Into the Woods

by Andorian Ice Princess-AIP

As William Wellington lay alone and injured in the cold, dark woods, he had only one person on his mind and it wasn't the man hunting him. It was Eliza. Would he ever see her again? Or would this really be his ending? CHAP 3 UP NOW

3. Out of the Abyss?

Title: Into The Woods
Chapter 3 – Out of the Abyss?

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First, he hadn't expected to wake up at all, but when he did, William had expected that he'd be somewhere else. Instead, he was still on his side, in the same spot in the dark woods that he had been captured. Wrists still bound, only this time he was also unable to speak, thanks to a tight gag rendering him mute.

'Alright…up with ya now,' Phineas growled as he yanked on a rope that was now threaded through William's bound wrists, jerking him forward on his knees and then onto his feet; his weary legs about to buckle from pain and exhaustion. Phineas of course wasn't about to give him any kind of fighting chance, so the fact that he had taken away the wrapping from his injured leg meant more precious blood loss and greater fatigue.

'So…I wonder what the dear lass's name is who's captured your heart dear Duke?' Phineas taunted as he gave a quick yank on the rope, forcing William to stumble, nearly falling to the ground.

He could only offer an angry glare as his eyes darted around the dark woods he was forced to hobble through, in the vain hopes of something he could use to help procure his escape. But he had never ventured this deep into the thick woods, so his brain raced with new fears. How could he escape? What other traps awaited? Would he ever be found? And by who?

'You know…I enjoyed the rest of the demises. But yours…I think I'll relish in it the most. The others…weren't as…stubborn as you are.'

William tried to drown out Phineas' incessant ramblings as he painfully limped behind. Every so often, Phineas would give a good tug to the rope, which caused William's body to jerk forward and then fall back to his knees; his chest offering painful, almost breathless heaves.

'You know your end is soon eh Duke?' Phineas sneered as he leaned in closer, slipped a finger between William's flush skin and the cloth and jerked his head forward; forcing a few muffled grunts to escape. However, despite the pain in his jaw from earlier, William tossed his head forward and painfully connected with Phineas' face. William quickly brought his bound wrists upward and summoned whatever force he had to snap Phineas' head backward.

'Still got…the fightin' spirit in ya…' Phineas gasped as he quickly recovered and stood back and glared at William in contempt. 'I HATE THAT!' He shouted as he kicked William in his wounded leg; his angry deeds and William's muffled yells bouncing off the thick bark of the stately trees that stood witness to the unfair acts of violence and contempt.

'None of the others fought back!' He spit some bloody saliva onto the dense forest floor. 'You shoulda given up when I left town after Percy's death! But no…ya kept going back to Glary's. That old man…in the end…he begged for his life,' Phineas mocked as he took a few steps closer; William's mind now seething with rage as he got back onto his knees. 'Begged…will you do the same before you take your last breath?'

Go to hell! William inwardly cursed as he just narrowed his gaze and held his defiance.

'You will! I'll make sure of that.'

With that Phineas tugged the rope once more, forced William to his feet and deeper into the unfamiliar woods. They walked for what seemed like a painful eternity, before Phineas neared what looked a dark block of trees, pushed a small door open and then yanked William inside and shut the door behind them; effectively sealing out most of the light. And while he knew it was a prison, the small amount of heat that had built up inside, allowed William's weary body to slow in its shivering and his brain to now focus on a new thought – escape at any cost!

'Welcome to my humble home,' Phineas snickered as he tossed the long rope over a beam in the makeshift ceiling and yanked it downward. The motion forced William's body to stumble forward, and his arms forced painfully upward until he was in a most vulnerable position.

William tugged on his bonds as his body was forced to put all it's weight on his throbbing leg, his mind racing with renewed anger and hatred. He tried to pull down, but the rope was secured out of range and he knew the only way now he'd be getting free was if he was cut free. There was no give, and he couldn't even pull his arms down for a second's worth of relief. He hated being so vulnerable!

'Your death won't be that easy Duke,' Phineas mocked as he came and stood within inches of William's flushed face. Then he did something rather unexpected. He stepped back and looked a William with a slight tilt to his head. 'You really don't remember me, do you?'

'DO YOU!' He shouted as he yanked the gag from William's mouth and slapped him on the face. 'Do you…remember me?' The tone was so low and evil that a small shiver ran all the way down William's spine.

'Just playing coy? Or is your memory truly failin' you right now? You will remember me…and by the time you do…it'll be too late. For you…and the person you care for most.'

But William held his ground, no matter how little he had left. He wouldn't give him the satisfaction of taking his words and then using them against him. He remained silent.

With that Phineas shoved the damp cloth back between William's cut lips and pulled back with a grin, retrieving a large knife in the process.

"Wish me luck eh? When I come back…I'll either have the person you care for most…or something from them to show you that I put them through a very painful death. Think on that Duke!"

William pulled and pulled in vain, but his tight bonds would not give. "ELIZAAAAAA!" He tried to make himself heard. But it was in vain; there was nothing even within kicking distance. There were no windows for light and the small crack that appeared beneath the door wasn't much good. He pulled and pulled once more; further chafing the skin around his bound wrists. But he didn't care. He had to stop Phineas before the madman found Eliza. But how?

"ELIZAAAAAA!"

SDSDSDSD

Remaining in place was something that afforded Eliza a small upper hand as she heard a branch break and quickly pushed herself behind one of the large trees that seemed to slightly bend to conceal the outer edges of her dark dress. Her gaze threatened to mist as she noticed it was one man and not William. His captor? Was this Phineas? Where was William? She held her breath as her shaky hand rested on the pistol – ready for action. Would it be necessary? More questions made her almost dizzy, what if he saw her horse? Knew someone else was there? Would he see the other officers coming? Turn from them? Escape once again? What if it was because of her actions that Phineas escaped? Another failure for her beloved William?

Eliza watched the dark figure in the distance stop near the little house that belonged to Stuart Glary and then looked around. She quickly pulled back behind the large trunk and squeezed her eyes shut for a few minutes before she dared to take another look.

For a few seconds she didn't see the stranger, but something cloaked in black moved past the house in the opposite direction and she felt her heart start to slightly slow; they were going in the opposite direction. She watched them mount a horse and then take off in a fast gallop in the opposite direction.

Where is he going? Why would he just leave? Is William truly dead? She felt a small lump form in her throat, making her unable to swallow back thick emotion. Was William truly dead? Had she come this far only to fail? She had to see the body. That would be the only way she would know for sure if she lost him for good.

She looked back down at the trap a few meters away and then started to survey the surrounding area. Would there be more? Surely a man this devious wouldn't just leave fate to work with one dastardly trap. There would be others. So instead of continuing on the current course, she looked back to make sure the man in black was gone before she hurried toward the cabin and then started down the same path that William's captor had ventured down. It was dark and the light would be gone very soon; then she would be in trouble herself. But she had to keep going; keep going further into the unfamiliar darkness.

"I'm coming William. You better be alive when I find you!"

SDSDSDSD

'When I get back…a piece of…who you care most about…'

William's mind swirled with panicked thoughts about Phineas catching up with Eliza and rendering her the kind of horrific harm that his other victims had suffered. He continued to uselessly struggle against his tight bonds, not caring that the ropes were not only chaffing but cutting the tender skin in the process and not giving him even the smallest among of leeway.

AHHHHHHHHHHH! William's mind shouted as he slumped back in captive defeat, his weight once again pulling down on his captive arms and making his ankle throb to a fierce degree. The shivering had stopped, giving way to small bouts of heated sweat, which only made his head swim with new dizzying bouts; the blow from Phineas had done more harm than he feared. But he couldn't give up. If Phineas did make it back to his home or the police station, he'd find Eliza or at least learn that she was the only female truly concerned about his disappearance. That thought frightened and also saddened him. If it weren't for Eliza, he'd be truly alone. She was the only woman who meant more to him than a passing moment of his own satisfaction. He cared for her. And now…by his own doing, she was in danger and he wasn't able to help her.

He pulled and pulled and then sagged against his arms, his weight pulling down inadvertently but instantly feeling the pain. The fresh waves forced him to snap to attention and stand back upright. That eased some of the tension in his weary arms but put fresh strain on his wounded leg. He shifted his weight to his other leg and then stopped; his brain trying to get his ragged breathing under control. If someone was out there, he wanted to be ready when they came back in. It might be the final night of his life, but he wasn't going down without whatever fight he could manage. He heard the doorhandle start to turn and his heart rate started to soar. Was this the end…? Would Phineas be merciful? Was he alone? He knew he had drifted in and out of consciousness, had Phineas come back with Eliza? Would he have to watch her suffer? The last thing on his seared memory before he drew his last breath? Was it…?

His weary eyes widened in disbelief. Eliza…?

Eliza, in the meantime, neared the darkened structure and stopped to listen. Nothing but a cool, stiff breeze that filled the air around her, no steps from a madman. She cursed the fact that her heart rate was so loud; fearing that it would give away her position, even before she had a chance to find William – no matter what condition he was in. She slowly turned her head, squinting into the darkness before her in the hopes of seeing something – something that didn't belong. She thought she saw was a small sliver of light, but the little flash passed and then…no it was still there.

Eliza carefully made her way toward the cabin, mindful of the fact that there could be other traps waiting for her. As she neared, she noticed the large, dark outline that seemed to be slightly at odd angles with the forest and realized it wasn't a natural structure; it was man made. She took a few more steps and then stopped; her heart about to beat out of her chest.

She slightly stumbled on the step and then stopped to listen. She heard odd noises coming from inside, but more the sounds of a trapped or wounded animal than a man talking. Was it her William? Or someone else? She had seen the killer leave but maybe he had a partner? That thought horrified her and she felt her stomach tighten. She pulled her pistol and prayed her grasp would remain steady enough for her to send off a somewhat straight shot at whoever was inside.

Eliza took a deep breath and then slowly turned the door handle and stepped back. She hoped that her actions would send someone in her direction, pull the door open and she'd shoot. Instead, a bit of shuffling and then silence. William won't last much longer; her father's voice was heard as she pulled the door open and instantly offered a small gasp.

"William!" She exclaimed in horror and shock as she remained in place for a few tormented seconds, almost unable to believe the man before her was the same one that held her heart captive. But as soon as his lips uttered a painful groan and started to sag further onto his injuref leg; she sprang into action.

"Need a knife…" she stated in a whispered panic as she placed the pistol on a nearby table and quickly scanned for a small knife. She found one and then hurried back to William's captive frame. "I'll have you free in a second," she stated as she pulled the cloth from his lips and then let his body rest on her shoulder.

"Thank…God…" William whispered as his eyes slightly lolled shut and then quickly snapped back open. "Have to…hurry…" he stated as she frantically sawed on the rope that held him suspended upright. However, as soon as the ropes were cut through, his body, unable to stand up any longer, literally crumpled into her arms.

"I've got…ohhh," Eliza started as her frame wasn't expecting his to go completely limp, taking them both to the floor in a heated jumble. She quickly started to scan his face as his eyes fluttered open and looked at her in despair. "I was so worried…I was also so angry at you not telling me about…" she rambled on as he offered her a small smirk. "You scared me," she whispered in remorse. "But…"

"Eliza…my wrists."

"Right. I'll scold you later."

"Deal," William answered absently as she started to saw at the ropes around his chaffed wrists. "Did you….see where…he went?"

"Southeast. I don't know where."

"Town," William replied as his wrists finally sprung free and he was finally able to gently rub some warmth back into them. "We hafta…go."

"Your leg…what else is…"

"Eliza," William started in a somewhat stern tone, which instantly made her look up in wonder. "If he comes back…my leg…will be the least of…our troubles."

"I'm still wrapping it!" She snapped and then pursed her lips as he looked at her with a pained expression. "I'll be quick."

"Right."

With that she quickly wrapped a dirty cloth around his wounded leg and then helped him stand up; and quickly looked around for a coat. It was old and didn't look very warm, but he had only his white shirt and vest on and this would add at least another small layer of warmth. Or at least she hoped it would. His shaking hands quickly grasped the pistol as she helped him drape his arm around her shoulders and then helped him limp toward the front door of the little shack.

Once outside, William knew they couldn't go back the way they came. He was sure Stuart's house was set with hidden traps and the road was too open and exposed. Stuart could just as easily be lying in wait for anyone to come looking.

'Stuart, where does this old path go?'

'That's the original road my boy. If you were to follow it all the way, you'd come around to the edge of town. Not a safe place but you always gotta have a backup plan right?'

"Which way?" Eliza asked in a deft whisper.

"Left. I know it's dark, but just keep…the stones under our feet. It'll lead us back…to town."

"Donald, was getting backup and on his way here. Shouldn't we go back the way we came?"

"There are traps…I don't know where he hid them all. Can't take the chance…of you being…hobbled."

Even now, despite his weakness, he thought of her welfare first. That made it even harder to remain angry at him.

"We hafta…hurry. He'll be…back," William managed with a small huff as they started further into the darkened forest.

She could feel his body shake at times and knew his strength was faltering, but he wouldn't admit it. He wasn't the kind to just lay down if there was even an ounce of fight left in him. William knew what kind of monster Phineas was. He wasn't the kind to take pity on a woman, or a cripple or anyone he wanted to get rid of. And he was someone Phineas wanted to get rid of, and he if caught them together, Eliza would be next, and he would die before he let that happen.

"You sure you know…William!" She exclaimed as his footing gave way and he tumbled to the cold, dark ground on his knees, uttering a painful grunt in the process. "You need to rest!" She stated, although, knowing it wasn't really a place that would offer any kind of safety or comfort.

"We need…to keep…moving," he managed with a ragged huff as he felt his body start to be hit with waves of heated fever.

"I'd like to argue but I know it's pointless."

"Finally…we agree," William whispered and then softly smirked in the dark. "Is this…what it took?"

"I'll ignore that," Eliza retorted as they started to slowly limp onward into the darkened forest. "Donald will find him. He's young, but at times quite brilliant."

She didn't notice William's eyes narrow in the darkness at the somewhat cheerful note in Eliza's tone when she talked about Donald. Had his near demise brought the two of them closer together?

"Where to…keep going?"

Her words snapped him back to attention as his body clung tighter to hers.

"Keep…going. Should come out…to some factories."

"What if he tracks us?"

William could hear the fear in her tone and felt his stomach sink. He had always tried to be strong and in charge around her; always wanting to portray the image of someone she could turn to if she were ever in trouble. Only right now, in this moment, she was the one trying to be brave for him. They had to get someplace safe. And fast.

"If he takes…the main road, the men will find him."

"And what if he's waiting…"

"Eliza…" William sighed as she helped him press onward. A few moments later they rounded a large tree, and she spied a few glints of light in the distance and felt her tension ease – somewhat. They weren't home free just yet and she knew William had to find a place to rest and put his leg up; if for even only an hour before they pressed onward toward the hospital or The Yard; whichever came first.

But as soon as they took a few more feet, the ground beneath them started to slope and they found themselves having to slow a little or risk falling down and sustaining further injuries. As they neared the bottom of the slope and stared at the darkened edge of the city, Eliza felt William's frame tense even further.

"Careful around here," William whispered as they started to near the first darkened factory. "See anything?"

"No. You?"

"No. We can find a path to…"

"We're stopping to get you off your feet for a while so I can bandage your leg and…"

"We don't have time!" William offered a whispered hiss.

"If you die on me, what happens then? I have to face him alone?"

"No…he can never…know about you."

"Then let me help you get out of here!"

He could only offer an angry groan in defeat, as he let her steer him toward a darkened entry way and then sneak inside. They passed through the first entryway and then the second, until they were deep inside the heart of the building and then closed the door. Eliza found a small lantern and quickly lit it and set it atop a dusty shelf. There wasn't really anything comfortable for him to rest on, but he managed to pull away and limp over to a nearby table and ease himself down.

She quickly found a small stool and propped up his leg in order to inspect it.

"How did you…find me?"

"Donald heard you say 'Stuart' and then we searched for the file and found it."

"Brilliant," he sighed softly.

"I found the notes he left you. The ones you never mentioned to me. Nor did father."

"I never told him," William admitted as his tormented gaze looked up with a heavy brow. "I told you there were details of the case I couldn't tell you. Didn't want to."

"So…instead you decided to bear the burden alone?"

"That's the…job," his voice slightly faltered as she tightened the cloth around the wound.

"We need to get you to a doctor."

"We nee…" his voice faltered as he tried to stand up but then quickly grabbed the table as Eliza wrapped her arms around his waist and helped him remain upright. For a few moments they remained locked in each other's embrace; his gaze once again holding hers captive as his grasp around her tightened. "I was afraid…he'd find you."

"I was afraid you were dead," she whispered as she leaned in closer. His eyes slightly closed as his brain anticipated even a brief kiss. But instead, her lips rested on his chaffed cheek and planted a small kiss before she pulled away and looked up with a tormented expression. "Don't ever scare me like that again," she scolded in a soft whisper, to which his lips slightly curled upward.

"Never again," he promised as he tried to step back. His leg painfully throbbed as he put some weight upon it and then nodded toward the door. "We can't stay here much longer."

"Here…you're the better shot," Eliza told him in truth as she handed him the loaded pistol and they prepared to take their leave.

His strength started to give way faster than he expected and due to the blood loss and the bouts of cold and sweat, his body just wanted to shut down. With his right hand on the pistol and his left arm around her waist, the two of them slowly headed toward the main entrance to go back outside into the cool night air.

She knew he'd never make it all the way to the hospital without help. But what could she do? If she left him, there was a good chance that Phineas would come back, use a distraction to drain him of bullets and then just finish him off for good. He would insist he could walk all the way, but he wasn't up to that task and they both knew it.

"William…"

"We need to keep going…while I still have my strength," he told her in truth. "He can't find us…out here."

"You'll never make it. I can go to town on my own. I know the way from here. You just wait…"

"No!" He interjected with a hiss as she pursed her lips. "Listen to me. If he finds you…"

"If he finds you, he'll just up and kill you!" She argued back impatiently as they neared the last and front door. His body slightly faltered but quickly regained a last surge of strength when he spied footsteps on the other side of the door.

"Get…behind me," William whispered as he gently pushed Eliza behind his weary frame and readied himself to empty every last round into the enemy that walked through the door. He raised the gun and prayed for his arm to remain steady until he knew they were both safe.

The door opened and his jaw could only slacken in surprise. "Moses?"

"Aye," Moses nodded as Eliza came into view and then offered a sudden exhale of relief. "May I be of assistance to you?"

William was just about to offer an objection, when his body just decided on its own that this man wasn't going to do him any harm and started to crumple to the ground.

"William!" Eliza shouted as she struggled to keep him upright.

Moses quickly moved in and with his strong grasp gathered up William's limp frame and then gave Eliza a nod. "I brought a wagon as you asked."

"I can't thank you enough. Did you see the man from my message?"

"No, but from the few things I have heard about this man, he's not a man to cross."

Moses carefully laid William's unconscious frame in the back of the wagon and handed a blanket to Eliza who quickly covered him up and hopped into the back, while Moses hopped onto the front and then slowly headed toward the hospital. Eliza's nervous gaze darted around the darkened alcoves as they passed, wondering if Phineas was indeed making his escape out of the area, or had come back and now knew the one person that William cared for. She was nervous for him, wondering if William would now have to look over his back every moment or have a police escort assigned to him; something she knew he'd hate more than anything.

As Moses directed the little wagon toward the hospital, Eliza reached for William's cool hand and held it tightly; almost more tightly than she had ever held anything, afraid to let go and possibly lose him forever. Her gaze was so preoccupied in looking at William's somewhat peaceful expression; she failed to notice the look of utter hateful contempt and revenge that now bore down upon them all – a look that haunted them from the darkness.

"So Duke…you do have someone after all…you just sealed her fate as well."

With that Phineas McArthur slipped back into the shadows, vowing revenge and plotting his next move.

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A/N: well dear readers…this story might be lasting longer than anticipated. Blame my muse Alice oh dear…she has some trouble for our couple up her sleeve and hope that's all okay! So am going to just follow her lead and let the adventure unwind as it may. Some quality time for our fave pairing up next before we get back to the adventure! Hope you all liked this little angsty chapter and please do review before you go.