Finding

Pearl

The rain pounded down on my back as if to say "go back! You'll never make it!" I didn't listen, I couldn't listen. I kept running to get as far away as possible until I collapsed with exhaustion. Looking toward the sky the rain hit my face and I could see the dark gray clouds. How long have I been running? I'd say 3 hours but I didn't think it necessary to keep track. I could feel the lack of energy pushing down on my eyes, but I knew I couldn't stop yet. Slowly I pulled my self off the ground stumbling at first but eventually steadying myself enough to begin running once again.

I had to make it to the Airsure border. If I could make it to the border they would never find me. I would be free. I couldn't marry Prince Griffin. I don't want power, I was born to heal others, not lead them.

"Stop!" a voice cried out from the dark. I froze in panic and felt a strange sting in my eyes, but before I knew what was happening there was a knife to my throat. I gasped and cursed myself for listening to the voice.

"You're getting dangerously close to Airsure Miss." The voice was female, and from what I could tell she was just a few inches taller than myself. "Care to tell me why?"

"I see to cross the border, with no-" I stomped my foot on the stranger's shoes and for a split second was able to run, but the stranger caught me with almost no effort "- trouble."

The stranger laughed coldly. "Well if you don't know already your father has put a fairly large bounty over your head" They shifted, so I could see their face. Looking at me was a pale female with cold black eyes and blood-red hair. "Good news, I won't be turning you in-" A spark of hope struck within me. "Bad news, I'm going to have to kill you."

"But-" I started, but was quickly interrupted "Your father owes me your life."
Confusion must have been clear on my face because she continued to explain.

"Three years ago I'd did your father a little favor and he never repaid the debt."

Curse him. He has been the source of my problems for my entire life. I knew I couldn't get out of this. This woman was stronger, faster and smarter than me, no escape.

I took a step back, closed my eyes, and held my arms out. "I understand my father has not repaid you, so if it is my life you wish then take it." I heard nothing but silence. Opening one eye, I saw that the stranger was gone. I turned to face nothing but darkness and silence.

Quickly seeing this as a sign to run, I took my opportunity. Though I can't ignore the feeling of something constantly behind me. This was unnerving but being less than 10 miles away from the Airsure border I couldn't stop now.

After what felt like forever I could see the sun began to break the horizon and I knew I'd have to pick up the pace if I wanted a new life.
'Just over this hill' I told myself, 'one more climb and you'll be free.' I could feel the tremble of my legs begging me to stop for just a second, but after a couple of hours of that feeling, you get used to it I suppose...

What was that? A noise besides the sound of wind or rustled leaves. Was that a voice? Am I close? I could feel myself subconsciously kick it into high gear almost falling down the hill I was on.

Then I saw it. A village. I didn't know the name, but it looked like heaven in my eyes. I did it. I was free.
Then everything went dark.

...

I woke up with a slight pitch on my lower back. A poison must have knocked me out then. I looked down to see my feet and wrists were tied with a thin rope. Weak, though strong at the same time. With a quick lookup, I finally realized I was sitting in a cave. There was a person, no that woman I met in the woods, was standing towards the entrance.
"You're awake finally." She said, "I was worried maybe you were allergic to the poison."

Odd, an assassin, worried about my well being, I guess nothing in her voice sounded worried. She sounded curious, but I didn't have time to question that because she came and took off my restraints.

"Why-" she cut me off by saying "we are going to make a deal." She was fast at work and before I even blinked the rope was in her pouch on her waist.

"A deal? What sort of deal?" I didn't stand mostly because of the thought she might smack me.

"I'm going to take you further down the continent, if you stayed in Airsure they would find you in 2 days, Romire would be safe and in return, you fake your own death, and I can get my revenge against your father. Everyone wins, except daddy-do-no-good of course."

I thought this over as fast as could. What would Avery think? What about mom? Both knew my intentions, they would understand. If I could just find a way to contact them...

"I'm getting bored Sunshine."

"Alright, I'll go with you, but on one condition." This is the one thing I've wondered since she first caught me. "Tell me your name."

She looked at me with what seemed like disgust. After a few moments, she rolled her eyes and muttered out something I almost couldn't make out. Almost.

"Syd." And with that, we exited the cave to fake my death.