The Line Between Us

Caught

The emerald green of the grass became a blur as all I could focus on was not getting caught.

I had to run, to get away, to find some place to be other than here. The smell of burnt clothing and smoke surrounded me.

This could not be happening. They found me, but how many? Twenty? Thirty? For all I knew there could be hundreds. Then it hit me, why was I running? I turned around, closed my eyes and ran.

The cool, crisp fall air hit my face and surrounded me. I reached out and touched the air and smiled. I had done it, I finally did it. I opened my eyes and looked behind me. Two large black feathered wings spread out behind me. The wind ruffled the feathers and brushed past my arms.

I looked below me to see the sea of red and black amongst the emerald green of the trees. I sighed out. I could've been captured, or worse, killed. I shook my head, trying to push out the negative thoughts in my mind. I didn't die, and I had to focus, I had to find Lucinda.

I began to fly throughout the forest, headed east towards Selenia. I became so immersed in the scenery that I forgot to look where I was going. Right as I looked forward to check my course, I flew smack into a tree.

"Oof!"

My cry of pain echoed throughout the forest and a flock of birds took off from the nearest tree. How could I have been so stupid?! I watched the clear blue sky fade as I plummeted towards the ground.

I watched as the colors of the sky faded to the colors of the forest, but mixed within the greens and browns of the forest, I saw a patch of red.

Right before I hit the ground, I felt a pair of strong arms catch my weight as I collapsed onto the ground.

Suddenly, the smell of burnt clothing and sweat stung my nose. The pain of my collision began to settle in and as my vision began to fade, I looked up to see a pair of gleaming red eyes glaring back down into my hazel eyes.

They found me.