Thirty-Four Abel

Tobias and I successfully navigated past the guards by scaling the same walls we'd traveled the past few days. It was incredible how smoothly we'd managed to creep out of the Restricted Zone. With each escape, I found myself growing more familiar with the surroundings, which was definitely a plus for our upcoming plans. I couldn't wait for the moment when we'd finally be free. Freedom was so close I could taste the sweetness, but we had one final obstacle to overcome. A hurdle that would test our strength and everything we knew about The Creed.

My thoughts were a mess due to the news that, in the next couple of days, we'd be stepping into the arena and fighting for our lives. Literally. We had to act on our escape now or die as a spectacle at the hands of Orcus and his men. I'd had to stay calm around the guys when Tobias dropped the bomb, but I was shattering inside. We would have to battle; we didn't have a choice. So I had two things to accomplish on this trip to the other side of the compound: to urge the guys to jailbreak as soon as possible, and to say goodbye to my mom and Maddy in case I didn't survive the fight.

The dread of leaving my family alone was too much to bear. Who was going to look after them? What would happen to our escape plan? Who would find Dad? What would happen to Tobias? As the questions flooded my brain, my breathing quickened. My mind was in a frenzy. "Oh god!" I muttered between hyperventilations. "Oh my fucking god." Even though dying was a possibility I'd considered once I agreed to be part of the escape plan, the reality was much harder to stomach.

"Talk to me." Tobias stood in front of me, halting my steps. He held my shoulders and searched my eyes.

Cold sweat dripped down my face; my damp hands trembled when I gripped my pants.

"Breathe with me," he instructed.

I opened my mouth to speak but words wouldn't come out. At first my throat felt dry, then dark spots appeared everywhere, blocking part of Tobias's worried face.

"Abel," he called. His grip on me tightened. I was incapable of responding, so he shook my body. "Breathe with me." Tobias held my chin, and his touch grounded me, but not completely.

I nodded; I still couldn't find my voice.

"In." He inhaled, holding the air in his lungs for a couple of seconds before exhaling. "Out."

My initial effort failed, as though every muscle and organ in my chest had a mind of its own. Come on, I thought to myself, fighting to take control of my body. I shook my head when my body ignored my commands.

"It's okay. We'll try again," he said patiently. "In …" Like the first time, he held his breath. "Out." He exhaled.

I closed my eyes and focused on the task, a job that was easier said than done.

"In … and out," Tobias whispered.

I copied him, trying to match the tempo of his breathing.

"Good," he said. He clutched my cheeks, his warm hands bringing me closer to the present. "More."

When I opened my eyes, we were face-to-face. Our breathing was in sync. My body began to ease, the stabbing pain in my chest subsiding.

"What's going on?" he asked. His forehead was creased, his intense gaze pinned on me.

"I … I'm scared," I admitted. Unlike with the others, I didn't have to act strong in front of Tobias. I could be real with him. I could fall apart because I knew that he wouldn't judge me. "I'm so fucking scared." The fear that enveloped me was paralyzing, but my admission made me feel somewhat better. "I don't wanna die."

For the second time since he arrived, he pulled me closer and locked me in his arms, encircling me with his strength. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

Tobias couldn't guarantee my safety—nobody knew what tomorrow could bring. But his words were comforting. "I'm sorry we entangled you in our mess." I buried my face in his neck and was surprised that he let me.

"Shhh," Tobias soothed before pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of my head. "I'm not sorry. I'm glad I came."

He knew all the right words to say to bring me out of my current state of mind. As his arms relaxed and he peered into my eyes, his face drew closer to mine.

I froze. I wanted to kiss him, and it appeared he craved the same. My worries took a back seat momentarily and all I could think of was his mouth on mine.

Tobias's stare intensified. He swallowed hard, the sound of his Adam's apple bobbing magnified in the silence. His breath tickled my lips and I shivered, but not from the cold. He cupped my face and pressed his body against mine.

Every nerve ending in my body gathered around my mouth when Tobias kissed me. His tongue swiped my lips and I yielded to their irresistible invitation, parting them to welcome him in.

Kissing him was a million times better than I'd imagined. It was sweet, passionate, and dominating at the same time. I was fully awake but felt like I was dreaming. I'd longed for this moment, and now that it was here, I wanted the world to stop and all my troubles to fade away. His rough stubble rubbed my skin when his lips traveled down to my neck.

"Daddy," I moaned, my cock coming alive.

He groaned and returned his mouth to my lips. "Say that again," he said in between kisses.

"Daddy," I mumbled through his lips.

Tobias continued exploring my mouth with his tongue. He bit my lower lip, sending shockwaves to my core. "We have to get going," he whispered. He nipped the skin behind my ear, and I was a goner.

I whimpered in protest, even though what he said made sense. "But—"

"You heard me, boy." He pecked my lips one more time before peeling himself off me.

Though my body ached for his touch, I followed him when he turned around and marched in the direction of the North Compound. Tobias was the anchor I desperately needed.

Every moment we spent together, I was drawn to him in ways I couldn't fully comprehend. Our connection deepened. Our interactions grew more effortless. Our conversations flowed like a gentle stream winding its way out of the landscape of The Creed.

It could be just my imagination—or wishful thinking—but I couldn't shake the feeling that Tobias felt our connection too. There was an undeniable warmth in his gaze whenever our eyes met. He had woven himself into the fabric of my daily life, his company a constant source of reassurance and support whenever I felt like breaking down. He was always there to catch my fall.

We hadn't walked ten yards when Tobias's steps halted.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He was furiously patting his pockets. "Goddamn it! I dropped my phone," he replied.

"You have a phone?" I blurted out, surprised. Phones were strictly forbidden at The Creed. "And they let you keep it?"

Tobias shrugged. "I snuck it in, and because I came with Orcus, I didn't have to deal with all the security check bullshit."

"Ah, that makes sense." I made a mental note to ask him about that meeting with Orcus. Maybe we could get out of here the same way he arrived.

"I need to trace our steps back real quick," he said urgently. "I need that phone to let the others know what's going on."

Others? We were going to let more people know about our scheme? Anxiety bubbled in my chest at the thought of outsiders learning about the escape, but I pushed my feelings aside. I had faith in Tobias, and if he thought contacting his people was crucial, then I was on board.

"Trust me, we need them on our side," he reassured me, as if sensing my apprehension.

"Okay. Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, I'll be fast," he replied. "Just stay here."

"Copy that." I nodded, frowning.

"I'll be quick, I promise." He smirked.

"I'll be here," I said, watching him vanish into the woods like a shadow.

I ran my fingers over my lips, my cheek, my neck; all the places Tobias had kissed me. Imagining him all over me made my dick stir. Maybe I could rub one out while waiting for him. It was probably a terrible idea. Besides, I'd save my load in case he wanted to mess around again later.

That was fast, I thought to myself when footsteps neared but stopped. He'd only been gone a minute. I strained my ears for any sign of him, but there was only silence. Maybe I imagined them. I checked the perimeter, but there was nothing. Then, just as doubt began to creep in, came the unmistakable sound of someone approaching. My breath caught in my throat; my muscles tensed. Please be Tobias.

It wasn't. Napoleon emerged from the darkness, his expression dark and menacing.

This was bad. How could I explain why I was out here alone near the North Compound? My heart lurched in my chest as he strode toward me. His beady eyes burned with lust. I backed away instinctively, my mind racing. I glanced around, hoping Tobias would return.

"This is what you're up to, huh?" he asked. He pointed the muzzle of his rifle against my chest, pinning me to a tree. "How did you get out?"

I struggled to find words. I shut my eyes, thinking of a plausible excuse, but I came up with none. His foul breath assaulting my nose caused me to open my eyes. He was standing inches from me.

Napoleon's gaze raked my body, then he slid his free hand into his pants. His eyes fluttered when he stroked his cock. "On second thought, I don't care as long as I have you alone. I've been waiting for this moment."

A shiver of disgust coursed through me, hoping I was in a dream, but the nightmare was leering at me. I searched the ground for a weapon.

"Don't even think about doing something stupid, kid," he said, licking his chapped lips.

I could easily take him down with hand-to-hand combat, but the fucker had a weapon.

"Take off your shirt," he ordered.

"What?" My body turned rigid. This wasn't happening. The thought of Napoleon touching me made my stomach twist with nausea. Bile burned the back of my throat, threatening to spill over as I battled to maintain my composure.

"Go on," he said, pointing his gun at me. "Take. Off. Your. Shirt." Napoleon gritted his stained teeth. "Or I'll take you to Orcus. You know how much he loves rebels like you and your father."

My blood boiled at the mention of Dad. I balled my fists and stepped forward to teach this motherfucker a lesson. One punch and he'd be lights out. "Fuck you!"

"Feisty. I love it." He brought his gun back to my chest, the metal tip digging into my skin. "I know where your mom and sister live."

I was defeated. I'd do anything to protect my family, even if it meant sacrificing my body. I lifted the hem of my shirt with my shaking hands.

"That's it," Napoleon moaned. "Slowly."

I tossed my shirt to the ground and crossed my arms to shield myself from his sinister eyes and deranged smile.

An overwhelming surge of dread engulfed me. The world had suddenly gone quiet. My vision blurred, the edges of reality melting away into a haze. My heartbeat thundered in my ribcage, each pulse reverberating through my veins. But despite the horror raging around me, I felt strangely detached, as if I was watching the scene from a distance.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl when Napoleon's sweaty fingers caressed my chest then trailed down my stomach. And then, without warning, a switch was flipped inside my brain and the world around me faded, leaving me suspended in a void of nothingness.

"Motherfucker!"

Tobias's voice pulled me back from the abyss and the present snapped into focus.

He yanked Napoleon's hand from my body and tossed him to the ground as if he weighed nothing. "I'm gonna fucking kill you!"

Napoleon winced when his back hit the ground. He reached for his gun, but Tobias grabbed his hand and twisted it. Tobias grabbed my discarded shirt and shoved it into Napoleon's mouth, muffling his scream of agony when Tobias snapped his wrist.

I was too stunned to move and too angry to speak while I watched the fucker's eyes double in size at the sight of his hand bent at an unnatural angle. What if Tobias hadn't arrived?

Tobias pinned Napoleon's arms to his side with his knees. Napoleon struggled to break free, but Tobias was too heavy for him.

I couldn't miss the fury contorting Tobias's handsome face. His strong hands wrapped around Napoleon's neck. Like a python, his grip tightened, squeezing the life out of my abuser.

Napoleon's face turned pale and his movements ceased, but Tobias appeared to be far from being done.

"Did he fucking touch you?" Tobias asked, studying my half-naked body. He released his hold on Napoleon's neck and started beating the shit out of his face. Blood splattered across Tobias's hands, shirt, and face. He stopped and wiped his forehead with the backs of his hands, spreading more of Napoleon's blood on him.

"No," I answered. I glanced down and breathed a sigh of relief when I found that my pants were still on. I hurried to reach Tobias and stopped his fist mid-swing. "I'm okay," I said, staring at Napoleon's unmoving form. The fury that had taken over rendered him unrecognizable. "Tobias, I'm okay." I held his face and put our foreheads together. I placed my palm on his chest; the drumming of his heart was as fast and furious as mine. "I'm safe."

Tobias nodded and scooted away. He stood and reached for my hand. "We need to get rid of this trash," he snarled, spitting on Napoleon's body.

I looked down. Napoleon's eyes were frozen wide. "Is he …?" I turned to Tobias, who replied with a curt nod.

I searched his face for any signs of remorse for killing another man, but aside from his anger, he didn't appear to be bothered; as if this wasn't the first time he'd taken a life. "Let's take him up the ridge." He nodded toward the hill behind us. "We can discard his body there, or at least keep him there until we have a better plan."

"What if they look for him?" I asked.

"I don't give a fuck!" Tobias said. "Let's go."

"Okay," I said. I lifted Napoleon by his legs while Tobias grabbed his arms.

Under the cover of darkness, Tobias and I ventured deeper into the woods, hauling Napoleon's lifeless body. His limp hands dragged the leaves along the ground as we climbed up the ridge where we'd sat that one rainy evening. "We'll cover our tracks on the way back," Tobias said when he noticed the crimson trail we were leaving behind.

I stared at Napoleon's battered face. It'd been a close call. I shuddered to think what would've happened if Tobias hadn't come back in time. My skin crawled at the reminder of how he'd tried to assault me like I was a toy he could play with. "Fuck you!" I dropped his legs and kicked him in his crotch repeatedly.

Tobias let go of Napoleon and rushed toward me. He hooked his arm around my chest, pulling me away. "He can't hurt you anymore," Tobias whispered, nuzzling the side of my face tenderly. "No one will ever lay their hands on you again."

I turned my body toward Tobias, pouring out my gratitude with a hug. I was once again surprised when he let me.