Chapter 8
Chapter 8
52%
+5
AVERY’S POV:
The idea hit me like a spark, and suddenly, every arrangement, I’d rather be smart and run while I still o
in
pany body felt electrified. Could this be my chance? Instead of relaxing into this twisted
I had no plans to settle into this deceitful life, to play the submissive wife, I had to get out.
With my heart pounding, I bolted downstairs, keepin
steps light and quick. Every glance over my shoulder felt like Axel’s eyes might appear in the shadows, tracking my every move. But I didn’t storched a side door that led outside, and without hesitation, Islipped through, barely closing it
behind me before breaking into a run.
The night air was sharp and cool, but I barely felt it as I sprinted, following a path that led away from the house. The grounds were enormous, more like an estate than a simple backyard, with sprawling gardens and dense hedges lining the pathways. I thought I could see the edge, some glimpse of freedom, but as I rounded a corner, I stumbled upon something unexpected–a maze.
High hedges towered above me, their leaves thick and dark, concealing any possible escape route beyond. I paused, staring at the twisted paths, realizing this was more than just a decorative garden feature. It was a labyrinth, a trap designed to keep anyone inside from finding their way out.
I glanced around and noticed the faint glow of flashlights moving through the hedges. Axel’s security. My heart rate spiked as I ducked down, keeping my head low as I crept along the outer edge. These weren’t the typical guards you’d find at a wealthy man’s mansion, they were armed, alert, each one scanning the area like they were patrolling enemy territory.
Who was Axel to require this level of protection? What kind of man needed armed guards around every corner of his home, as if expecting an attack at any moment? I slipped between the hedges, careful to avoid their line of sight, wondering just what kind of danger he carried with him–and what kind he was protecting himself from.
Breath shallow,+pressed forward, weaving through the hedges, searching for an opening. But the maze was relentless, every twist leading me deeper rather than out. I stifled a frustrated gasp, hating that I’d gotten myself into this trap. The house loomed behind me like some dark, silent watchman, while the maze around me became a prison within a prison.
The flashlights drew closer, and I forced myself to go still, crouching low in the shadows, Axel’s guards were thorough, their footsteps deliberate, calculated. This wasn’t just a job to them–it was a mission, an unbreakable duty to keep anything from escaping, or entering, without Axel’s permission. And for a moment, I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of what might happen if he found me here.
Still, I wasn’t giving up. Somewhere in this maze was a way out, and if there wasn’t, I’d make one. I steeled myself, listening for the sounds of the guards fading, and prepared to try again.
Once the guards moved on, I slipped from the shadows and continued my attempt to navigate the maze, hoping this time I’d break free from the endless loops. But it was maddeningly disorienting–each twist and turn brought me right back to where I’d started, the hedges mocking me with their unchanging paths. My mind spun in circles just like my steps, but giving up wasn’t an option.
Desperate, I began leaving small marks along the way–breaking twigs, leaving bits of my dress’s hem behind, Little clues to help me keep track, so I wouldn’t keep landing back at square one even though that was a foolish way for me to be easily caught. I lost track of time, but I could feel the hours stretching as hunger gnawed at my stomach, and the cold night air seeped through my thin clothes. My body shivered, drained and on the verge of surrender, but the thought of staying in this maze–trapped with nowhere to go–kept me moving forward, one aching step at a time.
My head drooped, feet dragging, almost convinced to give up when something pricked my ears–loud voices, heated, cutting through the silence of the night. I froze, my heart quickening as I recognized the unmistakable sound of pain in one of the voices, a low moan escaping into the darkness. Instinctively, I began to creep closer, drawn to the noise despite the warning bells blaring in my mind.
The voices grew louder as I inched forward until I peeked around a dense thicket to see… him.
Axel stood there, his face shadowed in the dim light, but the rest of him–God, he was drenched in blood. It streaked down his arms, staining his shirt, spattering his face like some twisted war paint/The metallic scent of it hit me, and my stomach lurched, bile rising to my throat as I fought to keep it down. My fingers quivered where they clutched the leaves, the urge to turn and run crashing over me, but my legs refused to obey.
There was a man at his feet, barely conscious, his groans of pain confirming my worst fears. Axel leaned over him, his voice low and chillingly calm, almost too quiet to hear–but the tension was unmistakable. This wasn’t just violence; Axel was making a point.
21:24 Wed, 16 Apr
Chapter 8
529
I had no idea how long I stood there, watching in horror, until I realized I wasn’t breathing. I couldn’t look away from the blood, from Axel’s steady, methodical movements as he inflicted whatever punishment he’d deemed fit. And that’s when it hit me–the maze, the guards, all of this wasn’t just a prison for me. It was his sanctuary, his place to enact whatever twisted justice he saw fit. Axel was more. Something intensely darker.
There was something about Axel that didn’t add up. His facade concealed a depth of complexity, a hint of danger lurking beneath. I’d heard whispers men like him, their influence and power rwoven from threads of darkness.
A small, involuntary gasp slipped from my lips, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, praying he hadn’t heard.
52%
+5
AVERY’S POV:
The idea hit me like a spark, and suddenly, every arrangement, I’d rather be smart and run while I still o
in
pany body felt electrified. Could this be my chance? Instead of relaxing into this twisted
I had no plans to settle into this deceitful life, to play the submissive wife, I had to get out.
With my heart pounding, I bolted downstairs, keepin
steps light and quick. Every glance over my shoulder felt like Axel’s eyes might appear in the shadows, tracking my every move. But I didn’t storched a side door that led outside, and without hesitation, Islipped through, barely closing it
behind me before breaking into a run.
The night air was sharp and cool, but I barely felt it as I sprinted, following a path that led away from the house. The grounds were enormous, more like an estate than a simple backyard, with sprawling gardens and dense hedges lining the pathways. I thought I could see the edge, some glimpse of freedom, but as I rounded a corner, I stumbled upon something unexpected–a maze.
High hedges towered above me, their leaves thick and dark, concealing any possible escape route beyond. I paused, staring at the twisted paths, realizing this was more than just a decorative garden feature. It was a labyrinth, a trap designed to keep anyone inside from finding their way out.
I glanced around and noticed the faint glow of flashlights moving through the hedges. Axel’s security. My heart rate spiked as I ducked down, keeping my head low as I crept along the outer edge. These weren’t the typical guards you’d find at a wealthy man’s mansion, they were armed, alert, each one scanning the area like they were patrolling enemy territory.
Who was Axel to require this level of protection? What kind of man needed armed guards around every corner of his home, as if expecting an attack at any moment? I slipped between the hedges, careful to avoid their line of sight, wondering just what kind of danger he carried with him–and what kind he was protecting himself from.
Breath shallow,+pressed forward, weaving through the hedges, searching for an opening. But the maze was relentless, every twist leading me deeper rather than out. I stifled a frustrated gasp, hating that I’d gotten myself into this trap. The house loomed behind me like some dark, silent watchman, while the maze around me became a prison within a prison.
The flashlights drew closer, and I forced myself to go still, crouching low in the shadows, Axel’s guards were thorough, their footsteps deliberate, calculated. This wasn’t just a job to them–it was a mission, an unbreakable duty to keep anything from escaping, or entering, without Axel’s permission. And for a moment, I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of what might happen if he found me here.
Still, I wasn’t giving up. Somewhere in this maze was a way out, and if there wasn’t, I’d make one. I steeled myself, listening for the sounds of the guards fading, and prepared to try again.
Once the guards moved on, I slipped from the shadows and continued my attempt to navigate the maze, hoping this time I’d break free from the endless loops. But it was maddeningly disorienting–each twist and turn brought me right back to where I’d started, the hedges mocking me with their unchanging paths. My mind spun in circles just like my steps, but giving up wasn’t an option.
Desperate, I began leaving small marks along the way–breaking twigs, leaving bits of my dress’s hem behind, Little clues to help me keep track, so I wouldn’t keep landing back at square one even though that was a foolish way for me to be easily caught. I lost track of time, but I could feel the hours stretching as hunger gnawed at my stomach, and the cold night air seeped through my thin clothes. My body shivered, drained and on the verge of surrender, but the thought of staying in this maze–trapped with nowhere to go–kept me moving forward, one aching step at a time.
My head drooped, feet dragging, almost convinced to give up when something pricked my ears–loud voices, heated, cutting through the silence of the night. I froze, my heart quickening as I recognized the unmistakable sound of pain in one of the voices, a low moan escaping into the darkness. Instinctively, I began to creep closer, drawn to the noise despite the warning bells blaring in my mind.
The voices grew louder as I inched forward until I peeked around a dense thicket to see… him.
Axel stood there, his face shadowed in the dim light, but the rest of him–God, he was drenched in blood. It streaked down his arms, staining his shirt, spattering his face like some twisted war paint/The metallic scent of it hit me, and my stomach lurched, bile rising to my throat as I fought to keep it down. My fingers quivered where they clutched the leaves, the urge to turn and run crashing over me, but my legs refused to obey.
There was a man at his feet, barely conscious, his groans of pain confirming my worst fears. Axel leaned over him, his voice low and chillingly calm, almost too quiet to hear–but the tension was unmistakable. This wasn’t just violence; Axel was making a point.
21:24 Wed, 16 Apr
Chapter 8
529
I had no idea how long I stood there, watching in horror, until I realized I wasn’t breathing. I couldn’t look away from the blood, from Axel’s steady, methodical movements as he inflicted whatever punishment he’d deemed fit. And that’s when it hit me–the maze, the guards, all of this wasn’t just a prison for me. It was his sanctuary, his place to enact whatever twisted justice he saw fit. Axel was more. Something intensely darker.
There was something about Axel that didn’t add up. His facade concealed a depth of complexity, a hint of danger lurking beneath. I’d heard whispers men like him, their influence and power rwoven from threads of darkness.
A small, involuntary gasp slipped from my lips, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, praying he hadn’t heard.
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