In His Cold Embrace

Chapter 8

The icy cold water was a shock to my body and I froze temporarily before adrenaline took over. I had heard a few gasps when I had hit the water. I swam as quickly as the boots and heavy dress material would allow. My legs kicked fiercely at the strong waves and I swam. I was far away from the shores but I knew I had to try and make it.

Shortly after I had begun my vigorous swimming, my legs began to ache. I took deep breaths to ease the pressure on my lungs which felt ready to burst.

My brain was working overtime with thoughts of Ryder finding me and where  I was going to go without a horse. I had a small knife strapped to my thigh.

I forced my body to keep going by reminding myself that this was my chance for freedom. The boots were weighing me down and I contemplated taking them off.

I looked ahead and saw that the white shores were so close.

Using the last bit of energy in me, I swam faster towards it and pulled myself up. I laid on my backs for a few moments, struggling to regain a normal heart rate. I sat up and saw several bodies hitting the water.

Damn!

Ryder must have been notified. I got up and started running into the bushes, shivering against the night air. I tripped when the sleeve of my dress got caught in a branch. I tore the dress off, leaving me in only a short mauve chemise with matching underwear. I trembled when I heard voices in the distance. Footsteps hammered through the bushes behind me. I ran faster, pushing my exhausted legs into overdrive. I tripped again and automatically pushed my hands out infront of me to catch myself.

I couldn't see where I was and the men were getting closer. I got up again and turned left, hoping to lose them and head to some sort of salvation.

A frustrated cry got tangled with the lump in my throat. I ran a hand through my wet hair and slicked it back.

"She must be somewhere close by," I heard Ryder's voice snarl.

I cringed at the rage clearly heard in his voice.

"Find her now!" He shouted and I heard more voices in reply to his command.

I stumbled along a path and my hand touched a tree. I leaned against it, ready to give up, when I could distinctly make out a shallow cave.

My heart fluttered with both hope and fear,who knew what could be in that cave.

I took a few steps toward it and was about to take another when something crashed into me.

Surprised, I landed flush on my backside and stared up into Ryder's calm, pale face.

His white dress shirt was bright in the darkness."Get up."

More footsteps sounded and I jumped up,ready to run.

I was tugged back sharply by my hair."I'll stop trying to run if you release me," I hissed.

He didn't respond and my heart fell like a brick. I was in for some deep paddling.

He let me go and threw something at me. I realized it was his shirt. Quietly, I pulled it on and even though it was wet, I could feel his body warmth and it made me shiver.

"We head east to the nearby plantation estate to get some horses and then we make the journey via carriage. Start moving."

He stalked off, without looking back to see if I had followed his instructions. I bowed my head low and fell in step with him and his men. There was silence all around except for nature's sounds and our footsteps. I shivered when a strong wind blew.