The leaves rustled above as a new morning breeze glided through the top of the woods. Jamie looked up at the sky, seeing the burning sun stretch through the thick leaves.
She sighed as she made another mark on a tree. She looked behind her at the path of markings leading back to the main road.
She was in the forest in front of the town, deep in the trees looking for something new to eat for her mother. She perked up when she heard Lady's whinny not far off. She sighed once again.
"I need to go just a little deeper... there must be something good here."
As she walked even further into the woods, she cursed quietly to herself when a thistle branch caught hold of her dress.
As she worked the thistle, she heard the gentle snap behind her. She began working on the branch slower and built up her guard.
The trees were silent, with not a single breeze. She continued to work on the branch as silent footsteps walked toward her.
She groaned and shot her hand down to her leg as if a sudden itch. She slightly moved her dress to get at the "itch," she slipped her hand around the small pocket knife sheathed on her ankle.
"Wait for it... wait for it..."
A small crunch of leaves lifted behind her.
"NOW!!" She whipped around, ripping the knife from the sheath and slashing at the face of a middle-aged man.
"Aargh!!" He stumbled backward, tripping over a root and falling on his rear.
Jamie ran as she heard a shout behind him.
"Get Her!"
As she ran, another man jumped from behind a tree little ways in front of her, blocking her path. She leaped into the air and broke off a large branch. She ran faster and readied her arm. She caught a surprise on the man's face before whacking it with the giant branch.
She dropped the branch as she ran past the now unconscious man. She bolted through bushes and trees, her chest constricting.
Finally, she stopped. She was breathing hard, her hands were shaking, and her guard was up.
"What is happening?! Why are those guys after me?" She asked, panicking. She whipped her head around, looking to see if any men had followed. Seeing none, she sighed, lowering her guard.
WHACK!!!!
A splitting pain shot through her head as she fell to the ground.
"What?!"
"I got her!!"
"How did this happen?!"
"Good going! She sure is a beauty."
"Don't black out....stay awake....don't..black..."
"She'll sell for a mighty fine--"
She didn't hear the end of the sentence but already knew what he was about to say.
Price.
YOU ARE READING
The Party Invitation (Hiatus)
RomanceOne dance changed everything. One kiss laid a brand. One look made her his. Invited to one of the many parties her town holds, she meets him there. They laugh, they smile, they learn of each other. That was three years ago. Now she's older, countin...
