“BITCH!” he roared, causing her to flinch. She had to end this quickly so he didn’t make any more noise. It was common for him to yell and call her names, but usually after the first few minutes he settled in, quiet and focused on making her scream.
He charged towards her but she lifted her legs, wrapping them around his neck before he could attack. She pressed as hard as she could, cutting off his air supply and his ability to yell out again, ignoring the slicing pain in her wrists.
In his rage he’d forgotten about his tool belt of torture and, to her luck, didn’t go for his new hammer or any of his knives. He tried to pull her off, scratching her thighs, his fingers digging into what was left of her muscles, but it was no use. Solveig used all her strength to squeeze him into unconsciousness.
Every cell in her being wanted to kill him but, unfortunately, didn’t have the time. Water never took more than ten minutes to arrive afterFear left, and Solveig had no idea if anyone could be waiting outside the cave.
Outside could lead directly into the heart of their camp. Still, she had no other choice but to risk it.
He struggled against her hold, but she tightened her thighs, imagining squeezing the life out of him. His grip on her legs slipped, his strength wavering. Solveig held on, sweat pouring down her back, blood trickling down her arms from her wrists.
Cries reverberated off the walls, echoing in the dark cave. It took a moment before she realized it was her—she was still sobbing. She tried to take a deep breath without loosening her legs.
Come on, come on, come on.
Finally, he slumped in her clutches, but she didn’t let go right away, ensuring he would either die or stay knocked out. She squeezed harder and counted to thirty, her muscles burning. Carefully, very carefully, she unhooked her legs and let him fall to the ground with a loud thump.
Solveig froze, watching the mouth of the cave. No footsteps sounded, so she proceeded to the next step of her plan. She had to free her chains from the hook. Given that she could barely touch the ground with her toes, she needed more leverage.
With any luck at all,hewouldn’t wake while she used him as a step stool.
Gritting her teeth, she braced herself for the pain. In one swift movement, she sprang on his prostrate form, using the upwards momentum to jerk the chain out from the hook.
She couldn’t believe it worked on the first try. With two of the difficult challenges out of the way, the next was getting out of the cave without getting caught. And preferably not half naked.
The tattered rags of her shirt wouldn’t do any good—she’d have to stay shirtless and hopefully find something to wear later. She quicklyunscrewed the long pins from her ankle shackles and folded them in her palm. Her hands would have to remain chained while she got her bearings.
Solveig slipped the hammer fromhisbelt and started towards the front of the cave. She stepped as lightly as she could, adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her muscles ached from disuse, but she had to push through.
Flattening herself against the wall of the cave, she crept to the opening, eyes squinting at the onslaught of light. When she was ready, she held her breath.
With the hammer raised, she took her first look outside in eighty-nine days.
Luckwasonherside still. The quick glance revealed no evidence of a camp outside the cave. No one walked around, thank the goddesses. With more confidence, she peered through the opening again and this time studied as much of the surroundings as she could.
They were situated in the same forest she’d trekked through on her way to the mortal village, she was sure of it. The same pine-blanketed ground gave way to large tree roots covered in moss. Solveig recoiled from the brightness of the sun high in the sky. She willed her eyes to adjust quickly.
Every second she delayed could mean her last, she couldn’t afford to linger. She was grateful for the pine needles to cushion her bare feet—they would hide her tracks well enough.
Stepping fully outside, the cool breeze caressed her face for the first time in months. Moisture gathered in her eyes at the forgotten sensation. Though there wasn’t time, it was a gift she could not pass up, closing hereyes and breathing in the fresh air. She did not hold back the tears falling freely down her face.
Until a noise came from inside the cave.Hewas starting to wake.
Shit.
Solveig hurried forward and took in her surroundings. The riverhe’dspoken of whooshed close by, the sound of water rushing over rocks a balm to her ears. This was her best option for escape. She was making her way to it when the sound of voices approaching stopped her heart. She was running out of time.
There was no way she could make it to the river without being spotted. Studying her prison, it was less a cave and more a huge pile of rocks gathered in a heap, creating large nooks and crannies at the base of a massive mountain.
Her cave was composed of three large boulders piled on top of each other, forming an archway of sorts. Heaps of rocks in all shapes and sizes were scattered all around like the forest had welcomed them with open arms. The stone must have been here for ages, as tree roots and moss covered the tops. It was as if a Giant of old had a tantrum and threw a mountain at the forest.
Solveig smiled as she began to form another plan.
When they would inevitably find the cave empty, save forhisbody, they would assume she’d run. Instead, she hurried away from the cave, tucking herself into one of the hundreds of hiding spots close by, the smallest one she could find where she could observe her captors.
She’d just managed to conceal herself when Water came around the corner and entered the cave. Solveig silently thanked the Hamingja who must be watching over her—her luck was nothing short of miraculous. Though her road to freedom would be long and arduous, she was as safe as she could be. For now.
Water disappeared into the cave and almost immediately retreated, running in the opposite direction. A roar came from the shadows ashestormed out.
