Caged

Chapter 2

He shoved me toward the edge of the forest and I look back to see a single light shine through the window of his cabin. He needs me, after all, I hunt for his dinner. I've withered down to nothing, I haven't eaten in a few days, my fingers are bony and my cheekbones are clearly visible. It's been really hard lately but it's not like it's ever been easy. My body just can't cope with such little nutrition. One day rather sooner than later I hope it kills me. He pushed me into the heavy tree growth almost growling because I'm dragging my feet. I survey my surroundings trying to find my prey. My eyes were quickly drawn to a grazing buck in the distance. The man was slowing me down, he's falling behind.

"Slow down, I can't see and if you try anything funny we'll have some issues." It's midnight and the world around me was painted in darkness. I wasn't lying when I said he never let me see the light of day. I've never had a problem seeing in the dark actually I can see perfectly fine. I was told that it was a gift and that I should cherish it but this selfish man likes taking advantage of me in any way possible. I turn my gaze toward the area where the buck should have been, it's gone.

"Nice job." I hiss to the old man. I begin walking deeper into the forest, carefully watching my steps so I don't scare away any animals. I'm surprised as to why I can't see any. Usually, this area is packed with deer and wild boar.

"Climb up to the treetops and see if you can find my dinner." It takes every cell in my body, not to tackle him and not to pull him apart limb from limb. but I knew if I were to attempt act out I'd just be left with another scar. So I yet again followed orders. I tie my hair before venturing up the tree I'd rather not have my scalp ripped off by getting my hair tangled in the branches. The man screeches for mw to hurry up and I skillfully leap from branch to branch getting to the top in no time. I found myself peaking out above the endless amount of forest, nothing really caught my attention as I surveyed the land. Then, in the distance I heard the chatter of people. I pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming again. when I didn't wake up I dug my nails into my skin hard enough to draw blood. This is real, and this is my chance out of this hell hole. So I did it again, I ran. I jump back to the ground and clench my teeth as rocks puncture my feet. I'm out of his sight, I hope. I dodge trees and leap over fallen logs as if a pack of hungry wolves are nipping at my back. I can smell the freedom and I do something I haven't done in ten years, I smile. I push my body to its limits and I'm met with the sight of two males aiming their shotguns at me.

"Stop!" Fear was the only thing keeping me from collapsing, I can't go back there. They immediately lower their weapons. My body sloppily tumbles into them, they might as well have been bowling pins at the mercy of a bowling ball because I brought them both down.

"Wow, slow down there girl, what's going on?" The two men stood up pulling me to my feet. Every muscle in my body screaming out in agony and the soles of my feet no longer had their protective layer of skin. They can't see the extent of my injuries until they flare their flashlight on my face. I immediately fall to the ground shielding my eyes from the intense light. They then move it away and kneel next to me.

"Oh my, what happened to your face?"

"I don't have time for pointless conversation, you guys need to get me out of here before it's too late." They looked at each other in a confusing manner, but something clicked and they gave me a serious look.

"Okay, follow us." The two men looked surprisingly alike, other than one of the men having shoulder length hair and the other, a buzzcut. The man with long hair carefully handed me his flashlight, showing that he was nobody to fear. We made our way through the vast forest, slowing down after an hour or so to take a break. The two men graciously handed me water and the little food they had left. As I turned around to thank them for the hospitality, I was met with nothing but darkness, they were gone and I would surely be dead in a matter of minutes.

"Shit," my body was so numb and torn apart that when I started running, I was limping and I screamed out as pebbles dug deeper into the wounds on my feet. In one second flat, my body went limp and I painfully hit the ground My consciousness was quickly slipping through my fingers just like sand and my clock was ticking.

     I do everything I possibly can to keep my eyes open, there's no way I can give up now. I'm so close. A heaviness settles upon my back and I heave for air as my ribs begin to crush my  lungs. His foot is pushing down on me, as he leans down to grasp the sedation dart lodged in my side the most sickening bone crack rung out. He broke my ribs. I close my eyes accepting my fate, hopefully the shards of bone would penetrate an organ so could finally die.

     "You just made a big mistake, you think things were bad before? Just wait. I'm not going to kill you, I'll just revive you over and over and over again," his guttural voice resonated deep within me.

     "I swear, the day you slip up. The day you have your back turned for a little too long, I'm going to murder you and I'm going to take your life as painfully as possible." My spit mixed with the dirt part of my face was buried in. One day I'm going to get my hands on him and that's the day I'm living for from now on.

     "You think I'm all bark and no bite, but I'll tear your flesh from your body and I'll look you in the eye while I take your god damn pathetic life. I'll get my revenge for everything you've made me feel. I'll be doing the world a favor," my smile was weak, but my consciousness was slipping. He tried to extinguish a small flame, but he can't stop a roaring forest fire. I'll eat him up alive and spit him out until he's nothing but charred remains. My heavy eyes closed and the ringing in my ears finally came to an end.

~A little short, but they'll get longer.~