Chapter 18: The escape

Leticia wasn't sure if she'd heard correctly. Her eyes widened, 'is he really going to let me go?' she thought and her heart leapt with excitement.

"Really?!" But Devon just stood up and walked away, his expression unreadable. At that moment, he looked like Quynn. Leticia rushed after him, her mind racing. They made their way out of the library, through halls and doors until they walked out of the mansion itself.

Leticia's heart was pounding in excitement but also fear. He'd refused to let her go home all this while and suddenly he's allowing? Maybe he's grown tired of her. Leticia decided not to think about it as they walked further.

They soon reached a vast field, much to her surprise and she frowned, confused. "Why are we here?" she asked, but Devon remained silent. Her initial excitement was beginning to die as she looked at the maze built with Yew.

Suddenly, he spoke, his cold deep voice sending shivers down her spine. "You can't just go like that, Leticia. If you want me to let you go, you must enter this maze and meet me at the exit." His eyes suddenly gleamed with a mischievous light and Leticia's heart skipped a beat.

"But—" Leticia began, wanting to protest. What game was he trying to play? If he isn't going to let her go, he should just say! The maze was wider than anyone she's ever seen! What if she never comes out in fact?

Devon cut her off, his voice sharp as a knife. "If you can't do it, then don't start it!" he snapped.

Leticia clamped her mouth shut, unwilling to provoke him further. She didn't want to risk him ending this whole thing. Instead, she took a deep breath and nodded defiantly. "I can do it," she said, her voice firm.

Devon handed her his golden wristwatch that was beaming under the sun. "To keep track of time." He said. "You have five hours. If you fail, you have no chance of ever getting out of here again and you dare not ask for another release."

Leticia felt a shiver run down her spine as she took the watch. She checked the time - 12:30. She had to move fast.

She smiled, expecting him to smile back but instead, he turned away, his eyes cold and distant. Leticia felt a pang of hurt, surprised by the sudden change in his demeanor. He walked away, leaving her feeling confused and a little wounded.

She shook off the feeling, focusing on the task ahead, "Let's do this," she said, determination in her voice.

As she entered the maze, Leticia realized it was much larger than she'd though. The Yew plants seemed to stretch on forever, their berries glinting in the sunlight. She didn't let that discourage her though. She was more than determined to get the hell out of Devon's mansion.

Nothing would stop her! Not even a wide maze!

******

Devon looked up from his tablet as Luis arranged the files on the table. His once blank face twisted into a sinister grin as he asked Luis, "What's the time?"

Luis checked his phone, "4pm."

Devon's chuckle made Luis glare lightly at him "She thinks she can leave," Devon said, his voice dripping with amusement.

Luis sighed, his light red eyes filled with concern. "You shouldn't have given her false hope, Devon."

Devon merely shrugged, his wicked smile still plastered on his red lips. "She's just really stupid."

*****

Leticia's was confused. She had been in and out few mazes before, but this one was like a garden in hell. It was unlike any she had ever been in.

The twisting paths and identical leaves made her feel like she was just walking in circles without making any progress. Desperate to find a way out, she had picked leaves to mark her trail, but even that failed. The towering plants blocked her view, making it impossible to see what was ahead.

And to make matters worse, she was running out of time. She checked the watch and panic set in - 4:15pm. Was Devon waiting for her already?

She even attempted to climb over the plants, but thorns pierced her flesh, and she fell, hissing in pain. On the verge of surrender, she trudged on, her feet carrying her in circles.

"If I lose, I'm stuck here forever," she whispered hopelessly , desperation creeping into her voice. "Lord, please help me," she prayed, hoping for a miracle to guide her out of the hell like maze.

Just as she thought she'd never escape, Leticia finally saw an opening and rushed towards it without wasting more time, relieved to escape the maze. But then, her joy was short-lived as she took in the familiarity of the place. It was the entrance of the maze!

She had spent 4 hours and 30 minutes only to end up where she'd started. Tears filled her tired eyes as she felt a sense of hopelessness. If she went in again, she wouldn't make it, and the cycle would repeat.

Leticia decided to walk around and find Devon who had said he'll be at the exit, and maybe explain it all to him. Maybe he could give her another chance. It sounded impossible but just maybe.

But when she went around the maze, she realized there was no exit. So, Devon had lied to her? That ignited a fire within her, and her blood began to boil. He had deliberately raised her hopes, only to dash them. It was clear he never intended to let her go.

The more she thought about his deception, the angrier she became. She suddenly felt a strong urge to find him and destroy his handsome face. As Leticia was about to storm off, something made her pause.

She glanced at her wristwatch and saw she still had time to escape. Without hesitation, she took off in a sprint, her legs carrying her as fast as they could.

She didn't think about the consequences or anything else, just focused on putting the mansion behind her. She dodged the guards and silently hoped the wolves weren't nearby. She soon spotted the huge golden gate and her blood raced in excitement, fear and anxiety. How would she pass? The guards there were like five.

Then, a car blue came her way. She frantically waved it down without thinking much. Maybe she could get help. The car came to a stop right in front of her and the rear window rolled down, a pair of red eyes glaring out at her.

"Miss Ruolan," Leticia greeted with a slight bow, trying not to let her dislike for Ruolan be noticed.

Ruolan narrowed her gaze. "What are you doing out here?" She knew how protective Devon was of this lowly human, so he wouldn't just let her out.

Leticia stammered, "I... was..."

Ruolan smirked, "Are you trying to escape? Devon wouldn't be happy to hear that, would he?"

Leticia pleaded, her eyes going wide, "Please help me."

Ruolan didn't like her one bit and didn't want to help her. But leaving her here would only get her closer to Devon. "Okay, come in," she said begrudgingly.

Leticia thanked her and entered the car. The driver drove off.

As they drove away from the mansion, Leticia felt a mix of relief and fear. She was finally free! In fact, she could cry!

Leticia didn't notice but Ruolan gave her driver a knowing look their through the mirror and he nodded in understanding.

As they drove through the winding roads, Leticia suddenly noticed they were heading into the wilderness. She felt a sense of unease growing inside her. "Miss Ruolan, where are we going?" she asked, trying to sound calm. She knew this wasn't the way she took when she was coming here.

They were surrounded by nothing but bushes and trees, and the isolation made her skin crawl. She turned to see Ruolan glaring at her with pure contempt, and her heart leapt.

'What does Devon want with this plain girl?' Ruolan thought to herself, her mind seething with annoyance and jealousy. "Getting rid of her won't be too hard.'

Suddenly, Ruolan's voice cut through the air, cold and menacing. "Driver, stop the car."

Leticia's heart raced as she frowned, "Miss—"

But Ruolan cut her off, her voice dripping with malice. "I hate the sight of you around Devon. He's mine. Before I lose my temper and do something even worse, get out."

Leticia's eyes widened in terror as she pleaded, "B-but...please don't leave me here...it's not safe... I'm not even with him again,please."

Ruolan's face twisted in a snarl. "Driver."

The driver, his face expressionless, got out and grabbed Leticia's arm, yanking her out of the car.

"Leave me! Please, Miss Ruolan, please...don't do this..." she begged, but the driver threw her to the ground, her body crashing against the stony earth, scarring her knees.

Before she could even stand up, the driver had gotten back in the car and sped away, leaving Leticia alone and frightened in the vast wilderness. The sound of the car's engine faded into the distance, leaving only the eerie silence of the bushes and Leticia's ragged breathing.

Leticia laid tiredly for a few minutes before standing up. She knew she was in the middle of nowhere. The wind howled, and the darkness seemed to closing in around her. She began to walk, but as she walked, she heard howls and barks in the distance, and her heart raced with fear.

Tears rolled down her pale cheeks. All she wanted was to go home but no! Devon had to put her through all of these! Would she become food to the wild animals? So she'll actually never get to see her family again. More tears spilled out of her eyes as she continued to walk aimlessly.

******

Devon was boiling with anger. Literally. He snarled at the guards, "You're telling me you didn't see a blonde girl leaving this place? Then you're fucking useless!" Not sparing a second, he shoved his long sharp nails into the guard's throat and pulled out his esophagus. The other guards trembled in fear. One even peed involuntarily out of fear.

Luis stepped before Devon, trying to prevent more death," Devon, let's think this through."

But Devon was beyond reason. "Then who are those who left the house?" he growled, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Only Master Koa and Miss Ruolan and her friend," one of the guards stammered, utmost fear palpable in his whole existence.

Devon's eyes turned frightenly dark. "What friend?" The guards' eyes widened in realization. "A... blonde girl."

Devon's face twisted in rage. He dashed away, leaving the guards in a state of terror. Luis sighed and said to one of them, "Clear this." referring to the dead guard.

******

Leticia walked for what felt like hours, her heart heavy with fear. She checked the watch - 7:58pm

As she walked, the darkness seemed to grow thicker, like a palpable fog. She stumbled over rocks and roots, her eyes straining to see ahead. The howls and barks grew louder, and she knew she wasn't alone. Fear gripped her heart, but she refused to give up. She had to keep moving for she couldn't sleep here. For once, Devon didn't occupy her thoughts; she was too focused on survival to think about that monster!

Just as she began to worry about herself, a car pulled over, its headlights casting a warm glow. She took a step backwards as the rear window rolled down, and a gentle male voice asked, "It's late, pretty lady. Are you lost?"

Though she couldn't see the person's face, his kind tone put her at ease. She feltperhaps this stranger could help her. "Yes. I am."

The back door opened, and his gentle voice said, "Allow me to be of help."

Leticia smiled, ignoring the nagging feeling at the back of her mind, "Thanks," and got in. The door closed as she settled beside him and the car began to move.

That's when she noticed the man's intense gaze. His piercing green eyes were fixed on her, making her feel uneasy. He was a middle-aged man, but his features and charming smile made him appear younger.

"How did you get lost, pretty lady?" he asked, his voice smooth.

Leticia hesitated, "I... was coming from a friend's place." She tried to sound convincing, but her mind raced with thoughts of Devon and the events that had unfolded.

He didn't take his eyes off her. "I see," he said, his gaze lingering on her face. "I'm Maddox Govan. And you are...?"

Leticia lied again, "K... Kristen. Kristen Stewart." She hoped he wouldn't notice her nervousness.

Maddox's smile widened, "Nice to meet you, Kristen. I hope we can be really good friends." His words sent a shiver down her spine, and she wondered if she had made a mistake by getting into the car with this stranger.

She instinctively tried to shift away, but he reached out and grasped her leg, his hand like a vice. "We'll be good friends, Kristen," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin as he moved closer to her . Leticia's heart raced and she tried to push him away. "Please, stop."

But he only leaned closer, his green eyes gleaming with lust, making Leticia's heart race wildly when he asked "Should we stay at my place tonight, or do you want me right now?"

Leticia's panic surged. "Stop!" she snapped, slapping his hand away from her skin. "Leave me alone! Stop the car, please!" She called to the driver "Hey, don't touch me!" She tried to sound firm, but her voice trembled with fear.

Maddox's grip on Leticia's face tightened, his voice almost crazy. "Shut up, you dirty slut. Before I..." But the car screeched to a halt and they were almost shoved forward.

He pushed her away, her back hitting the door and he asked his driver angrily, "What is it, Ukrian?"

The driver replied, "Boss, some cars double-crossed ours and blocked our way."

Maddox burst out of the car, dragging Leticia with him because he had a feeling she would make a run. More tears began to roll off her cheeks. She didn't dare run because the darkness was so thick she couldn't even see the moon. So trying to run would be suicidal.

Maddox stormed towards the car that had double crossed his, towards the guy leaning causally it. "What sort of idiot parks his car like this!? You pathetic little punk! Thinking you own the world. Get your forsaken car out of my way!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the darkness.

The guy, still leaning casually against his black car, seemed unfazed by Maddox' words. He slowly looked up, his face once hidden behind a hoodie then came to a full view.

Leticia was standing beside Maddox, tight grip on her and tears blurred her vision. But as she looked up, she made out the guy's his face and her heart fell.

It was like a punch to the gut, leaving her breathless. Her shoulders slumped in defeat, her escape plans shattered. The guy's face was the last thing she wanted to see, and she knew she was in trouble.

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