. "Oww, fuck Natalie, it's just me."

  She pulled away, her whimpers dying in her throat. "I'm sorry, you scared the hell out of me."

  "Jesus, that hurt," he moaned. "I couldn't find you back there, so I thought I'd follow the wall until I found you, or a way out of this hell."

  She didn't hear him behind her, so involved in her own panic until it was too late. What if he had been one of them? What if he had taken her back...? Half of her felt numb to that concept as though that part of her was dead. The other half of her recoiled inside of her, hissing like some feral animal that was prepared to bite, kill, or be killed as long as she didn't go back to that camp.

  Both sides of her, she realized were all she was left with, a half-dead, half- feral stranger that she had become. Somewhere along the way she had lost the real Natalie Sommers. The real her that had been strong and independent, the titanium spirit had cracked, between the grunts of sexual depravity she had endured and the countless pleads for help that had never come.

  "What are we going to do now?" Tristan asked, his own voice trembling as he sought guidance.

  She had no answers. She was barely hanging in there herself. All she had left was a shadow that hung over her, a remnant of someone that was no more. A shadow that felt more alive than herself. She looked to that shadow inside of herself, seeking her own guidance as she asked the shadow, What would the old Natalie have done?

  The shadow of her former self answered, enveloping her in the strength she had once felt. What would the old Natalie have done? That was easy. Whatever it took.

  She didn't realize that she spoke out loud until Tristan answered, his own voice taking on a harder, more determined tone as he spoke. "Then we need to find out where this leads us."

  The torch beam cut through the blackness in front of her as a click resounded inside the cave and she stared at an endless tunnel that carved through the rock. She wished for the darkness, now that she could not only hear the things that scurried away in the darkness, but now she could also see them. Large spiders moved away from the light, moving in any direction they could, including to her horror - up.

  Natalie cringed, stepping away from the scuttling movement above and stepped into the beam of the light, her actions now were not her own, they were another's as the constant loop of one simple question started inside her head. What would Natalie do?

  She stepped into the light, making her way one foot at a time, stepping into the dark and leaving the light as Tristan followed behind with the torch. The tunnel seemed to go on forever, cutting through the mountain until it bought them out to the other side.

  The light was dimmed, cut out by the massive boulders that prevented them from getting out, or anyone getting in. They were trapped.

  "Let's go, Alicia will be getting worried."

  She nodded, there was nothing else she could do. Their only hope was to leave the way they had come in. They made their way back, walking faster this time, until they reached Alicia and the boy. The sunlight seemed to force its way into the darkness of the caves entrance, giving a dimmed glow. Luke played quietly in the dirt of the caves floor watched by a pacing mother.

  "We're trapped aren't we?" she said, her voice lowered, but it was still too loud as the boy looked up at Natalie, piercing her with his innocent stare. He knew too much already, could feel her panic like Natalie did.

  She left Tristan and Alicia, there was nothing she could do or say that would make this any better. Luke pushed around sticks on the ground, making the noises of a truck and waited until she sat next to him before speaking. "I still have my purple Gobstopper if you want it?"

  Dear God, this kid was trying to kill her with his kindness? In that moment she would have gladly gone back into that dungeon. She would have endured anything, if it meant that he would be away from her and this place, safe and well. She shook her head, reached out and ruffled his hair as he stifled a yawn.

  "You tired?"

  "Yeah. Mum yelled at Dad and woke me up early," as he rubbed his eyes.

  "You can lay your head on my lap if you want."

  She hated those words as soon as they left her mouth and looked away from him, knowing he must be horrified that a stranger like her asked for physical contact. She waited for his scared voice to call for his Mum, beg her to take him away from the crazy lady and keep him safe. She heard his boots slip and slide in the loose dirt, in a
hurry to get away. She turned her head away so that he didn't see the sheen of her tears. That was okay, she didn't blame him.

  Her thigh took the soft blow as something heavy landed in her lap. She looked down, unable to believe what was happening. He turned his head to her and smiled only slightly, then closed his eyes, his lips parting instantly. It was only a matter of minutes until his breathing deepened, the soft snore warming something inside of her that she hadn't felt in a very long time.

  "He likes you."

  Natalie looked up at Alicia. Her eyes moved from her son to Natalie, as though she was having trouble understanding what was happening. She wasn't the only one.

  The sharp edges of rock stabbed at her back, and she laid her head back, pushing harder into them. She dared not move, lest she wake this sleeping child. He had given her so much in a matter of seconds and she felt a flutter of hope beat its wings inside her. She was alive and she was going to make it. The old Natalie spoke inside of her, I am going to find a way to save this child and his family. Then I'm going to get away from here.

  She closed her eyes feeling sleep stake its claim with that conviction settling deep within her heart

  Chapter 10

  She woke with a start. A scream trapped inside as she waited for them to come for her, to release her from this dungeon and take her outside to where they waited.

  Something moved, heavy in her lap and she reached out, resting her hand on something hard and soft, hair and a ear... It took her a moment to understand where she was, that she wasn't back inside the dark, waiting to be torn, ravaged once more. The whimper turned pathetic as she tried to stifle it between her closed lips.

  "What the fuck did they do to you?"

  The voice whispered in the darkness, as though it was only her imagination. But, she knew it wasn't, she could feel her waiting for the answer, hidden in the darkness like her own thoughts.

  "I was taken from a house in Suez. They kept me chained in a dungeon."

  "Jesus... how long ago was that?"

  "I don't know. I... can't remember."

  "Who the fuck are they?" Alicia asked, her voice rising with her anger and Natalie let her wait, letting the anger inside the woman settle before answering.

  "I don't know myself. I thought kidnap for ransom at first. But I know that there are people who would have paid any amount to have me back."

  "Surely I would have heard about you by now. Your face would be pasted all over the news. And I haven't, I'm sorry."

  The who and why still plagued her. Not understanding the reasons had driven her insane at first and then she thought of it no more. She was too focused on staying alive.

  "It will be daylight soon," Alicia said with a sigh. That sigh said it all. Every heart-pounding fear for her and her family. Natalie shifted, feeling the pain rack her body from the hard floor and cave wall. She moved carefully, sliding her hand under Luke's head and lowering his carefully to the ground as she slid out from underneath him.

  From the direction of her voice Alicia sat to her left and the grumbles and moans told her that Tristan lay beside her, so she had a clear path to the opening. She rose, her bones cracking as she moved. "What are you doing?"

  "Just checking outside, don't worry I won't leave."

  Her heart thundered inside her chest, making it almost impossible to hear anything move outside the caves entrance. She willed her body to relax, slowing her breathing. But it made no difference and as hard as she strained, all she could hear was the steady thumping.

  Should she make a run for it? She could get out there and back within only minutes, but what if she was trapped outside? Unable to get back in? They would think she had abandoned them. Could she risk that and her life? Luke cried out in his sleep, his mewing soothed by the soft voice of his mother as she told him that everything was going to be alright, everything was going to be better when he woke. Would it really be better?

  Natalie slid carefully from the crevice into the early hours of the morning. The darkness was oppressive and she knew it wouldn't be long before the sun brightened the sky. It was always darkest before dawn.

  Nothing lunged for her, nothing cut her down with claws and dragged her from the cave with teeth and she stepped quickly, moving with a purpose as her wide eyes sought anything that moved, anything that made a sound in the damp air. Her feet found the ground in jarring jolts that threatened to snap her ankles with each pounding movement, but she moved as quickly as she could, making her way back towards where she and the others had come from until she found what she was after.

  The pack lay exactly where she remembered, hidden amongst the whip grass. She prayed that it held what she had hoped and by the weight of it on her own back it was filled with promise. She made her way back towards the cavern as the sun staked its claim on the sky, brightening until she could make out the trees around her. A branch snapped behind her and she whipped around, quickening her pace. She could find nothing move against darkened trees, not wanting to take her eyes of her destination for too long. She bent, picked up as much wood as she could carry. The branches scraped at her face and her arms, holding it tightly against her as she slipped through the cold walls.

  "You left us."

  The accusation was as cold as the walls around them. Hurt, that's how Alicia sounded, as though Natalie had just damaged her trust. This woman didn't even know her, but under the circumstances she had attached to anything, or anyone that could provide them safety and security, and for now that was Natalie. She walked until she hit the wall, bent down and placed the kindling against the wall. It wasn't much, but it would keep them warm if it became too cold.

  "I'm sorry. I went for this," she said holding up the pack. Alicia moved closer until the dark blur she held out to her took shape.

  "Oh my God. Is that Tristan's pack?"

  "Yeah..." she didn't finish, she didn't need to, as Alicia cut her off.

  "Tristan. Look, Natalie went back for your pack. We have food."

  He mumbled, waking up to the sound of his wife's insistent voice. "What?"

  "We have food. Look, Natalie went back for your pack."

  He rose with jerking movements as his joints cracked as hers had. "Holy shit, Natalie. Are you fucking crazy? You could have ended up dead."

  She didn't want to explain her actions and motivations to them. She wanted to keep them tucked away in her heart as she looked over to where Luke lay, still asleep. She caught the movement, only slight as Alicia touched him and jerked her head towards her, mouthing something that she didn't catch.

  "Thanks," said Tristan, pulling out a thick pile of clothing. He picked out a jumper folding it in half, then in half again he walked over to where Natalie stood and held out his hand, motioning to his sleeping son. "He might be more comfortable with this."

  She nodded and tried to swallow the lump that formed in her throat, taking the jumper she walked quietly towards him, lifted his head as carefully as she could and slipped the soft material underneath as she placed his head down and stood and stepped back, knocking into Alicia.

  "Sorry," she said, moving away from the woman.

  "What…?"

  Tristan's voice was cut-off, and the pain that tore through her head made her eyes blur. She reached up, unable to comprehend what was happening and grabbed hold of cold hands that pulled her backwards as the guttural voice of her tormenter whispered in her ear. "You shouldn't have run."

  The scream that echoed inside the cave was piercing and it wasn't until she was thrown against the cavern wall and the breath was knocked out of her that she realized the sound came from her.

  Chapter 11

  You shouldn't have run...

  Kaige whispered in her ear, the cold, calm accusation was a contrast to the velocity as she was dragged backwards, her feet scrambling, as she tried to find her footing. It was all she could do to stay upright, trying desperately to find some moment to fight, to pull away. But she found none and all she could do was scream at the other
s to Run!

  The sound of her attackers exploded throughout the cavern, heading towards them. In a moment of blind panic she realized that they had made it past the boulders of the other exit, now forcing Tristan and the others to either die where they stood or make a run for it.

  She was jerked forward then the pressure on her head released and she was thrown forward towards Tristan as he faced off towards the others. She reached out her hands, as her body met the unforgiving wall. The impact filled her ears with a sickening crack.

  The world around her spun wildly as she was pulled with the others through the tiny opening and into the trees She would only hold them back, so she pushed the hand that held her away, meeting Alicia's wide eyes with her own, "Go, run, save your child."

  Alicia seemed to understand, knowing her only hope was to leave Natalie behind. "Thank you," she whispered, then she was gone.

  Natalie faced off towards the cave, knowing who would follow them out and forced her eyes to stop their spin and focus on Kaige as she materialized.

  "Did you have fun, Natalie?" Her voice was so sickening, it made Natalie's skin crawl. She had never wanted to kill someone as badly as she did in that moment. The emotion caused her vision to spin wildly. Shapes blurred, then focused as wolves and the bull-men materialized next to Kaige, but she never bothered to look at them, her steely gaze on Natalie as she demanded, "Bring them back!"

  "No!" she screamed, scrambling forward towards the vampire. "Please, let them go. They aren't worth anything to you. It's me you want and I'll come back. Please, please, I'll come back, I'll come back..." she sobbed, grabbing hold of the immortal and falling to her knees.

  She felt a hand touch her lightly, brushing her hair with light feathered strokes, soothing her as though she was a child. The screams of Tristan chilled her to the bone and she gripped hold of Kaige, grinding her own body into her. "Please," she whispered. "Please, please, please."