The Trial She Faces

Chapter 7

Evie ran through the woods, panting hard as the trees whipped past her, occasionally stumbling over the uneven ground. She could hear the howls of the patrol wolves behind her, and they were getting louder and louder. She had to go faster otherwise she would be caught and punished severely. Imprisoned. Whipped. Starved. And who knew what else awaited her if she failed to escape the wolves giving chase at that moment.

Determined not to let that happen, Evie pushed herself faster and faster, desperate to reach the pack border and reach the human town. Her legs burned and chest heaved, seemingly she could not get enough air into her lungs. Despite her increased speed, she could hear the sound of paws hitting the ground and chasing her down.

Louder and louder.

Closer and closer.

Not much further now she reassured herself. Ahead in the distance she could see some lights appearing indicating that it was the human town. But the wolves behind her were gaining faster and faster. Just a little further she chanted in her head. At this point she could practically feel the wolves breathing down her next.

Out of nowhere a wolf skidded out of peripheral vision, straight into the line of her path, blocking her from escape. It's eyes were slitted and focused on her fast approaching form.

But Evie continued to increase her speed. The wolf ahead looked shocked but planted it's paws firmly on the ground.

At the very last second, just as she saw the wolf's muscle tense preparing to launch at her, she turned abruptly at a ninety-degree angle, narrowing avoiding the attacking wolf as it launched through the air.

Bursting through the tree line she heard a set of jaws snap closed behind her - narrowly missing a strap hanging off of her backpack. Without turning around, Evie kept running forward to be sure she was far away from her former pack mates who were forbidden from going past this point.

After stepping underneath a street light, she finally turned to see a few shadowy figures lurking behind the tree line. A sharp gasp escaped her mouth as Alpha Darren stepped forward with a grim look marring his face.

'Are you really going to leave your pack - your family. Come now Evie think about your poor, sickly mother. Who will take care of her if you leave? If you come back with me now, you will not be punished too severely. I promise.' Alpha Darren called out.

'Staying will only break me more. This is what I want, and it is what my mum wants. That is what a true and loving parent sacrifices for their child.' Evie spat back causing the Alphas face to morph into a sneering mess with his canines protruding.

Without wasting another second on her former alpha, Evie turned around and hastily made her way towards the train station, as she had discussed with her mum and Joanne earlier in the day. She could see a few people still lingering around - remnants of the after-work rush. Evie guessed it was getting close to six in the evening judging the quickly receding light that left her with a chill her bones.

Hastily, with regular glances over her shoulder to make sure that she was not being followed, Evie made her way into the train station ticket office.

'Excuse me, I have this ticket for a train tomorrow. Is there any chance I can exchange it for a train tonight? I know it is last minute, but I really hope that you can help me out.' Evie called out to a lady working the station who had her back turned to the girl.

'Let me have a look honey. Alrighty, there is a train leaving in about 30 minutes that can take you to the next town over to this ticket. Once you get there, you can take another short trip to the station on your original ticket. And you'll just have to pay a small transfer fee. Is that okay?' The grey-haired lady smiled at Evie with the offer, clearly sensing the girl needed her kindness.

'Yes please. That would be so great.' Evie nodded in agreement, very thankful that she would be leaving so soon.

Swiftly the lady preformed the exchange and sent Evie on her way with a warming smile. The older lady hoped the young girl found her way safety - judging by her frazzled appearance she needed to leave as soon as possible.

Hiking up her bags Evie made her way to the right platform grateful for the help she had been given. Before long, Evie's train pulled into the station, and she boarded with a relieved sigh - she would be free in mere moments.

As the train headed out of the station, she could sense wolves running through the woods beside her, almost threatening that they will get her back one day. But for now, she was free. Out of their grasp.