The Queen of the Prey

Chapter 19

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Danger Ulrica whispers again.

I push my legs as fast as they can go, running and tripping over twigs and rocks.

Faster! Ulrica urges, I push harder feeling the blisters on the soles of my feet drip fresh blood in the dirt, leaving behind my scent, but I don't care...I can't go back. My lungs were on fire, but I ignore the pain. I look behind me; something was moving in the woods. I turn around and one moment I was on my feet and the next I felt the world rush by in a blur. I close my eyes bracing myself for the pain I know is coming. Everything's black, and I find myself falling in this darkness, hurtling to an invisible floor. A floor that would most likely kill me if I continue to fall at this speed. The air pushes against me; branches dig into my cheeks slapping me in the face. It goes by fast, yet slow, my body feeling almost suspended.  I feel my body hit every rock and twig in the whole forest the impact knocking my breath out of my lungs. My bones move in a way they shouldn't jangle. Without looking I know there is blood seeping from my skin. I don't move - anything to delay the part where I take in what I look like now — torn and mangled.

I landed with a sickening crunch against the hard ground, and all the breath left my body, leaving me gasping for air like a fish. As I took my first breath, a sharp pain erupted from my right chest. Confused, I tried again and this time could not hold back the small grunt that accompanied the searing pain in my chest. I open my eyes and stare at the darkening sky rumbling up ahead...waiting for its chance to burst. Somewhere in the darkening forest, I hear a deep dark chuckle, and for a second I mistake it for the sound of thunder. It sounds so clear and deep as if the voice were right next to me. I raise my head and take in the damage of my body.

I didn't know our arm could bend that way. I tell Rica, failing at my attempt to inject some humor into my tone. My head snaps up when I hear a loud crash in the distance.

Ana, we need to get out of here. Ulrica whispers urgently. Slowly I tried to get up but quickly realized how futile it was when I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out. A sharp pain lanced through my head and bright spots flashed in front of my eyes, it felt like my whole body had been beaten and every movement caused some muscle or bone to ache. Regardless, I needed to get out of here...away from...what was I running from? Searing fiery bursts pulsated around my wounds, intensifying with each dragging step, jarring and brutal. With each step the pain amplified, the bloody muscle quivered. Black mists swirled at the edges of my mind drawing me into sweet oblivion.

"Leaving so soon?" A deep low and gravelly voice sounded behind me. It seemed weird, in an accent that I've never heard before. I try to turn around to face a threat when something slams into me from behind pinning me to the ground. I hold in my cries.

"You forgot your present. It took me some time to acquire it; the least you could do is appreciate my efforts." The man chuckled behind me.

Shit! I grunt struggling to get the heavy object off me. I inhaled deeply and smelled the blood. I froze in my efforts. My eyes widen, and my heartbeat picks up. I throw the thing off me, and it lands in a head beside me. I turn to face it, and my stomach drops...before me was something that looked like it had been dragged over broken glass and then beaten to a pulp with rocks. Half the side of his body was skinned off roughly, and he was taking pained shallow breaths. My heart ached for him and without thinking my hand reached out to him. When my hand touched him, he opened his eyes and let out a horrific scream. I jumped towards him in an effort to comfort him...to try to take away his pain.