Chapter 15: UNEXPECTED

"So how did you get away?" Eric inquired as he sat down next to Fiona.

"You were quick," She answered.

"Well, my curiosity speedily took us to the restaurant," he joked.

"Your sense of humor lives on," She said with a smile.

"Well, I didn't change. So, how did you get away?" He questioned once more holding her hand.

Fiona looked at him for a moment before clearing her throat."First and foremost, I want to apologize for forcing you out of the orphanage and shattering your dreams," Fiona's expression was full of regret.

"I'm also sorry for fleeing when those men kidnapped you; I was a coward at the time," Eric bent his head in shame.

As Eric apologized, tears streamed down her cheeks. She had promised herself not to cry after leaving the hospital, but seeing Eric, her sole family after her parents abandoned her, caused her such delight that she had to cry.

"You aren't a coward; at the very least, you returned to save. I was the one who ordered you to go." She sniffed because her nose was runny from sobbing.

"Come here, stop crying, it's all over," He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her face.

"I told you to leave because Roger spotted us chatting at the sailor's and threatened to murder you; I apologize for shouting at you at the time." Her voice was trembling.

"I'll wash it," she remarked as she blew her nose with his handkerchief.

"You may keep it," Eric said pityingly. He was furious at himself for abandoning her at the sailor. He stayed low at one of his friends he made when going to collect goods for the orphanage after they took her from the warehouse; he never returned to the orphanage. His pal turned out to be one of the workers at the Sailor's who works for the ones who kidnapped her. The Sailor's was the name of the Eston river where several deliveries were made. He had to labor there for three months to learn about them, and he waited for her every day, expecting she would join the men in delivering the box, but she never showed up until three months later.

"So I started dating the boss of the cellar. We produced the drug package and delivered it after the sailor..."

"It's okay, let's take a break, I'll get you some water," Eric interrupted, noticing she was teary-eyed.

"Don't worry, I'll finish describing what that place is about and how I got out, and I promise I won't cry," she said after finishing her glass of water.

"You know? You can cry if you want to. you don't even keep your promises "Eric made a joke.

"Please! Stop saying it, you're making me feel terrible "Her tears were flowing once more.

"I was only joking," Eric promptly apologized.

"So, we created narcotics and delivered them. It appeared that my boss had something for me, so I dated him, which gave me some privilege," She started explaining.

Eric's fist clenched as she mentioned dating her boss. A frown formed between his brows.

"Please don't give me that look!" She sighed and pouted.

"I literally didn't have a choice," she added.

"I'm sorry, continue!" Eric positioned himself on the seat.

"Let's not talk about that now, so I already planned my escape, and it was supposed to be a successful one before... "

FLASHBACK

"Rachel, I found the keys today; they were in his pocket, oh my! I'm overjoyed that we'll be able to go out tonight!" Jane jumped up and down on her bed, ecstatic.

"How? Samson is never as careless as this." Rachel got out of bed and sat on Jane's bed. Unlike the other girls, they shared a room.

"I'm not sure. He never brings it with him when we are in the room. I'm not sure what happened today "Jane supported her jaw with her palm as she wondered aloud.

"Perhaps he wants to assist you. Samson, your boss, wants you to get out of this shithole!" Rachel yelled cheerfully while holding her hands.

"I'm not sure about that. Consider this: why would Samson let me go if he knows I'll never return to him? "Jane questioned Rachel.

Rachel chuckled lightly before walking to their room's door, and opening and closing the small window.

"That's because he believes you love him and will return to him no matter what," she explained while sitting down on her bed.

"I don't think so, because I have been giving him attitude these days," Jane disagreed. The reason she started dating their boss was that she wanted freedom one way or the other and this has been up to a year and a half; Her goal hasn't been achieved yet and she is getting tired of pretending to love him.

"Dearest Jane, I bet you, there is nothing you can do to stop him from thinking you love him. We have been friends since when I was captured and brought here and I respect and admire you because you are the reason I am not suffering like the other girls here but, to be frank, today is the day I truly respect you..."

"What did you say?" She asked giving Rachel a hostile glare as she slapped her right arm.

"I was just teasing you!" Rachel exclaimed jumping up from the bed.

"What do you mean by..."

"KEEP QUIET!!!" The guard who was on duty shouted, interrupting their conversation.

"What the heck!" Jane walked up to the door, annoyed.

"I am sorry, I didn't know it was you girls," He quickly apologized hurriedly leaving them.

"Jane supremacy! y'all! " Rachel screamed, laughing as the guard left.

"Stop it, What is the use when we can't leave the place legally? My power is useless," She stated with a sad eye.

"But we have the key now, so we are leaving this night," Her blue eyeballs shone brightly as she added whispering.

"You are right, Let's get prepared,".

--------

"Why did you stop? Then? Was that how you got out? Why did you have bruises, What happened to Rachel?" Eric asked as his eyes searched for answers from her lips that suddenly went mute.

"Jane, you were always the fast one, the talkative. Why don't you use your talent now to explain quickly, I am growing impatient already. If this was a book, your readers would become restless and look for a way to get answers even if it means beating you up," He decided to add a touch of his light jokes to lighten up her mood because he noticed her eyes swelling up with tears.

"I need water! That is why I stopped! And stop cracking your jokes, they aren't funny," She chuckled, wiping out the drops of tears rolling down her face.

"Let me get the whole jar of water for you, alright?" He stood up but she held him back, pulling his body to hers.

"You know you can keep on crying if you want to, but there isn't enough time, you need to tell me everything, so I can help you." He continued gently patting her back as they hugged.

"I know, I know, but the next part is so painful, I can't narrate it without crying,"

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!!!" Samuel's deep voice rang through their ears causing them to break out from the hug.