I run faster, watching my step and praying that I don’t trip. The guards voices grow louder as they approach. My footsteps on the cobblestone seem amplified, the winding road ahead of me seeming longer than I remember.
I can’t be caught, not now, I think, desperately looking for some place to hide. But the sunset paints the path bright colors and my only hope is to make it to the woods. I can see the trees, looming closer, but not close enough. The guards’ voices are heading this way.
Just a few more steps and I’ll be safe.
Just a few more seconds and I could be put in jail for the rest of my life.
I try to ignore the part of me that’s screaming about how idiotic I am and how I’m doomed. I run faster than I thought I could, heart pounding in my ears. Then I’m under the canopy of leaves, safe. I sink into the shadows, panting. The guards start to drift back. Relieved, I turn to continue on the way to the Bunker.
And snap a twig, sending a loud sound to reverberate in the woods. I freeze.
“What was that?”
And I’m running again. I hear leaves crumpling under the guards’ feet and I don’t bother trying to be quieting anymore; they already know I’m here. I curse under my breath and try to continue at a fast pace, but I wasn’t born an athleticism child. As I’m about to give up, a hand clasps around my mouth and jerks me behind a large oak on the side of the trail.
I wonder what prison is like, if we’re fed occasionally. I wait to hear the contented remark and feel the cold blade against my skin, but there’s nothing. I hear the guards pass by the bush and allow myself to breathe. Then I turn my head and look into the eyes of none other than Jkahl.
"Jkahl!" I whisper, breathing heavily. "Oh, thank God."
"Still don't need protection?" He raises and eyebrow at me and I elbow him.
"I was doing fine."
"Mhm." He rolls his eyes. "And what are you doing here anyway?"
"I, um," I flush, not sure how to explain. "My mother and I had a bit of a falling out."
"And she kicked you out of the house?" He looks incredulous. "That's rough."
"Well not exactly..." I don’t meet his eyes. "I just left."
"Why would you leave?" Jkahl asks incredulously.
"She wouldn't stop nagging me, and praising the Ruler—"
"But you've got a mother who loves and cares for you."
"She doesn't understand—"
"She doesn't have to understand." He stands up. "You have someone to look out for you! You have a house and food and a mother who loves you! Do you realize how lucky you are?" He looks at me in disgust and runs off.
I stand, numb with surprise. That last outburst wasn’t like Jkahl at all, and I come to the conclusion that something must be bothering him to the point where it’s putting him on edge. I resolve to ask him about it tomorrow. I drag myself the last few yards to the burrow and manage to roll the boulder back into place before collapsing on the ground.
I wake up in darkness, and for a moment I have no clue where I am. Then I remember yesterday, my fight with my mother and the conversation with Jkahl. My stomach growls loudly, reminding me that I haven't eaten since lunch at Joley’s yesterday. I hear the boulder moving and look up.
"Adi, what are you doing here?" Pare asks, climbing down into the burrow.
"I spent the night," I sit up, yawning. "I hope that's not a problem."
"No, it's alright." He sits on the chair in the corner. "Once everybody gets here I have some important news."
"Important news?" I stand up, more awake.
"Go find Joley; I told her to bring The Scroll from with her about fifteen minutes ago." Pare instructs. “If you could see what’s keeping her, I’d appreciate it.”
I quickly exit and trace the path to Joley's shack. It's a quiet road, so every footstep echoes for a mile each way. I snatch a handful of berries off a bush to my left. I raise them to my mouth to eat, then pause and take a closer look at the fruit. I grimace and throw away the poisoned food. I'll have to wait a little longer for food.
As I approach the cabin, I call out Joley's name. There's no response, which is odd, considering the windows are open and Joley has impeccable hearing.
"Joley, Pare really needs The Scroll. Everyone's going to be at the burrow soon!" Still, silence. I open the door and cautiously step inside. The room is bare. The few pieces of furniture that had been here a few days ago are not in sight. I see a pile in the corner.
"J-Joley?" I whisper, walking to the corner. I reach out a hand and turn over what appears to be a large object wrapped in a blanket. Long black hair splays out on the ground and I pull down the blanket with shaking hands, revealing Joley’s pale face. Her shirt is stained scarlet, blood pooling all around her.
"No." I whisper, stumbling backwards.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
I whip around to find myself face to face with a man decked in black, durable clothes, with a sword in its sheath around his waist. His face has a long scar running from his forehead to his chin.
"What's a little girl doing so far from home?" He draws.
I grit my teeth. "I am not a little girl."
"Hmm, what do you think O'Brynn?" Scar-face turns to invite another guard in the door.
"Looks young enough to fit the punishment to me." He growls. My mind races, trying to find a way out of the room. Two armed men are much more than a match for me.
"Fine." I step forward. "Take me to jail. Just get it over with already."
"I don't think so." O’Brynn smirks at his companion. "Those weren't our orders at all."
I pause, taken aback. Orders? Whose orders? "Then what—?"
"Oh, I think you'll find out soon enough." The first guard pulls out a long gleaming sword from his belt. “
"You can't do that." My voice catches in my throat. "The Ruler is ruthless, but he wouldn’t let you kill an innocent civilian.”
"Oh, but my dear," the guard runs a finger along the edge of the silver weapon. "The Ruler's the one who gave us these orders.
