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“We’re going to get out of here if it’s the last thing I do.”
I swallowed. I really hoped this wasn’t the last thing we were going to do. “Okay,” I said, taking a deep breath to try and stop myself from freaking out. “Okay. Tell me what it looks like on the other side of the wall.”
"Can't see much," he replied, his voice a grim echo through the darkness. "Some sort of hallway, multiple doors. No guards in sight, for now."
My heart pounded in my chest as I processed his words. We were trapped, but there was still a sliver of hope if we acted fast.
"Victor, do you think you could try to... I don't know, break down the door?" My voice wavered, doubting whether that was even possible.
There was a long pause on the other side of the wall. "I can try," he said eventually. His determination seeped through the wall and sparked a light in my heart I'd thought extinguished.
I went quiet then, holding my breath as I listened to Victor's muffled grunts of effort and the occasional thud against what I presumed was the door. Each minute felt like an eternity and each second of silence sent a fresh wave of panic coursing through my veins.
After what felt like an eternity, I heard a loud crash and then silence. My heart pounded in my chest like a jackhammer. Was he okay?
"Victor?" I called out, my voice trembling as I waited for a response.
"Sof,” he said. “I’m coming.”
A surge of relief washed over me at the sound of his voice, but it was quickly replaced by a fresh wave of panic. "Be careful, Victor," I called out, my voice barely above a whisper.
There was no response for a couple of seconds. Then I heard the sound of shuffling feet, a grunt and then a loud bang that sent vibrations through my dark chamber. Dust rained from the ceiling, causing me to cough and gag.
"Victor!" I yelled out again, fear tightening its grip on me.
"Sofia," he groaned from the other side of the door. His voice was strained as if each word was costing him. "Stand back."
He didn't need to tell me twice. I shuffled away from the door just in time as it flew open with a loud crash that echoed through my tiny prison cell. Light spilled in through the open doorway, blinding me momentarily.
"Victor?" I squinted, attempting to make out his figure amidst the harsh light. For a few precious seconds, there was no response. My heart pounded in my chest as fear clenched its icy fingers around it once more.
And then he was there, filling the doorway with his imposing frame. His face was shadowed, but even in the dim light, I could see the grimace of pain that contorted his usually impassive features.
"I'm here, Sof," he gasped out. The relief in his voice was palpable, matching my own sigh of gratitude.
Slowly, my eyes adjusted to the brightness and I took in the sight of him. His clothes were torn and bloodied, a stark contrast to his usually neat appearance. A bruise darkened one side of his face and his hair was tousled from exertion. “Are you tied up?”
“Shackled,” I said.
"Alright," he nodded, stepping into the room. I could see him better now, the severity of his situation clearer than before. His side gushed deep, rich blood that had already soaked the side of his shirt. He staggered toward me, his breath ragged and his movements shaky.
"Victor," I whispered, my eyes focused on his labored breathing and the blood that was rapidly staining his shirt. "You need to sit down."
"No time," he said, his voice strained as he knelt beside me. His fingers grazed my wrist, causing me to wince at the cold touch. He tried to jimmy it open, but it didn’t work.
"Not to worry," he grunted, fumbling in his pocket. He pulled out his blade. Of course. I blinked at it, hardly believing my eyes. Victor never ceased to amaze me. "I’ll try to be careful, but I think this is going to hurt."
I blinked at him, my heart pounding in my chest. "Victor, wait."
"No time," he said again. His voice was gruff with urgency, the blade gleaming dangerously in the dim light.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded and looked away, bracing myself for the pain. I felt the cold metal against my skin and then there was an agonizing pull. I bit down on my lip to suppress the scream threatening to spill from my lips.
"There,” Victor panted. The shackles fell to the ground with a heavy thud and I gasped as blood trickled down my wrist. "We...we need to go now.”
I nodded weakly, cradling my injured wrist as I stumbled to my feet.
"Lean on me," Victor ordered, his voice strained. He pushed himself to his feet, a low grunt escaping him as he moved, every action seeming to pain him.
