4 Intoxicating

That night.

Rhett explained to Sabrina how dangerous it is to leave the cave because the spell that the witch had put around the cave will kill anyone who leaves.

"I will try it! I will leave the cave!" Sabrina declared bravely.

Rhett sighed. "You're so stubborn! I'm trying to warn you but you're not listening to me!" he said, trying to reason with her.

"I don't believe you!" Sabrina shouted at him. Hating him to the core because he tricked her.

Rhett groaned. "Okay, fine! Go ahead! Leave the cave so that you will know what I'm talking about!" he said in irritated manner, but at the same time getting worried about her stubborn nature.

Sabrina looked outside.

The moonlight was shining brightly in the sky.

She looked at him for a few minutes. "Goodbye!" she said and bolted outside the cave.

She wasn't able to run far from the cave because she's already having a hard time breathing.

Rhett watched Sabrina crumbled into the ground, a few meters away from the entrance of the cave. She was clutching her chest. She looks like she had a hard time breathing. He knows that if he can't bring her back to the safety of the cave, she will die!

Disregarding his safety, he rushed to Sabrina's side at lightning speed and lifted her body. He quickly went back to the cave. He can already feel his lungs about to explode from his chest. Good thing he was now back in the safety of the cave.

He gently lowered Sabrina's body to the ground as he tries to fill his lungs with air. The tightening of his chest gradually loosened up as his breathing returned to normal.

He looked at Sabrina - she had fainted. Good thing she's still breathing. She's still alive!

He rose to his feet, lifted the unconscious girl's body, and carried her back to the chamber. He lowered her body to the bed and covered her with the blanket. Then he lay down beside her in the bed.

He watched her face intently, shaking his head several times. He nearly lost her!

He stared at the ceiling of the cave in deep thoughts. From now on, he will be extra careful with Sabrina. If she attempts to leave the cave again and he's not around to save her, she will die for real, and his guilty conscience won't allow it.

He released a troubled sigh.

One hour later.

Sabrina's eyelids fluttered, her eyes opened wide, and she looked around her. Her eyes landed on Rhett's face, he was looking at her face intently. He was a few inches away from her. She can feel his hot breathing fanning her face.

She moved away from him, wanting to establish a safe distance between them.

"Are you okay?" Rhett asked.

Sabrina nodded her head. "Yeah, I'm okay," she replied. Her mind recalled what happened to her when she tried to escape the cave. Rhett is right, the cave was cursed. The spell of the witch will kill her if she attempts to leave. But she won't quit, she will try again next time!

Rhett saw the determination in her eyes. He knows what she's thinking and planning in her mind right now. He breathed deeply. "I know what's on your mind, beauty. Stop thinking of leaving the cave, you will only die!"

Sabrina bit her lip.

"You already experienced first hand how it feels like if you leave the cave. Don't torture yourself anymore. I warned you," Rhett said.

Fresh tears emerged in Sabrina's eyes. She doesn't want to feel hopeless, but it's hard to stay strong when she's facing a difficult situation. She looked at him with tear-stained eyes. "Is there no other way to leave this cave? Can you think of another way? Please?" she begged.

Rhett swallowed the lump on his throat. The thing that he waited for so long to happen is now within his grasp. He wonders if Sabrina will cooperate with him. "Actually... there is a way to leave this cave safely..." he stated.

Sabrina's eyes lighted up instantly. "Hurry up! Tell me right away!" she demanded. A glimmer of hope was rising fast in her heart.

"I'll tell you after a few days, just wait!" he said.

Sabrina raised a brow. "Huh? Why do I have to wait for a few days?" she asked, confused.

"Because you have to trust me first before it will work," he said and brushed the few strands of hair that that covered her eyes.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Sabrina moved away from him, throwing daggers into his eyes.

Rhett chuckled. "I'm flirting with you, isn't that obvious?" he joked, trying to make her feel at ease with his presence. They won't be able to share a mutual kiss if she's not warming up to him and she's avoiding any contact with him. He needs to break her walls of defenses first before the kiss of freedom can finally happen.

"Stop wriggling, you will fall from the bed!" he warned her.

Sabrina sighed after realizing that she was already hovering at the edge of the bed. She will fall to the ground if she continues distancing herself away from him. "Don't come near me! Or I will kick you! Keep your hands to yourself!" she threatened him angrily. She threw the blanket at him hitting him on the chest.

"Yes, beauty. I will keep my hands to myself." Rhett chuckled and winked at her. The night was still young. Later at midnight, the temperature inside the cave will turn cold, the kind of coldness that will make one's body freeze.

His body was already used to the freezing temperature that occurs from midnight until early morning. But for Sabrina, it will be her first night here, and she will experience firsthand how hard it is to sleep during nighttime in the cave.

She will be begging for his warmth, and he's looking forward to it. He's getting excited about it.

He handed the blanket back to her. "Keep that blanket to yourself, you will need it the most later," he said and turned his back on her.

Sabrina stared at the wall. She shut her eyes. She was thinking about Grandma Azere, wondering what's her situation right now. Grandma must be worried sick of her already.

She will try to leave the cave tomorrow!

Frustrated with her situation, she continues staring at the wall.

Hours went by.

Sabrina can't sleep, neither was Rhett.

Finally, midnight comes.

Sabrina noticed that the temperature of the room was getting colder as minutes went by. Oh, my! She quickly covered her body with Rhett's blanket. However, as time goes by, the temperature is freezing already. She was already shivering due to the extreme cold.

Shivering, she looked at Rhett and asked in a trembling voice, "W-why it's very cold right n-ow?"

Rhett turned and looked at her. "Beauty, are you getting cold?" he asked.

"Y-yes...y..yes...very much..." she answered shyly.

"Come closer to me, my dear. My heat can help warm your body!" Rhett ordered.