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Chapter Seventeen

Morning light trickled through the hanging pieces of bark above my face, the warm glow landing on my nose. I managed to remain unnoticed by Lorenzo while I slept.

On all fours, I drug myself from beneath the fallen trees and pushed the clayed dirt off my arms. Beads of sweat emerged on my forehead and ran down the sides of my face; I could not tell if it was solely from the heat or my nervousness getting to me.

What if Lorenzo is still near from his search last night?

The mud on my body dried, leaving crusty traces caked all over my skin, reminding me of the strange night I endured beneath the logs. A taste of freedom sat on my tongue, but my mouth was unpleasantly dry. The tang was pungent enough to be unappetizing so much that it eased the hunger in my belly.

I rose up from the ground and moved through the dense shrubbery, my heart racing as the sounds of the forest enveloped me. Each rustle and whisper beckoned me deeper into the unknown, farther away from Lorenzo's house. Thorns coiled around my naked legs while a silent cry of agony trailed from my lips as I struggled to break free from their painful grip. The sharp edges puckered in my fingertips when I ripped them off.

I lost track of time as I walked straight for what seemed like hours, forgetting the smell of the morning air. Birds were building their homes in the healthy maple trees I passed. They took long grass and sticks from the ground and retrieved the clumps for their nests. Alarmed, rattled chirps sounded between the magpies when I would stroll past where they sat perched, their tiny yellow beaks clapping at me.

Small brown pebbles that could cut through the stillness of the air caused acute shocks through my feet, reminding me that there was no cushioning between my heels and the earth. The path I trekked on was decorated with the tracks of a big animal.

It was strange to be surrounded by so much wildlife, especially since Evergreen had so little of a variety. Squirrels and deer were plenty there, but nothing else. I found myself desperately hoping there would be a house tucked somewhere in the forest where I could find help. Surely Lorenzo could not own all of this land.

A narrow creek came into sight, water glistening in the sunlight as it wound its way through the lush, green landscape. Few trees sat directly around it. Large rocks with vivid green algae scattered amid the steady flow. The noise of water rushing downstream reminded me of the dryness in the back of my throat.

If I drink this, I risk getting sick. If I don't, I might pass out. I believe I would rather not faint in the middle of the woods.

My kneecaps popped when I crouched down and made my decision, cupping the water in my palms before drinking it. I pinched my nose in disgust at the foul flavor of old fish, which I only noticed after the second handful. I suppose my thirst blinded me the first time, though I do not know how.

Each slight noise had me on edge, as if the shadows themselves were whispering secrets, warning me that something unexpected was lurking just beyond my sight. I was conscious that I was alone, yet an uneasy feeling ran through my chest that Lorenzo could be waiting around any corner. Still, it was apparent that he would have a hard time finding me in such a large region.

I have no idea of the extent of how far the forest spread, but the dense trees and thick underbrush seemed to stretch endlessly. The plants around were not familiar, and only a few identifications of the birds and animals stood out to me.

A prayer was whispered from my breath, asking that I would find a road or civilization in the forest soon. Doubt clouded my mind, but I still hoped for the best outcome.

I stood up from my hunched position by the creek. A heavy boulder was lifted, revealing two curled-up snakes. One coiled into a striking position and the other fleed. I instantly recognized the brown Hershey kiss pattern on its thick skin; it was a copperhead. A shrill scream sounded from my lungs as I threw myself backwards and away from the serpent that lingered. The poisonous creature disappeared beneath the rock I dropped in the process. A sense of guilt ran through me as crimson blood colored the creek water, traveling downstream. I had accidentally killed it.