ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 76 - Part A

I've grown quite accustomed to the cold, so it doesn't bother me so much. The whole waiting thing is worse than anything else, it makes me question my next move despite it being my only choice.

The little girl comes to hand me the water, and I return I give her my jacket, knowing she's been eyeing it up for a while. The child tosses me her fur covering, giggling as she takes off running away, not wanting to be seen wearing it by the others.

I stretch up and sling the makeshift wooden door aside, and I wait.

Having already prepared for this moment, I'm at the ready, my leg bouncing with anticipation. I'd removed everything except my boots, and my panties and bra. Except now I have the fur covering, it'll help conceal some warmth. My previous clothes are far too bloody, they'll sniff me out easily.

Which is why I'd spent so much time rubbing dirt and mud into my skin and hair last night. I was raised by a monster, and I've been trained by them, and now captured by them.

Then I hear it.

The thundering of roars and vibration of feet pounding heavily as they all take off in one direction.

With some pain, I quickly pull myself up from the pit, sliding onto the dirt. I climb to my feet, my phone in one hand and my compass in the other, I take off up the mountain. I don't cover my tracks because it won't matter, it just means I have a head start.

This isn't like before.

This time I'm running for survival.

And I fucking sprint, the icy winds lashing against my skin. But the burn is welcome, my body feeling lighter without the weight of all the hiking gear. It allows me to move faster, more silently up the snow covered mountain.

My breathing is heavy, ragged as I follow the compass in the direction I'd given the pilot. My heart pounds in my chest, it feels like minutes pass before I get to the top of the mountain, but it's been longer.

I know they're coming back, any second theyll catch me. That forces my legs faster, nearly toppling me down the side of the mountain as I rush down the other side.

The open space is absolute huge, with less snow and a stream that they use for water. I saw it when they brought me here, and I'm aware that it's extremely close to their home, but I won't make it to the next mountain without being caught.

The helicopter is quite compared to the wind blowing against me, trying to claim me. It's in the distance, and the roar of the Lycans echo behind me. They've reached the top of the mountain, they can see me.

My boots pound against the thin layer of snow, my legs burning and my lungs hot, I push myself. I keep going, hell hot on my fucking heels.

The helicopter doesn't land as requested, tossing the ladders out of the door instead, ready to get me up and away and fast as possible.

And fuck, I run.

My lungs are about to give way, but I feel them closing in on me, and I see the ladders ahead. So close, and yet feeling so far. I don't dare glance back, knowing I'll probably trip over my own feet. Thank god I'd taken track in high school. Is all I can think, pushing and pushing myself to the very limit.

A Lycan is hot on my heels, metres behind me. But the ladder sways, so close. I know I won't make it if I keep running, so as the ladder sways back my way, I lunge forwards. Arms outstretched.

A sharp blinding pain travels across my back, my fingers grasp the second to last step as the helicopter lifts up to avoid being dragged down by Lycans.

I grip on for dear life, instantly beginning to climb. Luckily none of the Lycans think to jump, I doubt they even know how to climb a goddamn ladder. As I'm climbing, the ladder is being pulled up. The air growing absolute boltic.

My heart doesn't stop pounding, as much as I wish it would. Beating painfully against my ribs.

Finally, I crash against the hard yet familiar floor of the helicopter. My breathing ragged and my lungs burning, I couldn't feel anything except pain, and relief.

So much relief.

The medic slides the door shut and locks it, quickly kneeling beside me and tending to my wounds. I hadn't called the Elders directly, I don't want them knowing I'm alive, not yet. Good thing that I know a couple people that owed me some favours.

As the medic tends to my injuries, I fall to sleep on the floor. Just being out of the ice cold wind is enough to make me feel a little warmer.

"Hypothermic, dehydrated...infected...malnutrit-ion.." The voice fades away into the distance, allowing me to be perfectly content.

I don't remember the helicopter landing, or being escorted into a building. Everything is black, and silent, and I bask in it.