Ad Astra Per Aspera

Chapter 3

They told me I couldn't, that's why I did.

Astralea's POV

My whole body hurts.

Maybe I slightly overestimated how much energy I had, but it's too late to regret it now.

I do wish I had a little bit more time, but I can already feel the effects of IV, the adrenaline and I chugged that bottle with water when running so it could have been worse.

No, it is worse, I managed to get out of the house but I don't know where I am. It's surrounded by a forest. A very cold forest. I was hoping that while carrying me they will give away where we are, but they didn't. I do know that someone is an hour away from here, so there must be a city somewhere close. Or at least a road.

Unless they are flying here.

Too many ifs, I don't like it.

I decided to head west. It's sunset so at least I will be following the sun. God I hope this will get me somewhere.

Howling.

Shit.

Or I'm in the forest that has wolves, or they released dogs. Either option isn't good.

I keep on running through the forest, as fast as I can, which isn't very fast. Sticks and branches are cutting my face, I know my feet are bleeding since I got no shoes on. But I need to run, I need to escape them.

The water, I can hear the water. Maybe a river.

No, not just a river, it's too loud for a river, a waterfall.

That's it, that's my way out. If I jump down the waterfall, if I somehow survive, that's it. That's all I need to escape. And the dogs will lose my scent.

"Princess!"

I know that voice, that deep manly voice that makes you want to stop moving. Arcane.

But I can't stop, I can't let him intimidate me like that, I'm so close.

But so is he. I know both of them are.

I run towards the waterfall, it's getting louder and louder, but there are so many trees around.

"SHIT!" And I just almost fell down this cliff. I see the waterfall and run closer to it, it's so beautiful. But there is a tiny issue, it's high, maybe even too high.

Where am I even? I've never seen this place before, I've never seen trees like these.

"Hey Princess." A deep voice said behind me and I turned around. They found me. Caught up to me. Fuck.

I am cursing way too much lately.

But fuck if I gave a shit.

"There is nowhere to go, you won't survive that jump, you know it"

Oh please, it doesn't look like there are rocks at the bottom, at the right angle I should be able to survive with minor bruises. At the wrong angle I might break a bone or two. He thinks he is leaving me without a choice.

We always have a choice.

And I need to make mine.

"I choose freedom." So cheesy.

And on that I spread my arm on the side and fell backwards.

Falling down the waterfall with your arms spread out and the last words being "I choose freedom" does sound pretty iconic to me.

I never really realized how beautiful waterfalls are up close. I'm glad it's the last thing I see. And I close my eyes.

But I get in the pose the last second, and hit the water hoping to survive.