INNOCENT

Chapter IV

"RUN! RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK!"

Right after he yelled out those words my body moved on it's own as everything looked like it was going slow, my feet dugged into the ground feeling the fresh dirt in between my toes, my legs began to move forward, my black hair flowing in the air caused by the wind, in those few moments, in those few seconds a loud roar was made, eyeing on Areo soon enough in a split second three huge beasts appeared, I opened my eyes wide. What is that?!

RUN!

My legs were shaking but some how they started to move slowly turning my head forward I began walking and in a minute I went faster. Soon enough I heard clothes ripping and another loud roar, I covered my ears and dared myself to look back this time instead of three huge beasts there were four of them. Where once stood Areo now stood a huge golden red beast growling away, it stood tall and really angry.

RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK!

Those words echoed in my mind as I turn to see once again the huge river that wasn't too far away nor close. With that I ran towards it without looking back, the sounds of cries and many paws hitting the ground that came from those beasts filled my ears, as I tried going even faster. Reaching to the river, hearing the loud crashing of water hitting against the rocks I knew that it wasn't going to be easy to cross. My eyes looked around the place to only land on a couple of long branches a few on one side and some on the other, they didn't reach each other completely I'm still going to have to stretch myself as much as I can to reach the ones that are on the other side. With that being said I jumped into the cold water, my little hands holding onto the long branches while the water crashed into my face. Fast and carefully I made my way thru the strong water's pull, finally reaching to the end of the branch I reached out for the other one but couldn't grabbed it, so I stretched even more just when I was about to get a hold of it, a crack was heard and with that the water took me in, but not till I got hit against a big rock my hands and arms held onto it in an instant. Coughing out the water that had made way into my mouth and nose, I looked around me to see if from here I could make it to the other side which thank god there was a way, next to me were alot of big branches that came from one of the small ground trees that led to the other side of this river.

Having to be quick so it wouldn't break like before I pushed myself forward taking a hold of the branches and pulling myself out of the water. Breathing heavily I stood up and began running in the direction Areo told me, meeting the grand forest of pine trees once more. I ran into them not stopping one bit, my legs and feet going as fast as they can, I pushed myself a bit more hoping that I would be able to make it to the other side even sooner, my little feet digging into the dirt each step I took pushing me forward, sometimes my feet would get hurt caused by some random little rocks or sticks that were found on the ground here and there. After a while I slowed my pace down feeling my heart trying to give up, catching my breath I heard another sound of water, knowing that I was near the last thing I needed to do.

Running past the few trees I made it out of the woods, the river in sight. It wasn't as big as the one before but it was still dangerous one wrong move and I'll be washed away, one wrong step and I'll drown. Climbing down the small cliff I made my way to the fast moving water. Well at least it isn't so wide, nor too deep I might just even make it through as long as I watch my step.

Again I entered the freezing waters as I dug my feet under the little stones and mud in these fast waters. Slowly I made my way thru, reaching for the other side, fighting the force that crashed into me. Sometimes some of the water would make it into my mouth making it a bit more dificult to keep going on, coughing here and there, but that didn't stop me taking my final steps I made it out, finding myself on the other side. With the little stength I had left, I crawled to a nearby tree hiding behind it I rested my back against the hard wood and let my tired body rest.