Trapped ( Zarobljena prevedeno na engleski jezik )

10. Sanctities

She ran even though she heard the sound of a stick approaching her. She ran even though she could feel the hot breath of the specter, the breath of hell itself. She ran even though the rustling of a bag followed her incessantly. She ran even though she didn't know where to escape. Her legs tirelessly leaped over stones and brush. I must not fall now. If I fall, I have fallen forever.

- It's useless to run, trapped. You won't escape. Sooner or later, I will catch you. There is only one path for you and only one place.

The hissing spread through the forest, which had become a prison for the Evangelia. It's density and the frequent trees made her escape difficult. Branches whipped her face and briefly halted her, but just long enough for the specter's claws to inch closer to her legs.

Every time she glanced back, there was a horrifying skull with pupil-less eyes in its ghastly, grinning smile. Now triumphant, for what it had come for was within reach of its claws.

The girl was running without a specific direction. I will run until I fall, I will run until I am grabbed. God, forgive me all my sins, I am sorry. I am sorry, mother, father, and brothers, for I am sinful and unworthy to be with you in paradise. Forgive me.

Tears streamed down her face like the Evangelia. She knew she could never escape the apparition and hell, but she kept running. She used the flight to buy time to speak to those she loved one last time. She knew that once she reached hell itself, they would never hear her again.

The girl was blind from tears and did not notice the tree in front of her. She crashed into it and felt a sharp pain. Behind her, a creature's claw swooshed, but it did not touch her.

It’s over. She thought, and with her eyes closed, she stood waiting to feel the blades on her skin, her ultimate judgment. But she still felt nothing. She turned around and looked at the apparition.

To Evangelia' s astonishment, the devil's servant did not approach the tree beneath which she was located. It was as if an invisible barrier around the tree prevented him from coming closer and grabbing her. He furiously swung his claws, while his empty eyes continuously stared at something on the trunk. The girl gathered herself and followed the gaze of the apparition.

The apparition was staring at the carved cross on the tree.

***

She realized that in her flight, she was actually returning back. She was close to the place where the twins had left her. Suddenly, a voice from one of them echoed in her mind. A cross was carved into the tree, and it was the path to her. In the forest, there was a small church, you won't find a safer place in the woods.

She looked at the arrow above the cross, which pointed to the right. Then she glanced at the apparition, which was taking on a human form. In front of her stood a woman again, but her eyes were still without pupils.

- You can't stay here forever. The protection will break. But I have time. I will wait - said the apparition in the body of the woman, laughing with evil, beautiful feminine lips.

The girl was filled with courage like a tide, for she had finally seen a glimmer of hope for salvation, at least until morning dawned, provided that the church accepted her sinful soul.  I must be quick, quicker than ever. I must be brave. I have no choice, the girl encouraged herself as she circled around the saving tree. 

The apparition continuously watched her with white eyes. Something lightly struck her on the head. The girl realized it was an apple that had ripened and fallen from the tree. 

She stepped forward slowly and discreetly, and like a whirlwind, she flew in the direction indicated by the apple tree. 

***