Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Sixteen- Martyrdom

Ronan Davies looked at the pretty blonde in front of him. He had noticed her from the very start, and once his interest was sparked he had no intention of letting go. So what if she was taken? He took what he deemed his own, and there was no one to stop him!

It had been the same with Kayleigh, until her fear and resistance had turned into fun and interest in their activities and she had turned out to be quite the valuable assistant in their little schemes. When rumours reached them of a well stocked castle -well stocked in more ways than one- the group had decided to give it a go and move in. Kayleigh's fragile appearance being their best weapon as usual. Her actually falling head over heals for her prey hadn't really been the plan to start with, but with the fresh stock of women coming in they could afford to let her go now.

And here she was, the fiery blond helicopter pilot at his beck and call. OK, she had turned out to be pregnant…but there were ways to go about that and if not, he'd simply raise the kid as his own. Who knows, he might even make a good dad some day and the idea of an heir appealed to him!

"Will you stop feasting your eyes and just get this over with?" Much as she loved to smother the life out of him she knew there was no way. She was bound and unarmed and most of all…pregnant. She loved her baby and its father far too much to ever let any harm come over its precious little life, and so she concluded there was no wiser option than to comply with the guy's demands until Quinn had figured out a way to find her and rescue her. She hoped it would be soon, but had no idea how far out they were exactly. She had been unconscious for most of the way, only to wake up and find she had been picked to be a winner's trophy. Great, just what she was hoping for!

"What's the rush dearie? Can't wait to have me inside you eh?" Ronan chuckled. Her hostility only fuelled his desire for her, this was gonna be pleasant indeed. Or it would have been, had not a sudden cry and outburst of gun fire interrupted his little foreplay. A quick look outside taught him his men were falling quicker than he would wish, and he realised that he had to make a choice: Join them in their lost cause or go his own way.

"Sorry love, it looks like we'll have to cut this a bit shorter than I'd hoped…" And with that he tossed himself on top of her, frantically working the tempting straps and laces she was still wearing from the party. In his hurry however he had forgotten one minor detail: her legs were not bonded as he had intended to spread them before long. A crushing force slammed the air out of his lungs, followed by a series of black spots appearing in front of his eyes, and a very numb feeling racing from his loins down his legs, paralysing him into any other action but to roll over and gasp. By now Alex had jumped up, placing a strategic boot over his throat, her hands still tied behind her back.

"You even attempt to shout out and I'll make sure you'll never make another sound in your life, dearie."

For a moment she allowed herself to enjoy the genuine fear in his eyes when she clearly heard Quinn's voice echoing over the square in between the tents. "Let's go! Move out!"

No. This couldn't be happening! They were so close and they were leaving without her! She turned for the opening of the tent: "Quinn! I'm he.." But her words were cut short as she was grabbed by the hair and pulled back against the ground, having to stare into Ronan's amused face again.

"Aha, so my darling likes to play rough, very well, two can play that game…" and he backhanded her across the face, making her realise she might just have made a very big mistake.

His hands were suddenly all over, her arms screaming for blood supply as they were pulled back tighter as well as being pushed down against the ground by both their body weights.

Just as he had pushed up her skirt and rose to undo his own fly;a knife flew across the room, landing straight into Ronan's throat. He stayed up only a few seconds more, eyes flying from Alex to her anonymous rescuer behind her, before falling down without a sound.

As she rolled to her she sighed in relief as a familiar soft voice rang in her ears: "Don't worry sis, I got your back..."

Holly had been searching the remaining tents, her feet carrying her at a pace she never knew she could travel at. Stumbling now and then she covered the rough terrain, desperate to find Alex as soon as possible. The fumes from the burning rubber, among other things, was causing her head to lighten, but she was more worried about the affect they would have on Alex and the baby.

There was only one tent she hadn't checked that was right ahead of her. Holly was sure she had seen a dim light from inside the heavy canvas, pushing herself on she could feel dread rising inside her- please let her be safe, please.

Holly plucked the small hunting knife from her beside her Colt, fingering the blade between her fingers. The flaps of the tent blew slightly, revealing the image of two people struggling in the tent. Holly knew who they were and she knew what was happening, twisting the knife in her hand, she flicked it out of her grasp and watched as it sliced into the man's neck. Running into the tent she watched him look at her before falling away from Alex.

"Don't worry sis, I got your back." She untied Alex's hands and pulled her up, half carrying her out of the tent.

"Where's...Quinn?" Alex panted.

"I made him leave with the others. We'll see them back home, let's go."

Holly could see Scout just as they made their way out of the camp's perimeter. Calling to him, she adjusted her grip on Alex and grabbed the horse as soon as he was close enough.

"You know I'm shitty with horses right?" Alex tried to smile but the cut on her cheek sure made it hurt like hell.

"Well then you're lucky my boy here's pretty good with humans!"

Helping Alex on Holly climbed up behind her, glancing back to see the man, Ronan, scramble out of the tent and face them.

Kicking Scout into a gallop, she held Alex tightly to prevent her from falling. They had barely covered any distance before a clear shot rang out, causing Holly to jolt forward in the saddle. Holly looked back to see Ronan fall to the ground and not get up again. When they reached the other side of the hill, she slowed Scout down to a steady trot. Releasing her grip on Alex a little, she tried to ignore the ache in her back.

They were nearing home as the sun threatened to rise over the Horizon. Alex felt Holly leaning on her further, her forehead on Alex's shoulder; her breaths shallow to Alex's hearing.

"Holly are you all right?"

"Yeah...yeah I'm fine. Just a bit cold and...tired is all."

Alex wrapped her fingers around Holly's noticing that her hands were indeed ice cold.

The gates to the castle had been left open, either from negligence or the others' hope that they would return. Scout slowed down to a halt of his own accord, as Holly's grip on his reins was slack and useless. Alex was waiting for her to get down but Holly made no move too, in fact her weight was heavier than before. Repositioning herself, Alex slid off of the horse and caught Holly as she fell after her. One hand was pressed onto her back, as Alex turned her over and noticed that Holly's breathing was shallower than before and her eyes were barely open. The feel of something warm and sticky substance on Holly's back caused Alex to bring her hand up into view. Her fingers were coated with blood- Holly's blood.

It was then that she pieced everything together, the gun shot, Holly's sudden jolting movement, her draining strength- she was close to death. Alex felt her fear reach another level, she couldn't let her die, she couldn't. Lifting her up by the armpits, she dragged Holly up the stairs and towards the castle.

Everyone had gathered in the small infirmary, those who needed care receiving it from those who could help. Creedy was still at Kayleigh's side while trying to comfort Quinn meanwhile. The rescue party had returned some time earlier, missing only Alex and Holly. Creedy would admit he was worried about both of them. They all felt guilty, once again Holly had risked her life saving them and asked for nothing in return except their trust. Quinn sat with his head in his hands, tears staining his face, his terror at losing Alex eerily evident in his body language- he had always been so strong, but now he was just a ghost of his previous self.

Silent sobs racked his body at the thought he would never see the love of his life again, he would never see their child grow up.

The sudden sound of someone screaming for help shattered the mournful silence. Jumping from their seats Quinn and Creedy, followed by several others ran towards the sound, which Quinn identified as his darling Alex.

"Alex, I'm coming! Alex!" He shouted, stopping when he reached the door.

"Oh God," His voice barely reaching a whisper. Alex sat crouched down in the middle of the entrance hall, bathing in a pool of blood. As they got closer however they realised the blood wasn't hers, rather the crumpled little form she was hugging fervently in her lap.

"Help her Quinn, please help her" She pleaded, near to exhaustion herself.

Creedy slammed to a halt behind Quinn, his breath hitching in his lungs when he noticed Holly in a heap on the floor. He could feel tears threatening to spill as he pushed passed Quinn and ran to Holly's side, cradling her rag-doll body.

"Creedy..." Holly's weak voice called out to him. Her ice blue eyes opening slightly. One look was enough to convince all of them however that Holly was far from awake. Her forehead clammy, she had apparently slipped into a shock due to the loss of blood. Her words were no more than her own silent contemplations to no one in particular.

"Aye lass I'm here, I'm here, don't fret." he shushed her, even though he had no idea if she would hear him.

"He will never know…now…" She coughed, barely able to speak. Creedy shook his head, not knowing what she was talking about.

"Holly, I need you to stay awake love, we'll get you to the infirmary and get you all patched up OK, just hang in there, I need you t…"

"He'll never know now that I loved him, will he?"

Holly tried to shake her head, unable to from her weakened state. Creedy simply sat dumbfounded, all his strength suddenly leaving his body.

"C-Creedy...please tell him, pl…" Holly's words faltered as her eyes closed as her gentle breaths shallowed…and then ceased.