Timeless (Timeless Book 1)

13

Genovefa sighed as she sank onto a bedroll, exhaustion making her feel ready to collapse. She pulled the edges close around her body, enjoying the warm fire in the center of the large tent. She closed her eyes, the images of their journey flashing through her mind. They had travelled far after the battle with the wolves. Her feet ached and her body felt heavy. They had sometimes stumbled blindly in the dark through thick forest, falling over roots and debris from a storm.

She could still feel the scratches on her legs from falling in a hole. Maybe things would be better once she had some sleep. The dawn bothered the others but she slipped into sleep easily, the crackling fire and morning birds a lullaby to her.

She woke with a start at the sensation of being watched. She sat up and saw one of the younger men staring at her from the opening of the tent. She rubbed her eyes as she spoke. "May I help you?" she asked, unnerved by the way he kept staring.

The man blinked as if realizing what he was doing. "I was checking on you and I realized I recognized you from somewhere. Your face is very familiar to me."

She looked at him, trying to see if she knew him herself, but he looked only like a stranger. His eyes suddenly seemed to flash red and she blinked. Had she imagined that? Maybe she was still tired. She certainly felt the heaviness of her body from exhaustion. "No, I don't think we've met anywhere else," she said finally. "Maybe you saw a woman like me."

He hummed in disagreement. "No, I definitely know you. When we were little, our families met. You probably don't remember me like I remember you."

She felt unnerved again by this man. "Um...okay?" Her uncertain voice made a smile on his face. He let out a laugh and she felt a flash of irritation. Was he mocking her for not remembering? How dare he? She got up and smoothed out her torn dress. Parts of her body were laid bare to the cold air through parts of the materiel that had been completely ripped away.

She didn't like his gaze sweeping over her body. She felt her cheeks heat up as she covered her chest. That was where it was worst. During the fall in the hole last night, a branch or root, she wasn't sure, had snagged itself on the torso of her dress and ripped quite a bit off as she tumbled further down.

She could feel the sting of scratches on her chest and she wondered if they would scar. Pushing the thought away, she glared at the still staring man. "Shoo!" she snapped. "Let me get decent!"

He flashed a smirk. He murmured something she did not catch and he left. Shortly after he left, one of the women entered. "Good. You're awake. Come here. Let me get you into some new clothes." She handed her a bear fur blanket she held in her arms. Grateful for the blanket, she wrapped it around her body, holding it close around her chest.

This was embarrassing beyond all things she had experienced in her life. With her cheeks hot, she followed the woman out and into the clearing they were camped in. She blinked away the pain of the bright sun and looked around.

The tribe was working on the deer the hunting party had brought back. She felt her stomach give a rumble of protest. She didn't want to go without food much longer but she needed something new to wear.

A rumbling sound echoed through the trees as she followed her to her tent. She recognized the sound of thunder and looked up. Dark clouds were visible through the branches.

"They say there is a storm blowing through that can knock trees over and send you flying."

"Huh?" Genovefa looked at the older woman. The woman was staring at the sky with worried brown eyes. "We better hurry and get out of here. We should be able to make it safely to the mountain nearby," she said to her. "If the stories are true, we will need to hide."

Scared now, Genovefa looked at her. "It is a powerful storm?"

The woman nodded. "Once you are dressed properly, we will pack up and leave."

The woman, Fallon, helped Genovefa carry some jugs of water back to camp that night. They had traveled into the mountains for safety. Her dark eyes blazed with determination in the moonlight. "We will heal him. He will make it!" She repeated these words over and over that Genovefa was having trouble not repeating them in her mind.

The young boy she had met when she first arrived was ill and he had a high fever. The clan was worried he might not make it. Fallon refused to listen to them, insisting that the boy would make it. But what else can a mother do but try her hardest to believe their child will get better? Deep down, they are scared of the truth. They do everything they can to help their child return to good health.

Genovefa felt guilt hit her as she compared Fallon to her own mother. Fallon was so sweet yet strict when it came to the safety of her son. She was quick to put herself at risk for her child. He was her world.

Genovefa's mother was like that once. Now she hated her for the death of her father and Genovefa could understand why. In a way, it was her fault he was gone yet at the same time she felt it wasn't. Her mind whirled with debate on what could be the truth. Her father had given his life out of fear for her safety.

He had been willing to make a deal with a demon without fully realizing the danger he put himself in. He wanted her to be happy, yes, but he refused to see anything past what he was told about Balor and so was blind to her happiness until it was too late.

Her mother was the same way. With her husband gone, she saw only more reason to hate Balor. That hate had spread towards her own daughter, lashing at her with such ferocity that she couldn't stop herself from wanting to attack Genovefa.

The event swirled through her mind, refreshing her pain. Her own mother had attacked her out of hate, anger, and sorrow. She didn't know what to think about it. She understood her mother had been distraught over everything but why blame her? She was her daughter!

She closed her eyes tightly as tears threatened to fall. She had to stop to prevent herself from falling. All her life, she had been told they loved her and always would, no matter what. Why had that come to mean nothing? What did her mother feel? Why was she so focused on blaming her for his death? She had no idea he would do what he did.

Without asking for a full explanation, she had lashed out and blamed her for his death. Her uncles were the only ones to not blame her. At least she hoped.

She let out a shuddering gasp as she tried to reign in her emotions and thoughts. Her family had fallen apart. Her life had fallen apart. She had lost both of her parents and was no longer able to go home. She had no home now. How could she live like this? Traveling from clan to clan, hoping she will survive long enough to give birth? That wasn't a life she had planned out for herself. She was supposed to be celebrating her pregnancy with her family.

There were so many things she should be doing with them but none of it would happen now. The path she walked was dark and there was no guarantee she would make it to the end of her days. There was no one who could help her survive her fate. Not even Balor and the gods. Because of his son, she would be fighting all her life to protect herself and her child.

She was scared of what could happen. What if she failed one day and he took their son away? He would turn him into a monster. She shuddered at the image of their son slaughtering innocent people.

How am I supposed to do all of this? I am just one person. She halted her thoughts. Balor will be with me! Of course I won't be alone! She gasped when Fallon touched her shoulder, jolting her out of her thoughts. She focused on her concerned eyes. "What is it, Fallon?"

"Are you okay, Genovefa? You seem upset."

"I'm fine," Genovefa replied, forcing her thoughts and memories away. "I'm perfectly fine."

Fallon wasn't completely convinced but didn't push further. "Get some rest when we get back."

"Right. I will."