Dani's Harem [Reverse Harem]

Nathan - Who says only crazies have escape tunnels

Jock was growling and it is something he hasn't ever done before. Which was why I woke up as soon as he started, I didn't need to look outside, I knew instinctively they were here for Dani. I look towards the bed and see that she is out cold. I get up quietly and go over to Dani, I shake her awake while covering her mouth to muffle her groan of annoyance. I shake her again till she finally focuses on my face and then fear washes over her face. I pass up her trainers from the floor silently and she takes them with trembling fingers. I point towards my camping gear and leave her to put on her trainers. I quickly but silently get our things together and pull back the rug, thankful for the first time that the insane survival instincts that ruled me when I first came to my forest had paid off in the end. Some things never leave when you are expected to go back to 'normal' life. So when my mind screamed that I would need a backup exit out of here I didn't try to deny it I just went with it. The months I spent digging from the cellar with a hidden hole tunnel behind a few bookshelves are now a God sent idea.

Dani comes over to the hatch and I pass her a small rucksack which she pulls on, I point her down the rough wooden stairs and cluck my tongue for Jock who follows her down. I take a last look around my home for the last few years and follow her down pulling the rug back over and locking the hatch from the inside to buy us more time just in case they find it. I turn on the small electric torch and lead the way quickly, making very little noise. Dani stays quiet behind me and follows me. I lead her to the tunnel behind the bookshelves carefully hidden and we make our way inside the cramped space. Jock at the front followed by Dani with the small torch and I have the back.

We freeze when we hear multiple smashes followed by heavy footsteps - more than one person. Dani trembles and I push her to get us all moving again. Her story may be a little crazy in places but the danger and people following her are definitely real. We have passed the border of my cottage now but I faintly hear someone speaking. "How the fuck did she get away this time? She isn't even fucking here!! How does one stupid little human girl keep evading us? Right, you and you go north see if you can pick up her scent again. You guys split up East, West, and South between you all. Find the girl! Your lives are on the line here, remember we need her alive. I have to report this to ..." The rest I can't make out but what I have is seriously confusing and I store it for later. Right now I need to focus on getting us out of this tunnel and staying alive.

Dani and I keep going along the tunnel and I try to work out where to go now, staying in forests and normally unpopulated areas are my specialty. The place I work best but I have a feeling that we won't last long if they have dogs on our scent like it sounds. Streams and rivers would only help mask short term so I know to get further away faster we need transport. Dani makes a little sigh that brings my attention back to us and I see light ahead and my body drops some tension for seeing the way out but my body tightens up almost instantly when I worry there would be enemies at the opening.

Gently I grab her arm and pull her tiny body towards me, slowly I lower my mouth to her ear and whisper, "Dani, stop. Switch with me it might not be secure." She stops immediately and turns to me, nods and flattens herself to the side of the small tunnel. I pass her and try giving her a smile which I am sure resembles a grimace instead. I pull my hunting blade from its harness and slowly creep to the small cave-like exit. Stopping a step from the early morning sunrise crawling along the floor I study the patch of forest I can see. Nothing seems to be amiss so I inch my way out, every sense on high alert waiting for some disturbance but nothing reacts differently. Knowing that if we don't pick up speed we will be caught by the search parties I throw caution to the wind and take two steps out of the small cave-like hole. I risk a look at Jock relying on his ears but he shows no change in behavior.

I turn back to Dani and use the shade of the tunnel to conceal us while I whisper our immediate goals. "We need transport kid, from the way they were talking it seems they have dogs on our arses following our scent. They split up to search which means if they haven't already combed this area they will shortly. The only way we can get away from here fast enough to plan our next move would be to get a bus or something. I have a truck but we had to leave it behind, we aren't far from the nearest town. I have enough to get us a good distance by bus but then we are on foot again. Keep up, don't fall behind. If you are struggling I will help but we NEED to keep moving, we cannot stop or we are done for. Understood? Good, follow me."