Regretful Villain

Frederick Mortcombe jumped into the cold freezing water to the dismay of his soldiers. While two of his men followed suit, the rest scrambled in search of thick blankets and anything to light up a fire to keep their boss and brothers warm once resurfaced.

Under the water, the villain swam effortlessly as he tailed the man that was shot earlier. Not once did the piercing chilled water bother him.

However, when the man was dragged into the darkness of the ocean's floor at an alarming speed, his two soldiers decided it was impossible to push through the chase and pulled Frederick's legs towards the sky.

Despite their boss thrashing about in the water to pursue the man, they prioritised his safety. Even if it meant facing the repercussion of disobeying his order. Unfortunately, his rashed actions only tire him out and depleted the oxygen in his lungs rather fast.

Frederick let his body float while his hazel eyes penetrated through the dark sea below, desperately searching for any sign of humanoid movement. Obviously, it was hard to see.

"Did you find out which direction the gunshot is coming from?" His teeth chattered as the men heaved him onto the dingy fishing boat and wrapped him in any material they could find.

"No, sir. It appeared they were shooting from a distance."

"No shit! Don't tell me not a single one of you saw a speck of light within the radius?"

"No, sir."

The chilled-to-the-bone man was frustrated with the outcome. How could he not when he had to fly personally to find the man? And even more annoyed how quick the victim's life was snuffed out in comparison to the more than a week timeframe he had to make the man talk, all excluding the first three days doing a manhunt.

He hoped to be getting a clearer picture when he met with the Bloodsworth. Instead, it became rather muddy with the sudden disappearance. And to think he barely had any information in regards to Audrey!

"Close the case! We're going home," Frederick spat as he kicked an inanimate object hard, sending the bucket tumbling down towards the front of the boat.

"But sir! If we're going now, we can never return again. It'll be a waste."

"The hell with it, Shawn! What do you suggest we do? Question the dead?? Now, why don't you fucking tell me, with what body do we ask after you both decided to pull me out of the water???"

Frederick, who was feeling despair with the undesirable development, was not sure how to proceed as he had already exhausted all sources of information about her. But one thing for sure - with the man's death, there will not be another rebellion coming from a Bloodsworth.

* * * * *

"Mister Mortcombe!" Gerard cried out the moment the main door flung open and the old man scurried behind Frederick.

"Not now, Gerard." His feet were practically flying as he stormed into the house and jumped several steps of the staircase.

"Wait, Mister Mortcombe. I heard you jumped into the cold water on a freezing night —"

"Gerard, please. Not now!"

Frederick slammed his bedroom door and bolted it down, leaving his entourage to stop in their tracks and resume whatever they were doing. Once he felt secure no one was in the room, the villain pulled the wardrobe door and pounded with urgency against it.

"Audrey! Open up!"

But there was silence on the other side. Panic began to rise as his imagination ran wild. It was only seven in the evening. There was no way she would be sleeping. His heart thumped, racing faster than the moving of the second needle of the clock.

"Princess! If you don't open this door in five, I'm going to force myself in!"

One second... Two seconds... Three seconds...

'Damn it!' Frederick did not have the patience to wait until the five seconds mark as he struck the wooden door with a strong kick.

Three blows the door suffered and he rushed in to see the woman who was indeed sleeping peacefully on her bed. He contemplated waking her up but seeing the angelic face she was wearing and how peaceful she looked, Frederick Mortcombe finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He approached the sleeping guest and placed his palms against her forehead. Oh, how he despised the hot temperature that was accompanied by the sweaty beads on her forehead.

If he was only taken a glance at her sleeping on those fluffy bed and Gerard did not notify him of her health, he would not be able to tell she was having a fever!

Frederick Mortcombe took out a handkerchief of his trouser and dampened it with water. He gingerly dabbed her forehead and then placed them onto the back of her neck in a bid to cool her down.

He caressed her rosy cheeks that felt stinging hot against his palm and pushed the duvet off her body. Oh, how his heart breaks seeing her body tremble once the layer was removed.

He never thought his actions would cause such a thing. That his selfishness in wanting to keep her safe resulted in this. When in fact, he may have only pushed her to relive her unpleasant memory by putting her in a similar situation.

No! He felt he had treated her worse than the Bloodsworth. At least previously she had a window in her room but this? No window. No fresh air with limited access to roam around. What difference was it with her being chained?

Frederick exhaled and moaned, disappointed with himself for not thinking far ahead. His small movement made his prisoner stir in her sleep, which made him annoyed for ruining her rest.

"Did my presence disturb you?" He whispered, worried any loud noises would make give her more headaches than she might already have.

Audrey smiled with half-opened eyes as she rubbed them to have a better look at the man and shook her head. She pulled herself up with much difficulty and asked, "I've been meaning to ask... What's your name?"

Even at a distance, Frederick could feel her warm feverish breath against his skin and it tugged his little heart.

"You're feverish. Do you have a headache?" The small exchange distracted him from registering her question.

Despite his unintentional ignorance, Audrey showed no sign of anger or a hint of sulk. Instead, she answered his question with conviction, "It's bearable."

Thankfully, for her sake, Frederick was having none of it.