Chapter 3: The Fall

"W-where am I?"

It was the first words that came into my mouth as I regained consciousness. I couldn't open my eyes well but all I can see is the vast darkness that seems to envelop me in this shallow room. I tried to move but the first thing I noticed was the cuffs around my hands and feet.

"H-help… me…anyone…" my voice was slowly fading and I felt like I had no energy to move and talk.

As much as possible, I kept my eyes open and struggled to stay awake despite not knowing the reality of my current situation. All I could remember was the night I turned off the lights and made myself to my bed to sleep. It was just that and I woke up in this awful situation.

The darkness was not my problem, one thing that caught my attention was the color of the floor.

Red – I wouldn't be assuming it for anything else but blood. 

It made me wonder if it was mine. And if it was, how could I be alive?

My mind was now flooded with negative thoughts and anxiety of what was truly happening. These past few months, everything seemed to go well between me and his family. The truth of my birth that has been buried for too long was now revealed, triggering past and present wounds.

How was it my fault?

How could my life be the payment of sins I didn't commit?

I thought we were okay. I thought I would be safe. I thought he would protect me. 

What is this?

I couldn't help but let my tears flow on my cheeks even though it burns while it passes through, I assume, wounds on my face. I was so used to these kind of pain that it's no wonder it doesn't hurt me so much. Just as when I was content with the darkness that hugged me, a light peaked through the opening door.

It revealed the face of the person I didn't think would be the mastermind behind all of these.

"How are you, Lyria?" an evil voice dared to ask for my welfare with a smile.

I mockingly laughed even if it hurt my lungs. "As you can see, I'm finding comfort in the room you gave me. I appreciate your concern," I bit my lip in anger and blood started to fill my mouth.

I saw how the person behind it all came closer to me as I lay seated and tied on a chair. It knelt in front of me and I was not dumb not to spit out the blood inside my mouth right away.

"Oops, I'm sorry. I thought it was a sink. Your face doesn't look very humane, you know," I blurted out while the person maintained a fake smile. 

"Towel, please." With those words, someone came in and there weren't enough shocking emotions I have left. I sighed and continued to smile in disbelief with what was happening. Unbelievable.

The person wiped its face with the towel and threw it on my face aggressively. "Thank you for wiping my tears, I appreciate it."

Shaking one's head, I can positively say it was amused on my will to defy all odds. 

"You're still the fighter that you are, eh? Just like your mom."

I froze at the mention of her name. She couldn't be in danger, also, right? She shouldn't be. I silently prayed to all the saints she wasn't or it would be my death.

"Ah, a very daughter-like to be so compassionate. I wonder if that will make you get out of here alive," with a mocking wink, it went out of the room and I hoped to never see that face again.

I let myself stare at the nothingness and let everything sink in for a while. Everything has gone so complicated that there was no room for regrets. All the time that I had, I reminisced and smiled.

"Atticus… I hope you would be fine without me."

It was the last thing I thought before I decided to not eat the piece of bread in front of me and decided I would rather die of starvation. 

It wasn't a while ago when I closed my eyes yet, I heard a familiar voice calling my name. Of course, I would wake up if he was calling me.

"Lyria? Lyria! Wake up, please. Don't leave me."

I slowly opened my eyes and saw his pale face in front of me. I hoped no one would wake me up from this dream.

"A-atticus? Ah, I missed… you…" I managed to say with a weak voice.

"Lyria! Shit, hang on please. Stay awake, okay?" He gently tapped my cheeks to knock some consciousness out of me.

"Isn't this a dream?" I asked.

With tears in his eyes, he shook his head. "No, love. Please, hang on until I save you okay? I'm so sorry you have to go through this." 

I smiled as he slowly untied the cuffs and ropes on my hands and feet. The moment he touched me, it made me realize I was like a dead body waiting for my heart to stop beating. His warmth was so comforting it made me think I wanted to live, somehow.

"Atticus…" I murmured.

"Hush, now. Don't waste your energy. I'm saving you, please hang on," he pleaded with sweat and blood all over his face.

"Just leave me… now…" 

He cupped my face and I couldn't stop my tears from falling down again. "I promised you, didn't I?" he whispered as he sealed a kiss on my lips. God, I didn't know I missed that. "I'll get you out of here alive, trust me."

Even with my lack of motivation to live, I nodded at his words. I will never doubt him again.

I stayed still and let him do the work since my whole body has gone numb from the torture I've been through. I could feel blood flowing on all parts of my body and the stinking smell of this room. I wanted to get out right away and live once again.

"I'll help you stand up, just don't make a  noise, okay?" he asked, which I immediately nodded.

I haven't thought about how he got in and found me. I reminded myself to ask him later when everything is fine. Right, I have to keep moving forward for now.

"We'll get there, Lyria. You have me, don't worry too much and just think about yourself."

I was limping while taking a small step but he showed me his smile of encouragement. I pushed forward with him by my side.

"Where do you think you're going, Lyria?" a voice shouted behind us meters away. I could tell by its distance that it was quite far and we were getting nearer to the exit.

"Faster, Lyria. We're getting near," Atticus murmured beside me. Everything was going as planned when I heard a gunshot.

"Atticus!" 

I was sure it hit him because he groaned in pain. However, because of the darkness I couldn't quite see where the bullet went through.

"Walk farther, Lyria! Walk away from everything and never look back again," he shouted those words and pushed me to move forward.

I sobbed as I held his arms and kissed him. "Promise me you'll get out of here. Promise me, Atticus!"

Even with the darkness, I can see his reassuring smile that has kept me alive and sane all this time. 

"Yes, I promise you. Now, go!"

With so much holding me back, I continued to walk with pain and agony in my body and heart. I didn't know the path I was taking on and just followed the moonlit night. Still, the area was haunted and there were no people found in houses and villages.

"H-help… me…" I murmured.

"Anyone p-please, help Atticus…" 

It took me a while to realize I was losing a lot of blood already and starvation was taking a toll on me. I was already on a bridge above a river when I leaned over the railings for support. 

"Why… oh my goodness!" a high-pitched voice squealed from my back but I had no energy to see it from behind.

"H-help me…and him… please…" I begged, while slowly losing balance and consciousness.

The girl I did not recognize stood there, frozen, and weighing down things when it was obvious she shouldn't be. 

"You are Lyria, right?" she asked out of nowhere. I didn't wonder how she knew me knowing my reputation before. 

I nodded slowly.

"Where is he? Is he with you? What is happening?!" she shrieked in front of me, ignoring the obvious fact that I am in a life and death situation. I would have punched her right now if I wasn't too weak.

"I-is he alive?" she added.

I remembered the last conversation we had and immediately felt the urge to sob again. Yet, my own body wouldn't let me. I couldn't even pray for his safety at this moment.

After a few minutes of silence, she came closer to me and thought she decided to help.

"Thank y-you… please call h-help," I begged with blood now stained on her dress. I stared at her emotionless face, and the tears in her cheeks I assume she just cried a while ago.

Just when I thought she would assist me in walking, she muttered words I would never understand.

"I'm sorry I had to do this," she said while crying and pushed me to the roaring river meters below and an inch from getting closer to death.

"Wait, wha-"

I fell below and did not remember what happened later.