Becoming Ambellina

Chapter 3

I began to hear noises around me in the forest. I opened my eyes and saw Bartok asleep next to a crackling fire. All the crap he was wearing earlier was strewn about the campsite and a half empty bottle sat next to his boots. My back was absolutely killing me. I tried to stretch out, but found my hands and feet were bound. I tried not to totally freak out as my mind raced. The palm of my left hand stung and I forgot that I had sliced it in the closet at the children’s home. My wrists were raw where the rawhide rope had rubbed against them in my semi-sleep. I was able to spit out the gag in my mouth and crane my neck to look around. It was still dark out, but the moon was bright. A sudden hand on my shoulder made me gasp and then glance at Bartok to see if he had woken up before trying to get turned around to see who had touched me. A slim figure crouched behind the giant tree I was tied to. Something long stuck up off of his back awkwardly and he too was dressed, shall I say primitively?

“Shhh,” he held a finger over his lips. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he whispered almost silently. A quick move of his hand and then the flash of a blade in the moonlight made panic shoot through my body. I managed to keep my eyes open and my mouth from screaming bloody murder as he brought the knife down onto the thick heavy rope. His knife worked through them quickly and had me untied in moments. I couldn’t help but look up at his features and read them quickly. His mouth was turned down into a scowl, but his eyes were soft almost with worry.

 He glanced at me and held out his hand “Come on,” he whispered, glancing at the sleeping figure. I had trusted Bartok way too easily, but what choice did I have? I reached forward and let him take my hand and pull me up. My back and body protested but I didn’t let the discomfort go past my clenched teeth as I stepped very gingerly towards this stranger. He held me steady for just a moment before starting cautiously through the woods, never letting go of my hand. We crept steadily along until the fire was no longer visible and then he stopped and turned to me.

“You’re cold” he spoke. Somehow his voice seemed hard after only just hearing him whisper. He took a small quilt out of his bag and handed it to me. I tried to unfold it unsuccessfully when he shook his head and grabbed it from me.

“Hey!”

He smiled and opened up the quilt showing me two arm holes and a head hole, and then promptly stuffed it over my head. I fought with it briefly before opening up my mouth to ask him who the hell he was when he cut me off.

“Listen, we’ve gotta make haste out of here, now.” He glanced towards the way we came. “He’ll wake any minute and we can’t be anywhere near here when that happens. I know you’re tired, but you’ll have to listen to me if you want to get out of here alive.”

I swallowed and was able to nod quickly. He read my eyes before grabbing my hand and taking off at a run through the woods. He maneuvered us swiftly through the brush and we bounded through the woods until the muscles in my legs screamed for me to slow down and sweat trickled down my back.  We ran for what seemed like miles until the woods thinned out and rocky hills began to close in around us. We slowed to a walk and I fought hard to catch my breath.  My calves and lungs were screaming at me and when I looked, I noticed the panting figure that stood beside me was still clutching my hand. Looking away from him I shook my hand away and took a few steps forward, surveying the rocky hills and surrounding area. I could just see dawn breaking through the trees, the light glow illuminating the surrounding area. I stopped in my tracks. The land was all wrong. Through the physical and mental exhaustion I still felt pangs of panic and fear trying to take hold. I could feel the eyes of the stranger upon me and I spun to meet his gaze.

Even from several feet away I could see his light green eyes watching me curiously. His hair was long enough to hang just into his eyes and was a deep auburn color. The object slung over his shoulder was a bow and quiver full of arrows.

Where the hell was I?

“Follow me,” He said urgently. “Please, we’re not safe out here”

I looked at him incredulously. “Okay here’s the deal. I don’t know who you are or where the hell …”

“I’ll explain everything, please just come with me.” He pleaded, closer now and holding my eye contact.

Once again what options did I really have? I clenched my jaw and said nothing, falling into step behind him when he started to follow a natural rock wall we’d come upon. We followed it around and stepped over a trickling creek before coming to a giant overhang in the side of the rock face. We walked inside and were met with a makeshift campsite. Two roll out cots lay on the cave floor on either side a crackling fire. I gazed at them, my eyelids suddenly very heavy.

“Get some rest. Please.” The stranger said, interrupting my thoughts.

I turned towards him. “You said you’d explain everything.” I said, my voice raising.

“I know I did, and I will. But first please sleep, you’re walking dead.”

I glared at him and sat down next to the fire. I zoned out for a minute, relishing in just sitting down and being warm. I felt a cold hand on my arm and my eyes shot open. I hadn’t realized I’d closed them. A wooden cup of water was before me and I took it and drank it quickly.

“Easy there, slow down. We ran quite a ways.” He said softly, taking the cup from my hands.

Now probably wasn’t the time to mention I was completely famished. I laid my head back on the pillow and as I was drifting to sleep I heard the nameless stranger tell me that I was safe here. For some reason I believed him. Racing thoughts and the pain in my back and body fought until the numbness of sleep finally washed over me.