Kaltain

7. Guide?....

"Let me go!" Ava shouted, struggling against Rose's iron grip. Rose dragged her back to their original spot with effortless strength, making Ava's escape attempt look almost laughable. She had barely moved before Rose was on her, faster than Ava could blink.

With a harsh shove, Rose sent Ava sprawling to the ground. The dry, golden-brown leaves crunched beneath her, and the freshly risen sun cast a warm glow over the horizon, painting the clouds with a blush of pink. Shadows danced around Ava as she pushed herself up, only to be met by the sight of five intimidating figures encircling her.

Ava felt utterly powerless, like a cat cornered by a pack of growling dogs. This, she thought bitterly, was the brutal truth of life: the weak were preyed upon by the strong. In this harsh reality, she was nothing more than a worm writhing under the predatory gazes of these merciless individuals. Any fleeting hope of escape vanished with the darkness of night, replaced by the unforgiving light of dawn.

Ava's mind was invaded by a barrage of worst-case scenarios, each more terrifying than the last. Her heart pounded a frantic rhythm of fear, and sweat slicked her palms. Clenching her fists until her fingers trembled, she took a deep, shaky breath.

"Please," Ava's voice quivered, barely above a whisper. "Just let me go."

Rose's cold eyes narrowed. "You should have thought of that before you tried to run," she replied, her voice as sharp as a blade.

Ava's shoulders slumped in resignation. She knew she was outmatched and outnumbered. The reality of her situation crashed over her like a wave, leaving her with nothing but despair. Her only option now was to survive and hope for a chance to escape later.

The red-haired woman, Flo, stepped forward. Ava scrambled back, stopping only when her back collided with someone's legs. She flinched, her heart racing. Flo's appearance struck her: a white V-neck bishop-sleeved shirt, messily tucked under a black denim skirt with a revealing slit, black pants underneath, and a leather corset belt cinching her waist. Her auburn hair, part braided, part free-flowing, danced in the wind.

"I apologize for the inconvenience. We didn't mean to terrify you," Flo said, her rosy lips curving into a faint smile. Yet, her eyes held a cold, calculated look. She knelt to Ava's level and extended a hand, the large bow on her left arm keeping Ava wary.

"I'm Florian, a pleasure to meet you," she introduced herself. Ava's eyes fixated on the extended hand. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and morning birds chirped merrily, but Ava's heart drummed frantically against her ribs. Flo could surely sense her fear. The warm sunlight bathed Ava, tingles spreading through her fingers as she unclenched her fists and reached out tentatively.

She licked her dry lips, mustering all the confidence she could. "I'm Avalynn, though you already seem to know that." She clasped Flo's hand, pulling herself up and releasing a shaky breath. The bow on Flo's left hand loomed intimidatingly. Flo's grin widened as she stepped back, eyes scanning Ava from head to toe.

"I hope you didn't get any serious injuries, right?" She waved toward the others, a nervous laugh escaping her. The quiver on her shoulder shifted with her movements.

"I swear we mean no harm to you. I just wanted to ask a few questions," Flo continued, her voice airy, tinged with hesitation.

"Go on," Ava responded, ignoring the previous question. She craned her neck to meet Flo's gaze. Jeez, how do people even get this tall? Ava shakes away the distracting thoughts internally and shifts her weight on the other leg. Her fingers abide the beat of nervous tapping on her right thigh as she continues eyeing the others with eyes that were practically shooting arrows dripping with perspicuous apprehension.