Hearts and Quills

CHAPTER 14 | RETREAT (-)

- Liana's POV - 

- HOME, Monday, 5:00 PM - 

I arrived at home and I immediately went to my parents.

"What's wrong honey?" My mom asks, patting me on my shoulder.

Dad gives me a concerned look.

I start to stutter and hyperventilate.

They calm me down and let me explain.

- 6:00 PM - 

As I explained the situation further, tears started welling up in my eyes.

They both hug me, patting me on my head.

"Mom, dad, I will come and save him." When the words come out of my mouth, they seemed worried.

"Liana, we don't want to lose you." Dad reassures, holding me tight on my shoulder.

I nod, and lean my head onto dad's chest.

"But, I can't risk him getting hurt. He's my friend." I say, dropping a tear across my face.

It took them a long time to agree.

As I get ready to save him, they look at me smiling worriedly.

"Be safe, Liana." They mouth, cuddling each other.

I head upstairs and wore some dark clothes.

I brought with me some rope, a hook, a knife, two big bags, and a pick lock.

Heading outside, I ran over to Aidan's house.

The lights are still on, and voices of the man can be heard from outside.

I found an open window.

Luckily, I found a ladder tall enough to reach the windowsill.

But if I use the ladder, It would be risky to bring him down when he's unconscious. 

I climb up the window and saw Aidan, tied up to a chair.

Entering the room, I approach him.

He's unconscious, his body is mortally wounded.

His face covered with bruises and a cut, his body with marks, and his arms with deep cuts.

It's painful to see him like this.

I take the time to pack all of his things while trying not to make any noise.

I take some of his things including his laptop, his phone, chargers, and some clothes.

I bring down the bag and ruffled through my things.

Bringing out the knife, I cut the rope tying him on the chair.

His body is slim, so it's easy to carry him.

I hear the sound of a car's ignintion.

Good, he's gone.

I pick him up, using his arm as a supprt.

I struggle to bring him down, but I managed to do it.

I can see a woman, lying down, unconscious as well.

I couldn't help but feel sorrow.

I place his arm over my shoulder and one on his hips for support.

I carry him home to my house.

Luckily, the man didn't see us escaping.

- HOME, 7:30 PM - 

 Opening the door, I found mother running to me and hugging me.

She helps me carry Aidan to a spare bedroom and healed him with some ointment and bandages.

My mother is a doctor after all.

"We should let him rest. He's been through a lot today." She says before exiting the room.

I nod and head on to my room to change.

Thinking back, something entered into my mind.

Was he the person who sends me letters?

- NARRATION - 

Liana ponders about her experience earlier.

She thought twice on who is the writer of her letters.

She couldn't let go of the fact that it could be him that gave her the letters.

It could be him dancing with her at the formal.

Meanwhile, a sleeping Aidan dreams about Liana.

In his dream, he sees Liana rejecting him for sending letters.

She blames him for her reputation in that dream.

He gave up there.

He sleeps, crying because of that horrible dream.

But he's been through so much.

From being caught, to being abused, it was harsh for him.

Yet he was saved by a girl whom he loved since the start.