Blood Red (Adopted by Cannibals)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Fear pulsed though my body as I ran. I could hear yelling behind us. I should have stayed with my family. I shouldn't have tried an escape so soon. Not here. Not now. What was I thinking? Well, I guess there is no turning back now. I need to keep running, keep going so that innocent lives may be spared in the future. I just wish I could talk to dad about this sort of thing, wish that I didn't have to run away and instead tell him to stop killing innocents. But then again, I guess it would be hard to know who is innocent and who isn't.

"Nova, hurry they're catching up." Hearing Marcy yell that I risked a glance back which cost me dearly. By glancing back, I didn't see the tree root sticking out, causing me to trip. I lay sprawled on the forced floor in a slight daze. I can't say that I'm sad. I don't want to escape, not really. We don't even know how far away from civilisation we are.

"Nova get up. They're catching up. Please hurry." I fled her grab onto my arm trying to pull me up. She's right, I need to get up. If they catch me I'm sure that I'll still have to kill someone and I can't not yet. I looked up at Marcy and then back at the ever-growing figures. I quickly scrambled up to my feet but an ace in my left food stopped me from taking a step. I let out a small shriek as I looked down. It was red and oddly twisted at an angle. You've got to be kidding me. Why this, now of all times.

"Listen, Marcy, I need you to run. Get out of here. You want to be free, so run for it."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine. Now go!" And she did. She left me where I was, and she ran off deeper into the woods. I lowered myself down to the ground, leaning against a tree with my foot out in front of me. Now I just wait and hope that Marcy can have her freedom. I'll just have to kill someone and continue living with my family, it isn't that bad here. But I do miss being allowed outside and doing things other than cleaning all day back home. I miss being in a society not run by males, where we are all equal. But there is nothing I can do. This family is good to me. I learned so much from them and they took me in as one of their own. They adopted me. They have a few weird traditions but what family doesn't. I don't know why I want to run away so much. Being adopted means going with a stranger and starting a new life, isn't that what I did here?

"Nova, Nova!" I look up at the sound of my name. In front of me sat dad looking worriedly at me. Behind him stood Xavier and Jace. I guess Mum must still be back at camp, safe. I stared a few more moments, feeling tears bubble up to the surface. Dad must have seen them because he pulled me into a nice warm bear hug, and that's when I finally lost it.

"Oh Dad, I was so afraid you wouldn't come after me!" I cried into his chest holding onto him tightly.

"Then why did you run?" He questioned pulling me slightly away from him so he could look into my tear-filled eyes. Why did I run? I honestly don't know. I want to save innocent people from being killed but I don't even know how I could do that. I wasn't to stay here with my family but why is another part of me screaming to run, screaming to get away. Is this what Stockholm syndrome is? Do I care for my kidnappers? No, they're not kidnappers, they are my family who cares for me.

"Nova tell me, did Marcy pressure you into it?" He questioned. Yes. Yes, she did. She asked me to run away with her, she pushed me, and I didn't know what I wanted. I didn't know what would happen. But if they catch her will she be punished harsher because of me. Will I be punished if I decline? Will I be punished if I rather out or will I be safe from punishment.

"Yes." I managed to choke out. I'd rather stay safe. The chance that she will be caught is small and I want her to be free. Looking around me I notice that all the men are standing around us looking at me. Did they give up on Marcy?

"What about Marcy?" I question looking over at Dad once more.

"David has gone after her. He knows these woods better than anyone since he lives around here. I think he plans to take her to his home for punishment before returning to the festival. Now let's get you back and Ann can look at that foot of yours. I nodded in understanding hopping that Marcy would be able to outsmart David, however, I doubt it considering he lives around here. He has a house somewhere in these woods and there is nothing I can do for Marcy. I can only hope that if he gets her, he doesn't punish her too much. Dad gently picked me up and made his way back to the camp followed by my brothers and the rest of the men who were all chatting enthusiastically.

Back at the camp, I was immediately engulfed by Mum who had tears in her eyes. Seeing her worry for me made me cry as well. Once she realised that my foot was hurt, she ushered us into our hut where she immediately started caring for my foot. She must have done some sort of medic study as it looked like she knew exactly what she was doing. Apparently, my ankle is just twisted so nothing too serious. She warps some gauze around it and leaves it at that.

"Get some rest for tonight. You must be so excited to have your first kill tonight." Oh shit. I completely forgot. I can't kill. I don't want to. Before I get a chance to protest mum walks out of my room, leaving me alone.