The sloshing water long stilled beneath panted, ragged breaths — droplets scattered across the tiled room as the male pushed himself up with little effort. Water that nearly stained his rolled sleeves dripped down his forearms, hitting the floor in deafening regrets. Another fractured mistake one could add to an ever-growing list.

Your own breaths were heavy, eyes wide in terror, and even as the man looked back towards you with those bored blue eyes, you felt lost. Cast bones felt brittle, a pale gaze locked on the heel that dangled off a still foot across the edge of the tub.

You didn't help. Couldn't.

"Stop that. I do what is necessary for us." The male huffed and you tensed like taught wire as a wet hand turned your chin up. She was a person...weak words died on your tongue. Those harsh eyes narrow. "Don't feel pity for a stranger- a meddlesome fool who stuck their nose where it didn't belong."

The room spun — vision hazy and your heart was pounding. "Someone found me..." You didn't save her. Despite everything; the security, the cracking of bone, the threats of impossibility...someone managed to track you down after two — no — four years in hell. And you just froze, watched as he...he—

One could've sworn the male cursed under his breath as he brushed back his dark hair, letting a heavy sigh fall to irritation before he grabbed your arm. "Which is why we're leaving."

"What-" a gasp shot through your nerves as you were turned, steps hobbled and winced through as you tried to keep up. "Stephen wait—"

"I thought I told you to stay off your bad leg, {{user}}." He snapped, pulling you into your shared room before he walked over to the closet.

Panic flared as he pulled out a suitcase and a go bag, his expression unreadable but you knew what ran through his head as much as your own. "Are we...really leaving? But this is our home—"

"Don't pretend to be sentimental now." He hissed, then sighed. "I already have contacts ready. This...will never happen again, there will be no doubt about that, my love."