Promises in the Dark
The scent of sand hit Demitri’s mouth before he could even open his eyes. The harsh, salty taste lingered, forcing him to swallow the dry lump in his throat.
Slowly, his eyelids fluttered open, and the dim light of the room made his vision blurry. He blinked, trying to focus, when a figure stepped into view.
Elena.
Her familiar presence sent a chill through his body. She was watching him, her gaze piercing, yet somehow full of something unspoken.
She was always like this—unpredictable, unsettling. Demitri tried to sit up, groaning slightly as his muscles protested, but when he did, Elena moved closer.
Her hands brushed over his thighs, sending an involuntary shiver through his body.
His clothes were stained, his hair matted with days of dirt and sweat. He hadn't bathed in what felt like forever, but Elena still looked at him with that same mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You look sexy still," she said with a wink, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Even after all the beatings from Ethan."
Demitri remained silent, his mind far from her words. She had a way of twisting everything, of making him uncomfortable, yet strangely aware of her presence.
"You're so quiet," Elena continued, her fingers tracing the edges of his torn shirt. "But I pity you, you know. I think I still love you. And I don’t want you to continue suffering like this."
Demitri met her gaze, trying to piece together the puzzle of her intentions. Elena wasn’t someone who acted without an agenda. Her words, while soft, were weighted with something more dangerous.
"I know Ethan is only keeping you as leverage to escape the police and get to Ashley, but I don’t care," she added, her voice laced with bitterness. "If only you could give me one thing, I'll let you go. I'll help you plan an escape."
That got his attention. His heart skipped a beat, though he didn’t let her see it. She was offering him an escape? This was his chance—maybe his only chance—to get out of the nightmare that had been his life for so long. But there was always a catch with Elena. Always.
"Help me," Demitri said, his voice hoarse. "Help me, and I'll do whatever you want."
Elena smiled, her lips curling up into a devious grin. "What will you promise me if I do?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.
Demitri could already feel the shift in the air. Elena wasn’t as naive as she looked. She was calculating, but so was he.
He’d been through too much to let this moment slip away. He would use her ignorance to his advantage—use whatever he could to get to Ashley.
"What do you want?" he asked, his voice steady despite the fear and desperation bubbling beneath the surface. He needed her help, but he had to be careful with his words.
Elena’s smile widened, sensing the shift in power. "If you want me to leave Ashley and get married to you, I will," she said, her voice low and seductive. "Just help me out of here and don’t touch Ashley. Promise?"
Demitri paused, staring at her as his mind worked through the possibilities. Could he trust her? Could he really make this work?
His words were just mere words. He was working on Elena’s intelligence and he knew she would fall for it, just as he had fallen for hers when he got married to Ashley and made her sign a contract like Elena suggested.
“Promise,” he said, his voice unwavering. “I won’t touch Ashley. I’ll do whatever you want, Elena. Just get me out of here.”
Elena studied him for a moment, her eyes cold and calculating. "How do I know you'll keep your promise?" she asked, a hint of doubt in her voice.
Demitri’s lips twitched into a small, grim smile. "Didn't I keep my promise when you asked me not to touch Ashley and to give her a contract on our wedding night?"
Elena blinked, taken aback for a brief moment, before she nodded. "Well, that’s true," she admitted. "You kept your word. Fine. I’ll help you."
Demitri knew she was just as dangerous as she seemed. But for the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of hope. Elena might be his way out, his chance to escape Ethan’s hold.
She stepped forward, her eyes locked onto his as she reached for the chains that bound his wrists.
With a quick movement, she unlocked them, her fingers grazing his skin as she helped him to his feet.
Despite the weakness in his limbs, Demitri forced himself to stand tall. He wasn’t going to let this chance slip away.
Elena didn’t say another word as she led him to a hidden door in the corner of the room. She glanced around nervously, then pushed it open to reveal a narrow tunnel. It was dark and smelled damp, but it was their only way out.
“This way,” Elena whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart. She motioned for him to follow her, her steps quick and practiced.
They moved quickly through the tunnel, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the thick walls. Demitri’s mind raced, but his body felt sluggish from the lack of food and rest. His heart pounded in his chest, knowing that this was his one shot at freedom.
But just as they reached a bend in the tunnel, a voice echoed from behind them.
"Where’s the captive?" a man called out, his tone filled with suspicion.
Demitri froze, adrenaline surging through his veins. He didn’t have time to think. Without a word, he pushed forward, ignoring Elena’s hand on his arm. She didn’t follow immediately, and just as Demitri rounded the corner of the tunnel, he heard a gunshot.
The sound was deafening, and Demitri’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t turn back. He couldn’t afford to. This was his only chance.
He pushed through the narrow passage, his body moving as quickly as it could, the walls closing in on him with every crawl. The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, but finally, he saw it—the opening that led outside.
With the last bit of strength he had left, Demitri crawled toward the exit. His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to keep going. The fresh air hit him like a wave as he emerged from the tunnel, gasping for breath.
But his body couldn’t take it anymore. As soon as his hands hit the ground, the world spun around him. His vision blurred, and before he could process anything further, his body gave in. Demitri collapsed onto the earth, his mind shutting down as the darkness claimed him.