Summary: Thomas receives a call and imagines the worst.
Warning: pure fluff with a hint of fear and fainting
Word Count: 1.7k
a/n: Requests are open!!!
Thomas Shelby Masterlist
Thomas Shelby wasnât a man of many words, was the calmness himself, but for the first time in his life, his mask of total calm fell. He ran, ignoring the eyes settling on him as he stormed like a wild man through the house, following his brother's shouts echoing loudly across the mansion. Not knowing which of them was calling for him, Thomas stormed down the stairs, took two at once, imagining the worst, seeing blood and smelling the unforgettable stench of gunpowder.
"It's Y/N, she passed out all of a sudden at her friend's house." escaped someone.
Thomas didn't know who was talking, passed the person as he walked fast to the door leading out of the house. It sounded like Arthur, but Thomas wasn't sure. A voice echoed again, wanting him to stop, but his ears were deaf to the pronounced words.
The stiff wind kissed his face but could not destroy his hair. Thomas had forgotten his coat, ignored the cold spring breeze as he found his way to the car parked in front of the house, deaf to the shouts of his brothers and drove away, saw them in the rear-view mirror storming after him with risen hands. A prayer escaped him. A cigarette rested loosely between his lips.
The town appeared out of nowhere. Ignoring the eyes falling on him as he chased the car through the deserted streets, Thomas drove on, knew where his girlfriend had gone, had escorted her himself to the door of the little building in the middle of the town. Abruptly, the vehicle stopped. The door fell loudly into the lock. A deep frown formed on his forehead. He did not close the garden door behind him, followed the path leading through the front yard, and took the three steps at once, hearing the vehicle halting behind his dark one. The door blew open.
"Where is she?" he screamed.
His booming voice pierced like hundreds of daggers through the calmness and searched for his girlfriend. Eyes searched like hawks searching fields and forests for prey. The colour slipped from his face, his heart ached, saw the woman he loved lying on the leather sofa wrapped in a blanket. Smoke rose from the cup on the small wooden table but did not warm the trembling woman, who had closed her eyes and appeared to be asleep.
Thomas passed the table, did not greet Y/N's friend when their eyes met, saw the fear spreading in her hazel eyes even if she had heard hundreds of stories about the Shelby, but couldnât imagine that the man had a loving and gentle heart.
Abruptly Thomas stopped and turned, held out his hand and the woman in the long reddish dress. Questioning the woman wanted to take a step back in fear but then she understood what he was asking of her and handed him the wet, almost dripping cloth. With quickening steps, Thomas approached Y/N, lowered himself next to her on the sofa, and gently placed the cloth on her forehead, knew she would be upset if she would find out he had destroyed her curled hair with the wet fabric.
Soft words passed his lips, low enough to know no ears could hear them filled with love and adoration, words which belonged to the woman he loved more than his life. Lovingly, his thumb slid over the almost smooth skin, praying and hoping her eyes would open in a moment, couldnât imagine his life without her, remembered the moment the paths crossed when rain danced down her skin. Tumult ruled outside the house.
"Tommy?" Y/N breathed sleepily. "What happened?" she continued, trying to understand what had happened.
Relieved, Thomas exhaled. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the sun entering the house through the windows flanked by long curtains in deep tones.
"You should tell me, darling." escaped the Shelby in relief.
Confused, Y/N looked around, noticing the wetness destroying her hair, feeling her aching body as she tried to move.
"I don't know," "She called me, said you had suddenly fainted. You haven't eaten today," he said worriedly, making her laugh softly.
Y/N knew she could no longer keep the secret hidden from him, was shocked he hadnât realised earlier. Glancing up, the young woman found the courage to face him, had never been fearful of him, always laughed when someone told her how much they feared the tall man, but she saw something else in his radiant eyes. His eyes radiated love, were holding the beauty of a day without a cloud. In his arms, she felt safe, knew she could trust him, trusted him with her life, would not even be afraid if he would raise his gun against her, knew he would never hurt her. Shyly, she put her hand on his, raising herself slowly from the sofa, and promptly Thomas helped her, putting his free hand on her back, pressing her tightly against his chest, letting her rest her still aching head on his shoulder. Faint words were holding short answers. They who stood a few steps away from the couple couldnât understand them, looked down at Y/N, not seeing the dilated eyes of their brother who pushed his girlfriend tighter against his torso and listened to the whispered words escaping her almost stuttering, telling him not to fear about her well-being. The fear disappeared from her eyes, felt his arms enveloping her body entirely. He felt the fear vanish from her body wrapped in the dark blue dress as he whispered words into her ear.
"I'm taking you home. You need to rest." Thomas breathed.
Thomas rose from the sofa, keeping his hands on his girlfriend's arms. He wanted to ask her if she could stand but the question did not cross his lips, feeling his voice breaking as the first syllable escaped, knew she was well, had already expected the worst, blood and gore. His arms wrapped around her body, her feet no longer touched the wooden floor, and carried her away, away from the eyes, searching for answers. Y/N closed her eyes in pleasure, leaning her head against his chest and listening to the melody of his heart. Tommy ignored his brothers standing at the door, remained silent, said nothing addressed to the woman standing with a faint smile and shivering at the stairs leading to the first floor of the small and tranquil house. The fresh breeze of spring enveloped them. Fear no longer feasted on his heart.
A pleasant warmth enveloped Y/N. The wood crackled in the fireplace. The house was empty. Thomas had banned everyone from the rooms, had chased them away with harsh tones, wanted to be alone with her sleeping in the shared bed. Narrowing her eyes, a question nearly escaped her, but then she recognised the room she was in and stayed silent. Her gaze slid up to the man standing by the fireplace, warming himself by the rising flames in the howling wind. The moon travelled across the land. The light suspenders rested on the white button-down tucked into the dark trousers. Smoke escaped his lips. The cigarette lay between his index and middle finger. He took one last drag and tossed the butt into the growing flames, longing for the logs in the basket by his side.
"When were you going to tell me?" he wished to know, sensing Y/N had woken up, had heard the creaking of wood as she leaned against the head of the bed.
"I was going to tell you, Tommy, but I was afraid of what you would say," she whispered.
Silently he laughed and turned around, sure he had heard right.
"What did you think I was going to do? Throw you out of the house? That I don't want our child?" his voice broke.
He turned his back fully on the flames and gestured to her, who was about to rise from the bed, to lie back down, not to strain herself. Y/N listened, leaned back against the pillow, and lowered her hands to her stomach, feeling nothing, but certain a baby was growing under her touch.
His eyes were gentle, went ahead, and smiled. Tears took her vision, could not believe her eyes what they saw. Thomas went down to the ground, his knee touching the floor, and clutched the small box he had carried at his side for several months and opened it, allowing her eyes to settle on the ring. The stone in the middle shone brightly, reflecting the light of the lamp in the far corner of the room. Thomas was not a man of big words, but he knew exactly what he wanted to say, what needed to be said, what she needed to hear.
"Y/N, I know there are better occasions to ask you this question and I want you to know I am not asking this question because you are carrying our child. I love you. I wanted to ask for your hand in marriage three months ago but like you I haven't found the courage." he began.
The words were true, springing from the deepest depths of his heart.
"And so, I ask you Y/N, will you be my Y/N Shelby? My wife whom I will respect and honour until the end of our days." Thomas said in a confident tone.
Y/N eyes were veiled, looking down from her boyfriend of almost two years to the ring he held with his trembling fingers. The gem sparkled in the light.
"I can't imagine anything more beautiful Tommy," Y/N whispered in response.
His trembling fingers clutched the ring nestled in the white pillow and put it on her finger. It fitted perfectly. Unable to stop the tears from escaping his eyes he placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand and, for the first time in his life, he was fulfilled with love, felt whole and home.
I hope you are doing wellâ¤ď¸ Sadly, it's been a long time since I posted here and it feels wrong to leave without bidding farewell. I could come up with an endless list of excuses, but they would all be insincere. To put it simply I stopped enjoying Tumblr.
Two wonderful gifts from Tumblr are you and a boost in my writing confidence. I could never have dreamed of having almost 4k followers and receiving so much love for my prose. Thank you so much for your support, comments, and reposts. It was such an amazing time.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friendâs house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.7k
Part 8
Chains, bloodied and graced with torn rotting flesh, moulding in the light of the wanning moon, dangled in all directions in the howling wind. Bones cracked under polished shoes freckled by grime and coated with rotting leaves. The lightbulbs among the broken were shining faintly, breaking the doom, the utter darkness ruling in the endless corridor leading into different vacant rusty halls.
The wind was howling, a lonely wolf, a hound greeting the full moon. Water dripped through the holey ceiling of metal and musty wood. The old building, far away from civilisation, with shattered windows barricaded by boards was surrounded.
The man clothed in a form-fitting suit didnât bear a map, didnât need a compass to find the right path. The faint stench of mould lingered in the stiff air. Rats fled in great haste, screeched and warned the brothers hiding in the holes in the ground and empty chests. A few dark grey strands illuminated the dark sea. Untroubled Thomas followed the path. His fingers tapped against the polished metal. He did not put his gaze over his shoulder, focused on the light showing the end of the tunnel. Deep hush voices exchanged brief words and the grin on his lips widened, thought of ways to harm the men who had dared to touch his wife.
Thomas tilted his head. The light hit the tip of his shoes, but the Shelby, a demon, the devil himself waiting patiently, remained in the shadows. Deftly, he leapt to the side, hiding behind the cargo crates stacked high from India, Africa and the far East. Footsteps echoed and a soft whimper, a kitten, a newborn calling for its mother, fell silent. More men, dark dressed creatures, followed the order with drawn weapons and waited for the signal. Thomas leaned forward, peering through the crack between the crates. Two men, shabbily dressed, stood in the light of the flickering yellowish bulb, but his keen eyes couldnât find the source of the whimper.
           âThe money?â the thinner one pecked, wiping the oil from his fingers on his trousers.
The taller one laughed, folding his arms in front of his bulging chest.Â
           âThe woman will pay us off. I called her. By the end of the day, weâll get the money.â, âWe should have killed his wife right away,â the other said, leaning against the cargo boxes.
           âKarl, I would have killed her, but the other guy came. We would have died otherwise. I know him, Solomons. He would have killed us,â he interjected.
           âAnd what are we supposed to do now, Jimmy?â Karl questioned.
           âAnd what will happen to us, Karl?â Jim asked.
Karl shrugged his shoulders. Eyes widened in shock, screams followed, bullets pierced flesh and grazed bones. Men in suits stormed the old run-down complex, a tsunami swallowing villages and towns. Closely followed by his men, Thomas entered the room, stepped closer with his gun drawn, fired and hit the bullâs eye, ran ahead, searched and cursed, but didnât find the woman. Sweat cascaded his face, turned, and hoped the men could answer his questions, but the eyes had paled. Cursing, Thomas stared at his brothers opening the crates in the hope of finding Peggy in one of them.
           âWhere is she?â Arthur asked, heaving.
John cursed, nearly fell into the crate. Perplexed, he stared into the distance, cursed under his breath, turned with paled features towards his brothers and mumbled a short prayer.
           The moon wandered on, over land and mountains, on and on, climbing hills and swimming over lakes and raging streams. Under the cover of the moon, ghastly shadows crept forth. Light burned in the mansion far away from civilisation, from towns and villages. The vehicles parked in front of the mansion were not neatly lined up. Curtains were drawn and didnât allow to witness the people warming themselves by the flames, gnawing on the hardened biscuits and awakening the sense with the dark unsweetened liquid. The phone didnât ring, and the bell didnât announce a guest.
The clock was ticking, heels clicked against the creaking hardwood. Voices had died down, the women did not chatter as the gentle voice breathing delicate word into the microphone sang of love and gentle kisses. The women exchanged meaningless glances, glanced at the man they thought would never enter the house, who had settled down by the fireplace and was leafing through the book with his legs crossed, staring again and again at the doors and windows in search of grim faces pursued by evil intentions. Y/N warmed her fingers on the cup filled with tea and dipped her tongue in the warm liquid.
           âDonât worry, they will be here soon. Itâs just a matter of time. Donât worry, my dear.â Ada breathed.
She flashed the shaking woman a smile, breathed encouraging words, but they couldnât banish the fear from her heart.
           âTheyâve been gone for a long time. At least three hours now.â Y/N breathed.
           âYou worry too much Y/N/N. The Shelby can take something. If heâs not here by seven, then weâll go looking for him together.â Alfie joked.
Y/N stretched her arms into the air. Sleep gnawed on her bones and the voice in her head assured her that all would be well, that Thomas was on his way back, that the door would open soon and he would stand with Peggy and a promise to change by her side. She counted the seconds, focused on the clock, yet Y/N had lost track of time and space a long time ago. Her eyes widened. The tiredness was gone with the wind. Groaning, Y/N jumped and threw the blanket away. A wall, the last wall of defence rose in front of her and a palm settled on her back.
           âCome, little one. We will go together. You stay here. I have everything under control. I saw a car.â Alfie said.
Y/N tried to argue, telling him to stay with the others, that she wanted to go alone, but no words crossed her lips and nodded. Alfie smiled, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, stuffed his gun into the pocket, and guided Y/N away from the richly set table. Keys jingled. Alfie pushed Y/N behind him, but the young woman went ahead. The cold air brushed her skin and painted her cheeks. Brows almost touched. Y/N looked questioningly at Peggy, shook her head, and lips parted.
           âPeggy?â Y/N whispered, not believing her eyes, convinced she was about to awake from a dream.
She looked healthy. Not a drop of blood clung to the long white evening dress, looked like a woman on her way to church to walk down the aisle. The hair was laid in curls, dotted with pearls and glass shaped in tears. The bouquet, white and red flowers fell to the ground. A smile, false as a foxâs, sweet as a snakeâs voice, spread on her lips.
           âYouâre well?â Y/N questioned.
           âWhy shouldnât I be well? I am glad to see that you are well. I see nothing happened to you while I was away. I told you to wait for me at home. I could never have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you.â Peggy spoke coldly, stoically, emotionlessly.
           âWhereâs Thomas? Heâs out looking for you. I was worried about you.â Y/N uttered.
Spreading her arms, Y/N wanted to enclose Peggy in a tight hug, but fingers clawed deep into the thin material covering her, forcing her to stagger backwards.
           âAlfie, can you please let go of me?â Y/N demanded.
Y/N turned and stubbornly demanded to be let free, but Alfie shook his head.
           âWhy do you have to make everything more complicated? Get in there and donât do anything stupid or youâll all regret it. Are we clear?â, âI wouldnât do that.â Alfie interjected. He removed his hand from the pistol and rose his hands into the air after he pulled Y/N closer to his chest.
           âPeggy?â Y/N breathed, hoped the person bore a mask, but it was Peggy.
Colour drained from her features. Cold metal pressed deeper into her skin. Bloodshot eyes forced Alfie to step back and told him not to dare to waste a single thought about doing something he might regret. Questions nor curses crossed Y/N´s lips pressed into a fine line. A lonely tear cascaded down her left cheek and left a red burning mark on her skin. Y/N questioned her life, every decision she had made, every word and complain she had said to Peggy in hope she would aid her. Synchronically, Ada and Polly arose, aimed, but no shots pierced the air. Peggy chased Alfie away to stand by the wall and he listened and placed the weapon on the ground as the women as Peggy stood tall behind the crumbling shield.
           âWhy?â Y/N inquired, her heart bursting through skin and bone.
Peggy laughed and combed through Y/N´s locks with her long light-coloured nails.
           âI should be in your place. It would have been so easy. But those idiots let you get away and then you were at my door and I just had to let you in. I called these fools. I knew they would be at the bar, and informed them that you were with me, that they should walk in and take care of you. I then set off here, wanting to inform all of you that something might have happened to Y/N. I would have taken your place, but this man had to interfere with my plan.â Peggy joked.
Her bloodshot eyes slid from one person to another and pointing her finger at the tall man settling down on the armchair by the crackling fire.
           âHow would you have done it? The Shelby wouldnât have to believe you. Nobody would have.â Alfie questioned, with his arms crossed in front of his body.
           âNobody? Suddenly everybody was searching for Y/N. When I returned home, she was gone. I am a good actress, I had classes when I was young and played in the theatre, always the evil and wicked,â the woman huffed.
She chuckled.
           âThomas would have believed me. I would have played the good friend, helping him through this rough path. I just wanted to play the worried friend. I would have helped to find Y/N and then after a good month the case would have gone cold. The postman would have brought a letter from overseas and the problem would have been solved. Thomas would have found a good friend in me and later a wife,â she sneered.
           âBut they trashed your house.â Y/N breathed, eliciting a malicious laugh from the mad woman.
           âI was a bit angry and had to let my anger run free. My plan was perfect.â she huffed, stroking Y/Nâs skin with the weapon.
           âYou wanted to kill me?â Y/N breathed.
           âNo one cared about you, you told me everything, your former husband barely cared about you, you slept alone, spent your days alone, were air for everyone, I didnât expect anyone to care about you.â Peggy laughed.
Y/N gulped, nodded, and breathed a soft prayer, prayed for the safety of all of them a few steps away from her.
           âA confident woman. Why would I marry you?â a deep voice sneered.
Smiling, Peggy turned around, fixed her hair and let go of Y/N, but she was rooted into the ground, turning into a statue overgrown by moss.
           âAll these months youâve been using me.â Y/N
The veil fell, and the wind carried away the dense mist. Y/N balled her hands into fists, nails bore deep into the soft flesh, but no sound escaped her lips. She faced Peggy, unfearful of the weapon in her right hand.
           âYou never told me to give Thomas a chance, to at least try to get along with him. You never said anything nice about him. When he gave me flowers or chocolate, you told me heâd cheated on me and feared I would find out.â Y/N whispered, her voice raising with every fallen word.
She remembered the forgotten, the lonely nights, the long calls, the endless hours spend in the small room and crying her heart out to the wrong person, hoping Peggy would help her like only a friend could.
           âWe spoke on the phone when Thomas didnât come back that evening and instead of telling me that he must be working but you swore on your parentsâ lives that you saw him in the arms of a woman.â Y/N cried out.
Y/N faced her friend, unfaced and untroubled by the loaded gun.
           âI suppose that was a lie, too. Probably everything you told me was a lie,â Y/N whispered.
She remembered the nights she was pouring out her heart and the answers that were as false as the snakeâs words. She raised her eyes and looked up at Thomas. The man swallowed, saw the questions in his wifeâs eyes and smiled.
           âI was never unfaithful, Y/N. I was a terrible husband, but I was always faithful to you,â Thomas assured her.
           âI believe you,â Y/N whispered, but Thomas had heard the answer.
Y/N advanced, oblivious to the woman in the wedding garment, wanting to go towards her husband, but Peggy made it impossible for her to do so, getting in the way.
           âEnough of this sweet talk.â Peggy chuckled.
Metal dazzled the eyes. She grabbed Y/N by the collar, scratched her skin, pressed her tightly against him. And the men and women, apart from Thomas, recoiled with their hands up. Thomas stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and nodded, guessing what she would demand.
           âYou let me out and nothing will happen to her.â Peggy requested.
The Shelby nodded, exchanged brief glances with his brothers.
           âGood, go, you know the way. You hand Y/N over to me at the door. I leave my gun here and you put yours away. Do we understand each other?â Thomas spoke.
           âI donât think youâre in a position to make demands here, Thomas, but Iâll take your offer. But I want them out of here. I want them all out of here in the kitchen.â Peggy interjected.
Thomas gestured to his siblings to leave, nodding, indicating that they should be on their way, that they shouldnât worry, but his eyes betrayed him. Slowly, they rose from the sofa and did as Thomas ordered them again to leave. Heels clicked against the hardwood. Hush voices exchanged words, and the door slammed shut.
           âCan we go?â Thomas probed.
Thomas walked ahead, showed the way, paused at the open door, pushed it wide open and motioned the woman to leave. His hands clenched into fists. He wanted to free Y/N from the womanâs clutches, heard the soft whimpering as Peggy grabbed her former friend. Teeth gritted. Peggy stopped and turned with Y/N.
           âHere you go.â she shoved Y/N in his direction.
Y/N staggered forward, threatening to fall like a soldier, but arms wrapped tightly around her body, pressing her tightly to his chest. Thomas breathed loving words into her ear, pressed his dried lips on her skin and pressed featherlight kisses on her cheek. He murmured a prayer and begged for her forgiveness. Sweat danced down his face. He pressed another fleeting kiss on her temple. Thomas put his hands over her ears, deafening her to the screams and bullets piercing the air and suddenly, after all this time filled with screams and prayers, silence reigned over the land.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friendâs house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.7k
Part 8
Chains, bloodied and graced with torn rotting flesh, moulding in the light of the wanning moon, dangled in all directions in the howling wind. Bones cracked under polished shoes freckled by grime and coated with rotting leaves. The lightbulbs among the broken were shining faintly, breaking the doom, the utter darkness ruling in the endless corridor leading into different vacant rusty halls.
The wind was howling, a lonely wolf, a hound greeting the full moon. Water dripped through the holey ceiling of metal and musty wood. The old building, far away from civilisation, with shattered windows barricaded by boards was surrounded.
The man clothed in a form-fitting suit didnât bear a map, didnât need a compass to find the right path. The faint stench of mould lingered in the stiff air. Rats fled in great haste, screeched and warned the brothers hiding in the holes in the ground and empty chests. A few dark grey strands illuminated the dark sea. Untroubled Thomas followed the path. His fingers tapped against the polished metal. He did not put his gaze over his shoulder, focused on the light showing the end of the tunnel. Deep hush voices exchanged brief words and the grin on his lips widened, thought of ways to harm the men who had dared to touch his wife.
Thomas tilted his head. The light hit the tip of his shoes, but the Shelby, a demon, the devil himself waiting patiently, remained in the shadows. Deftly, he leapt to the side, hiding behind the cargo crates stacked high from India, Africa and the far East. Footsteps echoed and a soft whimper, a kitten, a newborn calling for its mother, fell silent. More men, dark dressed creatures, followed the order with drawn weapons and waited for the signal. Thomas leaned forward, peering through the crack between the crates. Two men, shabbily dressed, stood in the light of the flickering yellowish bulb, but his keen eyes couldnât find the source of the whimper.
           âThe money?â the thinner one pecked, wiping the oil from his fingers on his trousers.
The taller one laughed, folding his arms in front of his bulging chest.Â
           âThe woman will pay us off. I called her. By the end of the day, weâll get the money.â, âWe should have killed his wife right away,â the other said, leaning against the cargo boxes.
           âKarl, I would have killed her, but the other guy came. We would have died otherwise. I know him, Solomons. He would have killed us,â he interjected.
           âAnd what are we supposed to do now, Jimmy?â Karl questioned.
           âAnd what will happen to us, Karl?â Jim asked.
Karl shrugged his shoulders. Eyes widened in shock, screams followed, bullets pierced flesh and grazed bones. Men in suits stormed the old run-down complex, a tsunami swallowing villages and towns. Closely followed by his men, Thomas entered the room, stepped closer with his gun drawn, fired and hit the bullâs eye, ran ahead, searched and cursed, but didnât find the woman. Sweat cascaded his face, turned, and hoped the men could answer his questions, but the eyes had paled. Cursing, Thomas stared at his brothers opening the crates in the hope of finding Peggy in one of them.
           âWhere is she?â Arthur asked, heaving.
John cursed, nearly fell into the crate. Perplexed, he stared into the distance, cursed under his breath, turned with paled features towards his brothers and mumbled a short prayer.
           The moon wandered on, over land and mountains, on and on, climbing hills and swimming over lakes and raging streams. Under the cover of the moon, ghastly shadows crept forth. Light burned in the mansion far away from civilisation, from towns and villages. The vehicles parked in front of the mansion were not neatly lined up. Curtains were drawn and didnât allow to witness the people warming themselves by the flames, gnawing on the hardened biscuits and awakening the sense with the dark unsweetened liquid. The phone didnât ring, and the bell didnât announce a guest.
The clock was ticking, heels clicked against the creaking hardwood. Voices had died down, the women did not chatter as the gentle voice breathing delicate word into the microphone sang of love and gentle kisses. The women exchanged meaningless glances, glanced at the man they thought would never enter the house, who had settled down by the fireplace and was leafing through the book with his legs crossed, staring again and again at the doors and windows in search of grim faces pursued by evil intentions. Y/N warmed her fingers on the cup filled with tea and dipped her tongue in the warm liquid.
           âDonât worry, they will be here soon. Itâs just a matter of time. Donât worry, my dear.â Ada breathed.
She flashed the shaking woman a smile, breathed encouraging words, but they couldnât banish the fear from her heart.
           âTheyâve been gone for a long time. At least three hours now.â Y/N breathed.
           âYou worry too much Y/N/N. The Shelby can take something. If heâs not here by seven, then weâll go looking for him together.â Alfie joked.
Y/N stretched her arms into the air. Sleep gnawed on her bones and the voice in her head assured her that all would be well, that Thomas was on his way back, that the door would open soon and he would stand with Peggy and a promise to change by her side. She counted the seconds, focused on the clock, yet Y/N had lost track of time and space a long time ago. Her eyes widened. The tiredness was gone with the wind. Groaning, Y/N jumped and threw the blanket away. A wall, the last wall of defence rose in front of her and a palm settled on her back.
           âCome, little one. We will go together. You stay here. I have everything under control. I saw a car.â Alfie said.
Y/N tried to argue, telling him to stay with the others, that she wanted to go alone, but no words crossed her lips and nodded. Alfie smiled, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, stuffed his gun into the pocket, and guided Y/N away from the richly set table. Keys jingled. Alfie pushed Y/N behind him, but the young woman went ahead. The cold air brushed her skin and painted her cheeks. Brows almost touched. Y/N looked questioningly at Peggy, shook her head, and lips parted.
           âPeggy?â Y/N whispered, not believing her eyes, convinced she was about to awake from a dream.
She looked healthy. Not a drop of blood clung to the long white evening dress, looked like a woman on her way to church to walk down the aisle. The hair was laid in curls, dotted with pearls and glass shaped in tears. The bouquet, white and red flowers fell to the ground. A smile, false as a foxâs, sweet as a snakeâs voice, spread on her lips.
           âYouâre well?â Y/N questioned.
           âWhy shouldnât I be well? I am glad to see that you are well. I see nothing happened to you while I was away. I told you to wait for me at home. I could never have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you.â Peggy spoke coldly, stoically, emotionlessly.
           âWhereâs Thomas? Heâs out looking for you. I was worried about you.â Y/N uttered.
Spreading her arms, Y/N wanted to enclose Peggy in a tight hug, but fingers clawed deep into the thin material covering her, forcing her to stagger backwards.
           âAlfie, can you please let go of me?â Y/N demanded.
Y/N turned and stubbornly demanded to be let free, but Alfie shook his head.
           âWhy do you have to make everything more complicated? Get in there and donât do anything stupid or youâll all regret it. Are we clear?â, âI wouldnât do that.â Alfie interjected. He removed his hand from the pistol and rose his hands into the air after he pulled Y/N closer to his chest.
           âPeggy?â Y/N breathed, hoped the person bore a mask, but it was Peggy.
Colour drained from her features. Cold metal pressed deeper into her skin. Bloodshot eyes forced Alfie to step back and told him not to dare to waste a single thought about doing something he might regret. Questions nor curses crossed Y/N´s lips pressed into a fine line. A lonely tear cascaded down her left cheek and left a red burning mark on her skin. Y/N questioned her life, every decision she had made, every word and complain she had said to Peggy in hope she would aid her. Synchronically, Ada and Polly arose, aimed, but no shots pierced the air. Peggy chased Alfie away to stand by the wall and he listened and placed the weapon on the ground as the women as Peggy stood tall behind the crumbling shield.
           âWhy?â Y/N inquired, her heart bursting through skin and bone.
Peggy laughed and combed through Y/N´s locks with her long light-coloured nails.
           âI should be in your place. It would have been so easy. But those idiots let you get away and then you were at my door and I just had to let you in. I called these fools. I knew they would be at the bar, and informed them that you were with me, that they should walk in and take care of you. I then set off here, wanting to inform all of you that something might have happened to Y/N. I would have taken your place, but this man had to interfere with my plan.â Peggy joked.
Her bloodshot eyes slid from one person to another and pointing her finger at the tall man settling down on the armchair by the crackling fire.
           âHow would you have done it? The Shelby wouldnât have to believe you. Nobody would have.â Alfie questioned, with his arms crossed in front of his body.
           âNobody? Suddenly everybody was searching for Y/N. When I returned home, she was gone. I am a good actress, I had classes when I was young and played in the theatre, always the evil and wicked,â the woman huffed.
She chuckled.
           âThomas would have believed me. I would have played the good friend, helping him through this rough path. I just wanted to play the worried friend. I would have helped to find Y/N and then after a good month the case would have gone cold. The postman would have brought a letter from overseas and the problem would have been solved. Thomas would have found a good friend in me and later a wife,â she sneered.
           âBut they trashed your house.â Y/N breathed, eliciting a malicious laugh from the mad woman.
           âI was a bit angry and had to let my anger run free. My plan was perfect.â she huffed, stroking Y/Nâs skin with the weapon.
           âYou wanted to kill me?â Y/N breathed.
           âNo one cared about you, you told me everything, your former husband barely cared about you, you slept alone, spent your days alone, were air for everyone, I didnât expect anyone to care about you.â Peggy laughed.
Y/N gulped, nodded, and breathed a soft prayer, prayed for the safety of all of them a few steps away from her.
           âA confident woman. Why would I marry you?â a deep voice sneered.
Smiling, Peggy turned around, fixed her hair and let go of Y/N, but she was rooted into the ground, turning into a statue overgrown by moss.
           âAll these months youâve been using me.â Y/N
The veil fell, and the wind carried away the dense mist. Y/N balled her hands into fists, nails bore deep into the soft flesh, but no sound escaped her lips. She faced Peggy, unfearful of the weapon in her right hand.
           âYou never told me to give Thomas a chance, to at least try to get along with him. You never said anything nice about him. When he gave me flowers or chocolate, you told me heâd cheated on me and feared I would find out.â Y/N whispered, her voice raising with every fallen word.
She remembered the forgotten, the lonely nights, the long calls, the endless hours spend in the small room and crying her heart out to the wrong person, hoping Peggy would help her like only a friend could.
           âWe spoke on the phone when Thomas didnât come back that evening and instead of telling me that he must be working but you swore on your parentsâ lives that you saw him in the arms of a woman.â Y/N cried out.
Y/N faced her friend, unfaced and untroubled by the loaded gun.
           âI suppose that was a lie, too. Probably everything you told me was a lie,â Y/N whispered.
She remembered the nights she was pouring out her heart and the answers that were as false as the snakeâs words. She raised her eyes and looked up at Thomas. The man swallowed, saw the questions in his wifeâs eyes and smiled.
           âI was never unfaithful, Y/N. I was a terrible husband, but I was always faithful to you,â Thomas assured her.
           âI believe you,â Y/N whispered, but Thomas had heard the answer.
Y/N advanced, oblivious to the woman in the wedding garment, wanting to go towards her husband, but Peggy made it impossible for her to do so, getting in the way.
           âEnough of this sweet talk.â Peggy chuckled.
Metal dazzled the eyes. She grabbed Y/N by the collar, scratched her skin, pressed her tightly against him. And the men and women, apart from Thomas, recoiled with their hands up. Thomas stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and nodded, guessing what she would demand.
           âYou let me out and nothing will happen to her.â Peggy requested.
The Shelby nodded, exchanged brief glances with his brothers.
           âGood, go, you know the way. You hand Y/N over to me at the door. I leave my gun here and you put yours away. Do we understand each other?â Thomas spoke.
           âI donât think youâre in a position to make demands here, Thomas, but Iâll take your offer. But I want them out of here. I want them all out of here in the kitchen.â Peggy interjected.
Thomas gestured to his siblings to leave, nodding, indicating that they should be on their way, that they shouldnât worry, but his eyes betrayed him. Slowly, they rose from the sofa and did as Thomas ordered them again to leave. Heels clicked against the hardwood. Hush voices exchanged words, and the door slammed shut.
           âCan we go?â Thomas probed.
Thomas walked ahead, showed the way, paused at the open door, pushed it wide open and motioned the woman to leave. His hands clenched into fists. He wanted to free Y/N from the womanâs clutches, heard the soft whimpering as Peggy grabbed her former friend. Teeth gritted. Peggy stopped and turned with Y/N.
           âHere you go.â she shoved Y/N in his direction.
Y/N staggered forward, threatening to fall like a soldier, but arms wrapped tightly around her body, pressing her tightly to his chest. Thomas breathed loving words into her ear, pressed his dried lips on her skin and pressed featherlight kisses on her cheek. He murmured a prayer and begged for her forgiveness. Sweat danced down his face. He pressed another fleeting kiss on her temple. Thomas put his hands over her ears, deafening her to the screams and bullets piercing the air and suddenly, after all this time filled with screams and prayers, silence reigned over the land.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friendâs house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.7k
Part 8
Chains, bloodied and graced with torn rotting flesh, moulding in the light of the wanning moon, dangled in all directions in the howling wind. Bones cracked under polished shoes freckled by grime and coated with rotting leaves. The lightbulbs among the broken were shining faintly, breaking the doom, the utter darkness ruling in the endless corridor leading into different vacant rusty halls.
The wind was howling, a lonely wolf, a hound greeting the full moon. Water dripped through the holey ceiling of metal and musty wood. The old building, far away from civilisation, with shattered windows barricaded by boards was surrounded.
The man clothed in a form-fitting suit didnât bear a map, didnât need a compass to find the right path. The faint stench of mould lingered in the stiff air. Rats fled in great haste, screeched and warned the brothers hiding in the holes in the ground and empty chests. A few dark grey strands illuminated the dark sea. Untroubled Thomas followed the path. His fingers tapped against the polished metal. He did not put his gaze over his shoulder, focused on the light showing the end of the tunnel. Deep hush voices exchanged brief words and the grin on his lips widened, thought of ways to harm the men who had dared to touch his wife.
Thomas tilted his head. The light hit the tip of his shoes, but the Shelby, a demon, the devil himself waiting patiently, remained in the shadows. Deftly, he leapt to the side, hiding behind the cargo crates stacked high from India, Africa and the far East. Footsteps echoed and a soft whimper, a kitten, a newborn calling for its mother, fell silent. More men, dark dressed creatures, followed the order with drawn weapons and waited for the signal. Thomas leaned forward, peering through the crack between the crates. Two men, shabbily dressed, stood in the light of the flickering yellowish bulb, but his keen eyes couldnât find the source of the whimper.
           âThe money?â the thinner one pecked, wiping the oil from his fingers on his trousers.
The taller one laughed, folding his arms in front of his bulging chest.Â
           âThe woman will pay us off. I called her. By the end of the day, weâll get the money.â, âWe should have killed his wife right away,â the other said, leaning against the cargo boxes.
           âKarl, I would have killed her, but the other guy came. We would have died otherwise. I know him, Solomons. He would have killed us,â he interjected.
           âAnd what are we supposed to do now, Jimmy?â Karl questioned.
           âAnd what will happen to us, Karl?â Jim asked.
Karl shrugged his shoulders. Eyes widened in shock, screams followed, bullets pierced flesh and grazed bones. Men in suits stormed the old run-down complex, a tsunami swallowing villages and towns. Closely followed by his men, Thomas entered the room, stepped closer with his gun drawn, fired and hit the bullâs eye, ran ahead, searched and cursed, but didnât find the woman. Sweat cascaded his face, turned, and hoped the men could answer his questions, but the eyes had paled. Cursing, Thomas stared at his brothers opening the crates in the hope of finding Peggy in one of them.
           âWhere is she?â Arthur asked, heaving.
John cursed, nearly fell into the crate. Perplexed, he stared into the distance, cursed under his breath, turned with paled features towards his brothers and mumbled a short prayer.
           The moon wandered on, over land and mountains, on and on, climbing hills and swimming over lakes and raging streams. Under the cover of the moon, ghastly shadows crept forth. Light burned in the mansion far away from civilisation, from towns and villages. The vehicles parked in front of the mansion were not neatly lined up. Curtains were drawn and didnât allow to witness the people warming themselves by the flames, gnawing on the hardened biscuits and awakening the sense with the dark unsweetened liquid. The phone didnât ring, and the bell didnât announce a guest.
The clock was ticking, heels clicked against the creaking hardwood. Voices had died down, the women did not chatter as the gentle voice breathing delicate word into the microphone sang of love and gentle kisses. The women exchanged meaningless glances, glanced at the man they thought would never enter the house, who had settled down by the fireplace and was leafing through the book with his legs crossed, staring again and again at the doors and windows in search of grim faces pursued by evil intentions. Y/N warmed her fingers on the cup filled with tea and dipped her tongue in the warm liquid.
           âDonât worry, they will be here soon. Itâs just a matter of time. Donât worry, my dear.â Ada breathed.
She flashed the shaking woman a smile, breathed encouraging words, but they couldnât banish the fear from her heart.
           âTheyâve been gone for a long time. At least three hours now.â Y/N breathed.
           âYou worry too much Y/N/N. The Shelby can take something. If heâs not here by seven, then weâll go looking for him together.â Alfie joked.
Y/N stretched her arms into the air. Sleep gnawed on her bones and the voice in her head assured her that all would be well, that Thomas was on his way back, that the door would open soon and he would stand with Peggy and a promise to change by her side. She counted the seconds, focused on the clock, yet Y/N had lost track of time and space a long time ago. Her eyes widened. The tiredness was gone with the wind. Groaning, Y/N jumped and threw the blanket away. A wall, the last wall of defence rose in front of her and a palm settled on her back.
           âCome, little one. We will go together. You stay here. I have everything under control. I saw a car.â Alfie said.
Y/N tried to argue, telling him to stay with the others, that she wanted to go alone, but no words crossed her lips and nodded. Alfie smiled, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, stuffed his gun into the pocket, and guided Y/N away from the richly set table. Keys jingled. Alfie pushed Y/N behind him, but the young woman went ahead. The cold air brushed her skin and painted her cheeks. Brows almost touched. Y/N looked questioningly at Peggy, shook her head, and lips parted.
           âPeggy?â Y/N whispered, not believing her eyes, convinced she was about to awake from a dream.
She looked healthy. Not a drop of blood clung to the long white evening dress, looked like a woman on her way to church to walk down the aisle. The hair was laid in curls, dotted with pearls and glass shaped in tears. The bouquet, white and red flowers fell to the ground. A smile, false as a foxâs, sweet as a snakeâs voice, spread on her lips.
           âYouâre well?â Y/N questioned.
           âWhy shouldnât I be well? I am glad to see that you are well. I see nothing happened to you while I was away. I told you to wait for me at home. I could never have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you.â Peggy spoke coldly, stoically, emotionlessly.
           âWhereâs Thomas? Heâs out looking for you. I was worried about you.â Y/N uttered.
Spreading her arms, Y/N wanted to enclose Peggy in a tight hug, but fingers clawed deep into the thin material covering her, forcing her to stagger backwards.
           âAlfie, can you please let go of me?â Y/N demanded.
Y/N turned and stubbornly demanded to be let free, but Alfie shook his head.
           âWhy do you have to make everything more complicated? Get in there and donât do anything stupid or youâll all regret it. Are we clear?â, âI wouldnât do that.â Alfie interjected. He removed his hand from the pistol and rose his hands into the air after he pulled Y/N closer to his chest.
           âPeggy?â Y/N breathed, hoped the person bore a mask, but it was Peggy.
Colour drained from her features. Cold metal pressed deeper into her skin. Bloodshot eyes forced Alfie to step back and told him not to dare to waste a single thought about doing something he might regret. Questions nor curses crossed Y/N´s lips pressed into a fine line. A lonely tear cascaded down her left cheek and left a red burning mark on her skin. Y/N questioned her life, every decision she had made, every word and complain she had said to Peggy in hope she would aid her. Synchronically, Ada and Polly arose, aimed, but no shots pierced the air. Peggy chased Alfie away to stand by the wall and he listened and placed the weapon on the ground as the women as Peggy stood tall behind the crumbling shield.
           âWhy?â Y/N inquired, her heart bursting through skin and bone.
Peggy laughed and combed through Y/N´s locks with her long light-coloured nails.
           âI should be in your place. It would have been so easy. But those idiots let you get away and then you were at my door and I just had to let you in. I called these fools. I knew they would be at the bar, and informed them that you were with me, that they should walk in and take care of you. I then set off here, wanting to inform all of you that something might have happened to Y/N. I would have taken your place, but this man had to interfere with my plan.â Peggy joked.
Her bloodshot eyes slid from one person to another and pointing her finger at the tall man settling down on the armchair by the crackling fire.
           âHow would you have done it? The Shelby wouldnât have to believe you. Nobody would have.â Alfie questioned, with his arms crossed in front of his body.
           âNobody? Suddenly everybody was searching for Y/N. When I returned home, she was gone. I am a good actress, I had classes when I was young and played in the theatre, always the evil and wicked,â the woman huffed.
She chuckled.
           âThomas would have believed me. I would have played the good friend, helping him through this rough path. I just wanted to play the worried friend. I would have helped to find Y/N and then after a good month the case would have gone cold. The postman would have brought a letter from overseas and the problem would have been solved. Thomas would have found a good friend in me and later a wife,â she sneered.
           âBut they trashed your house.â Y/N breathed, eliciting a malicious laugh from the mad woman.
           âI was a bit angry and had to let my anger run free. My plan was perfect.â she huffed, stroking Y/Nâs skin with the weapon.
           âYou wanted to kill me?â Y/N breathed.
           âNo one cared about you, you told me everything, your former husband barely cared about you, you slept alone, spent your days alone, were air for everyone, I didnât expect anyone to care about you.â Peggy laughed.
Y/N gulped, nodded, and breathed a soft prayer, prayed for the safety of all of them a few steps away from her.
           âA confident woman. Why would I marry you?â a deep voice sneered.
Smiling, Peggy turned around, fixed her hair and let go of Y/N, but she was rooted into the ground, turning into a statue overgrown by moss.
           âAll these months youâve been using me.â Y/N
The veil fell, and the wind carried away the dense mist. Y/N balled her hands into fists, nails bore deep into the soft flesh, but no sound escaped her lips. She faced Peggy, unfearful of the weapon in her right hand.
           âYou never told me to give Thomas a chance, to at least try to get along with him. You never said anything nice about him. When he gave me flowers or chocolate, you told me heâd cheated on me and feared I would find out.â Y/N whispered, her voice raising with every fallen word.
She remembered the forgotten, the lonely nights, the long calls, the endless hours spend in the small room and crying her heart out to the wrong person, hoping Peggy would help her like only a friend could.
           âWe spoke on the phone when Thomas didnât come back that evening and instead of telling me that he must be working but you swore on your parentsâ lives that you saw him in the arms of a woman.â Y/N cried out.
Y/N faced her friend, unfaced and untroubled by the loaded gun.
           âI suppose that was a lie, too. Probably everything you told me was a lie,â Y/N whispered.
She remembered the nights she was pouring out her heart and the answers that were as false as the snakeâs words. She raised her eyes and looked up at Thomas. The man swallowed, saw the questions in his wifeâs eyes and smiled.
           âI was never unfaithful, Y/N. I was a terrible husband, but I was always faithful to you,â Thomas assured her.
           âI believe you,â Y/N whispered, but Thomas had heard the answer.
Y/N advanced, oblivious to the woman in the wedding garment, wanting to go towards her husband, but Peggy made it impossible for her to do so, getting in the way.
           âEnough of this sweet talk.â Peggy chuckled.
Metal dazzled the eyes. She grabbed Y/N by the collar, scratched her skin, pressed her tightly against him. And the men and women, apart from Thomas, recoiled with their hands up. Thomas stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and nodded, guessing what she would demand.
           âYou let me out and nothing will happen to her.â Peggy requested.
The Shelby nodded, exchanged brief glances with his brothers.
           âGood, go, you know the way. You hand Y/N over to me at the door. I leave my gun here and you put yours away. Do we understand each other?â Thomas spoke.
           âI donât think youâre in a position to make demands here, Thomas, but Iâll take your offer. But I want them out of here. I want them all out of here in the kitchen.â Peggy interjected.
Thomas gestured to his siblings to leave, nodding, indicating that they should be on their way, that they shouldnât worry, but his eyes betrayed him. Slowly, they rose from the sofa and did as Thomas ordered them again to leave. Heels clicked against the hardwood. Hush voices exchanged words, and the door slammed shut.
           âCan we go?â Thomas probed.
Thomas walked ahead, showed the way, paused at the open door, pushed it wide open and motioned the woman to leave. His hands clenched into fists. He wanted to free Y/N from the womanâs clutches, heard the soft whimpering as Peggy grabbed her former friend. Teeth gritted. Peggy stopped and turned with Y/N.
           âHere you go.â she shoved Y/N in his direction.
Y/N staggered forward, threatening to fall like a soldier, but arms wrapped tightly around her body, pressing her tightly to his chest. Thomas breathed loving words into her ear, pressed his dried lips on her skin and pressed featherlight kisses on her cheek. He murmured a prayer and begged for her forgiveness. Sweat danced down his face. He pressed another fleeting kiss on her temple. Thomas put his hands over her ears, deafening her to the screams and bullets piercing the air and suddenly, after all this time filled with screams and prayers, silence reigned over the land.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friendâs house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.7k
Part 8
Chains, bloodied and graced with torn rotting flesh, moulding in the light of the wanning moon, dangled in all directions in the howling wind. Bones cracked under polished shoes freckled by grime and coated with rotting leaves. The lightbulbs among the broken were shining faintly, breaking the doom, the utter darkness ruling in the endless corridor leading into different vacant rusty halls.
The wind was howling, a lonely wolf, a hound greeting the full moon. Water dripped through the holey ceiling of metal and musty wood. The old building, far away from civilisation, with shattered windows barricaded by boards was surrounded.
The man clothed in a form-fitting suit didnât bear a map, didnât need a compass to find the right path. The faint stench of mould lingered in the stiff air. Rats fled in great haste, screeched and warned the brothers hiding in the holes in the ground and empty chests. A few dark grey strands illuminated the dark sea. Untroubled Thomas followed the path. His fingers tapped against the polished metal. He did not put his gaze over his shoulder, focused on the light showing the end of the tunnel. Deep hush voices exchanged brief words and the grin on his lips widened, thought of ways to harm the men who had dared to touch his wife.
Thomas tilted his head. The light hit the tip of his shoes, but the Shelby, a demon, the devil himself waiting patiently, remained in the shadows. Deftly, he leapt to the side, hiding behind the cargo crates stacked high from India, Africa and the far East. Footsteps echoed and a soft whimper, a kitten, a newborn calling for its mother, fell silent. More men, dark dressed creatures, followed the order with drawn weapons and waited for the signal. Thomas leaned forward, peering through the crack between the crates. Two men, shabbily dressed, stood in the light of the flickering yellowish bulb, but his keen eyes couldnât find the source of the whimper.
           âThe money?â the thinner one pecked, wiping the oil from his fingers on his trousers.
The taller one laughed, folding his arms in front of his bulging chest.Â
           âThe woman will pay us off. I called her. By the end of the day, weâll get the money.â, âWe should have killed his wife right away,â the other said, leaning against the cargo boxes.
           âKarl, I would have killed her, but the other guy came. We would have died otherwise. I know him, Solomons. He would have killed us,â he interjected.
           âAnd what are we supposed to do now, Jimmy?â Karl questioned.
           âAnd what will happen to us, Karl?â Jim asked.
Karl shrugged his shoulders. Eyes widened in shock, screams followed, bullets pierced flesh and grazed bones. Men in suits stormed the old run-down complex, a tsunami swallowing villages and towns. Closely followed by his men, Thomas entered the room, stepped closer with his gun drawn, fired and hit the bullâs eye, ran ahead, searched and cursed, but didnât find the woman. Sweat cascaded his face, turned, and hoped the men could answer his questions, but the eyes had paled. Cursing, Thomas stared at his brothers opening the crates in the hope of finding Peggy in one of them.
           âWhere is she?â Arthur asked, heaving.
John cursed, nearly fell into the crate. Perplexed, he stared into the distance, cursed under his breath, turned with paled features towards his brothers and mumbled a short prayer.
           The moon wandered on, over land and mountains, on and on, climbing hills and swimming over lakes and raging streams. Under the cover of the moon, ghastly shadows crept forth. Light burned in the mansion far away from civilisation, from towns and villages. The vehicles parked in front of the mansion were not neatly lined up. Curtains were drawn and didnât allow to witness the people warming themselves by the flames, gnawing on the hardened biscuits and awakening the sense with the dark unsweetened liquid. The phone didnât ring, and the bell didnât announce a guest.
The clock was ticking, heels clicked against the creaking hardwood. Voices had died down, the women did not chatter as the gentle voice breathing delicate word into the microphone sang of love and gentle kisses. The women exchanged meaningless glances, glanced at the man they thought would never enter the house, who had settled down by the fireplace and was leafing through the book with his legs crossed, staring again and again at the doors and windows in search of grim faces pursued by evil intentions. Y/N warmed her fingers on the cup filled with tea and dipped her tongue in the warm liquid.
           âDonât worry, they will be here soon. Itâs just a matter of time. Donât worry, my dear.â Ada breathed.
She flashed the shaking woman a smile, breathed encouraging words, but they couldnât banish the fear from her heart.
           âTheyâve been gone for a long time. At least three hours now.â Y/N breathed.
           âYou worry too much Y/N/N. The Shelby can take something. If heâs not here by seven, then weâll go looking for him together.â Alfie joked.
Y/N stretched her arms into the air. Sleep gnawed on her bones and the voice in her head assured her that all would be well, that Thomas was on his way back, that the door would open soon and he would stand with Peggy and a promise to change by her side. She counted the seconds, focused on the clock, yet Y/N had lost track of time and space a long time ago. Her eyes widened. The tiredness was gone with the wind. Groaning, Y/N jumped and threw the blanket away. A wall, the last wall of defence rose in front of her and a palm settled on her back.
           âCome, little one. We will go together. You stay here. I have everything under control. I saw a car.â Alfie said.
Y/N tried to argue, telling him to stay with the others, that she wanted to go alone, but no words crossed her lips and nodded. Alfie smiled, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, stuffed his gun into the pocket, and guided Y/N away from the richly set table. Keys jingled. Alfie pushed Y/N behind him, but the young woman went ahead. The cold air brushed her skin and painted her cheeks. Brows almost touched. Y/N looked questioningly at Peggy, shook her head, and lips parted.
           âPeggy?â Y/N whispered, not believing her eyes, convinced she was about to awake from a dream.
She looked healthy. Not a drop of blood clung to the long white evening dress, looked like a woman on her way to church to walk down the aisle. The hair was laid in curls, dotted with pearls and glass shaped in tears. The bouquet, white and red flowers fell to the ground. A smile, false as a foxâs, sweet as a snakeâs voice, spread on her lips.
           âYouâre well?â Y/N questioned.
           âWhy shouldnât I be well? I am glad to see that you are well. I see nothing happened to you while I was away. I told you to wait for me at home. I could never have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you.â Peggy spoke coldly, stoically, emotionlessly.
           âWhereâs Thomas? Heâs out looking for you. I was worried about you.â Y/N uttered.
Spreading her arms, Y/N wanted to enclose Peggy in a tight hug, but fingers clawed deep into the thin material covering her, forcing her to stagger backwards.
           âAlfie, can you please let go of me?â Y/N demanded.
Y/N turned and stubbornly demanded to be let free, but Alfie shook his head.
           âWhy do you have to make everything more complicated? Get in there and donât do anything stupid or youâll all regret it. Are we clear?â, âI wouldnât do that.â Alfie interjected. He removed his hand from the pistol and rose his hands into the air after he pulled Y/N closer to his chest.
           âPeggy?â Y/N breathed, hoped the person bore a mask, but it was Peggy.
Colour drained from her features. Cold metal pressed deeper into her skin. Bloodshot eyes forced Alfie to step back and told him not to dare to waste a single thought about doing something he might regret. Questions nor curses crossed Y/N´s lips pressed into a fine line. A lonely tear cascaded down her left cheek and left a red burning mark on her skin. Y/N questioned her life, every decision she had made, every word and complain she had said to Peggy in hope she would aid her. Synchronically, Ada and Polly arose, aimed, but no shots pierced the air. Peggy chased Alfie away to stand by the wall and he listened and placed the weapon on the ground as the women as Peggy stood tall behind the crumbling shield.
           âWhy?â Y/N inquired, her heart bursting through skin and bone.
Peggy laughed and combed through Y/N´s locks with her long light-coloured nails.
           âI should be in your place. It would have been so easy. But those idiots let you get away and then you were at my door and I just had to let you in. I called these fools. I knew they would be at the bar, and informed them that you were with me, that they should walk in and take care of you. I then set off here, wanting to inform all of you that something might have happened to Y/N. I would have taken your place, but this man had to interfere with my plan.â Peggy joked.
Her bloodshot eyes slid from one person to another and pointing her finger at the tall man settling down on the armchair by the crackling fire.
           âHow would you have done it? The Shelby wouldnât have to believe you. Nobody would have.â Alfie questioned, with his arms crossed in front of his body.
           âNobody? Suddenly everybody was searching for Y/N. When I returned home, she was gone. I am a good actress, I had classes when I was young and played in the theatre, always the evil and wicked,â the woman huffed.
She chuckled.
           âThomas would have believed me. I would have played the good friend, helping him through this rough path. I just wanted to play the worried friend. I would have helped to find Y/N and then after a good month the case would have gone cold. The postman would have brought a letter from overseas and the problem would have been solved. Thomas would have found a good friend in me and later a wife,â she sneered.
           âBut they trashed your house.â Y/N breathed, eliciting a malicious laugh from the mad woman.
           âI was a bit angry and had to let my anger run free. My plan was perfect.â she huffed, stroking Y/Nâs skin with the weapon.
           âYou wanted to kill me?â Y/N breathed.
           âNo one cared about you, you told me everything, your former husband barely cared about you, you slept alone, spent your days alone, were air for everyone, I didnât expect anyone to care about you.â Peggy laughed.
Y/N gulped, nodded, and breathed a soft prayer, prayed for the safety of all of them a few steps away from her.
           âA confident woman. Why would I marry you?â a deep voice sneered.
Smiling, Peggy turned around, fixed her hair and let go of Y/N, but she was rooted into the ground, turning into a statue overgrown by moss.
           âAll these months youâve been using me.â Y/N
The veil fell, and the wind carried away the dense mist. Y/N balled her hands into fists, nails bore deep into the soft flesh, but no sound escaped her lips. She faced Peggy, unfearful of the weapon in her right hand.
           âYou never told me to give Thomas a chance, to at least try to get along with him. You never said anything nice about him. When he gave me flowers or chocolate, you told me heâd cheated on me and feared I would find out.â Y/N whispered, her voice raising with every fallen word.
She remembered the forgotten, the lonely nights, the long calls, the endless hours spend in the small room and crying her heart out to the wrong person, hoping Peggy would help her like only a friend could.
           âWe spoke on the phone when Thomas didnât come back that evening and instead of telling me that he must be working but you swore on your parentsâ lives that you saw him in the arms of a woman.â Y/N cried out.
Y/N faced her friend, unfaced and untroubled by the loaded gun.
           âI suppose that was a lie, too. Probably everything you told me was a lie,â Y/N whispered.
She remembered the nights she was pouring out her heart and the answers that were as false as the snakeâs words. She raised her eyes and looked up at Thomas. The man swallowed, saw the questions in his wifeâs eyes and smiled.
           âI was never unfaithful, Y/N. I was a terrible husband, but I was always faithful to you,â Thomas assured her.
           âI believe you,â Y/N whispered, but Thomas had heard the answer.
Y/N advanced, oblivious to the woman in the wedding garment, wanting to go towards her husband, but Peggy made it impossible for her to do so, getting in the way.
           âEnough of this sweet talk.â Peggy chuckled.
Metal dazzled the eyes. She grabbed Y/N by the collar, scratched her skin, pressed her tightly against him. And the men and women, apart from Thomas, recoiled with their hands up. Thomas stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and nodded, guessing what she would demand.
           âYou let me out and nothing will happen to her.â Peggy requested.
The Shelby nodded, exchanged brief glances with his brothers.
           âGood, go, you know the way. You hand Y/N over to me at the door. I leave my gun here and you put yours away. Do we understand each other?â Thomas spoke.
           âI donât think youâre in a position to make demands here, Thomas, but Iâll take your offer. But I want them out of here. I want them all out of here in the kitchen.â Peggy interjected.
Thomas gestured to his siblings to leave, nodding, indicating that they should be on their way, that they shouldnât worry, but his eyes betrayed him. Slowly, they rose from the sofa and did as Thomas ordered them again to leave. Heels clicked against the hardwood. Hush voices exchanged words, and the door slammed shut.
           âCan we go?â Thomas probed.
Thomas walked ahead, showed the way, paused at the open door, pushed it wide open and motioned the woman to leave. His hands clenched into fists. He wanted to free Y/N from the womanâs clutches, heard the soft whimpering as Peggy grabbed her former friend. Teeth gritted. Peggy stopped and turned with Y/N.
           âHere you go.â she shoved Y/N in his direction.
Y/N staggered forward, threatening to fall like a soldier, but arms wrapped tightly around her body, pressing her tightly to his chest. Thomas breathed loving words into her ear, pressed his dried lips on her skin and pressed featherlight kisses on her cheek. He murmured a prayer and begged for her forgiveness. Sweat danced down his face. He pressed another fleeting kiss on her temple. Thomas put his hands over her ears, deafening her to the screams and bullets piercing the air and suddenly, after all this time filled with screams and prayers, silence reigned over the land.
Nicci, it's so good to see you on my dash again! I was excited to read the update as soon as I saw you posted it and I was not disappointed by this shocking twist!
My reaction to finding out Peggy is the evil mastermind behind Y/n's troubles! đą WOW, def didn't see that coming. The ending could not have been more satisfying tho as I assume Tommy has taken care of her. The arc of him going from neglectful, uncaring husband to devoted protector has been so lovely to watch. I hope this couple can continue working on their marriage in peace assured in their feelings for one other, which I'm sure have only deepened after their ordeal.
I must say I'm still quite angry with Peggy tho. The fact that she believed her plan would work is arrogant and chilling in her disregard for others. I can only imagine the kind of wife she would have been to Tommy! đŹ
Amazing work with this beautifully crafted series. I always enjoy reading your prose bc I feel completely immersed in the world you create. The opening scene here hooked me immediately with your vivid descriptions. I felt as though I could see, hear and smell everything around me. Well done! đđź
Aww my dear, thank you so much for your kind wordsâ¤ď¸ and do not fear, the end will be more lovely dovey and heart warmingđŤ My original plan was to choose a different enemy, but Peggy was the best plot twist I could think ofđ
It´s so lovely to hear that you enjoy my vivid descriptions, I enjoy it too yet many people are not quite fond of it and what a more straight to the point writing without additional stuff.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friendâs house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.7k
Part 8
Chains, bloodied and graced with torn rotting flesh, moulding in the light of the wanning moon, dangled in all directions in the howling wind. Bones cracked under polished shoes freckled by grime and coated with rotting leaves. The lightbulbs among the broken were shining faintly, breaking the doom, the utter darkness ruling in the endless corridor leading into different vacant rusty halls.
The wind was howling, a lonely wolf, a hound greeting the full moon. Water dripped through the holey ceiling of metal and musty wood. The old building, far away from civilisation, with shattered windows barricaded by boards was surrounded.
The man clothed in a form-fitting suit didnât bear a map, didnât need a compass to find the right path. The faint stench of mould lingered in the stiff air. Rats fled in great haste, screeched and warned the brothers hiding in the holes in the ground and empty chests. A few dark grey strands illuminated the dark sea. Untroubled Thomas followed the path. His fingers tapped against the polished metal. He did not put his gaze over his shoulder, focused on the light showing the end of the tunnel. Deep hush voices exchanged brief words and the grin on his lips widened, thought of ways to harm the men who had dared to touch his wife.
Thomas tilted his head. The light hit the tip of his shoes, but the Shelby, a demon, the devil himself waiting patiently, remained in the shadows. Deftly, he leapt to the side, hiding behind the cargo crates stacked high from India, Africa and the far East. Footsteps echoed and a soft whimper, a kitten, a newborn calling for its mother, fell silent. More men, dark dressed creatures, followed the order with drawn weapons and waited for the signal. Thomas leaned forward, peering through the crack between the crates. Two men, shabbily dressed, stood in the light of the flickering yellowish bulb, but his keen eyes couldnât find the source of the whimper.
           âThe money?â the thinner one pecked, wiping the oil from his fingers on his trousers.
The taller one laughed, folding his arms in front of his bulging chest.Â
           âThe woman will pay us off. I called her. By the end of the day, weâll get the money.â, âWe should have killed his wife right away,â the other said, leaning against the cargo boxes.
           âKarl, I would have killed her, but the other guy came. We would have died otherwise. I know him, Solomons. He would have killed us,â he interjected.
           âAnd what are we supposed to do now, Jimmy?â Karl questioned.
           âAnd what will happen to us, Karl?â Jim asked.
Karl shrugged his shoulders. Eyes widened in shock, screams followed, bullets pierced flesh and grazed bones. Men in suits stormed the old run-down complex, a tsunami swallowing villages and towns. Closely followed by his men, Thomas entered the room, stepped closer with his gun drawn, fired and hit the bullâs eye, ran ahead, searched and cursed, but didnât find the woman. Sweat cascaded his face, turned, and hoped the men could answer his questions, but the eyes had paled. Cursing, Thomas stared at his brothers opening the crates in the hope of finding Peggy in one of them.
           âWhere is she?â Arthur asked, heaving.
John cursed, nearly fell into the crate. Perplexed, he stared into the distance, cursed under his breath, turned with paled features towards his brothers and mumbled a short prayer.
           The moon wandered on, over land and mountains, on and on, climbing hills and swimming over lakes and raging streams. Under the cover of the moon, ghastly shadows crept forth. Light burned in the mansion far away from civilisation, from towns and villages. The vehicles parked in front of the mansion were not neatly lined up. Curtains were drawn and didnât allow to witness the people warming themselves by the flames, gnawing on the hardened biscuits and awakening the sense with the dark unsweetened liquid. The phone didnât ring, and the bell didnât announce a guest.
The clock was ticking, heels clicked against the creaking hardwood. Voices had died down, the women did not chatter as the gentle voice breathing delicate word into the microphone sang of love and gentle kisses. The women exchanged meaningless glances, glanced at the man they thought would never enter the house, who had settled down by the fireplace and was leafing through the book with his legs crossed, staring again and again at the doors and windows in search of grim faces pursued by evil intentions. Y/N warmed her fingers on the cup filled with tea and dipped her tongue in the warm liquid.
           âDonât worry, they will be here soon. Itâs just a matter of time. Donât worry, my dear.â Ada breathed.
She flashed the shaking woman a smile, breathed encouraging words, but they couldnât banish the fear from her heart.
           âTheyâve been gone for a long time. At least three hours now.â Y/N breathed.
           âYou worry too much Y/N/N. The Shelby can take something. If heâs not here by seven, then weâll go looking for him together.â Alfie joked.
Y/N stretched her arms into the air. Sleep gnawed on her bones and the voice in her head assured her that all would be well, that Thomas was on his way back, that the door would open soon and he would stand with Peggy and a promise to change by her side. She counted the seconds, focused on the clock, yet Y/N had lost track of time and space a long time ago. Her eyes widened. The tiredness was gone with the wind. Groaning, Y/N jumped and threw the blanket away. A wall, the last wall of defence rose in front of her and a palm settled on her back.
           âCome, little one. We will go together. You stay here. I have everything under control. I saw a car.â Alfie said.
Y/N tried to argue, telling him to stay with the others, that she wanted to go alone, but no words crossed her lips and nodded. Alfie smiled, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, stuffed his gun into the pocket, and guided Y/N away from the richly set table. Keys jingled. Alfie pushed Y/N behind him, but the young woman went ahead. The cold air brushed her skin and painted her cheeks. Brows almost touched. Y/N looked questioningly at Peggy, shook her head, and lips parted.
           âPeggy?â Y/N whispered, not believing her eyes, convinced she was about to awake from a dream.
She looked healthy. Not a drop of blood clung to the long white evening dress, looked like a woman on her way to church to walk down the aisle. The hair was laid in curls, dotted with pearls and glass shaped in tears. The bouquet, white and red flowers fell to the ground. A smile, false as a foxâs, sweet as a snakeâs voice, spread on her lips.
           âYouâre well?â Y/N questioned.
           âWhy shouldnât I be well? I am glad to see that you are well. I see nothing happened to you while I was away. I told you to wait for me at home. I could never have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you.â Peggy spoke coldly, stoically, emotionlessly.
           âWhereâs Thomas? Heâs out looking for you. I was worried about you.â Y/N uttered.
Spreading her arms, Y/N wanted to enclose Peggy in a tight hug, but fingers clawed deep into the thin material covering her, forcing her to stagger backwards.
           âAlfie, can you please let go of me?â Y/N demanded.
Y/N turned and stubbornly demanded to be let free, but Alfie shook his head.
           âWhy do you have to make everything more complicated? Get in there and donât do anything stupid or youâll all regret it. Are we clear?â, âI wouldnât do that.â Alfie interjected. He removed his hand from the pistol and rose his hands into the air after he pulled Y/N closer to his chest.
           âPeggy?â Y/N breathed, hoped the person bore a mask, but it was Peggy.
Colour drained from her features. Cold metal pressed deeper into her skin. Bloodshot eyes forced Alfie to step back and told him not to dare to waste a single thought about doing something he might regret. Questions nor curses crossed Y/N´s lips pressed into a fine line. A lonely tear cascaded down her left cheek and left a red burning mark on her skin. Y/N questioned her life, every decision she had made, every word and complain she had said to Peggy in hope she would aid her. Synchronically, Ada and Polly arose, aimed, but no shots pierced the air. Peggy chased Alfie away to stand by the wall and he listened and placed the weapon on the ground as the women as Peggy stood tall behind the crumbling shield.
           âWhy?â Y/N inquired, her heart bursting through skin and bone.
Peggy laughed and combed through Y/N´s locks with her long light-coloured nails.
           âI should be in your place. It would have been so easy. But those idiots let you get away and then you were at my door and I just had to let you in. I called these fools. I knew they would be at the bar, and informed them that you were with me, that they should walk in and take care of you. I then set off here, wanting to inform all of you that something might have happened to Y/N. I would have taken your place, but this man had to interfere with my plan.â Peggy joked.
Her bloodshot eyes slid from one person to another and pointing her finger at the tall man settling down on the armchair by the crackling fire.
           âHow would you have done it? The Shelby wouldnât have to believe you. Nobody would have.â Alfie questioned, with his arms crossed in front of his body.
           âNobody? Suddenly everybody was searching for Y/N. When I returned home, she was gone. I am a good actress, I had classes when I was young and played in the theatre, always the evil and wicked,â the woman huffed.
She chuckled.
           âThomas would have believed me. I would have played the good friend, helping him through this rough path. I just wanted to play the worried friend. I would have helped to find Y/N and then after a good month the case would have gone cold. The postman would have brought a letter from overseas and the problem would have been solved. Thomas would have found a good friend in me and later a wife,â she sneered.
           âBut they trashed your house.â Y/N breathed, eliciting a malicious laugh from the mad woman.
           âI was a bit angry and had to let my anger run free. My plan was perfect.â she huffed, stroking Y/Nâs skin with the weapon.
           âYou wanted to kill me?â Y/N breathed.
           âNo one cared about you, you told me everything, your former husband barely cared about you, you slept alone, spent your days alone, were air for everyone, I didnât expect anyone to care about you.â Peggy laughed.
Y/N gulped, nodded, and breathed a soft prayer, prayed for the safety of all of them a few steps away from her.
           âA confident woman. Why would I marry you?â a deep voice sneered.
Smiling, Peggy turned around, fixed her hair and let go of Y/N, but she was rooted into the ground, turning into a statue overgrown by moss.
           âAll these months youâve been using me.â Y/N
The veil fell, and the wind carried away the dense mist. Y/N balled her hands into fists, nails bore deep into the soft flesh, but no sound escaped her lips. She faced Peggy, unfearful of the weapon in her right hand.
           âYou never told me to give Thomas a chance, to at least try to get along with him. You never said anything nice about him. When he gave me flowers or chocolate, you told me heâd cheated on me and feared I would find out.â Y/N whispered, her voice raising with every fallen word.
She remembered the forgotten, the lonely nights, the long calls, the endless hours spend in the small room and crying her heart out to the wrong person, hoping Peggy would help her like only a friend could.
           âWe spoke on the phone when Thomas didnât come back that evening and instead of telling me that he must be working but you swore on your parentsâ lives that you saw him in the arms of a woman.â Y/N cried out.
Y/N faced her friend, unfaced and untroubled by the loaded gun.
           âI suppose that was a lie, too. Probably everything you told me was a lie,â Y/N whispered.
She remembered the nights she was pouring out her heart and the answers that were as false as the snakeâs words. She raised her eyes and looked up at Thomas. The man swallowed, saw the questions in his wifeâs eyes and smiled.
           âI was never unfaithful, Y/N. I was a terrible husband, but I was always faithful to you,â Thomas assured her.
           âI believe you,â Y/N whispered, but Thomas had heard the answer.
Y/N advanced, oblivious to the woman in the wedding garment, wanting to go towards her husband, but Peggy made it impossible for her to do so, getting in the way.
           âEnough of this sweet talk.â Peggy chuckled.
Metal dazzled the eyes. She grabbed Y/N by the collar, scratched her skin, pressed her tightly against him. And the men and women, apart from Thomas, recoiled with their hands up. Thomas stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and nodded, guessing what she would demand.
           âYou let me out and nothing will happen to her.â Peggy requested.
The Shelby nodded, exchanged brief glances with his brothers.
           âGood, go, you know the way. You hand Y/N over to me at the door. I leave my gun here and you put yours away. Do we understand each other?â Thomas spoke.
           âI donât think youâre in a position to make demands here, Thomas, but Iâll take your offer. But I want them out of here. I want them all out of here in the kitchen.â Peggy interjected.
Thomas gestured to his siblings to leave, nodding, indicating that they should be on their way, that they shouldnât worry, but his eyes betrayed him. Slowly, they rose from the sofa and did as Thomas ordered them again to leave. Heels clicked against the hardwood. Hush voices exchanged words, and the door slammed shut.
           âCan we go?â Thomas probed.
Thomas walked ahead, showed the way, paused at the open door, pushed it wide open and motioned the woman to leave. His hands clenched into fists. He wanted to free Y/N from the womanâs clutches, heard the soft whimpering as Peggy grabbed her former friend. Teeth gritted. Peggy stopped and turned with Y/N.
           âHere you go.â she shoved Y/N in his direction.
Y/N staggered forward, threatening to fall like a soldier, but arms wrapped tightly around her body, pressing her tightly to his chest. Thomas breathed loving words into her ear, pressed his dried lips on her skin and pressed featherlight kisses on her cheek. He murmured a prayer and begged for her forgiveness. Sweat danced down his face. He pressed another fleeting kiss on her temple. Thomas put his hands over her ears, deafening her to the screams and bullets piercing the air and suddenly, after all this time filled with screams and prayers, silence reigned over the land.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friendâs house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.7k
Part 8
Chains, bloodied and graced with torn rotting flesh, moulding in the light of the wanning moon, dangled in all directions in the howling wind. Bones cracked under polished shoes freckled by grime and coated with rotting leaves. The lightbulbs among the broken were shining faintly, breaking the doom, the utter darkness ruling in the endless corridor leading into different vacant rusty halls.
The wind was howling, a lonely wolf, a hound greeting the full moon. Water dripped through the holey ceiling of metal and musty wood. The old building, far away from civilisation, with shattered windows barricaded by boards was surrounded.
The man clothed in a form-fitting suit didnât bear a map, didnât need a compass to find the right path. The faint stench of mould lingered in the stiff air. Rats fled in great haste, screeched and warned the brothers hiding in the holes in the ground and empty chests. A few dark grey strands illuminated the dark sea. Untroubled Thomas followed the path. His fingers tapped against the polished metal. He did not put his gaze over his shoulder, focused on the light showing the end of the tunnel. Deep hush voices exchanged brief words and the grin on his lips widened, thought of ways to harm the men who had dared to touch his wife.
Thomas tilted his head. The light hit the tip of his shoes, but the Shelby, a demon, the devil himself waiting patiently, remained in the shadows. Deftly, he leapt to the side, hiding behind the cargo crates stacked high from India, Africa and the far East. Footsteps echoed and a soft whimper, a kitten, a newborn calling for its mother, fell silent. More men, dark dressed creatures, followed the order with drawn weapons and waited for the signal. Thomas leaned forward, peering through the crack between the crates. Two men, shabbily dressed, stood in the light of the flickering yellowish bulb, but his keen eyes couldnât find the source of the whimper.
           âThe money?â the thinner one pecked, wiping the oil from his fingers on his trousers.
The taller one laughed, folding his arms in front of his bulging chest.Â
           âThe woman will pay us off. I called her. By the end of the day, weâll get the money.â, âWe should have killed his wife right away,â the other said, leaning against the cargo boxes.
           âKarl, I would have killed her, but the other guy came. We would have died otherwise. I know him, Solomons. He would have killed us,â he interjected.
           âAnd what are we supposed to do now, Jimmy?â Karl questioned.
           âAnd what will happen to us, Karl?â Jim asked.
Karl shrugged his shoulders. Eyes widened in shock, screams followed, bullets pierced flesh and grazed bones. Men in suits stormed the old run-down complex, a tsunami swallowing villages and towns. Closely followed by his men, Thomas entered the room, stepped closer with his gun drawn, fired and hit the bullâs eye, ran ahead, searched and cursed, but didnât find the woman. Sweat cascaded his face, turned, and hoped the men could answer his questions, but the eyes had paled. Cursing, Thomas stared at his brothers opening the crates in the hope of finding Peggy in one of them.
           âWhere is she?â Arthur asked, heaving.
John cursed, nearly fell into the crate. Perplexed, he stared into the distance, cursed under his breath, turned with paled features towards his brothers and mumbled a short prayer.
           The moon wandered on, over land and mountains, on and on, climbing hills and swimming over lakes and raging streams. Under the cover of the moon, ghastly shadows crept forth. Light burned in the mansion far away from civilisation, from towns and villages. The vehicles parked in front of the mansion were not neatly lined up. Curtains were drawn and didnât allow to witness the people warming themselves by the flames, gnawing on the hardened biscuits and awakening the sense with the dark unsweetened liquid. The phone didnât ring, and the bell didnât announce a guest.
The clock was ticking, heels clicked against the creaking hardwood. Voices had died down, the women did not chatter as the gentle voice breathing delicate word into the microphone sang of love and gentle kisses. The women exchanged meaningless glances, glanced at the man they thought would never enter the house, who had settled down by the fireplace and was leafing through the book with his legs crossed, staring again and again at the doors and windows in search of grim faces pursued by evil intentions. Y/N warmed her fingers on the cup filled with tea and dipped her tongue in the warm liquid.
           âDonât worry, they will be here soon. Itâs just a matter of time. Donât worry, my dear.â Ada breathed.
She flashed the shaking woman a smile, breathed encouraging words, but they couldnât banish the fear from her heart.
           âTheyâve been gone for a long time. At least three hours now.â Y/N breathed.
           âYou worry too much Y/N/N. The Shelby can take something. If heâs not here by seven, then weâll go looking for him together.â Alfie joked.
Y/N stretched her arms into the air. Sleep gnawed on her bones and the voice in her head assured her that all would be well, that Thomas was on his way back, that the door would open soon and he would stand with Peggy and a promise to change by her side. She counted the seconds, focused on the clock, yet Y/N had lost track of time and space a long time ago. Her eyes widened. The tiredness was gone with the wind. Groaning, Y/N jumped and threw the blanket away. A wall, the last wall of defence rose in front of her and a palm settled on her back.
           âCome, little one. We will go together. You stay here. I have everything under control. I saw a car.â Alfie said.
Y/N tried to argue, telling him to stay with the others, that she wanted to go alone, but no words crossed her lips and nodded. Alfie smiled, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, stuffed his gun into the pocket, and guided Y/N away from the richly set table. Keys jingled. Alfie pushed Y/N behind him, but the young woman went ahead. The cold air brushed her skin and painted her cheeks. Brows almost touched. Y/N looked questioningly at Peggy, shook her head, and lips parted.
           âPeggy?â Y/N whispered, not believing her eyes, convinced she was about to awake from a dream.
She looked healthy. Not a drop of blood clung to the long white evening dress, looked like a woman on her way to church to walk down the aisle. The hair was laid in curls, dotted with pearls and glass shaped in tears. The bouquet, white and red flowers fell to the ground. A smile, false as a foxâs, sweet as a snakeâs voice, spread on her lips.
           âYouâre well?â Y/N questioned.
           âWhy shouldnât I be well? I am glad to see that you are well. I see nothing happened to you while I was away. I told you to wait for me at home. I could never have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you.â Peggy spoke coldly, stoically, emotionlessly.
           âWhereâs Thomas? Heâs out looking for you. I was worried about you.â Y/N uttered.
Spreading her arms, Y/N wanted to enclose Peggy in a tight hug, but fingers clawed deep into the thin material covering her, forcing her to stagger backwards.
           âAlfie, can you please let go of me?â Y/N demanded.
Y/N turned and stubbornly demanded to be let free, but Alfie shook his head.
           âWhy do you have to make everything more complicated? Get in there and donât do anything stupid or youâll all regret it. Are we clear?â, âI wouldnât do that.â Alfie interjected. He removed his hand from the pistol and rose his hands into the air after he pulled Y/N closer to his chest.
           âPeggy?â Y/N breathed, hoped the person bore a mask, but it was Peggy.
Colour drained from her features. Cold metal pressed deeper into her skin. Bloodshot eyes forced Alfie to step back and told him not to dare to waste a single thought about doing something he might regret. Questions nor curses crossed Y/N´s lips pressed into a fine line. A lonely tear cascaded down her left cheek and left a red burning mark on her skin. Y/N questioned her life, every decision she had made, every word and complain she had said to Peggy in hope she would aid her. Synchronically, Ada and Polly arose, aimed, but no shots pierced the air. Peggy chased Alfie away to stand by the wall and he listened and placed the weapon on the ground as the women as Peggy stood tall behind the crumbling shield.
           âWhy?â Y/N inquired, her heart bursting through skin and bone.
Peggy laughed and combed through Y/N´s locks with her long light-coloured nails.
           âI should be in your place. It would have been so easy. But those idiots let you get away and then you were at my door and I just had to let you in. I called these fools. I knew they would be at the bar, and informed them that you were with me, that they should walk in and take care of you. I then set off here, wanting to inform all of you that something might have happened to Y/N. I would have taken your place, but this man had to interfere with my plan.â Peggy joked.
Her bloodshot eyes slid from one person to another and pointing her finger at the tall man settling down on the armchair by the crackling fire.
           âHow would you have done it? The Shelby wouldnât have to believe you. Nobody would have.â Alfie questioned, with his arms crossed in front of his body.
           âNobody? Suddenly everybody was searching for Y/N. When I returned home, she was gone. I am a good actress, I had classes when I was young and played in the theatre, always the evil and wicked,â the woman huffed.
She chuckled.
           âThomas would have believed me. I would have played the good friend, helping him through this rough path. I just wanted to play the worried friend. I would have helped to find Y/N and then after a good month the case would have gone cold. The postman would have brought a letter from overseas and the problem would have been solved. Thomas would have found a good friend in me and later a wife,â she sneered.
           âBut they trashed your house.â Y/N breathed, eliciting a malicious laugh from the mad woman.
           âI was a bit angry and had to let my anger run free. My plan was perfect.â she huffed, stroking Y/Nâs skin with the weapon.
           âYou wanted to kill me?â Y/N breathed.
           âNo one cared about you, you told me everything, your former husband barely cared about you, you slept alone, spent your days alone, were air for everyone, I didnât expect anyone to care about you.â Peggy laughed.
Y/N gulped, nodded, and breathed a soft prayer, prayed for the safety of all of them a few steps away from her.
           âA confident woman. Why would I marry you?â a deep voice sneered.
Smiling, Peggy turned around, fixed her hair and let go of Y/N, but she was rooted into the ground, turning into a statue overgrown by moss.
           âAll these months youâve been using me.â Y/N
The veil fell, and the wind carried away the dense mist. Y/N balled her hands into fists, nails bore deep into the soft flesh, but no sound escaped her lips. She faced Peggy, unfearful of the weapon in her right hand.
           âYou never told me to give Thomas a chance, to at least try to get along with him. You never said anything nice about him. When he gave me flowers or chocolate, you told me heâd cheated on me and feared I would find out.â Y/N whispered, her voice raising with every fallen word.
She remembered the forgotten, the lonely nights, the long calls, the endless hours spend in the small room and crying her heart out to the wrong person, hoping Peggy would help her like only a friend could.
           âWe spoke on the phone when Thomas didnât come back that evening and instead of telling me that he must be working but you swore on your parentsâ lives that you saw him in the arms of a woman.â Y/N cried out.
Y/N faced her friend, unfaced and untroubled by the loaded gun.
           âI suppose that was a lie, too. Probably everything you told me was a lie,â Y/N whispered.
She remembered the nights she was pouring out her heart and the answers that were as false as the snakeâs words. She raised her eyes and looked up at Thomas. The man swallowed, saw the questions in his wifeâs eyes and smiled.
           âI was never unfaithful, Y/N. I was a terrible husband, but I was always faithful to you,â Thomas assured her.
           âI believe you,â Y/N whispered, but Thomas had heard the answer.
Y/N advanced, oblivious to the woman in the wedding garment, wanting to go towards her husband, but Peggy made it impossible for her to do so, getting in the way.
           âEnough of this sweet talk.â Peggy chuckled.
Metal dazzled the eyes. She grabbed Y/N by the collar, scratched her skin, pressed her tightly against him. And the men and women, apart from Thomas, recoiled with their hands up. Thomas stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and nodded, guessing what she would demand.
           âYou let me out and nothing will happen to her.â Peggy requested.
The Shelby nodded, exchanged brief glances with his brothers.
           âGood, go, you know the way. You hand Y/N over to me at the door. I leave my gun here and you put yours away. Do we understand each other?â Thomas spoke.
           âI donât think youâre in a position to make demands here, Thomas, but Iâll take your offer. But I want them out of here. I want them all out of here in the kitchen.â Peggy interjected.
Thomas gestured to his siblings to leave, nodding, indicating that they should be on their way, that they shouldnât worry, but his eyes betrayed him. Slowly, they rose from the sofa and did as Thomas ordered them again to leave. Heels clicked against the hardwood. Hush voices exchanged words, and the door slammed shut.
           âCan we go?â Thomas probed.
Thomas walked ahead, showed the way, paused at the open door, pushed it wide open and motioned the woman to leave. His hands clenched into fists. He wanted to free Y/N from the womanâs clutches, heard the soft whimpering as Peggy grabbed her former friend. Teeth gritted. Peggy stopped and turned with Y/N.
           âHere you go.â she shoved Y/N in his direction.
Y/N staggered forward, threatening to fall like a soldier, but arms wrapped tightly around her body, pressing her tightly to his chest. Thomas breathed loving words into her ear, pressed his dried lips on her skin and pressed featherlight kisses on her cheek. He murmured a prayer and begged for her forgiveness. Sweat danced down his face. He pressed another fleeting kiss on her temple. Thomas put his hands over her ears, deafening her to the screams and bullets piercing the air and suddenly, after all this time filled with screams and prayers, silence reigned over the land.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friendâs house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.7k
Part 8
Chains, bloodied and graced with torn rotting flesh, moulding in the light of the wanning moon, dangled in all directions in the howling wind. Bones cracked under polished shoes freckled by grime and coated with rotting leaves. The lightbulbs among the broken were shining faintly, breaking the doom, the utter darkness ruling in the endless corridor leading into different vacant rusty halls.
The wind was howling, a lonely wolf, a hound greeting the full moon. Water dripped through the holey ceiling of metal and musty wood. The old building, far away from civilisation, with shattered windows barricaded by boards was surrounded.
The man clothed in a form-fitting suit didnât bear a map, didnât need a compass to find the right path. The faint stench of mould lingered in the stiff air. Rats fled in great haste, screeched and warned the brothers hiding in the holes in the ground and empty chests. A few dark grey strands illuminated the dark sea. Untroubled Thomas followed the path. His fingers tapped against the polished metal. He did not put his gaze over his shoulder, focused on the light showing the end of the tunnel. Deep hush voices exchanged brief words and the grin on his lips widened, thought of ways to harm the men who had dared to touch his wife.
Thomas tilted his head. The light hit the tip of his shoes, but the Shelby, a demon, the devil himself waiting patiently, remained in the shadows. Deftly, he leapt to the side, hiding behind the cargo crates stacked high from India, Africa and the far East. Footsteps echoed and a soft whimper, a kitten, a newborn calling for its mother, fell silent. More men, dark dressed creatures, followed the order with drawn weapons and waited for the signal. Thomas leaned forward, peering through the crack between the crates. Two men, shabbily dressed, stood in the light of the flickering yellowish bulb, but his keen eyes couldnât find the source of the whimper.
           âThe money?â the thinner one pecked, wiping the oil from his fingers on his trousers.
The taller one laughed, folding his arms in front of his bulging chest.Â
           âThe woman will pay us off. I called her. By the end of the day, weâll get the money.â, âWe should have killed his wife right away,â the other said, leaning against the cargo boxes.
           âKarl, I would have killed her, but the other guy came. We would have died otherwise. I know him, Solomons. He would have killed us,â he interjected.
           âAnd what are we supposed to do now, Jimmy?â Karl questioned.
           âAnd what will happen to us, Karl?â Jim asked.
Karl shrugged his shoulders. Eyes widened in shock, screams followed, bullets pierced flesh and grazed bones. Men in suits stormed the old run-down complex, a tsunami swallowing villages and towns. Closely followed by his men, Thomas entered the room, stepped closer with his gun drawn, fired and hit the bullâs eye, ran ahead, searched and cursed, but didnât find the woman. Sweat cascaded his face, turned, and hoped the men could answer his questions, but the eyes had paled. Cursing, Thomas stared at his brothers opening the crates in the hope of finding Peggy in one of them.
           âWhere is she?â Arthur asked, heaving.
John cursed, nearly fell into the crate. Perplexed, he stared into the distance, cursed under his breath, turned with paled features towards his brothers and mumbled a short prayer.
           The moon wandered on, over land and mountains, on and on, climbing hills and swimming over lakes and raging streams. Under the cover of the moon, ghastly shadows crept forth. Light burned in the mansion far away from civilisation, from towns and villages. The vehicles parked in front of the mansion were not neatly lined up. Curtains were drawn and didnât allow to witness the people warming themselves by the flames, gnawing on the hardened biscuits and awakening the sense with the dark unsweetened liquid. The phone didnât ring, and the bell didnât announce a guest.
The clock was ticking, heels clicked against the creaking hardwood. Voices had died down, the women did not chatter as the gentle voice breathing delicate word into the microphone sang of love and gentle kisses. The women exchanged meaningless glances, glanced at the man they thought would never enter the house, who had settled down by the fireplace and was leafing through the book with his legs crossed, staring again and again at the doors and windows in search of grim faces pursued by evil intentions. Y/N warmed her fingers on the cup filled with tea and dipped her tongue in the warm liquid.
           âDonât worry, they will be here soon. Itâs just a matter of time. Donât worry, my dear.â Ada breathed.
She flashed the shaking woman a smile, breathed encouraging words, but they couldnât banish the fear from her heart.
           âTheyâve been gone for a long time. At least three hours now.â Y/N breathed.
           âYou worry too much Y/N/N. The Shelby can take something. If heâs not here by seven, then weâll go looking for him together.â Alfie joked.
Y/N stretched her arms into the air. Sleep gnawed on her bones and the voice in her head assured her that all would be well, that Thomas was on his way back, that the door would open soon and he would stand with Peggy and a promise to change by her side. She counted the seconds, focused on the clock, yet Y/N had lost track of time and space a long time ago. Her eyes widened. The tiredness was gone with the wind. Groaning, Y/N jumped and threw the blanket away. A wall, the last wall of defence rose in front of her and a palm settled on her back.
           âCome, little one. We will go together. You stay here. I have everything under control. I saw a car.â Alfie said.
Y/N tried to argue, telling him to stay with the others, that she wanted to go alone, but no words crossed her lips and nodded. Alfie smiled, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, stuffed his gun into the pocket, and guided Y/N away from the richly set table. Keys jingled. Alfie pushed Y/N behind him, but the young woman went ahead. The cold air brushed her skin and painted her cheeks. Brows almost touched. Y/N looked questioningly at Peggy, shook her head, and lips parted.
           âPeggy?â Y/N whispered, not believing her eyes, convinced she was about to awake from a dream.
She looked healthy. Not a drop of blood clung to the long white evening dress, looked like a woman on her way to church to walk down the aisle. The hair was laid in curls, dotted with pearls and glass shaped in tears. The bouquet, white and red flowers fell to the ground. A smile, false as a foxâs, sweet as a snakeâs voice, spread on her lips.
           âYouâre well?â Y/N questioned.
           âWhy shouldnât I be well? I am glad to see that you are well. I see nothing happened to you while I was away. I told you to wait for me at home. I could never have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you.â Peggy spoke coldly, stoically, emotionlessly.
           âWhereâs Thomas? Heâs out looking for you. I was worried about you.â Y/N uttered.
Spreading her arms, Y/N wanted to enclose Peggy in a tight hug, but fingers clawed deep into the thin material covering her, forcing her to stagger backwards.
           âAlfie, can you please let go of me?â Y/N demanded.
Y/N turned and stubbornly demanded to be let free, but Alfie shook his head.
           âWhy do you have to make everything more complicated? Get in there and donât do anything stupid or youâll all regret it. Are we clear?â, âI wouldnât do that.â Alfie interjected. He removed his hand from the pistol and rose his hands into the air after he pulled Y/N closer to his chest.
           âPeggy?â Y/N breathed, hoped the person bore a mask, but it was Peggy.
Colour drained from her features. Cold metal pressed deeper into her skin. Bloodshot eyes forced Alfie to step back and told him not to dare to waste a single thought about doing something he might regret. Questions nor curses crossed Y/N´s lips pressed into a fine line. A lonely tear cascaded down her left cheek and left a red burning mark on her skin. Y/N questioned her life, every decision she had made, every word and complain she had said to Peggy in hope she would aid her. Synchronically, Ada and Polly arose, aimed, but no shots pierced the air. Peggy chased Alfie away to stand by the wall and he listened and placed the weapon on the ground as the women as Peggy stood tall behind the crumbling shield.
           âWhy?â Y/N inquired, her heart bursting through skin and bone.
Peggy laughed and combed through Y/N´s locks with her long light-coloured nails.
           âI should be in your place. It would have been so easy. But those idiots let you get away and then you were at my door and I just had to let you in. I called these fools. I knew they would be at the bar, and informed them that you were with me, that they should walk in and take care of you. I then set off here, wanting to inform all of you that something might have happened to Y/N. I would have taken your place, but this man had to interfere with my plan.â Peggy joked.
Her bloodshot eyes slid from one person to another and pointing her finger at the tall man settling down on the armchair by the crackling fire.
           âHow would you have done it? The Shelby wouldnât have to believe you. Nobody would have.â Alfie questioned, with his arms crossed in front of his body.
           âNobody? Suddenly everybody was searching for Y/N. When I returned home, she was gone. I am a good actress, I had classes when I was young and played in the theatre, always the evil and wicked,â the woman huffed.
She chuckled.
           âThomas would have believed me. I would have played the good friend, helping him through this rough path. I just wanted to play the worried friend. I would have helped to find Y/N and then after a good month the case would have gone cold. The postman would have brought a letter from overseas and the problem would have been solved. Thomas would have found a good friend in me and later a wife,â she sneered.
           âBut they trashed your house.â Y/N breathed, eliciting a malicious laugh from the mad woman.
           âI was a bit angry and had to let my anger run free. My plan was perfect.â she huffed, stroking Y/Nâs skin with the weapon.
           âYou wanted to kill me?â Y/N breathed.
           âNo one cared about you, you told me everything, your former husband barely cared about you, you slept alone, spent your days alone, were air for everyone, I didnât expect anyone to care about you.â Peggy laughed.
Y/N gulped, nodded, and breathed a soft prayer, prayed for the safety of all of them a few steps away from her.
           âA confident woman. Why would I marry you?â a deep voice sneered.
Smiling, Peggy turned around, fixed her hair and let go of Y/N, but she was rooted into the ground, turning into a statue overgrown by moss.
           âAll these months youâve been using me.â Y/N
The veil fell, and the wind carried away the dense mist. Y/N balled her hands into fists, nails bore deep into the soft flesh, but no sound escaped her lips. She faced Peggy, unfearful of the weapon in her right hand.
           âYou never told me to give Thomas a chance, to at least try to get along with him. You never said anything nice about him. When he gave me flowers or chocolate, you told me heâd cheated on me and feared I would find out.â Y/N whispered, her voice raising with every fallen word.
She remembered the forgotten, the lonely nights, the long calls, the endless hours spend in the small room and crying her heart out to the wrong person, hoping Peggy would help her like only a friend could.
           âWe spoke on the phone when Thomas didnât come back that evening and instead of telling me that he must be working but you swore on your parentsâ lives that you saw him in the arms of a woman.â Y/N cried out.
Y/N faced her friend, unfaced and untroubled by the loaded gun.
           âI suppose that was a lie, too. Probably everything you told me was a lie,â Y/N whispered.
She remembered the nights she was pouring out her heart and the answers that were as false as the snakeâs words. She raised her eyes and looked up at Thomas. The man swallowed, saw the questions in his wifeâs eyes and smiled.
           âI was never unfaithful, Y/N. I was a terrible husband, but I was always faithful to you,â Thomas assured her.
           âI believe you,â Y/N whispered, but Thomas had heard the answer.
Y/N advanced, oblivious to the woman in the wedding garment, wanting to go towards her husband, but Peggy made it impossible for her to do so, getting in the way.
           âEnough of this sweet talk.â Peggy chuckled.
Metal dazzled the eyes. She grabbed Y/N by the collar, scratched her skin, pressed her tightly against him. And the men and women, apart from Thomas, recoiled with their hands up. Thomas stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and nodded, guessing what she would demand.
           âYou let me out and nothing will happen to her.â Peggy requested.
The Shelby nodded, exchanged brief glances with his brothers.
           âGood, go, you know the way. You hand Y/N over to me at the door. I leave my gun here and you put yours away. Do we understand each other?â Thomas spoke.
           âI donât think youâre in a position to make demands here, Thomas, but Iâll take your offer. But I want them out of here. I want them all out of here in the kitchen.â Peggy interjected.
Thomas gestured to his siblings to leave, nodding, indicating that they should be on their way, that they shouldnât worry, but his eyes betrayed him. Slowly, they rose from the sofa and did as Thomas ordered them again to leave. Heels clicked against the hardwood. Hush voices exchanged words, and the door slammed shut.
           âCan we go?â Thomas probed.
Thomas walked ahead, showed the way, paused at the open door, pushed it wide open and motioned the woman to leave. His hands clenched into fists. He wanted to free Y/N from the womanâs clutches, heard the soft whimpering as Peggy grabbed her former friend. Teeth gritted. Peggy stopped and turned with Y/N.
           âHere you go.â she shoved Y/N in his direction.
Y/N staggered forward, threatening to fall like a soldier, but arms wrapped tightly around her body, pressing her tightly to his chest. Thomas breathed loving words into her ear, pressed his dried lips on her skin and pressed featherlight kisses on her cheek. He murmured a prayer and begged for her forgiveness. Sweat danced down his face. He pressed another fleeting kiss on her temple. Thomas put his hands over her ears, deafening her to the screams and bullets piercing the air and suddenly, after all this time filled with screams and prayers, silence reigned over the land.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friendâs house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.7k
Part 8
Chains, bloodied and graced with torn rotting flesh, moulding in the light of the wanning moon, dangled in all directions in the howling wind. Bones cracked under polished shoes freckled by grime and coated with rotting leaves. The lightbulbs among the broken were shining faintly, breaking the doom, the utter darkness ruling in the endless corridor leading into different vacant rusty halls.
The wind was howling, a lonely wolf, a hound greeting the full moon. Water dripped through the holey ceiling of metal and musty wood. The old building, far away from civilisation, with shattered windows barricaded by boards was surrounded.
The man clothed in a form-fitting suit didnât bear a map, didnât need a compass to find the right path. The faint stench of mould lingered in the stiff air. Rats fled in great haste, screeched and warned the brothers hiding in the holes in the ground and empty chests. A few dark grey strands illuminated the dark sea. Untroubled Thomas followed the path. His fingers tapped against the polished metal. He did not put his gaze over his shoulder, focused on the light showing the end of the tunnel. Deep hush voices exchanged brief words and the grin on his lips widened, thought of ways to harm the men who had dared to touch his wife.
Thomas tilted his head. The light hit the tip of his shoes, but the Shelby, a demon, the devil himself waiting patiently, remained in the shadows. Deftly, he leapt to the side, hiding behind the cargo crates stacked high from India, Africa and the far East. Footsteps echoed and a soft whimper, a kitten, a newborn calling for its mother, fell silent. More men, dark dressed creatures, followed the order with drawn weapons and waited for the signal. Thomas leaned forward, peering through the crack between the crates. Two men, shabbily dressed, stood in the light of the flickering yellowish bulb, but his keen eyes couldnât find the source of the whimper.
           âThe money?â the thinner one pecked, wiping the oil from his fingers on his trousers.
The taller one laughed, folding his arms in front of his bulging chest.Â
           âThe woman will pay us off. I called her. By the end of the day, weâll get the money.â, âWe should have killed his wife right away,â the other said, leaning against the cargo boxes.
           âKarl, I would have killed her, but the other guy came. We would have died otherwise. I know him, Solomons. He would have killed us,â he interjected.
           âAnd what are we supposed to do now, Jimmy?â Karl questioned.
           âAnd what will happen to us, Karl?â Jim asked.
Karl shrugged his shoulders. Eyes widened in shock, screams followed, bullets pierced flesh and grazed bones. Men in suits stormed the old run-down complex, a tsunami swallowing villages and towns. Closely followed by his men, Thomas entered the room, stepped closer with his gun drawn, fired and hit the bullâs eye, ran ahead, searched and cursed, but didnât find the woman. Sweat cascaded his face, turned, and hoped the men could answer his questions, but the eyes had paled. Cursing, Thomas stared at his brothers opening the crates in the hope of finding Peggy in one of them.
           âWhere is she?â Arthur asked, heaving.
John cursed, nearly fell into the crate. Perplexed, he stared into the distance, cursed under his breath, turned with paled features towards his brothers and mumbled a short prayer.
           The moon wandered on, over land and mountains, on and on, climbing hills and swimming over lakes and raging streams. Under the cover of the moon, ghastly shadows crept forth. Light burned in the mansion far away from civilisation, from towns and villages. The vehicles parked in front of the mansion were not neatly lined up. Curtains were drawn and didnât allow to witness the people warming themselves by the flames, gnawing on the hardened biscuits and awakening the sense with the dark unsweetened liquid. The phone didnât ring, and the bell didnât announce a guest.
The clock was ticking, heels clicked against the creaking hardwood. Voices had died down, the women did not chatter as the gentle voice breathing delicate word into the microphone sang of love and gentle kisses. The women exchanged meaningless glances, glanced at the man they thought would never enter the house, who had settled down by the fireplace and was leafing through the book with his legs crossed, staring again and again at the doors and windows in search of grim faces pursued by evil intentions. Y/N warmed her fingers on the cup filled with tea and dipped her tongue in the warm liquid.
           âDonât worry, they will be here soon. Itâs just a matter of time. Donât worry, my dear.â Ada breathed.
She flashed the shaking woman a smile, breathed encouraging words, but they couldnât banish the fear from her heart.
           âTheyâve been gone for a long time. At least three hours now.â Y/N breathed.
           âYou worry too much Y/N/N. The Shelby can take something. If heâs not here by seven, then weâll go looking for him together.â Alfie joked.
Y/N stretched her arms into the air. Sleep gnawed on her bones and the voice in her head assured her that all would be well, that Thomas was on his way back, that the door would open soon and he would stand with Peggy and a promise to change by her side. She counted the seconds, focused on the clock, yet Y/N had lost track of time and space a long time ago. Her eyes widened. The tiredness was gone with the wind. Groaning, Y/N jumped and threw the blanket away. A wall, the last wall of defence rose in front of her and a palm settled on her back.
           âCome, little one. We will go together. You stay here. I have everything under control. I saw a car.â Alfie said.
Y/N tried to argue, telling him to stay with the others, that she wanted to go alone, but no words crossed her lips and nodded. Alfie smiled, gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, stuffed his gun into the pocket, and guided Y/N away from the richly set table. Keys jingled. Alfie pushed Y/N behind him, but the young woman went ahead. The cold air brushed her skin and painted her cheeks. Brows almost touched. Y/N looked questioningly at Peggy, shook her head, and lips parted.
           âPeggy?â Y/N whispered, not believing her eyes, convinced she was about to awake from a dream.
She looked healthy. Not a drop of blood clung to the long white evening dress, looked like a woman on her way to church to walk down the aisle. The hair was laid in curls, dotted with pearls and glass shaped in tears. The bouquet, white and red flowers fell to the ground. A smile, false as a foxâs, sweet as a snakeâs voice, spread on her lips.
           âYouâre well?â Y/N questioned.
           âWhy shouldnât I be well? I am glad to see that you are well. I see nothing happened to you while I was away. I told you to wait for me at home. I could never have forgiven myself if something bad had happened to you.â Peggy spoke coldly, stoically, emotionlessly.
           âWhereâs Thomas? Heâs out looking for you. I was worried about you.â Y/N uttered.
Spreading her arms, Y/N wanted to enclose Peggy in a tight hug, but fingers clawed deep into the thin material covering her, forcing her to stagger backwards.
           âAlfie, can you please let go of me?â Y/N demanded.
Y/N turned and stubbornly demanded to be let free, but Alfie shook his head.
           âWhy do you have to make everything more complicated? Get in there and donât do anything stupid or youâll all regret it. Are we clear?â, âI wouldnât do that.â Alfie interjected. He removed his hand from the pistol and rose his hands into the air after he pulled Y/N closer to his chest.
           âPeggy?â Y/N breathed, hoped the person bore a mask, but it was Peggy.
Colour drained from her features. Cold metal pressed deeper into her skin. Bloodshot eyes forced Alfie to step back and told him not to dare to waste a single thought about doing something he might regret. Questions nor curses crossed Y/N´s lips pressed into a fine line. A lonely tear cascaded down her left cheek and left a red burning mark on her skin. Y/N questioned her life, every decision she had made, every word and complain she had said to Peggy in hope she would aid her. Synchronically, Ada and Polly arose, aimed, but no shots pierced the air. Peggy chased Alfie away to stand by the wall and he listened and placed the weapon on the ground as the women as Peggy stood tall behind the crumbling shield.
           âWhy?â Y/N inquired, her heart bursting through skin and bone.
Peggy laughed and combed through Y/N´s locks with her long light-coloured nails.
           âI should be in your place. It would have been so easy. But those idiots let you get away and then you were at my door and I just had to let you in. I called these fools. I knew they would be at the bar, and informed them that you were with me, that they should walk in and take care of you. I then set off here, wanting to inform all of you that something might have happened to Y/N. I would have taken your place, but this man had to interfere with my plan.â Peggy joked.
Her bloodshot eyes slid from one person to another and pointing her finger at the tall man settling down on the armchair by the crackling fire.
           âHow would you have done it? The Shelby wouldnât have to believe you. Nobody would have.â Alfie questioned, with his arms crossed in front of his body.
           âNobody? Suddenly everybody was searching for Y/N. When I returned home, she was gone. I am a good actress, I had classes when I was young and played in the theatre, always the evil and wicked,â the woman huffed.
She chuckled.
           âThomas would have believed me. I would have played the good friend, helping him through this rough path. I just wanted to play the worried friend. I would have helped to find Y/N and then after a good month the case would have gone cold. The postman would have brought a letter from overseas and the problem would have been solved. Thomas would have found a good friend in me and later a wife,â she sneered.
           âBut they trashed your house.â Y/N breathed, eliciting a malicious laugh from the mad woman.
           âI was a bit angry and had to let my anger run free. My plan was perfect.â she huffed, stroking Y/Nâs skin with the weapon.
           âYou wanted to kill me?â Y/N breathed.
           âNo one cared about you, you told me everything, your former husband barely cared about you, you slept alone, spent your days alone, were air for everyone, I didnât expect anyone to care about you.â Peggy laughed.
Y/N gulped, nodded, and breathed a soft prayer, prayed for the safety of all of them a few steps away from her.
           âA confident woman. Why would I marry you?â a deep voice sneered.
Smiling, Peggy turned around, fixed her hair and let go of Y/N, but she was rooted into the ground, turning into a statue overgrown by moss.
           âAll these months youâve been using me.â Y/N
The veil fell, and the wind carried away the dense mist. Y/N balled her hands into fists, nails bore deep into the soft flesh, but no sound escaped her lips. She faced Peggy, unfearful of the weapon in her right hand.
           âYou never told me to give Thomas a chance, to at least try to get along with him. You never said anything nice about him. When he gave me flowers or chocolate, you told me heâd cheated on me and feared I would find out.â Y/N whispered, her voice raising with every fallen word.
She remembered the forgotten, the lonely nights, the long calls, the endless hours spend in the small room and crying her heart out to the wrong person, hoping Peggy would help her like only a friend could.
           âWe spoke on the phone when Thomas didnât come back that evening and instead of telling me that he must be working but you swore on your parentsâ lives that you saw him in the arms of a woman.â Y/N cried out.
Y/N faced her friend, unfaced and untroubled by the loaded gun.
           âI suppose that was a lie, too. Probably everything you told me was a lie,â Y/N whispered.
She remembered the nights she was pouring out her heart and the answers that were as false as the snakeâs words. She raised her eyes and looked up at Thomas. The man swallowed, saw the questions in his wifeâs eyes and smiled.
           âI was never unfaithful, Y/N. I was a terrible husband, but I was always faithful to you,â Thomas assured her.
           âI believe you,â Y/N whispered, but Thomas had heard the answer.
Y/N advanced, oblivious to the woman in the wedding garment, wanting to go towards her husband, but Peggy made it impossible for her to do so, getting in the way.
           âEnough of this sweet talk.â Peggy chuckled.
Metal dazzled the eyes. She grabbed Y/N by the collar, scratched her skin, pressed her tightly against him. And the men and women, apart from Thomas, recoiled with their hands up. Thomas stashed his hands in his trouser pockets and nodded, guessing what she would demand.
           âYou let me out and nothing will happen to her.â Peggy requested.
The Shelby nodded, exchanged brief glances with his brothers.
           âGood, go, you know the way. You hand Y/N over to me at the door. I leave my gun here and you put yours away. Do we understand each other?â Thomas spoke.
           âI donât think youâre in a position to make demands here, Thomas, but Iâll take your offer. But I want them out of here. I want them all out of here in the kitchen.â Peggy interjected.
Thomas gestured to his siblings to leave, nodding, indicating that they should be on their way, that they shouldnât worry, but his eyes betrayed him. Slowly, they rose from the sofa and did as Thomas ordered them again to leave. Heels clicked against the hardwood. Hush voices exchanged words, and the door slammed shut.
           âCan we go?â Thomas probed.
Thomas walked ahead, showed the way, paused at the open door, pushed it wide open and motioned the woman to leave. His hands clenched into fists. He wanted to free Y/N from the womanâs clutches, heard the soft whimpering as Peggy grabbed her former friend. Teeth gritted. Peggy stopped and turned with Y/N.
           âHere you go.â she shoved Y/N in his direction.
Y/N staggered forward, threatening to fall like a soldier, but arms wrapped tightly around her body, pressing her tightly to his chest. Thomas breathed loving words into her ear, pressed his dried lips on her skin and pressed featherlight kisses on her cheek. He murmured a prayer and begged for her forgiveness. Sweat danced down his face. He pressed another fleeting kiss on her temple. Thomas put his hands over her ears, deafening her to the screams and bullets piercing the air and suddenly, after all this time filled with screams and prayers, silence reigned over the land.
I hope you are all doing well. As many of you know, I had to stop writing to focus on my final exams and studies for the last months.
I wanted to express my gratitude for all your lovely comments and sweet messages, I have read them all but haven't found the time to reply to them yet. I will write as soon as humanly possible but please be patient and give me some time.
Sending hugs and kisses to you all,
To all the fic writers out there that are not currently writing. Either it's because of RL, health, writer's block or something has happened that have disheartened you. Thank you for what you've written, and don't ever feel pressured or stressed - fanfic should be something good for all of us; both reader and writer. You're more important than what you do, but thank you for what you've done!
you can always send me anons. you can always come to my inbox and freak out about my character and your feels about them. you can always throw âokay but picture thisâ or âthis is my headcanonâ asks at me. you can always send asks, even when i donât ask for them. THAT IS ALWAYS OKAY
So itâs been ages! Sorry guys, my brain couldnât juggle Betrayal and other things, but now itâs finished I have room to focus. Weâre going back in on our idiots in loveâs origin story and like the other chapters like this, it will be split across a number of parts otherwise itâs just too long. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me and waited, I hope youâre ready for things to get a lot darker. It is a spoiler but I want everyone to be safe so please read the warnings!
Summary: In 2020, the past is catching up with Y/N, which prompts Cillian to remember back to the final time they re-met, back in 2014.
Warnings: đ for a brief scene of sexual assault. Bad language and some truly awkward small talk.
Word count: 5690 PART 18 | SERIES
Part 19: Three Chance Encounters - February 2014, Pt. 1
Y/N felt her work phone buzzing in her pocket as she lobbed the ball high and Scout raced after it across the sand. God, could she not have half an hour to herself to enjoy some fresh air with her dog now she was able to walk around again unaided and unrestricted? Cursing quietly she wiped the damp grit from her fingers on her jeans and fumbled for the insistant device. Her finger hovered in mid-air over the âacceptâ button, brow furrowed as she recognised the number on the screen. This wasnât a work call. Why would they be calling her? Why, after all this time?
For a second she almost let it go to voicemail before biting the bullet, her incurable curiosity winning her internal battle of wills.
âHello?â
âY/N? Y/N Y/L/N?â
Her breath caught in her throat and her palms were suddenly slick. âKristen?â
âHi..â There was an awkward pause on the line as Y/N waited for her to continue. âIâm sorry to call out of nowhere like this. How are you? Crazy times, right?â
Y/N shook her head slightly in disbelief. Thirteen years and she was calling to chat it up about covid? Seriously??
âYeah, crazyâŚâ
âI saw you got married, congratulations.â
âThanks⌠Iâm sorry, I donât mean to be rude but can I ask, how did you get this number?â
An awkward breath of laughter floated down the line. âI had a note about where you used to work and I found your details online. I called your office - your assistant put me through.â
She made a mental note to fire Toby in the morning. If Kristen had explained where she was calling from she was going to have a fun time explaining it.
âLook, Kristen, as lovely as it is to hear from you, I had kinda hoped - and I say this with gratitude and respect - that we would never have to talk again. Whatâs going on?â
She could picture the other woman at her desk as her deep sigh echoed in her ear, her dark chestnut hair pulled back in her habitual sleek bun. Or maybe it wasnât long anymore? Maybe it wasnât even brown. Her mental image was stuck in 2007.
âI know, Iâm sorry. I.. Iâve been debating calling you for days, whether I should tell you at all⌠but I thought you would want to know. And I didnât want you to find out some other way. It should come from me..â
Scout was bouncing at her feet, nudging the retrieved ball towards her, ready to spring in anticipation, tail wagging enthusiastically. But she ignored him, her chest tightening. She curled her fingernails into her palm, the pinch against her skin grounding her.
âTell me what?â she almost whispered, dreading what was coming next.
*****
It was the whimpering that woke him, already escalating into desperate little wails that he knew from experience would be screaming if she didnât wake up soon. He curled himself around her thrashing body, gently coaxing her to wake up.
She came to with a shuddering gasp, heart pounding almost out of her chest, a thin sheen of cold sweat on her chest. She looked around frantically, struggling slightly as he held her.
âShush, shush, youâre safe, youâre ok, itâs me,â he murmured, lightly guiding her face to look at him, seeing the panic in her eyes retreat as she realised she was at home, in their bed, safe with him.
âShit, Iâm sorry,â she sighed, dropping her face into his chest with embarrassment.
âWas it..?â
âYes,â she said hurriedly, not wanting to hear it said out loud. It had been years since sheâd had one of those nightmares. He stroked her back, feeling the frenetic thudding of her heart begin to slow to a more regular pace. He pressed his lips to her hair, breathing her in.
âItâs been a long time..â
âI know, Iâm sorry⌠Iâm ok.â She looked up at him and he knew that expression. There was nothing to be gained by pressing her on it tonight. âPlease,â she continued, seeing the question in his eyes, âIâm sorry I woke you, letâs just go back to sleep.â
He nodded, though his lips were tight and she knew she would have to deal with the consequences in the morning. Sighing, she turned in his arms, back pressed against his chest, the steady, comforting rhythm of his heart easing the residual fear still coursing through her.
He lay awake for a long time hearing the change in her breathing as she drifted back to sleep. He tightened his arm around her waist as he couldnât help but remember the first time it happened.
*****
February 2014
He arrived as late as he thought he could get away with, without incurring Katherineâs wrath. As passionate as he was about supporting literature and the arts in schools, he really fucking hated these things. Being trotted around like some kind of sideshow exhibit to encourage the rich and the smug to part with their cash for the charity in question. But Katherine was an old friend and he owed her an appearance for all the fundraisers he had missed over the last few years.
The large ballroom was already busy, softly lit by glittering chandeliers, gentle classical music coming from somewhere. Scanning the space, looking for Katherine, a subtle shifting of the crowd parted the sea of dark jackets and suddenly he saw the last woman he ever expected to be here.
He was pinned to the spot, unable to stop himself from staring. There was no question that it was her, even though her usually long, wild hair had been tamed into a smooth updo, artfully pinned at the back of her head to accentuate the deep open v-shape at the back of her dress which he saw as she turned slightly away from him. His mouth was suddenly very dry and he swiped a glass of champagne from a passing tray, taking a long drink and choking slightly on the bubbles.
âCillian!â He turned, smothering a cough, as Katherine Wyatt enveloped him in a brief hug and a cloud of Chanel No.5. âI was just beginning to worry you werenât coming, darling,â she rebuked him affectionately.
âAs if I would ever be brave enough to do that to you,â he smiled back, unable to stop himself from glancing over her shoulder to where he had last seen Y/N. A glance not missed by his shrewd-eyed hostess. She turned, following his gaze, but with the sea of bodies, she couldnât be sure where he was looking.
âItâs a shame Aoife couldnât join you,â she said carefully, turning back to face him. Only the faintest crease of his brow gave him away.
âShe was sorry to miss it. Itâs just hard for us both getting away with the kids,â he apologised.
âOf course. And it must be ever so boring to have to follow you around as people fawn all over you,â she chuckled, enjoying the faint blush that crept across his cheeks. âCome on, I have people dying to meet you.â
He allowed himself to be shunted around from group to group, making awkward small talk as Katherine beamed her trademark megawatt smile and charmed everyone in sight. How she had the energy and enthusiasm to do this over and over again at her age, he would never understand. Heâd only been here half an hour and he already wanted to kill himself.
âOh!â she exclaimed, turning away from him. âYou simply must meet Y/N!â
His stomach flipped at her name and slowly he followed her movement, finding himself face to face with the woman he thought he would never see again. She was exactly as he remembered, only moreso somehow, those large, unusual eyes regarding him with amusement. Up close he could see she was a little older - werenât they all - but she was still completely beautiful.
âHi,â she smiled, holding out her hand. He took it gently, her skin was soft, her fingers cold from where she had been holding her champagne flute a moment earlier.
Katherine glanced between the pair, confused by the spark of energy between them. But as she opened her mouth to comment she was distracted by a passing waiter, offering a tray of what she recognised to be the vegan canapĂŠs that were specifically for just a couple of guests.
âFuck,â she hissed. âExcuse me, I need to fix this. Y/N will you be a love and take over with...â She waved her hand briefly at Cillian and disappeared at speed, leaving them alone.
âIt is you,â he mumbled, only half-aware that Katherine was gone.
âIt is I,â she giggled, âWell done for remembering me this time.â He blushed deeply, the tips of his ears burning.
âWhat are you doing here?â he asked, kicking himself for his tone as she looked slightly affronted.
âI was invited,â she retorted coolly and he scrambled to recover.
âNo, thatâs not⌠I didnât mean it..â He stuttered to a stop as she began to laugh.
âI know,â she grinned, squeezing his forearm briefly, âitâs ok. My company sponsors the charity - books for school, auction prizes and whatnot - and somehow a few years ago I got roped into helping. Apparently Katherine took a shine to me because now she insists that itâs me every time. But,â she leaned forward, dropping her voice conspiratorially, âas much as I love her, I hate these things.â
He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling and her stomach flip-flopped. He really hadnât got less handsome over the years.
âMe too.â
Before he could continue, an older lady and an even older gentleman appeared beside them, claiming Y/Nâs attention, cooing with delight at seeing her. It would seem that as much as she might hate it, she was very good at charming people. He wished he had her ease with strangers.
Pulled back into circulating, he wasnât able to speak to her alone again before the meal, when they were separated, seated at different tables. For the next hour he tried to focus on the speeches and the mindless small talk on his table, and not allow his eyes to drift to the exposed skin on her back, framed by midnight blue silk. The little curls of hair escaping at the nape of her neck. Even though it was tantalisingly in his direct line of sight.
You are a fucking married man, get a fucking grip, he scolded himself internally as he once again caught himself looking.
Between the mains and dessert he excused himself and headed for the bar, desperately in need of sensory respite.
âYou know, Katherine really hates it when people look like they want to kill themselves at her parties. It really ruins her vibe.â He looked to his left to see her grinning at him.
âI canât make small talk for another course,â he confessed, sinking the whiskey heâd ordered. He pulled a face as burn caught in his throat.
âOof, Tommy Shelby makes that look a lot cooler,â she joked, accepting her wine from the barman.
âYeah well, Tommy Shelby is drinking coloured water so he has the advantage.â He looked back at her, an unreadable expression in her eyes. âHow long has it been..?â
âEight years.â
He nodded slowly. âWell thatâs one better than last time, right? I look forward to seeing you again in..â he paused, working it out, â..2021.â
She cracked a wry smile. âItâs a date. I was just going to sneak away for a smoke, do you want to come?â He looked uncertain. âItâll be significantly less peopley out there.â That seemed to make up his mind.
âFuck yes.â
She waited whilst he ordered another drink but before they could leave, an expensively dressed young man in his late twenties sidled up to her. Cillian was distracted by the barman for a moment but when he turned around he saw her looking uncomfortable as the manâs fingers traced up and down her bare skin, trailing along her spine.
âMy cousin has written a childrenâs book, it would be great if you could take a look. We could discuss it over⌠dinner?â
She squirmed away from him, accidentally knocking into Cillian and he had to catch her, a large hand on her hip, stopping her from falling.
âSorry,â she said, feeling her face heat up, quickly stepping out of his personal space. âI told you Seb, childrenâs literature isnât my area. But Iâd be happy to recommend a colleague or two.â
âY/N,â he interrupted, seeing the obnoxious young man readying for another attempt. âDonât we have to go and do the.. thing? For Katherine?â
She looked up at him, brow furrowed and then caught on. âYes! Yes we do. Sorry Seb,â she apologised with false sincerity, âI have to go.â
He quickly escorted her out of the ballroom and into the quieter hallway, her heels clicking on the wooden floors as they headed for a little courtyard smoking area.
âWhat a cunt,â muttered Cillian and she glanced up in surprise. âWho is he?â
She shook her head, passing through the door he held open for her, shrugging her scarf around her like a blanket against the chill. âJust a posh boy with indulgent, yet absent parents, and more money than sense. Heâs a prick but heâs harmless.â
Cillian didnât think he looked that harmless but decided not to comment further. âHow is it Iâve never run into you at one of these things before?â he asked instead, changing the subject as she lit a cigarette and offered the pack to him. He wavered for a moment but then shook his head. She shrugged, tucking it back in her bag.
âWell it helps if you actually show up at these things,â she grinned.
âI come to themâŚsometimesâŚâ He rubbed the back of his neck with a wry smile. âIt hasnât been that long, has it?â
âWell Iâve been coming to them for three years and this is the first time your name was on the list.â
He glanced up, catching her eye and she quickly looked away, realising how that sounded. God, did he think she had been stalking him?
âI didnât know you were going to be here until I saw your name on the seating plan when I got here tonight,â she said quickly, holding up her hands. âI swear.â
He chuckled, following her to a little table with a heat lamp above it. âSo.. how have the last eight years been?â
She paused for just a second, cigarette halfway to her lips, before she shrugged and took a drag. âFine, not as exciting as yours I expect.â She met his eye, a smirk dancing on her lips and he chuckled bashfully. âI like the show by the way.â
âThanks,â he said, a genuine smile breaking across his face. It always meant a lot to him when people liked the work. âWeâre just about to start filming on the next series. I had a few things to do down here first so I came over early.â
âAnd your wife..?â She couldnât resist asking, though she had already clocked the wedding ring still on his finger.
âIs back in Dublin with the kids.â
She couldnât help the small burst of disappointment in her stomach. The way heâd looked at her earlier, was looking at her now even.. Sheâd allowed herself to hope the ring was simply a hangover, or for appearances.
âKids, plural?â
âTwo boys,â he confirmed, toying with the stem of his wine glass. A silence fell.
âAnd so⌠am I going to have to guess their names or..?â He looked up to find her teasing him, blowing a thin stream of smoke away from the table.
He chuckled. âEoin, heâs eight, and Finn is nearly five. Do you wanna see..?â He began to retrieve his phone from his jacket.
âOf course I do!â Because apparently Iâm a glutton for punishment, she added to herself.
He flicked through his camera reel quickly and, settling on one, he passed it to her. âThe one with the dark hair is Eoin.â
âFucking hell, heâs the image of you,â she said, staring at the mini Cillian on the screen. His little brother was fairer haired, with cute chubby cheeks, but still had his fatherâs eyes. âTheyâre adorable,â she added, looking up to see a soft smile on his face.
âThanks. Theyâre a handful but theyâre great.â
âIâll bet.â She handed the phone back and stubbed out her smoke.
âSo what about you? Marriage, kids? The whole thing?â
She studied the tabletop between them and swirled her wine in the glass. âNo.â She cleared her throat briefly and looked up. âI was engaged for a while but it didnât work out.â
He wanted the ground to swallow him whole. Showing off his fucking perfect looking family. Insensitive prick that he was.
âShit, Iâm sorry,â he mumbled but she waved it away.
âPlease, itâs fine. It would have been a disaster and better to end before it cost us both a fortune in a wedding and then divorce lawyers, right?â She was smiling and he felt marginally less shit. âDo you want to go back in?â she asked, having finished her cigarette.
He groaned at the thought of returning to his table and she laughed. âI guess not!â She pulled the pack out of her bag again and lit another. âSure I canât tempt you?â she added, holding it towards him.
He looked at her for a long moment, the way the light from the heat lamp above caught the little escaping hairs, creating an almost glowing, halo effect around her head. The mischievous glint in her eye. The flash of even white teeth against the deep red of her lower lip.
âI think you probably can,â he replied, holding her eye for a second too long before he reached for a smoke.
*****
After forty minutes she had to admit defeat and retreat indoors before her feet froze off. February was officially too cold for sitting outdoors, even with a heat lamp. She sent him on ahead whilst she visited the ladies room, running her hands under the hot tap to try and bring back her circulation.
Staring at herself in the mirror she shook her head. After the initial awkwardness they had both settled down and once they got going, it was like the last eight years had never happened. There was just a natural ease between them, conversation flowing like water.
It just wasnât fair that he was married, she sighed at her reflection.
Making her way back into the ballroom, she caught his eye just before she took her seat. She hadnât realised heâd been sitting just behind her the whole time and suddenly she felt very self-conscious.
âWhere the fuck have you been?â hissed her seat neighbour, Lucy, a culture reporter for the Guardian. Y/N had worked with her for years, and they had become friends, respecting the boundaries of each otherâs professional responsibilities.
âJust having a smoke.â She tried to brush it away, tucking into the melted remains of her dessert, that had been delivered some time ago apparently.
âFor an hour?!â
She put down her spoon and looked at her friend. âIt was like forty minutes and I just got chatting to someone, itâs not a big deal.â
âWas that someone a certain gorgeous Irishman?â
She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her wine. âNo comment.â
âY/NâŚâ she cajoled her with a grin.
âY/N nothing I am off the fucking record with you tonight,â she warned amiably, rolling her eyes as the Lucy grinned at her knowingly. âI was just chatting to him about books.â
âHe looks good though, right? The shorter hairâŚ.â She sighed wistfully. âTommy Shelby would absolutely get it,â she giggled, glancing behind at him, catching him staring at Y/Nâs back.
âFine, heâs very handsome, is that what you wanted to hear?â It came out slightly more tersely than she intended and the other woman looked a little affronted. âSorry, Luce, itâs just that heâs married and I donât want to start any rumours. It was a conversation. Itâs not his fault heâs also attractive.â
Lucy held up her hands in acceptance. âUnderstood. Though Iâm hurt you think Iâm that kind of journalist.â
âI donât,â Y/N reassured her with a hand on hers. âSorry, I donât know why Iâm so grumpy, I think I got too cold out there.â
An announcement from the stage called attention to the beginning of the charity auction (Katherineâs push to get folks to put their hands in their pockets) and mercifully she didnât have to discuss Cillian Murphy for the next hour.
*****
The majority of people were well on their way to being wasted by the end of the auction and as the dancing started, Y/N decided that was her cue to go home. It had been a long, exhausting week and she was ready to sink into her weekend. Hugging Lucy warmly she gathered her belongings and headed for the exit. She had wondered about saying goodbye to him but he was surrounded and she didnât want anyone getting the wrong idea. Not to mention that sheâd said goodbye to Cillian Murphy enough times in her life now, she simply didnât want to do it again.
Like he said, given their pattern so far, sheâd see him in seven years anyway, she smirked to herself as she headed for the coat room.
She didnât see him watch her leave through the milling crowd. He so badly wanted to chase after her and make her give him her number this time. They got on so well, it was stupid. Why couldnât they be friends? Their past was ancient history and one moment of weakness after a night out in New York eight years ago wasnât enough of a reason not to have her in his life at all, right?
As he debated this internally he saw that sleazy, entitled cunt Sebastian follow her out of the room. He really didnât like the way that guy had been looking at her and he was clearly very drunk by now, judging by the sway of his walk. Unable to explain why he felt uneasy, he apologised to the people he was talking to, grabbed his discarded jacket and headed for the door to follow him.
She was in the small room set aside for the event as the cloakroom, hunting for her coat and bags that sheâd stashed there earlier. Sheâd had to get ready at work and her heavy handbag and bulky tote bag of work clothes and make up wasnât very evening gown chic. She heard the door click behind her as she finally found them, right at the back of the room, buried under the hems of a rack of heavy winter coats. As she straightened up, a warm hand pressed against the bare skin of her back, fingers running along the edge of the fabric and pushing past it onto her side.
She gasped in horror and tried to pull away but another hand was suddenly around her throat. She scrabbled at it with both hands but he held her firm.
âGet the fuck off me!â she snarled, twisting in his grip.
âYouâve been avoiding me, Y/N,â slurred Sebâs voice in her ear, his hand snaking further into her dress, reaching for her breasts. âYou know I only come to these stupid things for you.â
âPlease, donât do this. Let go of me,â she pleaded with as much calm authority as she could muster. âIf you donât let me go this instant, Iâm going to start screaming.â
His fingers tightened around her windpipe and she whimpered reflexively. His other hand was now cupping her breast, tugging harshly at her nipple.
âI could make you scream,â he chuckled darkly, the smell of booze hitting her, making her want to vomit. âYou might even enjoy it.â
His lips connected with her neck and true to her word, she screamed, struggling with all her might to pull away from his grip. She pumped her arms trying to get her elbows to connect with any part of him she could find. As her left elbow made contact with the soft tissue of his belly he grunted angrily, and then suddenly there was a shout from behind her and he was being ripped away. She heard the fabric of her dress tear as his arm was wrenched back from within it. Stumbling away she turned to see Cillian pinning him against a wall, his face like thunder.
âAre you ok?â he asked, not letting go of the younger man who was white with shock and rage, struggling in his grip.
âYeah.. I..â The world tilted, the floor rushing up to meet her as everything went black.
He saw her eyes roll back in her head and dropped Seb to race to her, catching her just before her head hit the floor. He heard the door bang as the other man took off but he couldnât leave her like this.
After just a few seconds, she opened her eyes, surprised to find herself on the floor, and then she remembered what had happened, the panic crashing back in. Someone was holding her and she jerked, frantically trying to escape.
âHey, hey, itâs ok, itâs me, itâs Cillian.â She stopped fighting him, shaking in his arms. âWe need to get the police. Iâm just gonna..â
âNo, please, donât leave!â she begged, tugging at his arm. âI donât want the police. Please. Promise me.â
âY/N,â he argued but his words faded out. Everything was blurry and she could feel herself panting. Trying to move, she thought she might throw up. She could still feel his hands on her, his breath on her neck, fingers squeezingâŚ
âIâm gonna be sick,â she managed to huff out, scrambling away from him, barely making it to a decorative wastebasket in time.
The door clicked open again and the old couple who had interrupted them when they first met that evening came in.
âOh dear, Y/N! Are you alright?â she exclaimed, tottering towards her where she was crouched on the floor and Cillian hastily intervened.
âJust too much wine,â he shrugged apologetically. âIâll see she gets home safe.â
They gathered their coats and disappeared, with an anxious backward look. She sat back and he passed her a tissue. âThanks,â she croaked and he could see red marks around her neck.
âY/N, please, we know who he is, we should go to the police. He assaulted you.â
She shook her head, grimacing. She really had had more wine than she should have. âI just want to go home. Please?â she whispered, big eyes staring up at him imploringly.
He huffed out a breath and nodded, reaching to help her stand. She was still shaking. She directed him on which bags belonged to her and he helped her into her coat, averting his eyes from how her damaged dress gaped open at her side.
Out in the open, she pulled fresh air into her lungs as he hailed a taxi. She climbed in, surprised when he got in behind her.
âIâm not leaving you alone, not after that. You can stay at mine tonight.â
She was too tired to argue and honestly, she didnât want to be alone, so she nodded mutely and let him give the taxi driver his address. She rested her head against the cool windowpane as the streets slipped by, bright lights of the city centre giving way to the softer glow of the imposing terraces of white regency houses around their communal private gardens. Stopping at one such building, he led her inside and up to the flat at the top of the building.
âItâs a rental,â he explained, not that she asked, but he felt the need to fill the silence now that she was suddenly in his private space. She spotted a small roof terrace off the open-plan living space.
âCan I?â she asked, her hand already on the door handle and he nodded. She slipped out into the night clutching her evening bag. There was a small wicker garden set and coffee table with an ashtray and she sat down, pulling it towards her as she fumbled for a cigarette. She smoked in silence, or as silent as London could ever be, with the rumble of traffic and occasional siren blaring in the distance, her thoughts jumbled.
She was already on her second when the door opened and she felt a blanket being draped around her shoulders.
âYouâll freeze to death otherwise and I donât think I have the skillset to dispose of a body.â
She cracked an almost smile and pulled the material around her as a small bundle of cotton landed in her lap.
âFor your feet,â he explained, somewhat unnecessarily, as she unfurled a pair of long, stripey sports socks. She looked up at his retreating form, a small lump in her throat. With fingers stiff from the cold, she slipped her feet out of her silver heels and quickly pulled them on, immediately feeling warmer. As she was tucking them up underneath her body, for extra warmth, the door opened again and he reappeared with two large tumblers of whiskey.
âI was going to make tea but then I thought you could maybe do with something stronger, for the shock.â She accepted the glass he held out for her and took a small sip, nose wrinkling against the fiery alcohol.
âThank you,â she whispered.
He settled in the chair next to her and wrapped a blanket of his own around his legs. âAre you alright?â he asked, watching her swirl the liquid in her glass.
She let out a hoarse breath of mirthless laughter. âNot really, no.â
He stayed quiet, leaving room for her to talk about it but as the seconds ticked by and the silence stretched it was clear she wasnât going to elaborate.
âWe can still go to the policeââ
âNo.â Her head snapped up and her tone was caustic.
He tried not to be exasperated but it was late and the whole experience had freaked him out. âBut we know who he is, I was there, I saw what he did, he wonât get away with it.â
She chuckled so darkly as she lit another cigarette, it made him shiver. âYou really think itâs that simple, donât you?â
âI mean it isââ
âNo itâs not! There is nothing simple about it! Think about it, what did you really see? He had his hands on me? Heâll say I let him and you overreacted. Iâve been drinking, more than I should, Iâm wearing this ridiculous dress...â She paused, swallowing and he saw her eyes were bright with tears, âIn situations like this, no one is going to believe I wasnât asking for it.â
He tried to disagree but she silenced him. âAnd even if they do, what evidence do they really have? A fleeting moment you saw before you intervened? My word against his and you better believe his mummy and daddy will throw all their money and influence behind his version of events. And even if they think thereâs enough evidence to prosecute, then what? I have to go to court and have some asshole defence lawyer crawl all over my sexual history to find any way they can to discredit me? All my privacy laid bare just so they can get him off without punishment.â
âYou donât know that, itââ
âYes I do.â
âY/N, câmon, youâre catastrophisingââ
âAm I? Youâve got experience of being a sexual assault victim on trial have you?â
âWell no, butââ
âWell I have,â she snarled, stubbing out her cigarette angrily, âand Iâm not doing it again, so just leave it.â
Even in the dark she saw the colour drain from his face and it took a second for her brain to catch up with what sheâd just said out loud. Shit. Why did she say that?!
âWhat..?â he whispered and she buried her face in her hands, unable to look at him. âY/N..?â
She heard the creak of the wicker as he got up and then his fingers tentatively brushed the back of her wrist, encouraging her to look at him. Sneaking a glance between her fingers, she saw him crouching in front of her. She wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole.
âTell me,â he whispered, seeing her looking. She shook her head briefly. How could she tell him? She couldnât tell anyone. Even her own parents didnât know. It was too much, and finally, after holding it in since they left the hotel, she started to cry.
He moved to sit next to her on the small sofa, slipping an arm around her shoulders and gently pulling her into him. He rescued her whiskey glass before she could drop it, placing it on the table as she wept into his shirt. He rested his chin on the top of her head, breathing in the soft floral scent of her perfume, different to how he remembered her.
Eventually her sobs began to subside and she pulled away, sniffing and wiping her cheeks, mortified.
âFuck, Iâm sorry, I should go,â she said quickly, rummaging for a tissue in her bag.
âYouâre not going anywhere, not like this,â he said gently.
âThis is so embarrassing, Cill. We barely know each other and Iâm here spilling my secrets and wailing like a bansheeââ
âWill you stop? I think we know each other better than you give us credit for.â His soft smile was soothing and she found herself returning it with a watery one of her own. He pushed a lock of hair that had escaped from her elegant chignon during her struggle with Seb, back behind her ear, thumb very lightly brushing over her damp cheekbone.
âWhat happened to you, Y/N?â
Sorry about the ending (Iâm excited to see how much @stevie75 yells at me đ¤đ) and yâknow, for hurting our girl like this. It canât always be sunshine and rainbows or it would be boring to read, right? More coming as soon as I can write it. Please do scream your feelings at me! âĽď¸ xx
Remember, thereâs a lot more Lockdown couple content outside the main story in the masterlist below đđź
Summary: When Tommy finds the perfect woman his family encourages him to marry her and bring her into the family business, but what do they really know about his loving wife?
Authorâs Note: Requested by the lovely @l1-14. Iâve changed canon timeline to suit my whims. Michaelâs storyline has been delayed.
Warnings: drinking, language, manipulation, drugging, threat with a gun, murder, mention of blood
âI like this one, Tommy,â Ada said with a look of approval in her eye. It wasnât a feeling she expected to have after so many bad decisions her brother had made over the years, but she had a good feeling about his new relationship.Â
âCould that be because you picked her for me?â Tommy asked, a smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth before bringing an unlit cigarette to his lips.
Ada rolled her eyes playfully. âThatâs not how it happened. I merely suggestedââ
âYou insisted I take her for dinner if I recall correctly,â Tommy said with a chuckle, recalling the excitement in his sisterâs voice the day sheâd called to tell him about the young woman with the dazzling smile and heart of gold he had to meet.
âWell, however it happened, Iâm happy for you,â Ada said, touching his arm lightly for emphasis as he reached for his lighter. He could hear the sincerity in her voice and it touched him. He didnât need his younger sisterâs blessing to marry the woman of his dreams, but it would make her entry into the family much smoother if she did. Now if Polly felt the same he knew heâd found a rare creature.
He spied them talking across the room and held his breath momentarily. He could easily tell from this distance whether or not Polly liked her. Her body language would give her away. To his great astonishment, the animated way she spoke, gesturing with her hands so openly and carefree told him what he wanted to know.Â
Approaching them slowly, he listened as Natasha answered, âIâll take you there sometime. My treat, Aunt Pol.â
âI see you two are getting on like a house on fire,â Tommy said with a grin. Looking at Polly he asked, âAunt Pol?â with a quirked eyebrow.
âTommy if you donât put a ring on this girlâs finger and make her a part of this family, Iâll shoot you myself,â she said, pulling him in for a hug. He accepted, holding his cigarette out so as not to burn her.Â
Turning to look at Natasha, he gave a wink over Pollyâs shoulder asking, âHas she spoiled the surprise?â
âNot a bit. I was thinking now is the perfect time actually,â she said, pulling a diamond from her pocket and placing it on her finger. Polly clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a scream. She hit Tommy squarely on the shoulder as she shouted, âYou bastard!â
Turning to Natasha she grabbed for her hand, examining the ring. âWhen?â Was all she managed to say as she looked between them in complete shock.
âLast week when I went to London,â Tommy replied. Seeing his chance to make an announcement, Tommy motioned for the maids to bring out the champagne and made it official, telling everyone assembled his intention to marry Natasha.
Arthur was the only person who didnât immediately congratulate the couple, sitting alone on the sofa, nursing a glass of whisky. Tommy thought it might be because he was preoccupied with thoughts of his own crumbling marriage. However, it was something more. Natasha was smart, beautiful and charming, but there was an odd way about her that didnât sit well with Arthur. Her fingertips on Tommyâs shoulder, shifting his position slightly, and the way she removed the whisky glass from his hand without him noticing. Before he laughed at a joke, he looked to her. However, the more Arthur drank, the further he was from a conclusion and reconciled himself to the fact that Tommy knew best.
âLast item of business,â Tommy said, rushing through his agenda for the day, eager to get home to his new bride. âThe advertisement for the new accountant,â he said, extending his hand out to Lizzie for the typed notice that would run in the paper.Â
Polly cocked her head and held up her hand before he could pass it to her. âTommy, this is ridiculous. Natasha is perfectly qualified with her education. Why arenât we using family?â
Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. He didnât want another lecture from his aunt about women in the modern work place, but he could tell she was going to insist on Natasha for the job. He knew it was partly because she wanted someone to gossip with now that Ada was working in Boston, but she also admired Natashaâs sharp mind.Â
Tommy bit the inside of his cheek, not wanting to admit how much of the company business he kept from his wife, thus inciting another lecture about trust. In his defense, Natasha was clear when they married she desired nothing more than a role as wife and stepmother to Charlie. Tommy couldnât argue with that position as Arrow House was his sanctuary and he didnât want that peace disturbed.Â
âNatasha has other things on her mind, Pol,â Tommy said vaguely as he tried to push the paper before his aunt.
She accepted, but didnât read it, looking over the parchment to arch an eyebrow. âA child?â she said with barely contained enthusiasm.Â
Tommyâs mouth quirked at one end in a half hearted smile. He wanted children with Natasha, but it hadnât happened yet. He hated giving his aunt false hope so he shook his head.Â
âThen give her something to occupy her in the meantime,â Polly said. âAll in favor of offering the position to our Natasha?â Polly asked, quickly usurping Tommyâs authority. Tommy stood, mouth agape as the motion passed unanimously.
Regaining control of the meeting, he swiftly brought proceedings to a close and everyone filed out except for Polly who lingered by Tommyâs desk hesitantly. She had one more item of business, but had trouble voicing it as she wasnât accustomed to keeping secrets from her nephew. Clearing her throat she began, âTommy, there's something I'd like to discuss.â
Tommy flicked his eyes to her, irritation evident in his brisk movements, arranging and shuffling papers to take with him. âI told you Iâd speak with her, Pol. Now let me get home,â he said briskly, tucking the documents away in his brief case.
âNo, itâs not about the job,â she said with a wave of her hand. She paused before continuing on haltingly as she attempted to gauge Tommyâs reaction. âNatashaâs told me about the good deed youâve done. The search for my son and daughter.â She took a deep breath to steady herself, feeling tears welling in her eyes as she said, âShe says you might have found Micheal.â
Tommy froze in place, uncertain if he should say anymore than what Polly already knew. He had wanted to keep it quiet until it was certain because he knew she couldnât bear any more disappointments. However, Natasha said she received confirmation of the young man's whereabouts two days ago and he realized it was time to tell her.
Tommy looked into his aunts watery eyes and gave a small nod. âYeah, itâs true. Heâs alive.â Polly collapsed into the chair opposite him, a tear slipping down her cheek as she asked, âI still donât understand howâŚâ she trailed off, wiping the tear away gently.Â
Tommy came to sit beside her, offering a handkerchief. âNatashaâs connections in the council, people who keep the parish records. Thatâs all I know.â
Polly nodded quickly. âWhen can I see him?â
âWeâll know something soon,â Tommy promised with a reassuring nod.Â
Taking Tommy's hand in hers, Polly searched Tommy's face as she said, "We got lucky with this one, Tommy. She's an angel, you know."
"She really is," Tommy agreed.
ââââââââââ-
âTommy!â Natasha called excitedly when she heard him arrive. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him before he had a chance to remove his overcoat. He chuckled at her eagerness for him even after a year of marriage. Humming with satisfaction, he held her away from him to look at her beaming smile.
âI have the most wonderful news about the plans for the childrenâs home! Just this afternoon I met with Father Hughes and we reviewed the offices and drawings of the grounds with a beautiful area for the children to play. Oh, and weâve received permission to remove the three rotten floorboards upstairs. Weâll be granted a license within a month,â she added with a little squeal of delight. Stopping to take a breath she looked at Tommy ruefully. âIâm sorry, darling, should I ask you how your day was like a good wife?â she asked, biting her lip.
Tommy shook his head as he took her face in his hands gently. âYouâre perfect, you know that?â he murmured before rubbing his nose against hers and kissing her tenderly.
Later that evening as he sat with one arm around Natasha in front of a roaring fire, he asked, âDarling, do you ever feel restless here during the day?â
Natasha laced her fingers through his and rubbed her cheek along his shoulder. He felt her smirk against him as she replied, âIs this a way of asking if I miss you?â
Tommy chuckled. âPerhapsâŚ.or if youâd ever think of joining Shelby Company Limited,â he said, spilling the news quickly before he had a chance to overthink it.Â
Natasha pulled away to study his face, trying to determine if her were actually serious about the offer. âMe? What would I do?â she inquired.
âYouâd be our new accountant,â Tommy said matter-of-factly, wondering if she would consider it.
âI see. And what about my charity work? I couldnât forget about that,â she reminded her husband.
âOf course not. Iâd be sure you had plenty of time for that. No long hours for you,â he promised, tilting her chin to look up at him.
âWell I do know the boss so that would earn some special privileges, would it not?â she teased.
âI can think of a few,â Tommy said, dipping his head to capture her lips. She giggled into his mouth and he deepened the kiss, taking her enthusiasm as a yes.Â
ââââââââââââââ-
âBut why, Tom?â Arthur asked, running to catch up to his brother. âYou know Iâd look after the lad if youâd only asked.â
Tommy looked back at his brother incredulously. âArthur, you can barely look after yourself. Linda is God knows where with Billy and you want to look after my son?â he scoffed.
âItâd be better than shipping him off to strangers,â Arthur argued.
âItâs a boarding school, Arthur, not an orphanage,â Tommy countered, shaking his head.
âRaised by a bunch of bloody toffs whoâll teach him to hate ya,â Arthur spat. He disliked the notion and he was sure Tommy did as well. The idea of his nephew leaving the family at such a young age was unthinkable, especially when Tommy had always been against it.
âNatasha and I are doing whatâs best for our son and if you donât like it, you can fuck off,â Tommy said dismissively, picking up his pace.
âSo thatâs it. This came from Natasha,â Arthur said accusingly, finally understanding the logic behind Tommyâs decision to send away his only child. âLike everything else thatâs rotten around here,â he added, quietly.
Hearing his brotherâs remark, Tommy stopped mid-stride. âWhat the fuck is that supposed to mean, eh?â
Arthur stepped toward him with a smug look asking, âYouâre the smart one, ainât ya? Well ask yourself something, brother. Why would a charming, educated woman want a Birmingham gangster?â
Tommy sucked his teeth, âSomeone like me?â He raised his eyebrows in question to Arthur, his anger reaching a boiling point.Â
âYeah, a pawn she can use. But you still trust her more than you trust any of us, donât ya?â he asked jamming a finger into Tommyâs chest, the hurt evident in his voice.
âYeah, I do,â Tommy said, pushing his brother away harshly. âAnd why shouldnât I? Sheâs certainly got more brains than you have.â
âSheâs been here less than two years. You barely know her Tommy!â he shouted.
âSheâs my fucking wife, Arthur! And youâre nothing but a bloody foot soldier,â Tommy yelled, turning to leave. Smoothing over his hair, he regained his composure and after a deep breath, he added icily, âDonât speak about Natasha again or I will cut you from this family. Understood?â
âYes, sir, sergeant major,â Arthur answered through gritted teeth, bitterness seeping from his tongue as he stalked away.
ââââââââââââââââ
A sharp knock on the glass of Pollyâs office door had her straightening in her chair and reaching for her top drawer where she kept her gun. As her hand hovered over the weapon, the door swung open to reveal an exhausted looking Natasha, a stack of files in her arm.
âWhat are you doing here so late, love?â Polly asked, shutting the drawer and motioning for Natasha to sit.
âFinishing bloody paperwork,â Natasha huffed, dropping the folders onto Pollyâs desk. She looked utterly exhausted and Polly couldnât help but take pity on the poor girl.
Polly came to sit at the edge of her desk and offered a cigarette as a show of camaraderie. As she fished her lighter from her pocket and lit their cigarettes, she reassured Natasha by saying, âI know thereâs a lot going on with the new business in America, but that will all be sorted soon.â
âWell if Tommy werenât so insistent on protecting my delicate ears, I could do more,â Natasha said with a laugh.Â
âHe wants to keep your hands clean. Keep you safe, dear,â Polly said gently.
âThat might be true, but I have to know as much as possible to protect our interests and Tommy isnât always focused on the larger picture,â Natasha hinted.
âHow do you mean?â Polly asked, leaning forward to show her concern.
Running a manicured hand over a manila folder by her side Natasha explained, âTommyâs being obstinate about the financial plan Iâve proposed for next year and if I knew what he was working on in America, I could be sure the company is secure.â Sensing Pollyâs hesitation she assumed a sweet smile, adding, "Tommy thinks he can do this all on his own, but we women have more sense. Wouldnât you agree?â
Polly took a drag of her cigarette, blowing the smoke up toward the ceiling as she thought. She didnât like the idea of disclosing company secrets without Tommyâs permission, no matter how close she and Natasha had become. Tapping the ash of her cigarette into the crystal ashtray, Polly took her time answering as she attempted to be diplomatic. âI think this can wait for you husband, dear. Donât you?â
It was clearly not the answer Natasha hoped for as she pursed her lips and exhaled heavily through her nose, a thick plume of smoke emitting from her nostrils. She shoved her chair from Pollyâs desk harshly and stood as though she meant to leave. âHonestly, Pol, I donât know why you thought I could make a difference here if no one listens to my advice,â she said, speech harsh and clipped. Crossing to the bar in the corner she poured herself a drink, silence once again building along with an uncomfortable pressure in Pollyâs chest. She felt a decided shift in Natashaâs attitude that concerned her.
Polly wondered why she was suddenly so keen on having her own way. Natasha was agreeable and polite, never rude or pushy. However, Polly thought it must be the fatigue and desire to finish up for the evening. She pitied her new niece with everything she put up with at home. Despite the love he showed for his wife, Tommy was not an easy man.
In an attempt to show she understood her frustrations, Polly broke the tension in the room with an airy laugh. âYouâre right, Tommyâs never had the best set of ears. Perhapsââ
But she was unable to finish as Natasha whipped around, slamming her drink on the bar and sloshing its contents. âNo! Perhaps if you listened more, youâd see that Iâm the one whose favor you need to earn if youâve any hope of seeing your son again. You see, Iâll have the information I desire one way or another, but you need me to find Michael,â she said smugly.
Polly shook her head slowly. âWeâve had all sorts in here, trying to ruin this family, but I never thought it would be you, Natasha.â She took a deep breath as she let the pain sink in fully, then her protective instinct took hold and she raged at the younger woman.Â
âYou think youâre clever donât you, love? Well, donât think youâre the first one of Tommyâs women to try and shake us down. You might just get a few pounds for your trouble, but I will personally see to it that Tommy knows exactly what you are. And even if he forgives you, I never will,â Polly said, returning Natashaâs threats with her own venom.
âWeâll have to do something about that then, wonât we?â Natasha asked menacingly.
ââââââââââââââ-
Tommy exited his hotel, ducking his head to shield himself from the driving rain. Arthur and John had gone ahead hours ago and he promised to follow in the Bentley when he was finished with the last of his meetings. It had been a long two weeks away from his wife and all he wanted was to return to her.Â
He didnât get more than a few paces from the hotel before he felt someone close at his side, the barrel of a gun jabbed into his ribs. âGet in the car,â a deep voice commanded. Without seeing a way out, Tommy complied, wondering which of his enemies had found him this time.
As soon as he had been shoved into the backseat of the waiting coupe, a man in the front seat spoke from under the brim of his hat. âYou disappoint me, Mr. Shelby. I had heard youâd be a much more formidable adversary, but alas you are a mortal man.âÂ
The discomfort from the bitter cold and drenched clothing were enough to remind him of this fact, but the insult to his reputation was far worse, unnerving him greatly as he raised his eyes to the rearview mirror. Shining white teeth and thin pale lips annunciated the next few words perfectly and Tommy found himself unable to draw his attention away from the glint in the mirror. The figure in the shadows held Tommy with rapt attention promising, âWe can reach anyone at anytime, Mr. Shelby. Our people are everywhere, even in your own home at this very moment.âÂ
The words still reverberated painfully as Tommy thought of Natasha alone with the staff at Arrow House. There were a number of new faces in their ranks he hadnât properly vetted and his lapse in recent judgement was making him ill. Heâd left the household to Natasha after their marriage when he should have looked after her more carefully.Â
He soon found himself forcing the words through clenched jaw, trying to keep some semblance of control even as the rage built inside himself, âTell me what you want me to do and it will surely be done.â
An amused chuckle rose from the throat of his enemy as the car engine roared to life. âYes, Iâm sure you will. When the time comes, my associate will instruct you and you will do whatever I ask.â Without further explanation, Tommy was unceremoniously dumped onto the pavement, the car speeding away from him in the dense fog.
âââââââââââââââ
Tommy rushed up the steps of Arrow House two at a time, calling for Natasha despite the late hour. The house was dark and silent, no one, not even Mary coming to greet him. The stillness haunted him until he came upon the master bedroom, lit only by the warm glow of the fireplace. The eery shadows it cast on the walls made it difficult to tell if anyone were in the room and he entered cautiously. His shaking palm rested on the butt of his revolver tucked into the leather holster at his side, fingers twitching as his rational mind fought his paranoia.
The fire crackled pleasantly and a drink awaited on the side table, ice clinking against the side of the glass as it melted. The whole scene was rather peaceful and domestic, and for a moment Tommy wondered if the events of the afternoon had been nothing more than scare tactics. Frozen with indecision, Tommy caught the sound of Natashaâs melodic voice wafting from the bathroom and his shoulders sagged in relief.
âDarling, are you alright? You donât look well,â Natasha said, approaching him in her pink satin dressing gown.Â
âIâm fineâŚeverythingâs fine,â Tommy said, taking in lungfuls of air as he attempted to calm himself. His throat was dry and the room was suddenly far too warm. As he worked to remove his jacket and tie, Natashaâs fingers slipped under his gun holster and carefully laid it on the mantle.Â
âWhy donât you relax, hmm?â she asked, fetching him his whisky and guiding him to sit.
Tommy slumped into the chair furthest from the fireplace as he took a large gulp of his drink. Natasha stood over him, massaging his neck and shoulders until she felt the tension begin to subside.
Tommy placed a hand over hers and squeezed as he demanded, âNatasha, I want all members of staff fired tomorrow. Theyâll be paid their wages for the month and then I want them gone. Is that understood?â He stared ahead as he waited for his wife to agree.
Natashaâs only response was to remove her fingertips from the long sections of hair sheâd been carding, stepping aside to take a seat on the ottoman. She shook her head as she reached for the empty glass in Tommyâs hand. âThat wonât be necessary,â she said quietly.Â
âSo something did happen,â Tommy said, paranoia returning as he attempted to sit up straight. His head swam with the effort and he lurched forward in an uncoordinated jolt.Â
âCareful, you drank too quickly, darling,â Natasha said, placing her hand to his chest and urging him to sit back. Tommyâs eyes darted to the whisky bottle and back at his wife as she explained, âItâs not poison, just a mild sedative. We both know you donât like to be told what to do and I couldnât take the risk of you running off before Iâve explained what I need from you.â
Tommy was unable to respond, his tongue growing thick in his mouth. He willed his hands to move toward his wife, but found his limbs woefully uncooperative. However, his mind was alive with thoughts of betrayal.
âYou might be interested to know I had a little chat with Polly this evening,â Natasha hinted, peeking up at Tommy through the curtain of her hair. "I had a few questions for her, but I'm afraid we didn't get very far," she pouted, tracing her fingers along Tommyâs thigh before pulling away.
âShe remained loyal to you to the end. It was truly extraordinary that she would rather die than give up your secrets.â Tommyâs eyes went wild and he made a guttural noise in protest, but Natasha hushed him. Standing to pace toward the fireplace, she continued, âYouâve leaned on her too long, my darling, a crutch that needed to be kicked away. But you neednât worry, youâll have me from now on.â She turned to face the fire and Tommy was horrified by her looming shadow, the drugs taking full effect now.
Feeling triumphant in her dayâs work, Natasha turned to see Tommy standing on wobbly legs and her face fell. âTommy, I wouldnât do that.â
âYouâre a monster,â he slurred.
âNo, donât you see? Iâm just like you, ambitious and opportunistic. I thought you would be proud of me,â she said, biting her lip. âWhen Section D assigned me to you, I was thrilled to be by the side of a powerful man I admired, but I knew I could make you more. Wonât you let me help you?â
âCh-CharlieâŚâ Tommy stuttered. âWhereâs my son?â he asked, terrified at the notion of his only child unprotected in London.
âHeâs under the care of our best people. I told you Iâd take care of everything and I have,â Natasha said, coming to hold Tommyâs arm. He shook her off as best he could and she furrowed her brow with a frown.Â
âIf heâs going to become a distraction to our work, Iâll have to change the orders,â she warned. Tommyâs nostrils flared at the mention of harm to his boy and he lunged for Natasha, hands grappling for her throat.
âDonâtâŚyouâŚdare,â he managed, throttling her with all his effort. Still in a weakened condition he couldn't hold on and Natasha managed to roll away, scrambling for the gun holster sheâd removed from him. As she fumbled for the gun, Tommy pushed onto this knees, heaving for breath. The sound of the safety being released alerted him to danger and his head whipped to the side, taking in the sight of his wife aiming the barrel straight at his head.
âNatasha, no,â he called, attempting to disarm her as a gunshot rang out.Â
Her face registered shock momentarily before she slumped to the floor, releasing the gun she held and clutching her blood stained chest. Tommy turned to face the direction of the shot and found Arthur standing in the doorway, smoking gun in hand as he watched his sister-in-law draw her last breaths. Tommy could only stare at his wifeâs lifeless body, wondering how he had been so blinded by her charms.
âIâmâŚIâm sorry, Tom,â Arthur finally uttered.
Tommy shuffled to his brotherâs side and clapped a hand to his back. âItâs alright, brother,â he whispered.
They stood in silence for a few moments before Tommy felt the adrenaline subside and the rational thought of finding Charlie returned. âArthur, I need your help getting to Charlie tonight. Call Finn and Isaiah,â he ordered as he gathered his coat.
Arthur pulled him back as he said, âTommy, wait. Iâve something to tell ya.â He swallowed harshly before admitting, âCharlieâs on the road with Aberama Gold.â
Tommy stopped suddenly, cocking his head at his brother. âWhat? Why?âÂ
âI didnât have a good feeling before so I told the lads thereâd been a change of plans,â Arthur explained, as he looked down at his shoes. He felt badly at the time disobeying his brotherâs orders, but his instincts had been too strong to ignore. Now he was glad of his decision, but worried his brother might still hold the insubordination against him. To Arthurâs great relief Tommy looked grateful when he ventured a glance into his eyes.
âThank you,â Tommy said quietly as relief washed over him. His son was safely underground and outside the reach of Section D. However, his heart still ached for Polly and he knew he would have to reveal Natashaâs despicable actions.
âArthur, thereâs one more thing and I donât know how to tell you. Earlier Natasha confessed that sheâŚâ
âDid she say she killed, Polly?â Arthur asked stiffly. Tommy nodded. âWell, fuck her. One thing you should know about Natasha is that sheâs bloody useless with a gun, Tommy,â Arthur said, a smile creeping onto this face.
Tommy's head shot up, a glint of hope dancing in his blue eyes, âYou mean, sheâs alright?â
"Ada's got the best doctors looking after her at the hospital. Iâll take you there now," Arthur said, taking Tommy under the arm to support some of his weight. "We should probably have someone take a look at you too. You look like shit,â he added and Tommy huffed out a laugh.
âThis business is only going to get worse, Arthur. We have a new enemy,â Tommy warned as he glanced back at Natasha's body.
âYeah? What else is new?â Arthur replied, helping him to the stairs.
Summary: Bruised and broken, Y/N, trapped in a loveless marriage, arrives at her best friend's house, desperately hoping someone will help her, aware she cannot return to the estate of her husband.
Warning: fear, anxiety, Angst, swearingÂ
Word Count: 2.3k
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part6 Part 7
The clouds wandered on, a lonely wanderer travelling across oceans and meadows, hills and rugged mountains painted in snow. White greyed, darkened and blackened, turned into pure doom, darker than black. The wind howled, screamed and screeched and the branches, crooked fingers, waltzed in all directions.
Silence blanketed the car driving down the path bordered by fields and trees, but it was not unpleasant, cruel, forcing nonsense to fall to shatter it. Shocked, Y/N noticed with widened eyes they had arrived at the open gates of the estate she called her home. At a rapid pace, the car drove on and on, past other parked cars and parked between them in different shades of the deep ocean. The motor wasn't roaring, turned off and the chanting of the birds sitting in one line on the lowest branch invaded the car smelling of alcohol, petrol and leather. The wind knocked on the automobile. Polly gulped, turned and rested her hand graced by a golden ring cautiously, almost shyly, on Y/N´s lap, but the shivering and shaking woman painted in blue and red, lightened by streaks of purple, did not flinch nor speak her mind. Carefully Polly´s fingers slid across Y/N´s calf and pulled the thick fabric higher to hide the exposed skin. Polly pronounced her name and pulled Y/N out of the dark and dreary thoughts, summoning goosebumps all over her flesh.
           "Thomas is fine. He knows what he's doing. Nothing will happen to him." Polly assured calmly, guessing the reason for the fear in the widened eyes and sweaty palms.
Faintly Y/N smiled.
           "I know, but I'm worried about him. About Poppy. There was blood, too much blood. I thought it was the new wallpaper she had told me about. They, she and her mother, redecorated the house. The pattern, it looked like flowers, large and smaller dots." she replied.
Exhaling, Y/N closed her eyes veiled by tears once fixed on the distance, watching the sun, the rays breaking through the travelling clouds heralding a day full of terror.
           "I'm sure your friend is fine, too. Thomas will take care of her." the woman continued with a gentle, encouraging smile on her features, kissed by the orange rays.
Polly cleared her throat. The smile fainted, and the wrinkles deepened. She didn't need to search for the right words, had already pictured during the ride what she would say to Y/N if their paths should cross, but all Polly wanted to say had dissolved, had lost its meaning.
           "We're home Y/N/N. Ada is waiting, but before we go inside, I want you to know that we are sorry. We have not been good to you, to put it nicely. Please forgive us and I speak on behalf of the whole family. John was the one who opened the door for your friend. After we realised what had happened, we were looking for you. I hope you will give us a second chance even if we don't deserve one. We will understand if you want to leave. We won't hate you for your decision." Polly continued and squeezed Y/N´s hand.
Y/N turned, ignoring the nearly unignorable pain trying to elicit a hiss from her, and turned to face Polly. She wanted to start a sentence; lips parted, but no tone escaped the sore throat. Y/N stared past Polly towards the door, flying back and forth in the fresh morning breeze. Ada ran towards the car as if chased by a ghost, had left the door wide open, ran on tiptoes and hissed and cursed like a witch as the stones dug deep into the soles of her reddening feet. The hem of the dress danced in the breeze. Gasping for air, Ada spread the large checked blanket, usually resting on the floor next to the sofa. The wind painted her cheeks vibrant red, lighter than her evening gown.
           "Come, Y/N/N, we will protect you." Polly assured in a calm, slightly quivering voice, but Y/N heard no falseness, no lie in it.
Y/N could not utter a reply. The air, hinting of winter, invaded the car. The women shivered and balled the hands into fists. Ada hushed a greeting, spread the blanket, glanced at the wounds gracing Y/N´s body, down on the battered feet and the shivering limbs. The pain in her chest deepened at the sight of the shadow of a woman, read in her eyes what she had been through. The lip was chapped. The traces of a fight were evident on her cheek and throat. Ada tossed the blanket over her shoulder, noticing Y/N was covered in one. Wordlessly Ada helped Y/N out of the car. Soft curses blurred with whimpers. Whispering soothing words, Ada pulled Y/N away, closer to the house, kicking the door of the automobile shut and gesturing for Polly to pursue.Â
           "I've prepared a bath for you. I'll help you upstairs. If you don't want to bathe, I can put a bucket of water next to the sofa. You can at least warm your feet." Ada said.
With every step, every slight movement Y/N made, the once brilliant white material slipped and revealed more wounds, swellings, and darkening spots not fading in the golden tide of the sun's rays, but grew even darker. Blue turned to green, lit by purple flashes and red veins carrying blue blood. Patiently Ada waited, and stared back at Polly, walking hastily after the women.
           "Thank you. I think the bucket will do. Maybe I'll get in the tub later." Y/N replied meekly, as if speaking to her mother, fearing the answer would enrage her, but none of what she expected happened.
The chilly breeze blew through Y/N´s hair one last time. The door slammed shut, and the keys jingled, chanted a song that faded quickly. All doors were closed and locked. Curtains touched. The first aid box, not battered, holey neither with a worn handle nor dented corners, rested open on the table. Scissors, and spotless bandages lay next to bottles of high-proof alcohol, freshly washed not dried glasses, cigarettes and silver needles drowning in alcohol. Blankets covered the sofa, to which Ada led Y/N and a down pillow. The white porcelain bowl graced by blue vines and flowers was in the middle of the crowded table. Smoke rose from the cup, sweet lavender, and banished the unmistakable stench of blood and gore.
           "May I offer you some soup?" the question was unnecessary, asked out of politeness.
Y/N turned into a tree, rooted deep into the ground, not moving. Her arms swayed forward. Questioningly, the two Shelby's exchanged glances, searching for the reason for the fear in Y/N´s eyes, unable to find it, but then, after a moment that seemed not to pass, Ada took a step forward, let go of Y/N, took the polished pistol and hid it under the table, still handy but out of Y/N´s sight. Polly placed her hands down on Y/N's shoulders, trying not to cause her any more pain, let the blanket slide to the floor and carefully pressed the young woman down on the sofa. Ada wriggled back towards them, took the blanket still hanging over her shoulder and laid it down on Y/N's legs, covering them, reached for the pair of fluffy socks, wiped away the dirt, small stones, dust and dried mud, and put the socks on Y/N´s feet.
           "It's okay." Ada breathed before Y/N could protest.
Smiling, Ada looked up, wiped her hands on her long dress, picked up the bowl filled with soup and placed it carefully in Y/N's lap, handing her the silver spoon.
           "Here, Y/N/N, eat. I'll fill you a bucket with warm water in the meantime. Polly will keep you company. If you need anything, if you feel sick, all you have to do is tell us and we will help you. You are still in shock." Ada said in a calm voice.
Gulping, Ada crouched next to Y/N.
           "We should have taken you into our family. I am sorry, we are all very sorry. It's understandable that you don't want to see us, you have enough reasons to hate us. The only thing I can do is to promise that we will do better. If you need time, I have a friend. She owns a small cottage a few miles away from town. There is a pond and a small forest. It's lovely. I could arrange that you could spend a few days or weeks there." Ada continued.
Y/N merely nodded, unsure of what to say, not knowing how to respond, and kept on smiling. The two women watched Ada as she rose from the ground like a phoenix from the ashes and strode away. Polly leaned closer to Y/N, tidied the blanket and hinted that she should eat, that it would do her good. A soft thanks escaped Y/N, smiled at the women who wordlessly indicated that she should finally start eating and so Y/N did, dipping the silver cutlery into the depths of the bowl whose end she could not see, watching the thinly chopped vegetables slip from the spoon and as the warm liquid flowed down her throat, Y/N realised how hungry she was and ate greedily.
Time had lost its meaning. Y/N had emptied the contents of the bowl. The last piece of sliced carrots had disappeared, yet she did not place it on the table, continued to warm her fingers on the ceramic bowl.
Heels clicked against the dark wood, had put shoes a hue darker than the evening dress. Cautiously, Ada continued walking with her eyes fixed on the troubled waters, fearing the warm liquid was about to spill over the golden rim. A towel, white with a few washed-out stains, hung over her right shoulder, the towel she always used when a brother standing on the edge of the world was carried inside the house. The floorboards groaned, and Ada stopped and noticed Y/N had finished the soup she had cooked for her.
Out of the corner of her eye Polly noticed how Y/N´s eyes were growing heavy and she leaned forward, took the bowl and placed it on the table. The young woman wanted to protest as Polly told her to rest, to say that she had to stay awake, that she wanted to wait for the return of the brothers and her husband.
           "No, Y/N, lay down. You can stay with us or you can go to the bedroom. We will keep watch and if you need anything, you can call us.", "Polly, we should take care of Y/N's wounds first." Ada interjected.
           "That won't be necessary. That can wait. Alfie has taken care of her wounds it's just dirt and scratches. The wounds are not life threatening. Y/N rest, close your eyes. I promise I will wake you up if Thomas is home." she replied.
Carefully Polly pushed Y/N backwards. Her heavy, throbbing head sunk into the pillow. Closing her eyes, Y/N sighed in relief, exhaled as the blanket fell down on her body. Birds chirped, the howling ceased and lulled her to sleep.
           Polly leaned forward happily and noticed Y/N had fallen asleep.
           "Thomas told me that Alfie has taken care of Y/N. No deep wounds or else I would have taken her to the hospital. We can take care of it later." Polly reported.
Ada rose, set the bowl aside on the table, sighed deeply, nodded, listened to the woman and turned to the fireplace, the blazing flames feasting on the wood and fed by the howling air hinting of winter.
           "She was beaten up. I didn't see any bullet wounds. Did Thomas tell you what happened or who is to blame?", "He has a guess, but he couldn't tell me anything specific. It all happened too fast. The gang has Y/N's girlfriend in their grip. At least that's what he thinks. The house was trashed, destroyed, and I think I saw bloodstains on the floor." she breathed softly.
Her eyes kept sliding to the slumbering figure, kept glancing at her right side and noticing with relief that Y/N was still asleep, her eyelids neither twitching nor her lips twisting into a pained grimace.
           "Alfie's going to show up any minute. Thomas called him. He fears someone might pay us a visit." Polly whispered in Ada's direction.
Ada perked up, grinned, felt the weight of her weapon at her side, settled down in front of the blazing flames, gnawing on wood and fed by air on the armchair, threw the pillow to the floor on her side and crossed her arms in front of her body.
           âWe donât need someone to protect us.â Ada stopped.
A soft knock silenced Ada. The women exchanged glances. The rustling, and shuffling of shoes and feet, softly uttered words, the closing of the door and the jingling of keys followed by low grumbles couldnât awake Y/N from her deep slumber, lying on the sofa, a princess in the shadow of the vigilant dragons.
