Chapter Five
~ Daniel ~
Terror ripped through me like a sharp blade, stealing the air from my lungs. I pressed my hand to my chest trying to keep my rapidly beating heart from bailing.
"No, please," I whispered.
"Daniel?"
Jackson stumbled back when I dropped to my knees in front of him. I knew I shouldn't say anything, but I couldn't help it. Desperation was clawing at my cut with sharp claws.
"Please, let me stay with you." I gripped his pant legs tightly with my hands. "I swear I'll be good."
I'd do anything not to be sent to the city.
"Daniel." Jackson grabbed me by the arms and tried to lift me to my feet, but I refused. "Daniel, get up."
"Please, Master!" Tears I hadn't shed in nearly eighteen years suddenly sprang to my eyes. "Please! I swear I'll be good," I repeated. "I'll do whatever you say."
Jackson tugged on my arms again, but I just tightened my grip on his pants. I lowered my head almost to the floor, kowtowing to the one man that held all of my hope in his hands.
Jackson tried to lift me again. "Daniel."
I refused to budge.
"Enough, Daniel!" Jackson finally snapped in a stern tone that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. "Get up."
For a moment, I deflated, sinking down onto hardwood floor as all my hope for a life not lived under someone else's thumb went up in smoke. Sir had said Jackson was to be my savior, my protector, but it looked as if Jackson didn't want the position.
I guess I couldn't blame him. It was obvious from his friends that someone like me wasn't worthy of a powerful man like this. Jackson probably had his pick of men and women and I was too fucked up to be messed with. I knew it, Sir had known it, and now Jackson knew it as well.
I slowly sat up, but not before wiping the tears from my eyes. I didn't have much dignity left and I knew I would have none once I met my new master, but I could at least walk out of here with it wrapped around me like a cloak of armor.
"My apologies," I whispered as I climb to my feet on unsteady legs. "It won't happen again."
What would be the point?
I pulled the edges of the blanket more firmly around me and then scooted past Jackson and his friend. When I reached the door, I glanced partially over my shoulder. "I'll be in my room packing when the doctor gets here."
Considering how much my legs were shaking, my steps were surprisingly steady as I walked out of the study and made my way through the main room to the kitchen and then servants' quarters beyond.
I quietly let myself into my room, shut the door, and then walked over to sit on the side of my single bed. As I sat there I glanced around the room trying to think of what to bring and what to leave behind.
I seriously doubted my new master wanted me to bring anything that had been given to me by my old master. They never did. It was as if they felt it was an insult or something.
It was stupid, but then I'd never understood the mind of a master so I wasn't even going to try. The only thing I'd learned over the years was how to avoid getting punished. It was different with each master and took time to learn and I hated the fact that I was now going to have to learn the rules all over again.
I got up and walked over to the closet to grab my backpack. I'd only take a few essentials with me, something to get me through until my new master decided what I was allowed to wear.
As I looked through my dresser a few moments later I realized that Sir had gradually replaced everything I'd brought with me with stuff I really liked. I hated leaving any of it behind, but what other choice did I have?
I grabbed a few things and shoved them into my backpack. Socks, underwear, a couple of short sleeved shirts and a couple of long sleeved shirts, and lastly, pants.
I changed out of my soft clothes, tossed them into the dirty clothes hamper in the bathroom, and then dressed in something a little more travel worthy. I even slid on a pair of sneakers.
I walked over to my nightstand when I was all done and pulled out the small wooden box Sir had given me when I first moved in. I opened it and pulled out my ID, birth certificate, bank card, and the small roll of cash Sir had insisted I keep for emergencies.
Funny thing, I'd never spent a penny of it.
I placed everything in my backpack, I grabbed my jacket off the hook by the door, and I walked out of my room probably for the last time. I'd miss the things I'd collected over the last five years and the gifts Sir had given me. I wish I could take them with me, but I knew better than most that that just wasn't possible.
Well, maybe I'd luck out like I had with Sir and my new master would allow me to send for my things. I doubted it, but there was always a chance even if it was a slim one.
I pulled the door of my room shut and then walked down the narrow hallway to the kitchen. I paused for a moment and looked toward the kitchen entrance on my left and then toward the backdoor on my right.
I didn't realize I had turned to the right and walked out of the house until I was standing on the small porch just off the kitchen. I stood there for a moment wondering what I was doing.
I couldn't just leave.
Could I?
I took one step down and then another and another until I stood on the stone pathway that led away from the porch. Step by step I walked the path as it curved around to the driveway.
As soon as I spotted all the cars in the driveway—not to mention the people lurking about—I moved to walk along the tall stone wall that encircled the main compound of the estate.
Before I knew it, I had reached the front gates.
I swallowed tightly as I stared at them. I hadn't left the estate without someone with me since the moment I arrived five years ago. Usually it was Sir or one of the guards. I had always felt it was for my protection so I hadn't fussed about it.
Now, alone, I was terrified.
I kept going, my steps light but fast. I had no idea where I was headed. My mind was muddled with fog at the moment. All I could think about was my next step.
When I reached the main road, I kept to the shadows as much as I could as I headed toward town. It wasn't too hard considering it was pitch dark outside, but I didn't want to be spotted by any passing cars.
I wasn't sure why. I only knew that my path lay ahead of me and I couldn't let anyone stop me.
I tugged the collar of my jacket up closer around my throat when a cold breeze swept over me. Leaving during the night probably wasn't my best choice. Leaving at all probably wasn't my best choice either, but staying to be sold to a new master was even worse.
Under Sir's protection, I'd grown used to not being abused day and night. I kind of wanted things to stay that way, but I was terrified I was heading straight for that nightmare once again.
There was a part of me that wondered just how much punishment I'd receive once I was caught. Leaving without permission was a major no-no. I wasn't sure I'd survive what I knew would eventually come.
I wasn't sure I cared either.
This had been my life since my earliest memory. Only the last five years had been good to me. Granted, I'd had moments here and there where life didn't seem so dismal, but they were few and far between.
My toe hit something causing me to stumble forward. I gasped as the ground came up to meet me. My gasp turned into a cry when I hit the ground, a flaring pain ripping through the palms of my hands.
Tears sprouted to my eyes as I pushed myself into a sitting position and stared down at my hands. Each palm was red with abrasions. Luckily, there wasn't much blood, but these wounds still needed to be cleaned.
If I remembered correctly, there was a gas station on the edge of town. If I could make it there, I could use their bathroom to clean up. Unfortunately, that was another two miles down the road.
I should have brought a flashlight.
I trudged on toward town, darting into the trees along the roadside every time I saw headlights. I didn't know if the alarm had gone up that I had escaped already, but I wasn't taking any chances.
By the time I saw the lights from the gas station, I had fallen twice more, skinned my knees and my hands a second time. I was tired, achy, sore, and scared out of my mind. I had no idea where I was going, who might be looking for me, or if this nightmare would ever end.
Basically, I was winging it here, taking everything one step at a time. My first goal had been to get to town. I'd achieved that. My next goal was to clean and wrap my hands and knees. I'd figure out what I was doing next after that.
These weren't life goals, but they might as well be. My life was kind of on the line here.
When I reached the gas station I stayed to the shadows provided by the thick trees and scanned the parking lot for any signs of trouble. It would be just my luck to come all this way only to get caught at my first stop.
There were two cars as far as I could tell. One was parked on the side of the building and one was at the gas pump. I waited until the car at the gas pump drove away before making my way inside the small market attached the to the gas station.
I grabbed a small roadside first aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, couple of bottled waters, and some granola bars. I wasn't sure how long I would be out here on my own so I needed food that was easy to carry and easy eat.
I carried my items to the counter and set them down. After paying for them, I placed everything in my backpack and then asked to use the bathroom key.
I slid the strap of the pack over my shoulder, grabbed the key when the clerk held it out to me, and then headed for the bathroom on the outside of the building.
It kind of made my skin crawl to use a gas station bathroom, but it wasn't like I had a lot of choices right now. I was on the edge of town, but it was late enough at night that only the bars were open and I wouldn't be caught dead in one of those places.
Once inside the bathroom, I made sure the door was locked and then walked over to the bathroom counter. I set my backpack down before grabbing the first aid kit out and setting it on the counter next to my backpack.
I cleaned my hands first with water and then with disinfectant before putting on some first aid cream and a bandage. Once I was all done, I packed everything back up in my backpack and headed for the door.
The moment I opened the door, I slammed it shut, locked it, and then leaned back against it. My heart hammered in my chest, fear filling me to the point of making my vision blurry.
They'd found me.