Unknown Bloodlines

Prologue

Crash, crash, crash… crash, crash…

The monotonous sound of my feet meeting dirt, leaves, twigs and stones deafened my ears along with my ragged breathing. Damn it, why did I have to be so stupid! I repeatedly cursed myself all the while straining my ears to hear over the sound of my feet and breathing as I sped through the trees.

It’s so dark – I slipped on the damp earth and nearly fell flat on my face – and wet. Minutes after I started running to save my sorry ass, the heaven had opened and rain came down in torrents. By now, my hair and clothes were plastered to my face and body. “Stupid, I should steered clear of that clearing.” I mumbled silently to myself. Earlier, after hours of trudging through dense undergrowth and dodging low hanging branches, I had come across a break in the trees and saw that tree-scarce area. Having grown tired of the repetitive landscape, and ignoring my better judgment, I had left myself completely exposed to the… enemy.

“To think… I… would be left… alone after so long.” I let out a condescending breath at my stupidity. Whatever thoughts that flitted through my mind vanished the instance I heard that unholy moan I had learned to despise and fear. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as more of the hair-raising moans filled the air.

Shit, how many are there?

My body was already tiring for the exertion and the cold of the rain that pelted me, but I doubled my speed. I had to get as far as possible from the enemy. Left foot… right foot… left… right… left… right. I concentrated on my steps, diminishing thoughts of the fatigue rising in my body. An ululating moan sounded to my left had me jumping out of my skin in agitation and fright. Too close, too close. To my front and behind me, two more of the horrific sound followed, both sounding distant.  I veered sharply to the right, getting slapped multiple times in the face by branches.

No damn way are those beasts catching me alive! I already made it this far alone! 

I ground my teeth together and pushed my feet harder, my will to survive warring against my muscles screams to stop. Was that a rumble? My feet hit the ground and had it trembled slightly? I gulped down the fear. If the ground shuddered, they’re too close! My mind was stopping to function properly. Almost blind with the terror, I scrambled over a long stretch of fences that was probably used to corral livestock back in the day before all hell broke loose.  

Wait… Fences, livestock! I stumbled as it hit me when my mind gave way to realization. I must be near civilization! Somehow, I kept my feet moving, hope kindling in my bleak heart. I must be close, can’t give up now. 

Keeping my eyes ahead, I hoped to see the wall. To see what I used to resent as a cage. To see what had defiled me to live like a trapped animal. Today, it would be none of those, for it would be my salvation.