CHAPTER 24: RUN AWAY

"Hey, go inside. Tell me what happened," said Roger. He didn’t want to interrupt his brother’s plans, so he waited there patiently.

Louis nodded and immediately went to the source of the sound. It was the bathroom. He stared wide-eyed at Nathan, who was submerged in the bathtub, still wearing his pants. Water was still filling the tub.

Alexander stood next to the bathtub, holding the shower head and pouring water over the boy’s head. This instantly made Nathan scream.

"I don’t want to take a bath!" he shouted, trying to push his brother’s feet away.

"After thinking about it, I have to make up for the time I missed since you were a baby. You’re right, I wasn’t there when you were a baby, so I’m going to start now," Alexander said, pouring warm water on Nathan’s head, grabbing the shampoo, and squeezing it onto the boy’s hair.

Nathan was too shocked by Alexander’s treatment to process his words. He groaned when his brother’s big hands rubbed his hair, creating foam and forcing him to close his eyes.

"I can bathe myself! Get out!" Nathan shouted, giving up. He’d rather bathe himself than be treated like this.

"I never bathed you when you were a baby. Let me do it now," Alexander said, making Nathan shiver.

"Are you fucking serious?!"

"I’m totally serious." Alexander casually squeezed soap and rubbed it on his brother’s body.

"No baby is treated this roughly! Please get out! I can do it myself! And don’t fucking think I want you to bathe me! Freak!" he shouted repeatedly.

Alexander was both scary and crazy. He wasn’t a baby anymore! Was that man really serious?

But Alexander didn’t move. Instead, he crouched down and patiently "helped" Nathan clean himself.

"No! No fucking way!"

"Take off your pants, it’s easier."

"No! I said no! Get out, please!" Nathan tried using the word "please" to make the man listen.

Alexander stopped, looked at Nathan, then smiled. "You said we have to pay dearly for the time you lost. So, let’s do it then."

Nathan stared intensely. "Are you crazy?"

"No, I’m not. I’m serious. Let’s make up for it starting from when you were a baby. I’ll bathe you, take you to bed, and sing you a lullaby."

"Ewwww!!" Nathan shuddered, rubbing his arms as he imagined it. "Don’t even think about it!"

But he was genuinely worried because Alexander looked serious. He looked toward the door where Louis was standing. His eyes widened as if he found an oasis in the desert.

"Louis! Help me!" Nathan yelled.

Louis quickly approached. "Yes? What? What can I help with?" He crouched down. "To bathe you?"

Nathan glared. "NO! Take him out!" he ordered, pointing at his brother.

Louis looked at Alexander and grimaced.

Alexander chuckled softly. "You forgot—he’s my bodyguard, Nathan."

"What? Then why are you following me?" Nathan snapped at Louis.

"Oh, you are my master too, but my main master is Boss Alexander. So you’re a bit under him. I’m sorry I can’t grant your request. But I can help bathe you," Louis said, smiling

.

Nathan took a deep breath, feeling betrayed. "Get out! You’re useless!"

Louis apologized several times before leaving the bathroom. He still managed to tell Roger not to worry, that Nathan was physically fine.

Alexander came out of the bathroom with his clothes wet. Behind him, Nathan followed with a frown. He was already fully dressed. His frown deepened when he saw food already on the table.

"Eat something, or I’ll feed you," Alexander said.

Nathan felt his blood run cold. He didn’t doubt the man’s words—Alexander was crazy enough to do exactly what he said.

Not wanting to be humiliated again, he chose to sit and eat, though he still frowned.

He couldn’t hold back anymore. That night, he planned to run away!

"Damn... Where is my bag?" Nathan whispered, as if someone could hear him. But he was alone in his room.

After searching without success, he finally swallowed his pride and took a bag from one of the display cases. He put his books inside, along with some warm clothes and underwear.

He had to leave. He didn’t want to stay any longer. It seemed he had made a bad decision by staying there. He wasn’t sure he would still be sane after six months.

He stared at the black card lying on top of the display case. Should he take it? Maybe he wouldn’t need it, but who knew—it might help in an emergency.

"Just take it," he said, putting the card in his bag. He also grabbed a pair of thick shoes and a fur jacket. After what he’d been through, he felt he deserved those expensive clothes.

Then he slowly walked through the broken door. Seeing it, he frowned again. He carefully walked out, making sure no one was there.

He walked toward the terrace and saw a guard sitting alert there. He also remembered there was a guard at the front gate. It would be very difficult to escape.

After cursing under his breath, he decided to go to the back garden. He crept along, making sure no one saw him. He saw a small lake behind the mansion, so he was sure there would be a path from there, even though he didn’t know where it led.

It was dark and cold. His shoes left tracks in the snow. The neatly lined lights created a romantic atmosphere. But the farther he went, the fewer lights there were.

From the balcony, the lake had looked close, but it was actually far away, with a slippery, sloping path. He slipped and fell several times. He walked more slowly and carefully.

If he couldn’t find a way out, his painful journey would be for nothing.

He took a deep breath, his nose running. He was already tired. In front of him was a frozen lake. Around him were rows of trees covered in snow.

It was dark.

He didn’t have a flashlight or anything.

"You’re so smart, Nathan," he said, mocking himself.

The courage that had filled his head slowly faded. What if he was eaten by wolves? What if he entered the forest and couldn’t get out?

His teeth chattered from the cold and fear.

But he didn’t want to go back. He forced himself to keep walking forward. Morning would come soon, and he would be able to see the road better.

Just as he was about to move, he heard something fall behind him. He immediately tensed up and turned around.

There, he saw a figure crouching in the snow. He heard a small groan, then the figure stood up.

Nathan shivered and stepped back. What is that? A human? A werewolf? What?!

Instead of moving away, the figure ran toward him, making Nathan even more scared.

"Aaarghhg!! What is that?!" He screamed and ran as fast as he could. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be good to meet it in the dark, early morning like this!

He didn’t want to die this soon!

"Nathan! Wait! It’s me!"

Nathan slowed down when he heard that familiar voice. He turned his head, squinting as the figure got closer.

That kid!