CHAPTER 4 #2
Lucky for me, they’re running fast, and the snow and grass mask my scent.
Sitting upright, I scan my surroundings before bolting in the direction they came from, hoping they won’t backtrack.
Once hidden beneath the high trees, I keep running, searching for any sign of the barbed-wire fence surrounding the city.
Darkness thickens under the canopy, swallowing what little light remains. Even with my heightened senses, I can barely see.
I run blind, dodging trees at the last second—until I don’t.
Until my feet hit air.
The world vanishes beneath me, and then—icy water.
The surface shatters as I crash through the thin layer of ice, plunging into the freezing depths.
I flail, gasping. I don’t know how to swim.
Panic seizes me, locking my limbs, and I swallow mouthfuls of dirty water.
I cough. Splutter. Sink.
This is it; I’m going to die.
I reach around for anything, trying to move the water and keep my head above the water line.
My hands come in contact with some sort of vine or tree growth, and I manage to pull myself out and drag my freezing cold body over the bank.
My clothes are drenched, and the cold air of the night pierces my skin, making me even colder.
I fight against the urge to give up and let myself die.
My muscles scream, locking up from the intense temperature change, my teeth chattering so hard I wonder if they’re going to break.
I force my legs to move, willing myself to go faster. I don’t know how long I run for, and I nearly weep in relief when I see the fence line just on the other side of the trees; I am nearly there, so close I can almost smell my freedom.
Just as I think I am about to break through the tree line, I run full force into somebody, bouncing off their chest. I fall back on the ground and feel all breath leave my body.
Moving backward on my hands and knees, I try to get away from the dark figure, who is now coming even closer to me.
I see menacing, snake-like eyes staring down at me that seem to glow with an evil light, I scramble to get to my feet.
Only when I stand and turn to run, I run into someone else.
And this person’s glowing eyes make my blood run colder than the icy pond.
My veins turn to ice as he peers down at me.
Nothing only gold and green glowing orbs staring at me.
My heart pounds violently, drowning out all other sounds.
The man with those evil eyes grips my arms, his fingers burning into my skin before his claws pierce my flesh. A sharp sting—then warmth as blood trickles down my arm.
Air rushes past me, his grip vanishing—before I am hurled into a tree.
Pain explodes in my back as I slam into the trunk, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. Another scream tears from my throat as I crash to the ground, a sharp stick stabbing straight through my palm.
I yank it out, the scent of my own blood filling my nose, warm liquid spilling down my hand and arm.
The crunch of twigs snaps me back to reality.
I lift my head—he’s coming for me again.
Like a predator closing in on its prey, his aura is menacing, thick with rage. It pulses in the air, suffocating me.
“You think you can leave me? That you can run?” His voice bellows, sending a shudder through me.
I scramble to my feet, he’s faster.
His fingers twist into my hair, yanking me back, my scalp burning as strands rip free.
I scream.
His hand wraps around my throat, and then—I’m airborne again.
The ground rushes up. My head hits first. A sickening crack.
Darkness tempts me, pulling at the edges of my vision.
My head pounds in its own painful rhythm, ears ringing so loud I can barely think. I can’t breathe.
Then—pressure.
A boot presses down on my chest, pinning me in place.
A voice shouts through the haze, familiar yet distant. The weight disappears.
Growls erupt around me, the sounds of bodies colliding.
I push up onto my hands and knees, half-conscious, vision swimming.
I try to stand—stumble. Fall. Try again.
Hands grab me.
I scream.
“Shh, Elora. It’s just me.”
Dragus.
My body goes limp, my fingers gripping his shirt as he holds me upright, his arm a steel band around my waist.
The fight rages behind us, the sounds growing louder.
Then—a violent tug.
I’m ripped from Dragus’s grasp.
His arms tighten around me, refusing to let go.
“Let her go, Dragus!”
The voice makes my stomach drop.
The same man who just threw me around like I was nothing.
“Leave her, Silas, she is barely conscious.”
“She sounds conscious enough, hand her over.”
I grip onto Dragus, knowing I stand a better chance at survival with him.
Silas grabs my hair, making me scream and I feel tears run down my cheeks.
“Silas, she can’t take anymore, let her go, now.”
“She should have thought about that before running from us. I’ll make sure she never fucking runs again,” he bellows, his voice laced with fury.
Then—his fist flies.
Dragus stumbles back, crashing to the ground.
I barely have time to react before Silas grabs me.
Adrenaline surges through me. I kick. I struggle.
His grip only tightens.
His arm locks around my chest, crushing me against him.
A hand clamps over my throat, squeezing like a boa constrictor, while his arm across my chest presses the air from my lungs.
I can’t breathe.
“Fucking Aziza’s thinking they can always get away with everything,” I hear him growl into my ear. I claw at his arm, trying to get him to let go. My attempts are getting weaker as my body slowly becomes deprived of oxygen.
When I am once again thrown to the ground, I gasp for air. My entire body feels limp and heavy as I lay face down on the dirt. I give up, welcoming death. Please let me die quickly. I feel his foot come down on the center of my back.
“Please, just kill me” I breathe. Closing my eyes, waiting for death.
“Silas, please, no more,” I hear Matitus say, and I realize he is the one who attacked Silas. He pushes me onto my back and my entire body feels bruised and battered. I lay there as he continues to stare down at me. Kneeling beside me, Silas grips my face and growls.
“Run again and I will fucking kill you, understood?” he snarled at me.
“I won’t run,” I tell him, my voice barely a whisper as it feels even hard to talk.
His arms go underneath my back and knees, and I feel myself being lifted.
I brace myself, waiting to be tossed again only this time he pulls me closer, hugging me tight to his chest. After a few minutes, I realize he won’t throw me again.
I relax, going limp against him and giving into the darkness that has been trying to envelope me, praying to the fates I won’t wake back up to this nightmare that is my life.