Captured

Chapter 1

There is a storm coming. I dont need a weather man to tell me that much. I can sense it in the smell of the air, see it in the rippling grey of the clouds, and feel it in the way the wind tugs at my fur in frantic warning. Its close. The atmosphere around me is tense with static energy. Like even touching a near branch will cause the lightning to start and the heavens to release their sorrows.
I had been so intent on running from my problems that I hadn't noticed as the air started to change. There wouldnt be time to return from where I came- the scrappy shelter I pieced together of sticks and brush would be swept away by the time I returned tomorrow. I can only hope that the dead tree I stored my supplies in would survive the night.
I kept my nose in the air as I searched for cover. Sometimes you can smell a cave before you can see it- but thats not what I was on the look out for. The pack of rogues that had been trailing me for weeks had yet to give in, and I dont have the time nor the energy to survey the area before the storm unleashes.
I find a small root cover under a great oak and its vines. The forest drops off in a shallow cliff right near the base of the tree which created a small cavern beneath the tubers. The perfect size to huddle up and bear the storm. I shift back into my human form and shrug on my well worn clothes- which I always keep in a pack which fits to surround my wolf's chest.
I push the hanging vines from the opening and scrape some of the debris from the base of the cavern. I try not to look as I feel tiny things wiggle and writhe in my grasp. I may be a creature of the wilderness, but worms, maggots and creepy crawlies remind me too much of the rot of the dungeons to accept them as a part of nature.
Besides-who the hell wants spiders crawling up their ass during a thunderstorm?
Just as the first rumble of thunder rolls through the forest, I climb into my small refuge and draw the curtain of vines behind me. I close my eyes to the smell of earth and the sound of angry sky reverberating against dirt walls.
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I wake as I feel something drip on my forehead. I shake my head and try to nod back off.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
First my forehead, then my nose, my right eye, my lips. I finally wipe my face and look to my surroundings. 3 walls of dirt, 1 of vine, and a ceiling of woven roots.
Drip. Drip.
Right in my mouth this time. I taste the mud water seeping through my teeth, and sputter to rid myself of its earthy flavor.
The rain outside has stopped, and the mild light after dawn gives way to the small sounds of the forest. The hum of life after a storm.
I feel something scamper across my feet and shriek as I fold more into myself.
Breathe in. Just a mouse. Breathe out.
Time to go.
As I peep out through the curtain of vines and sniff the air in a particularly non-human manor, I observe the wreckage around me. Sticks and leaves cover the ground and emit the smell of petrichor. The distinct note is perfect to cover my tracks as I travel back to fetch my meagre belongings. I count; four thousand, two hundred and thirty three steps at 211 degrees West on the compass, approximate.
The gnarled and uninviting dead tree sits to the left of me, and the teeth of its mouth taunt clamping on my arm as I fish for my bag of gear.
"Eyes closed Amelia. No bugs no bugs no bugs."
I chant to myself as I search the hole in the tree. I feel the bottom of the opening with jagged rotten edges. My eyes shoot open as panic pangs in my heart.
"Shit!"
I push past my anxiety and force myself to look into the tree's cavern. Empty-spare a few spiders. Gross.
I jump back as I hear a twig snap behind me.
"Looking for this?" Humors a deep voice from close by- too close. I never get a face to match the rumble as the world goes black.

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A/N: Short chapter but I felt we ended at a good place lol. Thank you guys so much for checking out my story! I look forward to getting to know you all as you read and I write. Not sure how often I'll update- Im a uni student and have quite a bit on my plate, but I needed something to take the edge off a bit lol. I'll try to keep it fairly regular for your sake. 

Please be forewarned: this novel is ranked mature for a reason. Characters will curse and be most unruly. Many of them have traumatic pasts, and I will not be sparing many details, as it does play into the story, however, I will mark a TW to the best of my ability before the offending chapters. Please let me know if I miss something as I would hate to be the person to unintentionally trigger one of my beloved readers <3

As for the presence of ~mature~ scenes, I am currently unsure. I will ofc update this when I know for certain, but I am not 100% confident in my ability to write a properly spicy scene. Even if I choose not to include alllll of the details, there will most definitely be /stuff/, so not to worry (as this is a dark romance lol). Anywhoooom,,, see you all next chapter!! <3