Astrid

Chapter 2

Sophia had no clue where she was going but at least she was trying to keep me alive. Eventually after several minutes of running around in circles she manage to find the door to the garden. As soon as we burst through the door to what we thought would be our freedom we immediately knew we were glitched. There were soldiers in full black kevlar armor everywhere. Luckily most of their backs were faced to the door when we stepped outside but even the ones faced directly at the door never saw us because the fog was so damn thick. Sophia quickly ducked behind a bush next to the door that butted up against the castle wall, at this point I was holding on to her very tightly because I knew she was trying to save me and there was nothing else I could do.

By now I had pretty much stopped crying except for an occasional sinful here or there which was helpful as we tried to quietly sneak along the castle wall behind the bushes, looking for an opening that we could use to sneak past the guards.

The entire time Sophia kept whispering "It's ok honey, it's ok, everything will be fine."

Sophia's constant reassurance and kind tone was what finally got me to calm down. It was the first time I ever really connected with Sophia and that is the moment I began to trust her.

Eventually we found a spot that had less guards than most places as well as a checked pattern topiaries that could potentially be used for good cover in our escape. Still reassuring me Sophia whispered "Hang in there Astrid I'm gonna get us out of here." I watched her analyze the shrubs choosing the best possible path that would keep us hidden from every guard. Each shrub was only about 10 feet apart which wouldn't be too much of a challenge to cross but we would have to be very careful, the thick fog could be very helpful but it could also be just as easily harmful, never knowing where anyone is has its ups and downs. If a single guard sees us we will never escape with our lives.

Carefully checking every direction Sophia made a dash for the first bush as soon as the cost was clear. She repeated the same actions again and again until the last bush was in view. Only one more crossing, a dash to the castle wall and then safety.

Sophia had become so focused on the goal ahead that she stopped looking back to make sure none saw us from behind. As She geared up for the dash to the last bush I saw a dark masculine figure start to appear out of the fog. I immediately recognized the figure and tried to get Sophia's attention but she was paying no attention to me what so ever. Just as she began to lurch forward into a full speed run the figure reached out and grabbed Sophia's wrist, sternly saying "Stop!"

She froze. slowly she turned around with a look of fear in her eyes knowing exactly what was going to happen next.

She recognized the man's face immediately. She had spent the entire morning listening to him scolding her while she watched him work. I knew him very will, I use to spend every day playing out in the garden and watching him work. I trusted him, Probably more that Sophia even though she was the one saving my life.

Quietly I whispered "Glen please help us." He nodded.

Sophia didn't know him as well as I did so she didn't know if she could trust him but I had already latched onto his arm with mine so she didn't have a choice.

"Come with me." he whispered.

Sophia looked at him puzzled. Why was he pulling them back towards the castle when the way out was clearly in the other direction towards the castle grounds outer wall.

"All of the exterior walls gates are covered with guards, you will never make it out alive going that way." Glen Explained as though he knew exactly what she was thinking. "There is an underground tunnel that will give us passage outside of the castle walls and that should be clear. However we have to sneak back into the castle without being caught to even access the tunnel."

At first Sophia hesitated then she complied. Lifting me from the overly exhausted arms of Sophia who had been carrying me this whole time Glean began to casually walk back to the castle not making any effort to hid behind each bush as sophia had done as though he knew they wouldn't be seen. Not knowing what else to do Sophia began to follow Glen walking in a very similar manner.

"If move about as though we are suppose to be here no one will question us but if we get caught sneaking around we will be dead on the spot." There he goes again answering every question as though he could read her mind.