My Love, Please Kill Me

[pt.19] The Unexpected Assistance

Part 19

THE UNEXPECTED ASSISTANCE

[Mikael POV]

I didn’t know how long time had passed since Raphael left me alone in this dark and filthy dungeon. I was too lost in my own thought until I decided that I didn’t care. For now. I didn’t care whether Lunalea was a half-demon, at least not until I saw her turn evil by my own eyes. Even then I wasn’t so sure if I would have the heart to kill her; to contain her perhaps, but not to kill her, if I could help it.

Thinking of Lunalea made me want to see her more. I needed to feel her in my arms. I had to go after her. So my problem now was to get out of this dungeon.

Firstly I scrutinized the iron cuff holding my wrists; its tight, I couldn’t do the ‘break your thumb and slip your hand free’ trick. Then I tried again to yank the chains off the stone wall; this time to test the strength. To my dismay, the chains didn’t seem to be rusted and my strength alone had little chance to cut the links. My next attempt concerned with the stone wall; I pressed my fingers against the surface where the chains linked to the wall. It hard and cold, and slighty damp. Good.

I admitted that I wasn’t a genius, rather I was the kind of man who tended to solve problems by violence. But I wasn’t stupid enough as to punch a stone wall with bare hands. I ripped my tunic and wrapped my knuckles with it.

Gathering all my force in my right fist, I delivered a mighty blow onto the wall to my left side. A muffled thud echoed throughout the dungeon, but I was the only prisoner in this section and there’s no guard nearby that could possibly be attracted by the sound. The impact of the blow jarred my teeth and pain stung my hand instantly, whilst the wall stood firm. Well, I wasn’t expecting to be successful in the first try anyway. I tightened my fist and punched again. And again. And again…

After a few hits the tunic that covered my hand began to drench in blood and was badly torn, but in return, a few cracks began to appear on the wall. ‘Just a little further’ I told myself, ignoring the throbbing pain in my hand. And I continued my endeavour. The chain finally loosened from the wall and it fell off with a clank to the floor when I pulled it. I grinned, pleased with myself. Now it’s the turn of the wall to my right side.. I gritted my teeth, clenched my left fist and started punching.

I was about halfway through my effort when the sound of light footsteps alarmed me. I stopped hitting the wall and sharpened my hearing; one.. two persons were coming this way. Soon enough, a woman with wavy blonde hair came into view. Behind her was a tall and slender male figure I couldn’t make out who, thanks to him standing in the shadow.

‘Gabriel.’ I thought sullenly, noting with slight interest that she was wearing her fighting outfit, completed with her bow and quiver of arrows. “What are you doing here?” I retorted before she even reached my cell, my voice laced with annoyance. Just seeing her face made me feel worse. I wouldn’t be surprised if she came to mock me.

The woman raised her eyebrows. “Is that how you greet your rescuer?” she pretended to sound offended. Oh please.

“And to whom do you refer?” I might as well mock her first before she had the chance to mock me.

“Why, I, of course.” Gabriel gave a little innocence smile that didn’t suit her face. I laughed abruptly at her answer, surely the idea of Gabriel coming to save me was just ridiculous. And I wasn’t a damsel in distress, I didn’t need saving!

By the time I stopped laughing, she had come to a stop in front of my cell and surveyed the situation. “My my.” She clicked her tongue when she saw the state I was in, with bloody hands and cracked wall, “You really are quite the beast, aren’t you? Lucky I bring a beastmaster with me then.” She announced proudly.