Chapter 32 Alaric #2
Each step down into the pits of hell screeches at my weight. My body begins to tremble as if it’s preparing to see the worst. What if she’s dead? What if she sacrificed herself to get them out.
“Celeste!” I call out but there’s no response.
This can’t be our end. I refuse to believe it. It’s eerily quiet which causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. Once I hit the bottom step, I notice Celeste is standing right in front of me.
There’s a dead body lying on the floor right in front of her with multiple stab wounds. My eyes travel back to her and she’s wearing the same white gown as the others but there’s blood all up the front of it.
She has a knife in one hand, holding it for dear life and her chest heaves up and down. She’s staring down at him as if she’s waiting for him to make another move.
“Celeste,” I call for her again, inching my way closer to her, trying to avoid any sudden movements that’ll spook her.
Her eyes finally lift from the torn-up body and meet mine. Relief cascades throughout her body. The knife drops to the floor and her legs give out causing her to crash onto the floor.
I rush to her, wrapping her up in my arms. She stares up at me as I feel her body go limp. Her eyes look like they’re clouding over and she shuts those beautiful lids.
“Stay with me, baby girl. You’re safe. Please stay with me,” I plea as I lift her body up in my arms before standing up.
Her body is so fragile, weak, and flushed of her natural glow.
I try to hold her carefully, avoiding touching her back where the jagged cuts are.
My heart sinks deeper and deeper with how limp her body is pressed against me.
I can feel her chest rise and fall, which gives me some reassurance knowing I haven’t lost her.
Emerging from the house, the rain beats down soaking us within seconds. I move her face closer into me, trying to shield her as much as possible. Antonio spots us, leaving the other two inside the SUV and sprints forward in a panic.
“She’s alright. We need to get her to the hospital though.” He tries to take her from me but I grip her harder, unwilling to hand her over.
Sirens blare down the tree tunnel announcing their arrival.
One by one, police and SWAT cars come out of the clearing along with an ambulance right behind.
They wrap around the house as others swing around surrounding us.
Jumping out of their cars, guns are pointed at us like we’re the ones who have the girls held captive.
I slowly hand Celeste over to Antonio before I put my hands up.
“Get your damn guns off me. My name's Agent Alaric Solace. The suspect is inside!” I shout at them.
Another car comes up at the tail end, halting quickly at the scene in front of them. Director Stevens steps out slowly, meeting my stare.
“Weapons down, he’s one of us. Go inside and clear out the house,” he shouts. They hesitantly lower their guns, giving us another once over before heading towards the house.
Stevens walks over to us with a questioning look.
I have no time to answer the million questions he’s about to drill me on.
The paramedics come up behind him with stretchers heading straight to the girls.
They try to take Celeste from Antonio but he refuses just as I did and tells them to check on the other two inside the SUV.
“So, are you going to tell me how you found out about this place? Is he alive?” He begins his drilling questions with utter suspicion.
“I was given a tip and I came right away. I didn't have time to wait. You’re welcome. I need to get her to the hospital.” I turn away from him, giving him my back.
I can’t see his face but I know he’s fuming. Just another mark against me that I know I’ll pay for. I clearly went against his orders and he doesn’t take it lightly, even if I did get here first and removed them from their captive.
“I expect a full report on my desk. And Alaric?” I stop in my tracks, turning my head to the side to look over my shoulder. “You’re suspended. You went against my orders.”
A laugh bubbles up in my throat. He’s so predictable. His tone shifts as if I’m a child disobeying his father. Like it’s supposed to hurt. At this moment, I realize that I don’t care. I would give up anything for her.
“Yeah, I figured. I really don’t care. They're safe and that’s the only thing that matters at this point. I’ll have your report on your desk with my badge and gun.” I continue forward and slip into the back seat.
I move her body flush against mine and hold her like my life depends on it while Antonio turns the car around, leaving this place as if it’s a distinct memory.
The sounds of the monitor cascade throughout the room.
She hasn’t woken up since we brought her here from the abandoned house.
The doctors said that she’ll be fine. Her cuts on her back were cleaned and ointment applied to help them heal.
She luckily doesn’t have any infections.
She took a deep stab on the arm, I assume she got from fighting him off.
It looks too fresh to be one of his tortures.
She has no major injuries but is severely dehydrated.
They hook her up to an IV to push fluids and she’s already starting to get color back into her cheeks.
I haven’t left her side other than to use the bathroom.
Antonio and Larson have come in and out checking on her and even brought her a bag of toiletries and a change of clothes for when she’s released.
My hand is wrapped around hers and I’m hunched over with my head resting on her bed. As my eyes start to fall closed, I feel her hand move under mine. I instantly shoot up in a sitting position with green eyes staring at me.
“Alaric.” Her voice is nothing but a whisper. She’s staring at me with a surprised look.
“I’m here, baby girl. What do you need?” I wrap both my hands around hers and squeeze to let her know I’m here and not going anywhere. She doesn’t pull away but squeezes back.
Her eyes move away from mine, looking around the room in confusion. She takes in the room and I see her chest rise with a deep breath and fall in relief. Her body relaxes, realizing she’s no longer a captive, but free and alive.
That only lasts a few minutes before she starts to sit up frantically. She winces at what I assume is the pain that radiates through her body and she slouches back down. Shutting her eyes, she tries to recenter herself before trying to get back up.
“Love, lie back down. You need to rest.” I try to carefully push her back down against the bed but her body is tense and stiff as a board.
Panic fills her eyes and her body begins to shake.
“Where are they? Please tell me they got out.” Her voice raises and she pushes me away before her bare feet meet the cold floor.
“Celeste. Baby. They’re safe. They’re in the hospital in Cold Spring. That was the nearest hospital. We’ll bring you to them once you’re clear. Antonio insisted on bringing you to the hospital he could trust. They’re safe, you’re safe,” I reassure her.
The fear in her eyes begins to dwindle and she allows me to help her back into bed.
She moves to one side of the bed giving me space for me to lie with her.
I take the invitation and slide my shoes off before taking up the spot.
Wrapping my arms around her, she nestles into me, lying her hand and head onto my chest. I feel spots on my shirt becoming wet and I lift her chin to look up at me.
Tears stream down her face as she gives me a sad smile. My inner alarms begin to ring when I see more tears flow down. I can tell she’s been holding this in for so long and now she’s finally breaking. She’s giving me her vulnerable side that she doesn’t allow anyone to see.
“What’s wrong, baby girl? What do you need?” I kiss her forehead softly.
She doesn’t answer right away. In fact, she leaves me hanging for the next ten minutes as she sobs. I hold her tighter, letting her know that she’s safe with me. My heart breaks little by little seeing how devastated she is. If I could take all her pain away, I would in a heartbeat.
“You came for me,” she finally breathes out.
My brows knit together in confusion. Why would she think that I wouldn’t come for her?
“Of course, I came for you. I never stopped looking until we found you. You can’t get rid of me that easily. Your family and I worked day in and day out until we brought you home.” Pushing back her hair, I swipe my thumb under her eyes, wiping the tears away.
“I assume you know who I am by now. Why would you stay here and risk everything? I’m not who you think I am. I’m not good, Alaric. You’re so good and I would be your ruin.” She begins to push away from me as if she’s going to taint my whole being.
I don’t let her go though. I bring her closer to me and hold her like no one has ever held her before. No matter how bad she thinks she is, no matter her sins, I can’t let her go and I won’t.
“Darkness recognizes darkness, darlin’. I would go to the end of this world and burn it all down if it meant that I could keep you at my side.
I meant it when I said that I would be the brightest star to guide you out of the dark.
You’re that for me when I begin to slip.
” Bending my head down, I cup her cheek and crash my lips to hers.
I’ve missed these sweet lips. The feel of her in my arms, tenderness of the kiss, and the way she melts into me is the only thing I looked forward to.
The pieces of the puzzle align and fit perfectly together.
She whimpers, clenching my shirt in her hands.
I reluctantly break the kiss, meeting those beautiful eyes.
“You are mine and I am yours. Never again will you slip from my hold. Till the end, baby girl.” She gives me a soft smile before laying her head back onto my chest.
Her breathing evens out and her body once more relaxes before she falls back asleep in my arms. Clinging onto her like I’m going to lose her again, I lie there with her and let my eyes flutter shut. Peace, this is what peace feels like.
Nothing in this world matters. There would be no me if I didn’t have her.