Trigger Warning: Violence
They locked eyes, and even though they were surrounded by people, it was like there was no one else, but them. She had seen variations of this look. Yes! She knew it all too well, when he got upset, but she had never seen it to such a degree. Gwyne just knew she was fucking dead! HE WAS GOING TO KILL HER!
The lights suddenly went off and she couldn't see him…which oddly frightened her more. Her heart nearly exploded in her chest as she realized, he could be anywhere. She screamed, but it was drowned out by the music. The lights came back on and the lasers went crazy, blasting all over the room. She looked back at where he'd been and he was fucking gone! She didn't think, she just moved, she had to get the fuck out of here and NOW!
It wasn't easy getting through the crowd. There were so many people, and most of them, didn't want to move. She tried her best to squeeze past them as fast as she could, but she had to push some people out of her way. One guy pushed back hard, and she bumped into a group of girls. They all gave her nasty looks, before they went back to dancing. She kept going, knowing Dawson could grab her at any moment, and she'd be done for.
"Tawnie! SHIT!" Gwyne cursed.
For a brief second, her friend crossed her mind. Gwyne knew she didn't have time to find her and explain. Hopefully Dawson hadn't seen them together, and she'd be able to get away. Someone suddenly shoved her, and she nearly fell to the ground. She caught herself, but didn't bother looking back, afraid it was Dawson.
She got to a wall and slid along it until she found an open doorway. It led into a brick hallway. At the end of the hall she saw an exit sign. Her heard leapt with hope! There was still a chance, she might be able, to get the fuck out of here. Then what? Go to the police and tell them what? No she'd go to Corrie! Then they'd find Tawnie and make sure she was safe. After that...after that she didn't know what she'd do, but now wasn't the fucking time.
She got to the end of the hall and pushed on the door, only to find it was fucking chained. It was illegal to chain an exit door, but that didn't fucking matter, right now! It didn't help her! She rattled the door, but knew she couldn't afford to stop, there wasn't time! She darted into the nearest open room she could find, a bathroom. She shut the door behind her, locked it, then pulled back and waited. She hoped he hadn't seen her come in here. She'd wait a few minutes, then try and sneak out. Yet her heart, immediately sunk as she took a closer look at the door and saw the chipped paint.
She knew this door! She had seen it in one of her dreams! Wait! Had she seen the future! No! No fucking way! Right? That wasn't fucking possible! No! No! She shook her head trying to be reasonable. This club was one of Tawnie and her favorites. She'd probably used the bathroom, at some point, and saw this door and it just ended up in her dream. Hadn't Corrie said we dream what we know or something? She hadn't seen the future...still, it was probably better not to chance fate. She'd find some other place to hide. Maybe she'd already lost him. If she didn't see him, she'd get out of her.
She stepped up to the door, and the doorknob jiggled, just like in her fucking dream. IT WAS TOO LATE! Her heart pounded in her chest, it was nearly in sync with the music, pulsing just outside the door. She slowly backed up. The door began to violently shake as he banged on it. In the dream she hadn't know who it was, but she knew it was Dawson now. He was trying to get in and she knew he was going to succeeded. He was going to get her!
"OPEN THE DOOR!" he roared, "OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!"
She cried out nearly hysterical, she had no idea how he found her here. Had he been following her again? She thought it was over! He seemed so calm on the phone, like breaking up was nothing, clearly he'd changed his mind. She backed herself into a wall and the door stopped rattling. She could hear him drag his fingernails across the it, before he tried the handle again as if she would have fucking unlocked it! She looked around her, trying to find another way out of the bathroom, even thought she knew there was none.
Still, maybe she was wrong, maybe she'd missed something in her dream. It was a dream after all. She looked around but didn't see any other way out or a place she could hide. There was no escape. There was only one door and the windows, were those fucking frosted ice cube blocks, that let a bit of light in, but no fucking way out. There wasn't even anything she could use as a weapon. All of it was just like in her dream! Maybe...maybe she was dreaming now and would wake the fuck up! She could only hope.
He pounded on the door once more and kept jiggling the handle. She heard him roar out in frustration on the other side and covered her ears. She slowly slid down the wall and sunk to the bathroom floor. He just kept trying to get to her and wouldn't take no for an answer. Why wouldn't he just go away! Why couldn't he understand she didn't want to do this anymore! She was done and this time she meant it! She told him she'd get the fucking police involved! She didn't want to but she would if he didn't-
The door stopped moving for a moment, and she hoped he'd given up or that someone had seen him. Maybe he'd run off, if not then whoever had seen him, might call security or the police, and they'd make him leave her alone. She bit her lip and waited but the door remained still. She forgot this had also happened in her dream. She started to lower her hands from her ears, then heard something slam into the door. She saw it shake even more then before.
She cried out and quickly covered her ear again. The door fell still, then violently shook again and again. The bastard hadn't given up or been caught! He was just trying another way to break the door down. She sniffled, how...how had things gotten this bad! How had she let them get to this point! She should have stopped sooner. FUCK! She never should have approached him in the first place. She should have trusted her gut, that first moment she met him. She felt something... Yes! An urge to run! She should have found Tawnie and ran!
She regretted ever meeting him now. He really WAS going to destroy her one way or another. They couldn't control themselves when they were around each other. They were toxic to one another, why couldn't he see that and just accept it was over! She felt like they were in an unending spiral. She didn't want to fall apart, and fuck hard anymore. She just wanted to be with Corrie…CORRIE!
He'd finally told her he loved her! They were going to make a real go at it! She might actually be happy, truly happy! She burst into tears as she rocked herself. She just wanted Dawson to stop, and go away! She ran her hands over her face, hearing him grunt, every time he came into contact with the door. She felt slightly blitzed from the drinks and beyond terrified. Everything felt so unreal. She kept wanting to wake up, but she knew this wasn't a dream. She knew any second that bastard was going to break down the door and get her! She looked around the bathroom once more. Maybe she could hide under the sinks, or pry one of the pipes fre-ahhh!
It was too late! Before she could move the door finally gave way! It burst open and she could see he'd been kicking it in. The wood fucking broke around the lock. Unlike in her dream, she could clearly see who it was, and he was pissed!. She screamed as Dawson came at her. She tried to scramble to the corner of the room, but he caught her around the waist, from behind.
He violently shook her about, roaring. "WE'RE OVER! YOU'RE DONE! I'LL TELL YOU WHEN WE'RE DONE! You think you can throw me away, BITCH!"
He grabbed her by the back of her neck, then punched her in the gut. She bowled over and threw up. He forced her to stand back up, then spit in her face. She cried out as he moved his hand to the back of her head. He tangled his fingers in her hair, and yanked her around. She tried to pull free and grabbed as his arm. He slapped her across the face, then turned her towards several decorative mirrors that lined the restroom walls, in various shapes and sizes.
He smashed her face into one, shattering the glass. He pulled her head back, then did it again, and again, dragging her along the wall of mirrors. He broke half a dozen cutting up her face. She madly screamed and violently struggled to get free. She punched and kicked, even ripped her hair from his grasp, but he just grabbed more. He wouldn't let go of her and he would not stop! She managed to slam down on his foot, with the heel of her ankle boot. He cried out but only got angrier.
He stopped smashing her face into the glass and threw entire body into a full length mirror. Glass went everywhere. She fell to the ground and he picked her up throwing her into another mirror and then another. She hadn't realized there were so many fucking mirrors, until he was determined to throw her into every last one.
There was so much blood and glass. She could barely stand as he brought her over to the sinks. He forced her to look at herself. Her face was caked in glass, blood and hair. Her breasts had popped out of her dress and were covered in deep cuts. Her arms, shoulder and neck were no better. Every place she looked was messed up.
He stood beside her pristine and grinning. He hissed into her ear "Break up with me, I'll break you!"
She must have lost her mind because she turned and defiantly spit blood into his face. He froze for a second, his left eye twitched then he lifted her up and chucked her into the largest mirror in the room. Her body shattered it and it broke off into several large pieces that fell off and hit her as she landed on the counter and rolled onto the floor.
She was barely aware now as she struggled to her hands and knees. Her vision was blurry and bloody. Her body felt like it was on fire, every part of her was in agony, but she kept on moving. He watched her squirm across the floor, leaving a bloody trail behind her. He almost let her get to the door then kicked her. She fell on her side landing on more glass, causing several pieces to embed into her.
He grabbed her by the back of the neck again and threw her into one of the open stalls. He went for his belt, whipping it out, he quickly looped it and put it around her neck. She cried out in so much pain. She had never seen so much blood, especially not her own. He pulled the belt tight and she barely manged to get a few fingers underneath. "YOU DUMB FUCKING BITCH! I OWN YOU! I FUCKING OWN YOU! WHAT DID I TELL YOU, WHEN WE FIRST MET HUH! HUH!"
He pulled on the belt violently jerking her about. She felt her fingers snap as bones broke and she cried out even more. She nearly passed out finding it hard to catch her breath. "I TOLD YOU! NO ONE IS GOING TO STOP ME!" He yelled in her ear. "NOT EVEN YOU!"
He let go of the belt and she was able to breath for a second as it loosened. He quickly tangled his fingers in her hair, once more, then slammed her face down on the toilet seat, shattering several of her teeth. She cried out louder then she ever had before, her mouth filling with blood. He cut her off, forcing her head into the toilet and under the water, turning it red.
Her lungs quickly filled up as she choked down several mouth fulls of toilet water. She madly jerked about thinking he was going to drown her, but he pulled her out after a few seconds. She gasped for air then threw up and madly coughed, choking and sputtering about. She barely felt him hike up her dress.
He let out a roar, when he saw she was wearing underwear. Her quickly tore at the delicate fabric, and it easily gave way with a snap. "WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT THIS! YOU REALLY DON'T FUCKING LISTEN!"
He wadded up the lacy fabric, then got behind her. He quickly parted her sex and shoved the panties up inside her. She twisted and jerked all while madly coughing. He grabbed the belt again and jerked it tight. She thought he was going to pop her head off. She let out a strange wheezing sound and must have passed out. A second later she woke up as he forced her head back in the toilet and under the water.
When she came to, he growled at her, "You're not getting away that easily, you dumb fucking cunt!"
He put her head back under the water and watched her squirm about, before pulling her back up. He just let her catch her breath before shoving her under once more. He was in complete control! He decided if she lived or died, in this moment. He kept her under a little longer, each time, enjoying the utter panic in her eyes. Soon, he couldn't resist himself...even all cut up he wanted her. He pushed her head into the toilet but didn't force it under the water just yet. He mounted her from behind and she screamed as he jutted up into her.
Gwyne struggled to push him off her. It burned as he entered her, everything fucking burned! Her thoughts were barely coherent as he violently fucked her. NO RAPED HER! HE WAS RAPING HER! SHE DIDN'T WANT THIS! ANY OF THIS! SHE DIDN'T WANT HIM! THIS WASN'T HER FAULT, BUT IT DIDN'T FUCKING MATTER! HER FAULT OR NOT! HE WAS GOING TO KILL HER!
He jerked on the belt as he wildly bucked into her. She choked and screamed at the top of her lungs, which wasn't much. Her throat was all cut up and she barely had any oxygen. There was no way anyone was going to hear her over the music. Still she hoped someone, anyone would come. He suddenly shoved her head, under the water and she barely manged to take in any air. She closed her mouth and tried to hold on to what little oxygen she had, but it wasn't much. Soon enough her body's survival instincts kicked in once more. She madly scrambled about trying to get free at any cost, yet he wouldn't let her up this time.
The last of her air escaped from her lungs as he bulldozed into her. She was going to drown. She was going to die, here like this! She didn't want to die! She didn't want to be swallowed up! More than anything she wanted to live! She gave it her all, and almost managed to get her head above the water, but he shoved her down even harder, smashing her nose into the bottom of the toilet. Her heart pounded in her chest. She sucked in water and her lungs felt like they were going to explode. She violently thrashing about and her body bore down on him as she lost consciousness.
He felt a tight jerk and a nice fucking tug, he didn't think this worthless whore's cunt could still give, with the amount of cocks she'd had in her. She drew him in deep and it felt good so fucking good as her warmth clutch him like never before. He had needed this! He needed to get his fix! Even as he cursed her name. Hated her! Truly fucking hated her, he couldn't get enough of her. He pounded her pathetic pussy into that toilet and unleashed all his fury inside her.
He came so fucking hard and fast. He let out a mighty roar, then grunted and groaned as he collapsed onto her. A few seconds later, he pulled them both to the floor. He was so tired he nearly passed out right then and there. He'd been saving up quite the load and probably came for a good solid minute, his balling emptying out.
He held her so fucking tight even as cut up, bloody and wet as she was. He had several cuts of his own, but he didn't care as they laid there on that dirty bathroom floor, he couldn't have been more happy, to be with her again. He'd nearly lost his mind and vowed she would never be out of his sight again. He kissed the top of her head as he grinded out every last drop of his seed into her panty filled pussy.
He was high as a fucking kite. The only way she could get him! He began mumbling in his euphoria. "Leave me...leave me...you can't leave me! I wont let you!... fucking cunt... whore... bitch, worthless…you're so fucking worthless, but you're mine. You got that!"
He grabbed her face, turning it, only to realize her entire body had gone limp. In his excitement he hadn't realized he'd overdone it! She wasn't fucking breathing! He checked for a pulse, but he couldn't find one. He pulled from her and laid her on her back. He opened her eyes and they were glazed over, her mouth ajar.
"NO! NO! NO!" he hissed.
He realizing he must have have held her under the water too longer. He quickly began pumping her chest, and breathed into her. Some water came out, but she didn't come back. He vaguely heard something as he pulled out a syringe, two women speaking.
"What the fuck happened in here?"
"Is that blood?"
"Shit! Look someone's in here!"
He ignored their screams as he stabbed the needled into Gwyne's heart. He'd done it before. It had worked before! There was still time! There was still time! She couldn't leave him! HE WOULDN'T LET HER! He unloaded the entire syringe then pulled back, kneeling beside her. His eyes studied every inch of her, for even the slightest response. Every second felt like a minute, and then her eyes lit up, and water came bubbling up from her mouth as she seized and coughed. He rolled her on her side and she threw up. He'd never been so happy to be puked on.
She was back but quickly passed out. The women were still screaming as he fixed her dress and gathered her up. Post nut clarity, he realized he might have overdone it on every level. Seeing her again, he hadn't been able to think. He just wanted to hurt her like she'd hurt him. Now it was clear he'd seriously fucked her up!
"HEY! WHAT THE FUCK!" One of the girls screamed at him."PUT HER DOWN!"
Her friend rushed out into the hall screaming. "SECURITY! SOMEONE! HELP!"
"DON'T YOU FUCKING MOVE!" The one that remained, tried to pull something on him, getting in his way.
She acted like it was some sort of defense spray, but it was clearly just perfume. He titled his head at her feeble attempt, and glared at her. All it took was one venomous look and she moved, cowering in the corner of the room. He carried Gwyne out of the women's restroom, but knew there was going to be trouble. He knew he could easily get out, on his own, but it was going to be harder with her in toe, especially given her current state.
Out in the hall, he propped her up against the wall and slapped her cheeks. She barely responded. Clearly pain wasn't going to be an incentive, given how much she was already in. So he pulled out another syringe. It wasn't great to mix medicines but she was still young enough that she should be able to take it. He jabbed the syringe into her hip and that woke her right up. She screamed and he punched her to shut the fuck up. Then he grabbed her arm and started walking. She could barely keep up, her legs were like jelly, still it was something. Two big security guys were coming down the hall.
The friend that had run off, was pointing at him, "I THINK HE ATTACKED THAT WOMAN!"
They moved fast, obviously they knew how to handle themselves, against most people, but he was not most people. Today was not their lucky day. He let go of Gwyne for a second, and quickly took care of the first one, with a knife to the throat. The second one backed the fuck up, but before the guy could call for help, on his radio, he jammed the man's nose up into his skull. The friend screamed and tried to take off running again. He ran up behind her, and snapped her neck like a fucking twig. It was her fault the men were dead. She should have minded her own fucking business.
He let the girls body drop to the floor, then grabbed Gwyne's wrist as she stood slumped against the wall. He dragged her along, and she staggered behind him, like a fucking zombie. At least she was still up and moving. He'd given her enough shit, she should be up for hours, maybe even days. Something he was sure she'd regret later, when he got her injuries treated.
He yanked her onto the dance floor. It wasn't ideal, but it would buy them cover until he could find a way out. A timer was going off in his head. It wouldn't be long, before security discovered two of their men were down. Good security would have this place locked down in three minutes. He might be able to make it to the door or need a diversion. He began running through possible options when someone called out to her.
"GWYNE!"
He jerked to a stop hearing her name. He scanned the crowd seeing the best friend, Tawnie. She had two drinks in her hand but not for long. She quickly dropped them seeing her friend was injured. She tried to rush to her pushing against the crowd. "GWYNE! GWYNE!"
Gwyne failed to respond to her name being called. He noted possible brain damage to be assessed later. As Tawnie reached for her, he pulled Gwyne to him. Tawnie quickly met his gaze and he smiled at her. It would take her a second, but she would no doubt realize who he was, and 'react.' He'd watched her little display at Gwyne's place, and knew she was packing. He also knew, like Gwyne, she wasn't very bright. Sure enough, Tawnie reached for her purse, and pulled her gun. It didn't take long for the gun to sparkle under the club lights, and another dumb bitch to see it and scream, one of the few universal words that always got a crowd going, no matter how loud the music.
"GUN!"
And BAM, just like that a way out! Chaos ensued! Tawnie surprisingly manage to get a shot off, but aimed too high and right. He simply stood there as people tackled her, and the crowd got moving. He watched for the flow of it, and quickly lifted Gwyne up and over his shoulder. He moved with the crowd as the they made their way towards the various exits. Security was clearly outnumbered, and in less then a minute, they were outside. He scanned the area for the first car he saw and 'removed' the driver with relative ease. There was nothing like a quick slice to the throat that got the job done.
He dropped the body on the ground, shoved Gwyne into the car, and off they sped. He hit a few idiots, dumb enough to get in his way, but all things considered, everything had gone rather smoothly. He popped a mint, and adjusted his hair as he took several back alley's, completely missing the cop cars, roaring down the main roads, towards the club.
It wouldn't be long, before they were on the highway and out of the city. He'd ditch the car, then probably have to lay low for a while, maybe even leave the country, depending on the clubs security footage and witnesses. It wouldn't be too difficult to muster them up some new identities. He wouldn't mind a change in scenery. He could check on how his plans were going, maybe drop by and see the family. He did have a grandson on it's way.
Yes he was sure he could find something to do. Still, none of this was 'ideal.' He let out a heavy sigh, knowing he'd been reckless, ever since he'd gotten with her. She brought something out in him that would not be denied. He didn't think clearly with her...sometimes not at all, like tonight.
He groaned, wondering what he was thinking, going after her so openly. He should have taken her out earlier, back at her place, when she was talking to her friend, but he'd gotten too engrossed in their conversation. He'd also been thrown by that little comment about marriage. He gripped the steering wheel, knowing it wouldn't be a problem, he'd already taken care of the cuck, but the idea that she would even consider anther's proposal!
He glanced at her as he waited on a light, and forgot for a second, just how fucked up she was. Change in plans, he'd still get out of the city, ditch the car, and lay low, but he'd need to find a doctor. She painfully groaned as he took a corner, and seemed to be more aware, if not lucid enough to react. He got angry with her again.
"LOOK AT WHAT YOU MADE ME DO TONIGHT, BITCH! ALL OF THIS IS YOUR FAULT! WHAT DID YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN! TAKING OFF WITH YOUR CUCK! I HOPE YOU HAD FUN BECAUSE YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO SEE HIM AGAIN! CLEARLY YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL! YOU FORGET YOUR PLACE! YOU FORGET YOUR PURPOSE! WHEN I GET YOU HOME, I'M GOING TO CHAIN YOU TO THE FUCKING BED AN-"
She opened the door while they were on a busy stretch of road and rolled out. His jaw dropped, mid threat. He hadn't been going slow and he watched in the rearview mirror as her body bounced on the road until it came to a stop and she just laid there. He hit the fucking breaks, and didn't even think, he just got out, leaving the car in the middle of the road. Several cars began to honk, some slowed while others sped by. He rushed to get her, knowing no one was going to see her and she'd easily be roadkill...if she was still alive. His breath caught in his throat and his heart quickened at the thought.
He got to her a second later and scooped her up. She was still conscious and started flailing about as he moved them to the side of the road and roared."WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL YOURSELF!"
She was beyond jacked up now. His broken doll. She looked almost unrecognizable and he wasn't sure how much of this, if any could be repaired. Yet he still wanted her as one of her eyes fell upon him and they locked gazes, his heart thundered in his chest, for her. No matter what she looked like, he still loved her. She fell still and he kissed her. It was a passionate kiss but she tried to jerk away and escape his grasp. Couldn't she see, he was trying to help her. No! She never saw, never understood the lengths he went to for her!
He pulled his lips from hers and roared. "LOOK AT YOU! SO OUT OF FUCKING CONTROL! YOU MUST HAVE A DEATH WISH! THROWING YOURSELF OUT OF THE CAR TO GET COCK! YOU NEED IT THAT BAD! I'VE UNLEASHED A MONSTER! NO MORE MEN, JUST ME FROM NOW ON. I'M GOING TO LOCK YOU IN A LITTLE CAGE AND YOU CAN FORGET EVER SEEING THE LIGHT OF DAY AGAIN!
She fought even harder and he struggled to hold on to her. She managed to fling herself at his arm, biting down on him. She drew blood and he dropped her. The dumb bitch was fucking mental! She must have had half a dozen broken bones, and was all cut up, but none of it was registering, she was too high on the adrenaline, he'd given here. She'd be regretting her actions tomorrow, if...there was a tomorrow for her.
She somehow struggled to her feet, and tried to run down the side of the road. He rushed after her shaking his head, "THE CAR'S THIS WAY LOVE!"
She'd get a few feet, then stumble and fall down. Her naked bloody ass was flapping in the wind. Her dress was in tatters, at this point, she was as good as naked. She got up again and manged an actual run. Again it was the adrenaline. He knew first hand it could do wonders. He'd used it during some of his close calls back in the day.
He went after her and easily caught her, in less then a second, maybe two. He grabbed her wrist and she stopped running. She turned and her one good eye lit up. She took her other hand and thrust it at his chest, to no doubt shove him away. It was pointless really, she was beyond injured, even if she wasn't she didn't stand a chance. He was far bigger, stronger and smarter then her. Not in a million years could she ever hope to push him away.
Yet as her fingers collided with his chest, a massive gust of wind overtook him. He let go of her as he was flung back, half a dozen feet or so, landing in the middle of the road. He quickly got to his feet in a state of shock. How had she! He turned seeing the headlights of a van just before it plowed into him.
His body shattered on impact. The driver failed to engage the breaks, and hit him head-on, at the speed limit. Blood, guts and bones, smeared across the road, leaving a gruesome trail. The van kept going, for nearly half a block, before veering off the road, and into a ditch. Several other cars also collided, the sounds of horns, screeching breaks, crashing metal, and screaming, filled the air.
Gwyne barely registered it as the wind blew all around her. She stood there for a moment, then turned back around and started running again. After a few feet, she hobbled off the road, and began crossing a large open field. She could only see out of one eye, and her vision was worsening by the second. She felt like her heart was going to explode. Somehow she kept going, her only thought was she needed to get away at all costs. He was going to get her. He was going to get her!
"AMERI! AMERI!" Sharlo roared as he rushed up crumbling steps. He had to find her. When he got home and found she was gone, he thought the worst. He just knew where she had to be and hoped he was wrong. Sure enough he found her on her knees in the doorway of the balcony. It was ready to give way, any second, this whole place was.
She let out such gut wrenching screams and he worried she was hurt. He scooped her up into his arms. In her hysteria, she didn't seem to realize he was there. He rushed back down the stairs and just managed to get them on solid ground as the entire castle gave way against the storm and crumbled into the sea.
He carried her down to the beach before he would dare set her down. He quickly looked her over, worried something horrible had happened to her. She clung to him in her agony and told him it was all her fault. She babbled that the duke had taken his life, jumped off the balcony and it was all her fault. Sharlo looked into her big green eyes, so full of hurt and drew her in tightly. He was so anger, beyond angry with that piece of shit, she didn't understand what was going on, but he did.
She desperately clung to him and he wished he could comfort her until she settled down but they didn't have time. The storm was only getting worse. He needed to get her home. Once he knew she and the kids were safe, then he'd sit her down and finally tell her everything. It was time she knew especially since things were only getting more dangerous. Just now, anything could have happened to her.
He held her for a moment longer then pulled from her embrace. He took up her hand and began to guide her away from everything. She dragged her feet at first, still upset but soon followed closely behind him. He knew she was devastated. He would have carried her but he needed to stay alert...just in case there was trouble.
A horn suddenly blasted in the storm. Ameri and Sharlo paused looking out onto the ocean. They saw a small boat rise and sink upon the waves as it slowly made its way inland. It was amazing such a boat managed to stay afloat, in such harsh seas, but what was more so miraculous was that a man stood atop it's bow...not just any man, Duke Grishin Harrow. Ameri stumbled forward and cried out in disbelief. She no doubt wondered how such a thing was possible. She didn't understand, but once again, Sharlo did. He knew that bastard couldn't die!
World traveled fast on the islands and they all heard the rumors a few weeks after the royal court had given it's verdict. The Duke Grishin Harrow was to be exiled on Duria, after trying to overthrow the crown. The island was in uproar, they didn't want that traitor here, but it would seem he still had friends in high places. Ironically they banished him to the Castle Brauni, perhaps as an insult. He wanted his castle then he would get his castle. A dilapidated ruin, abandoned over a hundred years ago. It was believed to be cursed.
It must have been humbling to go from being one of the richest and most influential aristocrats to living in ruins, but the duke and his entourage were lucky to keep their heads. A month before the duke's arrival, a ship of men was sent to the castle by the royal court, to get the castle livable, nothing more or less. It would need much work after that to be done by the locals. Most didn't want anything to do with the duke, but some didn't have the luxury of turning down such an opportunity.
Sharlo had never been one for politics. At the end of the day, a coin in the pocket was a coin in the pocket, no matter who it came from. An old friend owed him a favor and put in a word with the Duke's top man Caplin. He wrote a letter and everything, saying Sharlo was the best builder on the island and he had been once when he was younger and before he'd gotten too heavy into the drink. He got the job and managed to sober up enough by the time the duke's boat arrived.
From the moment the duke stepped off the boat, Sharlo disliked him. He acted like he owned everyone. Even though the asshole was in exiled he still acted like he'd become king. He had all the staff line up to greet him and his wife and actually expected them to bow. Anyone who didn't was dismissed. He stood in the distance and waited until he could begin his work. He did a full walk-through and wrote up a requests for supplies. The pompous, uptight duke didn't even bother to look at it. He handed it off to Caplin and Sharlo was told to never directly speak to the duke again.
He thought it was a bunch of bullshit, but a week later his request for supplies was approved and he was able to hire a small crew. Of course the duke had requests of his own. Some of what he wanted would take years, if it were even possible, but Sharlo didn't complain happy he'd have work well into his years.
For months he and his crew worked on restoring the castle. He saw all sorts of questionable goings on. Many secret meetings and plans. He had a feeling the duke hadn't given up his quest for power. Many a boat came and went bringing all sorts of shit and the worst kinds of people that thought roses fell at their feet. The duke and his people were just what Sharlo expected...all save for his wife Ameri.
He was surprised to learn she was not of noble birth. The daughter of a shop owner she did no mix with the duke's people. She seemed more like his captive then his wife. Sharlo noticed how the duke always found some excuse to separate her from others. A little comment here or there kept her doubting herself. She'd mostly stick to certain rooms of the castle, reading or listening to music. She'd often take long walks accompanied by her guards or stand out on the balacony and look off onto the sea.
He only caught glimpses of her for that first year and then but a few words. From what he gathered she had no idea her husband had been exiled. She didn't know about his plot to overthrow the crown. She was just so focused on having the duke's child something that she seemed to struggle with. Other women stepped up offering to sir the duke a child but Sharlo had to give him credit he only wanted to have a child with Ameri.
Overtime Sharlo managed to steal a moment or two with Ameri and they got to know each other. At first he planned to tell her the truth of her husband but took pity on her and didn't wish to dampen what little glow she still saw in this world. He did not wish to add to her heartache. He also feared her husband would find out and fire him. He did not wish to be away from her and soon enough he realized she felt the same. Somehow throughout the quiet hours of the day they had managed to fall in love.
He worried what would happen to them, should the duke find out, and suggested they run, but instead she told her husband everything. Sharlo was sure they would be put to death, but the duke strangely let them go. Sharlo almost couldn't believe his luck, he knew something else must be going on but didn't take a second for granted. She gave up everything to be with him and he wanted to give her what little he had.
He feared she would not like living in the woods, in his little hovel, after all she had come to know. That first night when he cooked her rodent he was sure she'd come to her senses and run back but she loved it...she loved him and so she stayed. She gave his hovel a woman's touch and it was as if the sun had come out from behind the clouds. He knew no greater joy then to be with her.
Everyday with Ameri was paradise, the kind a man could only hope to find in his eternal sleep. She was so beautiful, kind, and caring. Soon his friend came around to check on him. Unlike the duke;s they welcomed her with open arms. He asked them to keep her in the dark about the duke's business and they kept their world Fro a time they were content...maybe a week or so and then Sharlo's nightmare began.
One day, Sharlo went out to chop some firewood and he was surrounded by men. Some he knew, some he did not. That asshole duke was there. He did not look well if anything he looked unhinged! He thought his wife would come crawling back to him without her lover. What the duke didn't expect was Sharlo to murder every last one of them. It was all a mess, but most of it could be covered up and the rest animals and nature took care of.
He went back like nothing had happened. As far as he saw it, he had every right to defend himself. Life went on and was good, simple. She became with child and was beyond joy itself. She had thought herself unable to bare children as she had not been able to give the duke a proper child, but soon enough their child was born into the world. It rained that night and he was once again out looking to chop some firewood when a figure appeared.
At first he thought it was some trick of the when he saw that bastard duke. Then he worried it might be a ghost, given he'd killed the duke with his bare hands. The due came again him again and he killed him. He didn't sleep right for days, not just from the new baby but from the horror of killing the same man twice. He worried he might have lost his mind especially when the duke came back again and again.
Sharlo had never killed the same guy so many times. He found himself always on edge and worried about Ameri and the baby, but the duke only seemed focused on him, as if nothing else mattered. For as smart as the duke was suppose to be he was pretty stupid and Sharlo killed him a few dozen times before he got fed up.
One time, Sharlo only knocked the duke out. He took him somewhere secluded and tied him up. For days he tried to reason with him. He told him he had to let this go that Ameri had chosen him. The duke seemed to come to his senses and he finally untied him. The duke walked away and Sharlo though that might be the end of it but the duke ended up killing him. Surprisingly like the duke, he didn't stay dead. He came home some time later, having no idea what had happened or how much time had passed. He just went about his normal routine until it occurred to him he'd died. He also realized it might have happened before. He could understand why the duke kept attacking him this whole thing was disoriented.
The duke came to collect Ameri, when she had not come back to him, and was surprised to see Sharlo. The two stared at each other for the longest time, realizing neither of them could die and so it began. Sharlo would spend his days with Ameri and the children and his nights trying to kill that bastard. They went at each other for years!
Sometimes, Sharlo won, sometimes the duke won, a few times they both died. The duke liked to draw others into their fight and many a men were lost. Full, ship loads of people had to be dead among the forest. No one else but the duke or Sharlo ever came but until one day Caplin was killed. Up until that time he'd always managed to survive or kept himself at a distance but he was finally taken out.
The duke was beyond furious. He did not return for several weeks and Sharlo thought it might be over, but then the duke returned with Caplin at his side. Sharlo quickly realized he was like them and was outnumber. He lost more then he won after that. Then one day Sharlo's best friend and his wife stumbled upon them fighting. They didn't understand what was going on and tried to help him. Both were killed and Sharlo managed to kill the duke and Caplin. He wrapped his friends up and sought to bury them. He vowed to take care of their kids but they both returned and were locked into his immortal battle. The duke also sought out others when he saw the Sharlo's friends had returned.
Soon others came and with them memories of the past stared to arise. Strange dreams, feeling they couldn't explain. Someone started trying to kill Ameri. He found booby traps set, caught arrows, stopped fires, and drank poison meant for her. He worried they might succeeded and feared she was not one of them. He planned to move them away but before he could the storm hit.
He hadn't seen the duke in a full month. Rumors spread he was spotted at the castle, and that it might fall into the ocean. He knew when the storm hit and Ameri wasn't home that she had gone to check on him. He knew it was a trap. He cursed her himself for not telling her sooner. He worried what that bastard might do to her but he got to her in time. At least he thought, now he realized it was too late.
The ship pulled up onto the shore and the duke stepped off, onto the sand, looking renewed, better then renewed. He wore a fine coat that rose up around him in the wind as he reached out his arms, from Ameri. The bastard wasn't even wet after his little performance. Sharlo wondered if he'd actually jumped into the ocean or simply to the rocks below.
"AMERI! MY AMERI COME BACK TO ME!" The duke called out. "LET ME FORGIVE YOU!
Still disillusioned with grief she rushed to him. A dozen or so men got off the little boat and looked like they were ready to fight. She hesitated seeing them with their weapons.
"IDIOT'S I TOLD YOU TO WAIT FOR HER! TO LET HER COME!" The duke roared at his men then turned back to Ameri. "COME TO ME MY AMERI! COME"
She stumbled forward and Sharlo called out, "NO AMERI! COME BACK!"
Ameri paused on the sand so very confused. She looked back to Sharlo realizing she was running to another man and yet she looked to the duke still devastated by his lost and oh so confused.
"AMERI!" The duke called once more.
"AMERI!" Sharlo roared.
She stood between the too unsure of who to go. She looked at them both and found herself torn between….Two Lovers!
END
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