Out From the Shadows

Chapter 17

The third floor windows are my only means of escape. I fumble for the clasp as the pounding footsteps echo more loudly in the hallway. Camille stands near the door, yelling continuously for the guards, but I drown the noise out.

The latch to the most right window finally releases and I push the window outwards. I lean outside to judge the distance to the ground, and to my surprise, a balcony accompanies a bedroom on the second floor. Right underneath my window.

I maneuver myself over and out so that I hang only by my hands. Yet again, I thank God for me not wearing a dress, but my comfortable winter slacks. No one can see my underwear thankfully.

I hear the door slam open just as my hands let go of the windowsill. My shrill scream blends in with the cool wind as I descend. My feet hit the stone aguishly and I roll to take some of the impact away. I foolishly roll right into the stone railing, but it hurts less than the initial collision. My shins ache and my shoulder blades feel bruised, but I still feel capable of continuing my escape. I struggle to stand up, but the adrenaline keeps me moving.

I examine the room, empty and desolate, with the lights shut off and door closed. I look up above me one last time, two guards catching my eye as they spot me too. They scream at their fellow guardsmen that I'm on the second floor, retreating back into the grand room.

I run through the room, eyeing anything that may be useful in my escape. The room is a bedroom, dust covering the silky maroon sheets hanging around the balcony doors and bed covers and overflowing bookshelves. Nothing looks useful enough, the only thing maybe being the ropes hanging above the canopy bed, but there is no time to undo the knot and bring it with.

I blast through the bedroom door and head to my immediate right after perceiving voices to my left. My work boots don't hide my whereabouts, or my heavy breathing. I stall at an interval, two hallways going opposite directions as mine ends. My breath catches in my throat because voices and footsteps echo from both paths, trapping me like a rabbit in a snare. My only smart option is to backtrack and hide in the bare bedroom.

I slowly close the squeaky door behind me and let the noise cover my trail once I enter the bedroom. My chest aches out of worry, being caged in like I am, fraying my nerves to a pulp. I head to the balcony in a jog and look over the railing again to gage the distance. A pool settles in the ground, meters from where I stand, trees surrounding it and leaf piles everywhere. There is no way I could jump from where I stand and make it into the pool; it's too far away.

Ash's face as we raked leaves into a pile fills my mind, the outright joy and happiness spilling tears onto the cold stone. The distance to the ground is greater than I have already fallen from, not to mention how my muscles throb from running and the hard impacts.

I travel the lengths of the room, playing nervously with my necklace and thinking over my other options.

I can give myself over to the guards, leaving my fate to the angry queen or I can keep running. But how? And where?

I sit on one of the dusty chairs, the tiny particles flying through the air. I bury my face in my hands, soaking them with my tears and sorrow. All I have done in my life is for nothing. My time with Ash useless and going nowhere. I was so excited for my wedding, to be with someone I cared for, but now... I sob as I realize that I have been using the past tense, like my life is over, which it may as well be.

But what have I learned in the woods? That I can depend on myself, save myself from trouble. I don't need anyone to come to my rescue.

I don't need anyone. I don't need anyone. I don't need anyone.

The mantra plays continuously in my head as I dry my damp face with my sleeve and rise from my woes and chair. The door slams open with a mighty kick from a guard and I yelp with surprise.