39 The great escape (2/2)
He closed the space between them as he pulled her against him, ”Shhhh.It's ok, you're safe now. I'm not going to hurt you.We need to get you changed so we can leave.” When he felt the slight nod of her head, he gently pushed her away from him.He took the phone from her tight grip and placed it on the nightstand.”You have to leave this here.It can be traced.”
She nodded her head once again and this time let the dress sink too the floor.
Rin didn't waste any time sliding the tee shirt over her head and dropping into a low squat to give her support while she stepped into the short he held out for her.Once they were on he took hold of her hand and walked over to retrieve the gym bag.He glanced out at the things that he'd poured out of the bag earlier, then leaned out to get a pair of shower sandals.He placed them in front of her feet before looking up at her, ”Here they aren't much but at least they'll protect your feet some.”Once she had slid her feet into both shoes he stood and threw the strap of the bag over his shoulder and pulled her tightly against him once again as he teleported them once again.
Shelly staggered as they reappeared.Rin pulled her tighter against him to steady her.She clung to his shirt as her eyes adjusted to the bright afternoon sun that reflected merrily off the gleaming golden pillars lining the room they stood in.”Wh... Where are we?”She stammered as her eyes fought to adjust to the bright lighting and vivid colors.
Rin dropped the bag and loosened his hold her.He let his hand glide down to the small of her back, as he began to walk forward toward a wall of multicolored curtains.”My home...” Rin answered as he pushed back the curtains and guided her to a stop beside him.He watched her reaction as she took in the view of the city he had grown up in.
Her eyes widen as her mouth dropped into a wide gape. ”Oh wow!”She quickly turned from the sight to him and back again. ”This! This... is...”
He smiled, ”Yes this is India.”He removed his hand from her back and took both her hands in his before saying, ” I don't know what happened or who did this to you, but you're safe now.I will protect you with my life if I have to.”
Tears began to flood her eyes as she pulled her hands free of his grip and quickly flung them tightly around his neck.”Rin...” She tried to speak through the tears of joy that flowed freely down her cheeks, ”Thank you so much...”
The words were muffled by her sobs, but they squeezed at his heart all the same.He wrapped his arms around her small waist and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Her arms slowly loosened and her body began to lean more heavily into his as fatigues set in.She rested her forehead against his shoulder and let her arms slide down to rest against his chest.She could feel the rapid but soothing beat of his heart.”Rin?”
”Yes?” He answered as he gazed out over the home he once hated.
She glanced up at him, her head still against his shoulder, ”I'm... I'm... Tired...” Her legs gave out beneath her as if on cue.
He quickly lifted her and carried her back into the room.He walked through another wall of colorful curtains, this time into a room unmistakenly meant for sleep and relaxation.There were pillows of deep crimsons and royal blues, varying shades of purples and oranges all lavishly embroidered with golden patterns.He came down onto one knee on the mattress before gently setting her down onto the bright red silk sheets buried beneath the dozens and dozens of pillows.”It's so pretty.” she whispered softly as she slid her hands over the fine silks.She looked back up at Rin questioningly, ”Rin, how is it that I've known you all this time and still had no idea you lived in such a place?”
Rin sank down beside her as he ran his hand through his hair.”It's not as grand as you may think.” He looked down into her tired but curious eyes.He brushed a dirty strand of hair out of her face before whispering, ”Get some sleep, we can talk more when you wake up.”
She yawned a tiny sigh slipping out as she did, ”Ummm... Ok.”She cuddled into a ball among the pillows and silks.
Rin watched as her eyes slowly closed.Her breathing began to slow and her body relax.He sighed heavily before pushing himself up.He had only just stood when he felt a light tug on the hem of his tee shirt.He turned around slightly and looked down into the large terror-filled eyes shimmering up at him.
”Please... don't leave...” Her cheeks colored as she asked in a quieter voice, ”Please stay here while I sleep.”
Rin's heart broke into a million pieces at the silent plea in her shaky voice.{What did they do to you?} He smiled down at her trying to hide the sadnessthat darkened his soul, ”Yes, of course.”He spread himself out on the mattress before opening his arms wide for her to crawl into.When she slowly obeyed, he pulled her more snuggly against his side and began running his free hand over her dirty tangled hair rhythmically until she fell asleep.He scanned over the bits of her body he could see.There were bruises and cuts of various lengths and depths, both new and old.There were several puncture holes along her throat, wrists, and ankles... {No doubt a closer inspection would reveal more 'bites'.}Anger caused Rin's blood to boil as he began painting the picture in his mind of how these past several weeks had been for her.