Chapter 4 The Escape

Stephan's grip tightened as Elaine struggled against him. His breath was heavy, eyes burning with rage and something darker-possession. His fingers dug into her arm, but suddenly, Elaine's hand shot out, grabbing the keyboard resting on the nearby desk.

Without thinking twice, she swung it hard against Stephan's temple. The sharp crack echoed through the room. Stephan staggered, momentarily dazed, his hold loosening just enough.

Elaine didn't wait for him to recover.

She wrenched free and bolted toward the door, heart pounding like a drum in her chest.

"Where do you think you're going?" Stephan growled, shaking off the blow. He lunged after her, but Elaine slammed the door shut behind her and threw the old wooden chair against it, blocking the exit.

Her breath came in short, ragged gasps. "No, no, no..." she whispered, panic prickling at her skin.

She scanned the dim compound, her eyes darting desperately for a hiding place. The rain from the storm outside splattered against the windows and door frames, making eerie shadows flicker on the walls.

Her mind raced. Where can I hide? she thought, stumbling over a loose stone.

Stephan's footsteps thundered behind her. "Elaine! I will find you!" he shouted, voice rough and terrifying.

She ran toward the courtyard, slipping through the patch of wet grass, weaving between scattered furniture and overturned pots.

"Please... no..." she gasped, clutching her side, trying to catch her breath.

Elaine's legs burned as she sprinted through the dark compound, each step pounding against the cold, wet earth. Her breath came out in ragged bursts, throat raw from gasping. She didn't dare stop-couldn't-because behind her, the heavy thuds of Stephan's footsteps chased her like a storm.

Where do I hide? The question churned endlessly in her mind.

She darted past the old water tank, slipping between the cracked walls of the servants' quarters. She barely noticed the chill of the rain soaking her clothes or the sharp sting of a thorn scratching her ankle. Panic drove her, stronger than pain or fear.

"Elaine! Stop running!" Stephan's voice was like thunder, close enough now she could almost feel the heat from it.

Her hands shook as she glanced around, desperate for a place to disappear. A large wooden crate stood near the far wall-a perfect shield.

She dove behind it, flattening herself against the damp earth.

She ducked behind the stack of wooden crates, heart hammering. Her hands trembled as she pressed her face against the rough wood, straining to hear his steps.

"Where are you, Elaine?" Stephan's voice came closer, then paused.

Silence.

Elaine stayed frozen, every nerve screaming .

Her heart hammered in her ears. She dared not breathe.

Stephan's heavy boots sounded like they were just steps away.

A harsh laugh escaped his lips. "You think you can hide from me?"

Elaine pressed her hands over her mouth to stifle a sob.

Seconds dragged like hours. Then, slowly, the footsteps faded.

She waited, trembling, until silence finally settled.

Tears streaked down her face-part relief, part frustration.

I have to get out of here, she thought, crawling forward to peer around the crate.

The gate to the street was her only chance.

The rain eased into a soft drizzle, the night suddenly quieter except for her own ragged breathing.

She risked a glance over her shoulder-no sign of Stephan.

With all her strength, Elaine scrambled to her feet and bolted for the gate.

Her fingers closed around the rusty latch.

As she pushed, a shadow shifted behind her.

"Elaine!"

It was Stephan.

She screamed and dashed into the dark street.

Cold rain soaked her to the bone as she ran blindly down the empty lane.

"Stop!" Stephan's voice was distant now but relentless.

Elaine's mind screamed Freedom!

But where to go?

She rounded a corner, slowing as the adrenaline drained away.

The quiet street stretched before her, empty and unforgiving.

Her chest heaved. She pressed her back against a rough brick wall, trying to steady her breath.

What now? she thought, eyes darting left and right.

Every instinct screamed to run farther, to disappear into the night.

But exhaustion was creeping in fast.

She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering.

Suddenly, she heard voices-shouts in the distance, footsteps approaching fast.

Panic surged again.

She slipped into the shadows, crouching low behind a parked car to hide from people passing by.

Her mind raced with fear and doubt of who to run to and where to hide.

Her hands trembled as she wiped the rain from her face and sat quietly trying to slow down her breathing rate.