Page 7 of Sins and Virtue

Safe and in a cage is the same as being dead, so if you want to die so bad, I’ll make sure to attend a few more electroshock therapy sessions.

Asshole. All I know is we better get out of here, or else I’d never let you have control of this body again.

The longer we waited, the more I believed this was a never-ending maze just to lure me in and trap me. Frustration ran beneath my skin, unable to ignore Dya’s voice and the bloodlust to shoot this bastard in the head.

I closed my eyes because it didn’t make a difference if I could or couldn’t see in this pitch-black area. My subconscious body took control until the terrain beneath my feet shifted and something wet hit my skin, then my face, until it began soaking my shirt.

My eyes ripped open as I tilted my head up, staring at the stormy clouds above us in disbelief.

Raindrops ran down my face as my lungs welcomed the scent of the woodsy earth and freshly cut grass.

It wasn’t until then that I realized I was out of the prison yard from the electric fence that surrounded the perimeter as I turned around and noticed we arrived at the bottom of the hill. My knees could have fallen to the ground; however, if I'd gone down, I doubt I’d get back up. The sensation of fresh rain was so welcoming and nice against my burning skin. It felt like a kiss to the soul from Mother Nature.

“See, God is indeed good. May he always help you.” He made the sign of the cross.

I nodded. Although I wasn’t a religious man, I knew there was no other cause of this miracle but the great beyond. “God help us all.”

In an instant, the blaring white lights from the prison and the emergency alarm were activated. It was the last call for help andbackup, as soon helicopters would be flying overhead and cops would be parading the streets.

Impressive, you actually made it, but we need to go now.

No arguing about that.

“Mmhm, so where would you go from here?”

“No idea, not that it’s any of your business.” I began walking up the hill, already parting ways from the strange man.

“Well, good luck.”

Shaking my head as I was in the midst of attempting to stabilize my footing. “I don’t need luck. I’ll make my own.”

“Either way, Volkov, the mistress can’t wait to see you.” Tomaso gave his goodbyes as the moment of clarity hit me harder than a train wreck.

As I turned around, his eyes glinted with that defiant, knowing look as one of his lips turned upward and he saluted me. Before proceeding to turn around and walk back to the prison. Like a guardian guarding all the secrets of the dead and condemned.

The words of that Ved’ma came back to me: “I have eyes and ears everywhere. You don’t know who. They could be one of your cellmates, the officers, the tending nurses, or even the warden. Do not fret. I control it all.”

He was one of Aleksandra’s men.

That woman… That woman… Truly, there were no words to express this conundrum.

Nevertheless, she kept her word, and I was finally free.

I was fucking free.

And no one was going to take me back.

Trailing further away from the prison and deeper into the unknown, I didn’t know where I was going. To be honest, I didn’t care. All I cared about was getting as far away as possible. To flee with whatever chance I had.

In spare minutes, I arrived at the top of the hill. The massive willow tree planted behind me housed my shadow. The view was impeccable as it looked over the city, with faint lights coming from a few homes and restaurants. Townspeople ran as fast as they could to find shelter. There were others who decided to fool around and dance in the rain. It was every bit alive, not like the dreaded grays of prison. The simple village life was all enchanting, but nowhere was a safe place to run and hide.

Where? Where can I go?

My vision blurred from the pouring weather, and my chest heaved as I ran a hand over my face; hopelessness wrestled with my esteem.

So, I did the most logical thing and looked up to the heavens. “God help me once more.” I plead.

Right, like he would listen to us.