The Given (SHORT HIATUS)

The Given: Chapter 1

I gasped for air, looking behind me as I continued to run as fast as my legs would take me.

I couldn't let them take me. I just couldn't. I wouldn't end up like my three sisters; I couldn't.

"Lyla, get back here!"

I kept silent and looked around frantically as I zig-zagged around trees and bushes.

"I swear, when I find you, your going to regret this!"

I sighed in reliefe and ducked into the bushes, looking for the hole I knew would be there.

I had known this day would come for a few years now, so I made sure to be prepaired.

I slipped into the hole and covered it with the large rock again, turning on my flashlight.

There was enough food and water down here to last me at least a week, and a few changes of clothes.

"Lyla!" I heard him yell out as he walked by.

I held my breath, trying to stay as silent as I could and closed my eyes tightly.

"I can hear your heartbeat."

I could almost hear the smirk in his voice.

I held onto a piece of clothing tightly, keeping my eyes shut tight as he walked around, the sound of his boots crunching on leaves getting closer.

Suddenly, the rock was pushed out of the way and the smirking man looked down at me.

"Please.. Please, don't.. Just let me go back home!" I whimpered out, trying to look for an escape discreetly.

"I have orders. These are the rules. When a young lady turns seventeen, she is to go to the palace and find a place."

I kept my guard up, glaring hardly at the man. "Do I look like I give a shit about 'rules'? Just let me go home!"

He growled and pulled me up roughtly by the arm, breaking it in the process.

I bit my lip and let out a muffled scream as he continued to drag me by my broken arm to the palace.

I gasped for air to fill my lungs as the pain got worse, almost making me black out.

"Put. Me. Down." I panted out, blinking my eyes quickly to keep myself awake.

"Sorry, princess, but if I do that, It'll be on my ass," He rolled his eyes and grumbled out, "out of all of the girls to turn seventeen this week, I get this one."

I glowered and tried pulling my arm from his grasp, but it only made it hurt more.

He finally just picked me up and roughtly held onto me, making sure I had no way to escape.

"Let me go! I promise no one has to know! I need to take care of my father and mother! Please!" I begged, tears filling my eyes as I thought of my mother and father, helplessly trying to survive.

"They'll be taken care of." He simply stated, picking his speed up. "I was supposed to have you at the palace an hour ago, you little brat."

"What do you mean 'taken care of'?.. Your not.. Your not going to kill them, are you?" I whispered out, afraid.

"Of course not, don't be ridiculous."

My eye twitched as I thought about the situation I was in. I was the one being ridiculous? He was the one holding me against my will! He was the one taking me to a palace where I'd never be able to leave!

I groaned and looked down at my arm, gasping at the color of it. It was already a blackish purple color.

"We're here." The man huffed out.