Unknown (on hold)

TWO. LOST AND FOUND

I was alive. I was also alone. They must have left me here. To die. Judging on how my body felt it wouldn't be long now. As I lay on the hard ground I thought of how this had all come to be. My friend, Tina, convincing me to go out to some random party. Even having fun at first. This guy had started chatting to me about this and that. Maybe even flirted a little. I hadn't done anything with the guy, not a kiss and no more touching than him tapping my arm as we joked with each other. But then those girls cornered me at the toilet near the back door. They reacted as if I had slept with the guy right there in the front of everyone. They were so fuming, confusing me with their rage, pure fury. Somehow they maneuverer me to the door shoving faces and bodies invading my space. I had never known such obsessed viciousness and cruelty. It was bewildering and I was anxious to get away. I kept telling my self to stay calm and tried to reason with them apologising for this crime I hadn't committed. That was when things got really bad. The first girl slashed out nails imbedding in my face as she clawed across. The sharp pain was immediate and felt like knives cutting through. I turned from then and darted away to escape more attacks. They followed me cackling wildly and pursued like animals on a hunt seeming to find me no matter where I ran. They would catch me hit me and then set me loose again, as if playing some game. How were they so strong? So fast? Maybe they had drugged me somehow.

I tried to look around but my vision was hazy. It seemed like there were long thick pipes moving in the wind. Had they moved me. I focused on breathed in and out mind feeling light. I felt a soft breeze on my face wondering to myself if this was the end. I thought of a meadow filled with flowers and sunshine closing my eyes, not like I could see anything properly anyway. I don't know how long I lay there it time seemed suspended and fractured, seconds, hours, days.

Something nudged my side tearing me away from my dreams. Fear returned. They had come back to finish me off.

"Please... no more." I begged my voice coming out broken and raspy. I was nudged again. Then something was sniffing at my face. A dog?

"Are you going to make it little one?" A deep soothing voice asked close to my ear right from where the dog had been. I squinted and could see the shadowed outline of something huge. It poked and prodded my wounds making me wince in pain. It didn't seem to be in a threatening way but I was still on edge.

"Who... who are you?" I choked.

"Names Lukas. What are you doing so deep out in the wild?" He sounded surprised and almost angry.

"I. Someone chased me. They... "I stared to cry up and couldn't get the words out. Was he really going to help? The feeling was overwhelming. He grunted and slapped me lightly on the arm.

"None of that, kid. Come on. I'll take you back to the keep and get you cleaned up." He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around my waste scooping me up and over his shoulder all in one fluid motion. My breath caught in my throat as sharp pain pierced though me. "Sorry about that." He mumbled at me. I was surprised by his strength for a moment but then the pain shot through me again. I let out a moan. He grunted again. Then began to move, walking swiftly. Every step seemed to pulse agony through my body. I had to focus all my effort on not passing out. I bit down on my bottom lip hoping this would not lead to more bad things, afraid of the unknown. What other option did I have but to let him carry me?