Traumatized Love

Episode 4

When he was done, he quickly zipped his pants and left the room leaving me there alone. I knew this was going to happen somehow. This was the worst thing that could happen to me other than getting killed. Somehow right now, getting killed might have been a better option. I felt numb right now, empty inside like there was no life in me. I couldn't help but cry and sob on the floor.

What felt like hours passing was actually just minutes. I didn't know how long I lied there on the floor, when I heard an explosion outside. This was followed by shouts and screams coming from outside the room. I got up and tried to pull up my pants. I took a look outside, it seems like many people were running around shouting. I searched around the room for something to cut the ropes binding my hands. I found a metal piece and proceeded to use it to cut the rope. Once I was free, I took a deep breath and try to recollect myself. I knew I was always strong but right now I needed as much strength as I can muster. I set my mind on a new goal which is to get out of here. I peaked out the door and saw no one around. I sneaked out and made my way to the room where Steven was held, grateful to see that he was alone still strapped to the chair.

The moment he saw me, he blurted out, "Are you alright?"

His eyes went over me and widened.

"What happened to you?"

I suppose my tattered and torn clothes told the story. I just kept quiet and continued to cut the ropes binding his hands. The moment his hands were free, he grabbed my shoulders.

"Beth, are you hurt?" he asked.

I shook my head. I didn't want to say anything for fear of breaking down.

He took off his shirt and put it around my shoulders to cover me up.

"Come on, let's get out of here."

He took my hands and led me out. I felt numb and in a daze and just allowed Steven to lead me outside and away from the camp. I didn't even notice where was everyone else. Without realising it, Steven led me to a cliff. It was raining now.

"We have to jump," Steven told me.

"What?" I asked shocked. I looked down the cliff to a large river flowing below. Since it was raining, the current seem to be quite strong.

"Can you swim?" he asked me.

"Yes I can but...." I hesitated. "Do we have to jump?"

"It's the only way. All the other exits are either blocked or unaccessible. You have to trust me, okay?"

I nodded my head.

"Don't let go of my hand. The river will take us downstream where the current will slow down. Then we will climb the riverbank to get to a cave," Steven explained to me.

"Ready? On the count of three."

I took a deep breath as Steven counted to three and then we jumped. The landing into the water knocked the breath out of me. The cold water cut into my bones like knives. I struggled to the surface to get a breath of air. I held on to Steven's hand as I tried to keep my head above the water. I was panting as I tried my best to take in more air into my lungs. The rain was making it worse as I struggled to breathe. The river current was very strong as it carried us both downstream. It was a miracle that we did not hit any rocks as we floated to an opening near the river mouth. The current slowed down enough for us to climb up the river bank. Steven grabbed onto a low lying branch and pulled me to the edge of the river bank. He tried to help me up as I use my remaining strength to pull myself up onto the ground. The moment I was on the ground, I lied face down panting and heaving as my strength ran out. Steven crawled up to me and put his hand on my back.

"Are you okay?"

I had no strength to answer him.

"There's a cave up ahead, we have to get there for shelter," he told me.

My body felt like lead, I couldn't move due to exhaustion. So I allowed Steven to help me up as we took small steps towards the cave. We struggled for about ten minutes when I saw an opening which led to a cave. We entered the cave and the moment Steven let me go, I collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion, my adrenaline ran out. All I wanted to do was close my eyes and go to sleep. But Steven's firm grasp helped me up as he half carried me further into the cave. He was also breathing heavily as he led me to a huge opening where we could finally sit down and rest.

I was cold, hungry, tired and emotionally drained. All I wanted to do was sleep but the coldness was preventing me from sleeping. We sat there huddled together and shivering in the dark. How I wish there was fire to keep warm.

"We can't build a fire," Steven said as though reading my thoughts.

I knew it too but refuse to accept it. There was nothing we could use to build fire and we might attract attention from the enemy. At this rate, we might as well die from hypothermia. As a doctor, I knew that much. We have to find a way to keep warm. And again as though Steven could read my mind, he said, "We need to keep ourselves warm. Our body heat can keep each other warm," he said.

I understood what he was suggesting. I just thought it wasn't an option.

"You're a doctor, you should know what hypothermia can do to us," Steven said, his voice shaking. "We have to take off our clothes. You do trust me right?"

Somehow I felt I could trust him. I knew we didn't have a choice. Steven tried to reach out for me. If it wasn't dark, he probably could see how scared I was. I sighed and whispered, " Alright."

I slowly took off my shirt and pants. I left my bra and panties on. I could hear Steven doing the same thing. And then, I felt his arms embracing me from behind. It felt warm and comforting. I leaned my head on his broad shoulders. All of a sudden, my emotions which I held back earlier took over me and open the floodgates. I cried and sobbed until I fell into a disturbing sleep in the strong arms of Steven.