Feral for her freedom

T H R E E

Wriggling my way out from the bush I continued south. The sun hadn't quite hit its peak in the sky, alerting me I had dozed for much longer than I'd intended. Cursing myself, I picked up my pace. I hadn't a clue as to where I was, I'd never been this far east because it was too close to where The Finding took place.

I stopped only to hunt because I couldn't function optimally on an empty stomach. I hunched down, cupping my hands to drink the water from a river while being careful to stay on a sturdy part of the riverbank as to not fall into the rushing water that was flooded with all of the melted snow from the mountains. I had hardly brought the water to my lips when I realized the danger too late.

Pine hit my nose like a brick to the face.

I leapt back from my spot at the river and twisted around to see my worst nightmare stalking towards me.

He was in his pure state which was not good. It meant he no longer underestimated me.

In his hand he clutched my shirt.

He noticed my gaze and held it up. "Oh, did you lose this?"

I growled at him, the hair on my arms prickling with irritation at his mocking tone.

He snarled back at me, but I did not shrink from him.

"It's over female. I've spent five years tracking you down. I will not waste another second on you." He took another step towards me to which I took one back.

My foot hit loose soil that then tumbled into the rushing water. I was trapped between him and the river.

"Don't be stupid. I didn't come alone. You aren't getting away this time."

I'd gotten away before and I would do it again.

Straightening, I lowered my tensed-up shoulders and took a less aggressive stance. The Zeta agent, thinking I'd given in, took another step towards me. He reached out a hand towards me but before he could grab me, I jumped into the river.

The rapids immediately pulled me under, but I forced my way to the top, my head breaking the surface in time to see the Zeta agent racing along the riverbank, cursing at me the whole while.

I was pulled back under again, my body tumbling through the water. A branch hit my side and I yelped, water gushing into my lungs. I launched myself back towards the surface only able to gulp down a small amount of air before I was thrust back under.

My lungs screamed for air, begging me to kick to the surface which was no small feat with the strength of the current. My vision was going black, and my lungs felt like they were about to explode. With one last mighty kick, I forced my way back up to the top.

My head broke the surface and a huge gasp pushed from my lungs. I choked on the water that splashed into my mouth but used what was left of my energy to fight to stay above the surface.

I slammed into a fallen tree that had been uprooted by the erosion the spring water had caused. I clutched onto the branch, wrapping my legs around another that was under the water. The rapids pelted at my body, but I held on, refusing to die when I had come this far.

A hand latched onto my shoulder and I was ripped from the water.

I screamed out in protest but had no energy to fight back. I was dragged back to solid ground and was forced to my knees on the riverbank. A shirt was pulled over my head and my arms were yanked through the holes. Then my wrists were wrenched behind my back and cuffed.

My eyes burned with tears I refused to shed.

Gone was my life of freedom.

Gone was my life without males.