Escape

2

I wake up to the chattering of birds and sunlight streaming in from the mouth of the cave. Where am I? Yesterday hit me full force as I remembered why I wasn't in my cozy bed. I sat up, rubbing my neck. I looked around. The forest outside the cave looked the same, the exception being as it had stopped raining overnight.

Just then I realized how cold I was. Note to self: don't ever sleep in wet clothes, in a freezing cave overnight ever again! I quickly changed out of my chilly clothes and into the spare set I had brought in my satchel.

I ventured outside, instantly feeling the warmth of the sun's rays. I quickly scan my surroundings, taking in the trees, and the wide variety of colorful leaves now streaming the forest floor, as I decided which direction I should continue onto now. Well there aren't a lot of trees if I keep on going North, and I should stay under cover. I can't go to West, because traveling in that direction would take me back towards my cottage. I can't go south because that's the direction I tricked those people into thinking I was running in. So, I turned to go East.

Viewing the forest as I hike, I notice how captivating and dazzling these woods are. My sisters would probably love it here especially Arlynn. I grimace at that thought passing through my mind. I wonder if they're missing me. I feel tears building up, and I fight the urge to cry. I eventually fail, letting the tears take over. My steps slow without me realizing it and I sit on a nearby rock. After a few moments, I calm myself down and dry my tears. I dig around in my pack, finding a loaf of bread I had stolen and broke off a piece to eat.

I gave myself another minute to rest before rising from my seat. I continue my journey away moving a bit faster than before.

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I stumble on a large tree root sticking up from the soil. I flail and attempt to regain my balance. I succeed only momentarily. I gasp out as my head hits the ground, pain rocketing through my body.

I lay there on the ground for a few seconds, breathing heavily. I slowly get up, gripping a tree for support, my head slightly dizzy. I brush off the dirt from my clothes and check to see if anything in my satchel was damaged. Then I feel liquid running down the side of my head and behind my ear.

I gingerly touch my forehead and winch as I feel the tender flesh. I bring my hand down and see blood covering my fingertips. Oh geez. There is probably sand, gravel and a gazillion germs in that cut. What now? I wipe the blood off on a nearby tree, staining it red. I rack my head for anything that might help.

What was that plant with healing properties called? Oh yeah, Matricaria chamomilla. I look around for its small white petals and yellow core. I spot one several yards away, walkover to the plant, checking to make sure it's chamomile and confirm that I was right. I take my blade out of my pack opening it and cut the plant's stem. Suddenly, I hear voices talking not too far off.

I jump, dropping the plant and almost, but thankfully not, my knife before sprinting for the cover of nearby bushes. I grimace as leaves and twigs poke and brush at my wound, but go on until I'm confident they won't be able to detect me.

I wait and hold my breath as male voice says, "Were you in the deer hunt last night?" They walk towards me and I think they could have heard my heart with how fast it's beating.

"Sadly, no. I wish I could've been there, but my wife was sick and I couldn't just leave her alone." A oddly familiar second voice replies. Where have I heard it before? Hurry up already! Who takes walks in the middle of nowhere?

"Is she doing alright?" the first voice asks.

"Yeah, I hope so. She went to the healer yesterday." I clench my teeth as a gust of wind comes along, blowing a leaf, or twig, and dust into my open cut. Freezing into place as to be as silent as possible, as they walk towards me, and, hopefully past my bushes without incident.

I must have made some tiny noise because voice number two says,"Hey did you hear that?" Please be some bird or animal that they heard and not me.... They walk on past me and I release my breath before almost jumping out of my skin, at a soft female voice.

"Almus, your wife isn't really well. I think you should head back to check up on her?" My eyes widen in surprise as I hear my eldest brother's name and finally place that voice. How could I have missed that? Dad must have contacted Almus about my flight from home so he could also be on the lookout for me. After all, he's a superb tracker and knows these woods like the back of his hand.

"Sure, just give me a minute. I need to check something out."

I freeze as he starts to walk towards where I had hidden, when the female says,"Almus! She really needs you, so will you please stop being creepy and ogling bushes.

"Yes, but there might be something in the bushes..." Almus says, but reluctantly turns away. When the others are too far away to hear him, but I hear him, "If you're there, Serenity, I will find you." Then he turns to leave, giving my bush one last look.