XXXV. The escape

Chapter 35

The journey from the church to whatever place this is far too long, way too long. It was already midnight when we got here. Take note, the wedding took place at morning.

"We cannot risk going back to my house near the barracks, they might find us there since Augustus and I used to go there," assured Leo as he helped me get down from the carriage which was a struggle due to how massive my gown is.

I let my eyes wander around the surrounding. There are trees everywhere, unlike London. The air was, I don't know, less polluted? This is, indeed, the country side.

The house in front of us somehow resembles like a small castle which looks really worned down. There are no houses nearby and behind us was nothing but forest. It was unlike the Bennett manor which may at least have a few neighbors but is still near the town.

"It was the only property and inheritance I got from my parents so despite the numerous times I had no money, never did it crossed my mind to sell this," Leo exclaimed, wrapping his arm around my shoulder since he must've noticed I am freezing due to this wedding gown I am wearing is thin despite its many layerings.

"Perhaps the only reason the Bennetts managed not to get this away from my hands was because my father made sure nobody knows about this property. That this will all be a secret in case something bad strikes," he added, shrugging as we continued walking towards the castle, he then offered to take Mister Douglas' golden cane from my hands.

While rubbing my shoulders to provide some warmth, "You're gonna be safe here, promise," muttered him.

It took around a minute or so before the door flew open when Leo knocked three times using his left hand.

My jaw dropped as soon as I saw the woman standing in front of us when the door was opened.

I was glued to my position. The woman in front of me chuckled which was music to my ears and exclaimed the words, "Come here, you stupid child,"

With that, Leo let go of me, a smile planted on his face as he let me wrapped my cold arms around Martha's very familiar and reasurring warmth.

"I am so happy you're still alive, Martha," I blurted out as soon as our embrace broke. I think that came out a bit wrong. I mean, in the first place, I know she's alive since Leo told me what happened to her.

"of course, I am still alive, child. I will not let that devil kill me and my dear family," Martha replied, referring to Mister Douglas.

I was about to ask her more when Martha hurriedly told us to stop standing there like fools and enter in which we immediately oblique.

Leo and I sat in a fancy red couch while Martha quickly disappeared in the corner of the room, must've went to get something.

I looked all around me. There's a massive fireplace in the corner, the one that looks like it was straight outta some fairytale castle. The whole room looks like a castle. Seriously. The ceiling is painted with a bunch of angels hovering above the clouds. The floors are made out of expensive marbles. There is this very expensive looking mirror in the wall, beside it were paintings but not a family portrait.

"Are you okay?" asked Leo when he caught me wandering my eyes around the interior.

I just nod at him, "How come you never told me Martha was staying here?"

Leo was about to open his mouth to ease my mind when Martha barged right into the room, carrying a silver tray with biscuits and tea on it.

"I know it has been a very long day so you two, eat now while my grandson cooks some food to stuff your grumbling bellies with," Martha insisted, sitting on another red fancy chair in front of us.

"No need for that," Leo insisted in which Martha just shrugged as a reply.

Leo and I quickly dulged right into the tea and biscuits. It is true that we haven't eaten anything for today, we dared not to purchase any along the streets in fear that someone will recognize us and alert the Bennett family.

The whole time, Leo and I were just sleeping inside the carriage. Leo let me fell asleep in his chest, his arms wrapped around me, providing me warmth as his head was placed on top of my head. The journey towards this place was serene.

"It was Mister Finley who rescued me from the streets the day later when Douglas chose to throw me," Martha exclaimed, crossing her legs, staring at the both of us eat.

"Please, Leo will simply do," this humble man beside me uttered as soon as he finished sipping his tea.

Martha pretended not to hear his statement and just continued on her dialogue. "Mister Finley first helped me get my family from the other side of the town and sent us here to keep us safe,"

I then looked at Leo, "How come you failed to mentioned this to me? I thought Martha went back to her hometown and just settled on being a street vendor?"

"it was me who insisted on not telling you, child for fesr that you might tell it to Augustus," replied Martha.

"I am sorry," replied Leo, giving me a sad smile. I just stared at him, to his black eyepatch, to his long scar which was totally a wrong move because Leo then avoided my eyecontact, hiding his face from me.

No, I don't find them ugly at all. It was just, I kept forgetting that he isn't happy about them.

I was about to assure him that it doesn't look ugly at all. Him being half-blind is not a game changer. His scar won't change a thing but Leo cleared his throat, stopping me from caressing his cheek.

"It was Martha's son who rescued me from death last week. He was the one who found me blocks away from the Bennet manor lying on the ground, bleeding," uttered Leo, tracing the teacup with his forefinger, still avoiding my eyecontact.

"My son, Henry was on his way to the manor to kill Augustus that day since words just spread out that Douglas was away from London but he found Leo instead which I am thankful for," exclaimed Martha, giving me a sad smile.

"Believe me, child. I tried to stop my son. Henry is not a bad person, anger just ate him ever since he learnt what Douglas did to me, threatened to do with us," she added, holding both my hands, assuring me.

Smiling at her, I replied, "'course he's not. I really can't judge him since I'll probably do the same thing if I were in his position,"

Now, you see, I thought what I said will, I don't know, somehow lighten Martha's mood but instead, she frown. Well, perhaps because I am talking about murdering someone here.

When I looked at Leo to ask for help. He just shrugged at me and gave me a wince in a playful way.

Martha then released my hands, rose from her seat. "Now, you two must be freezing, especially you Clementine. You two go upstairs and change," in which we did.

"My grandson and I already cleaned the rooms upstairs so feel free to choose whatever room you pleased," Martha added, rosing from her seat and cleaned the coffee table.

Leo guided me upstairs since I don't know anything about this house. "Mother's clothes would fit you," he commented, smiling.

Leo and I entered the third room upstairs and judging from how big this is and the presence of king size be. Definiteky, this used to be Mr. and Mrs. Finley's bedroom.

Leo then unlocked the windows to lessen the cold.

I stood right beside the white marbled drawer as Leo went straight to the cabinet and fetch some clothes for the both of us.

"Here, this should fit you. Mother's clothes here are all sleepingwear since we barely visit here," Leo said, handing me a long thin gown.

Let's just say, it's just too revealing. However, I dared not to comment about it since this is free stuff, veggsrs can't be choosers. Besides, it's not like I am going around dancing across London wearing this. It would aurely be the talk of the town. Hell, I might even be featured in an article and when I searched it in the internet when I got back to the modern times, all I'll ever dp was cringe.

I was about to start stripping off the wedding gown when I noticed that Leo is still here, beside me, his hands behind his back.

My cheeks turned red as I cleared my throat, "Uhm, I'll be changing now,"

It took a few seconds for Leo to comprehend the wrods that fell out of my mouth. He, too, went red as he hurriedly leave the room, almost tripping over himself which made me chuckle.

After I changed, I hung the wedding dress to the cabinet and hid the shoes under the bed. Folded the veil and placed it inside the cabinet as well.

I sat on the soft bed, staring outside which was, obviously, dark. The room was in complete silence.

I flinched when I heard knocks on the door. I hurriedly rose from my seat, straightened my gown and opened the door and there stood Leo, freshly changed into his father's sleepingwear which was nothing but a pair of blue pajamas.

Leo's eyes traveled over me. "I don't remember my mother owning that gown," he commented.

"Well, perhaps it's for your father's eyes only," I replied and the moment it left my mouth, that's when I realized I am, indeed, stupid.

I can't believe I just said that. Leo noticed it as well, I am sure judging from his the creeping red to his neck and him breaking the contact but chose not say something about it.

"Forgive me, I just grabbed the first gown I touched," he reason out, scratching his head.

I forced myself not to laugh at his cute reaction and just invite him over. Leo sat in the wooden chair beside the cabinet, his hands inside his pocket while I sat on the bed.

"Yo-you should probably cover yourself with the blanket over there since that gown is far too revealing," Leo commented, still avoiding ny eyecontact.

After covering myself with the white blanket, none of us spoke. Both of us waiting for onw another.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked, breaking the ice.

"We just need to lielow for a few days in here and then we'll strike," Leo answered, his voice changed into something really serious and authorative. Very far from his cute and shy vibes a while ago.

"How?"

He rose from his seat, began walking around the room in circles which somehow made me dizzy. "See, I already talked to few of my friends from the barracks. They are very much willing to stand by me by the time we brace Mister Douglas since he will definitely have dozens of guards hovering around him," he explained, his hands still inside his pockets.

"After that, we'll alert the authorities of Mister Douglas' wrongdoings for the past decades. His involvement into so many illegal deeds," he added then finally sitting beside me, staring so intently at me which somehow made me awkward but Leo doesn't seems to noticed.

"Or perhaps, we'll just put an end to his life like how he did to my parents. Besides, an eye for an eye, right? I know, I sound stupid, like a monster but I just can't help it. After what he did to us," Leo said, brows meeting, fists visible.

"I understand," was the only words I could reply since I am in no place to judge.

"This is not me, Clem. Believe me. This is not what being a soldier taught me to but I just can't sleep at night, knowing the man who murdered my parents, the man who stole what my parents worked hard for, the man who threatened to kill many lives still breathes,"

I held both his shoulders, assuring him that it's okay. That I understand.

"What about Augustus?" By the time those words fell out of my mouth, I knew that was a massive wrong move.

"I do-don't know. He's my friend but after what he did to us, I just don't know," he answered, his voice low, staring to his lap.

Lifting his chin, I looked at him, caress his cheek, "I am with you whatever your choice is,"

With that, Leo finally looked me in the eyes, gave me a sad smile. "I apologize for what he did to you, Clem,"

Shooking my head, I caress his cheek once more, our faces inches apart, "Shhh, it's not your fault. Nothing for you to apologize,"

"Though believe me, he was not like this. Sure, he was cocky as hell since he was a child but never did it crossed my mind that he'll be violent towards women. I fear that it was all because of his father's influence," Leo said.

"And that is not your fault as well, Leo. Keep that in mind,"

Leo was about to say something when I cut him off, "Just shut your mouth, mister,"

That somehow made him chuckle. And there, our faces are inches away from each other. Us, staring at us each other as if we are the only people in the world. I then caress his unshaven face with my fingertips.

"Are you really okay with me being half-blind and all that?" he murmured, avoiding my eye contact for a bit.

"Yes, Leo, I am perfectly fine with that. You know, this whole eyepatch thing somehow gives you a handsome villainous looks," I explained, chuckling for a bit.

"is that a bad thing or a good thing?" He asked, confused.

"Believe me, it's the best thing in the world," I answered which made him chuckle in response.

"Besides, I totally am into pirates," I added, caressed his cheek.

"in that case then remind me to purchase a ship when all this is over," he replied, tucking my hair behind my ear and there, we stared at each other again, smiles planted in our faces.

It was Leo who first initiated the kiss, his hands wrapped around my waist and his hands stayed there. The next thing I know, I am sitting on his lap, my fingers burried to his hair as our lips touch.

Everytime we kisses, I forgot everything. As if I have no problem to be problematic about. No Bennetts. Leo and I in the same era with my grandfather. Everything is fine.

"You're getting way too addicted to kissing, mister," I murmured to him as we stopped kissing for a moment. Both of us catching our breaths.

Leo just laughed at me as a reply then after that, he then kissed me again, I cab feel his smile as we kissed. There was no tongue involved, just lips. Our eyes closed.

Leo and I must've been way too invested in kissing each other to the point we did not heard the knock on the door since I almost flew from his lap when there stood Martha in the door, her arms crossed.

"Good heavens, no wonder no one is answering the door,"

"You two! Get off from each other. Control yourselves," Martha angrily declared, giving us dagger looks.

I hurriedly get off from Leo's lap and he removed his hands from my waist. My cheeks turned red due to embarrassment.

"I apologize for this, Martha," Leo blurted out, rosing from his seat. His hands behind him.

"I don't want this to happened again. Dear Lord, what would people say?" Martha said, messaging her temple.

I just bit my lip, avoiding her eyes. I don't care about what will people say. Well, except from Martha who seems like a mother to me.

Martha then cleared her throat once again. "Anyways, I came here to say something to you, Clementine. I am saying this right now since I cannot afforrd to forget about it early in the morning. You know how aging gets,"

I nod at her, still siting in the bed. Leo, meanwhile was back to his wooden chair.

"Be-before Miss Dolores died, days before that, she gave me this letter, instructing me to hand it over to you when the right time comes. I guess, this is the right time," Martha said, walking towards me and handing me the letter in which I quickly opened.

Leo who must have not noticed Martha's dagger looks hurriedly went to my side again to join me reading it. He was about to sit beside me again when Martha said, "That's not proper, Mister Finley,"

And so, he remained standing beside me. Martha went towards the door, her back against it, tapping her shoes.

Leo, in a snap, must've had a change of mind because he went back to his seat. Giving me privacy.

In the letter, there I found out that the very reason why I need to kill Mister Douglas was due to the invention of time machine which Clem's grandfather now hid in the attic due to the danger it holds. That Douglas used the time machine for his greater good and that I must kill Douglas to prevent many things from happening in the future including the death of my parents and the brutal reign of the Bennett's syndicates since Douglas was also the founder of a mafia that was the reason of Clementine's parents. In the future, the members of the gang murdered my parents because my parents refused to spill the informations of their patients and that is why, the mafia did something to their car. Luckily, I survived the car crash. If I happened to accomplish this mission, I now have the chance to go back to the future and leave Victorian Era immediately.

When I looked over to Leo, he was just watching me, running his fingers through his hair over and over again. I gave him the letter to read for himself.

While reading, I just stared at him. Watch how his face transformed from sadness to guilt.

"This is all my fault," he uttered as soon as he finished reading, placing the letter to the bedside table.

"It was me who came up with this stupid time machine. It was just a child play back then then I made the wrong move. I told Augustus 'bout it who, judging from what the letter just implied, told his father who made this time machine possible," he added, biting his lip.

" If I weren't just so stupid to spill any of this to Augustus then none of this would've happened," he exclaimed, pulling his hair out of frustration.

"Aren't you a tiny bit creep out that I came from the future?" I asked quietly, biting my lowerlip.

"as funny as this may sound, I've always knew about that since day one. It was all because of the vague dreams I kept having with you on it. I told my mother about all these but she just told me it was just all a dream but I knew this isn't. That we two are meant to meet despite how far we are at each other," he replied, using hand gesture.

"Good heavens, what are you two talking about?" Interrupted Martha, crossing her arms.

This was all new to me. You're telling me that the man I kept dreaming about was him all along? That ever since I came here, he knew I came from the future? That he knew I was lying when I told him the reason why I need to put an end to Mister Douglas' life was because he threatened my cousin's life. Perhaps that's why he was never confused when I really don't know much about cleaning, that I do know how to read and play an instrument.

I don't know what to say. "Leave," I quietly uttered, looking on the ground. I am not angry at him. No, I would never be angry at Leo. It's just too much to handle all at once with this revelations.

That all these time, Miss Dolores is aware why I need to kill Mister Douglas but still insisted on keeping it all to herself.

It's like, all these time, I am nothing but a fool. A massive fool.

Leo began walking towards me, I knew he was about to apologize. To explain. To hold my hand.

"Please," I muttered.

I can still see his feet in front of me, not moving. "You heard the girl, Mister Finley. Off you go to your bedroom,"

It took Leo a few seconds to respond, "Yes, Martha," and another few seconds before he finally began walking and left the room.

Now, I am all alone in this ridiculously large room and there, my tears began to fall. I just need to release this and I'll be all okay. It's what always happened to me. Just need to get my emotions out and that's it. Back to normal.

Two hours had passed yet I still cannot sleep. My tears are already dry. I am already okay.

I held no grudge towards Miss Dolores. Sure, she chose not to tell me the reason behind this ridiculous mission but whatever her reason is, it must be reasonable. Besides, it's Miss Dolores the wise. The woman who knows everything. The woman who knows exactly what to do. She died because of me. She had more reason to get angry at me.

I did not blame Leo either. Sure, he was the mind behind the Time Machine but it was Augustus who had a very slippy tongue who told his father about it. And his father who was too greedy to know its consequences decided to bring the Time Machine into life.

Perhaps that's what Mister Douglas' research team are working about. Building Team Machine.

Minutes has passed yet I still cannot sleep. Finally, I let out a soft sigh and slowly rose from the bed and began walking and walking.

The next thing I know, I found myself knocking to Leo's wooden door next to my room. In just one snap, the door flew open and there stood Leo, not wearing his eyepatch, looking really sad and guilty.

Leo was about to open his mouth, to explain or to apologize again, perhaps when I stopped him. I placed my forefinger to his lips and said, "Shhh, none of this is your fault, okay?"

Still, Leo opened his mouth, "No, it was all my fault. It was me who told Augus-"

I held his shoulders, "Then Augustus' fault it is,"

Somehow, that made Leo stopped, stared at me and looked down on the ground.

"Well? Aren't you gonna let me in?" As soon as I said that, Leo hurriedly widened the opening of the door to let me in and by the time we are all alone, it was awkward once again. None of us is speaking once again.

I pretended not to notice him standing so stiff beside me, looking alternately to the ground and to me. I dived right into his bed and pulled the covers into me.

It took about a minute for Leo to join me under the covers. Now, our faces are inches apart once again. This is my second time seeing his face so close without his eyepatch.

Scratching his head, "Loo-look, about the whole time machine-"

I cut him off once again. "Is not your fault,"

Still, Leo is persistent. I could tell he was about to continue discussing about this when I wrapped my arms around him to zip his mouth and to tell him that everything's okay. That I am not angry at him. That I am just a bit creep out that we are dreaming about each other, that's all.

"I am not angry, okay?" I assured him, still wrapping my arms around him. My bare cheek against his chest.

"But I will be if you don't stop apologizing," I added, rolling my eyes heavenwards in a playful manner despite the fact he cannot see my face.

Leo just responded with a slow nod, returning his embrace. He then let me used his arm as my pillow and his other hand draped to my waist.

With this position, I could feel and hear the beating of his heart. The rhythm puts me in peace.

Leo then run his fingers through my hair, lulling me into sleep.

"You know, I really am sorry for coming up with time machine but I do not regret it," Leo murmured, still brushing my hair.

"why?" I replied, tightening my arms around him.

"Because if it weren't for the time machine then I wouldn't met you," he gently answered.

I just smiled at what he just said since I know deep inside me feels the same thing as well.

"Martha would be furious when she sees us in the same room alone, let alone in a position like this," I commented, chuckling.

"That's why I locked the door," he replied, chuckling as well.

Great, now we look like idiots here.