Mist of invention

Part fifteen

Before I knew what was even going on the carriage was laying on its side, and I was crouched in on myself. Glass everywhere. I think the wood cracked somewhere - or was that me?

The assailants surrounded us, and the vast, thunderous forest seemed to drown us in its might.

Could there be more hiding in the trees, I wondered as I sneaked a glance through the window before ducking back down. I could hear the men talking outside the carriage. I could not seem to breathe properly.

"Milady, run!" I heard Aileen yell, before her voice was muffled by something.

"The lady," a raspy voice said, standing directly in front of the carriage, "will not be going anywhere."

I could see his crazed, yellow eyes through the gaps of the wood. He was approaching. I looked around and desperately armed myself with a piece of glass that had fallen beside me, holding it low so he could not see it. I braved through the pain, even as my hands started shaking more violently.

He opened the door and I rushed forward, stabbing him with the shard like a madman with a mission, and rushed out. My dress restricted me, but I ran and ran with all the might I could muster, into the dark forest.

I didn't stop running until I physically couldn't anymore. Slowly resting my back against the bark of one of the giant's trees, I tried to slow my heartbeat.

In.... out...

My sides hurt like the dickens, and I almost didn't dare look, but when I did I saw the stain that had formed on my clothes I nearly passed out right then and there. 

Just fucking breathe, I told myself, but my heart seemed to try to beat itself out of my chest. The blood hadn't dripped, though when I tried to peel the cloth away it stuck to it like I was made of honey. At least I... am safe. For now.

Aileen.

I had done it again. Left her alone.

"What would I- what could I have even done," I cried to myself with shaky breath. I know nothing of the art of fighting, I could- I barely made it out myself.

I slid down the tree. My legs giving out on me.

Then, a voice, as if it came from somewhere outside of space itself, spoke:  "It is a fool's job to give up before even having tried."