The lost soul

THE BEGINING

Authors note ; This is a  pilot chapter. I will be writing more chapters but I just want to know what you guys think about the first chapter. Feel free to leave some constructive criticism. 

'STOP!' the shouts from two guards pierced the silence. Two shadowy figures raced through the forest, the woman holding a baby in her arms. The guards were hot on their trail being only a few steps behind. 'Naomi, hurry up!' Mano whispered in urgency between his labored breaths. 'I'm going as fast as I can my love.' said Naomi, her voice filled with fear. Just then, she found herself flaying forward towards the hard ground. 'Naomi, no' Mano murmured. Naomi struggled to free her leg that was caught in some bramble, 'Take the child and run!' Naomi said in a stern voice. 'No! No! No! I can't leave you here to die.' Mano said desperately. 'Go! Keeping our child safe is the only thing that matters now', Naomi said firmly, tears filling her eyes. They exchanged a final 'I love you' before Mano cradled the bundle under his arms and disappeared into the night forest. A single gunshot rang through the forest. Tears began to stream down his sweat drenched face as he realized the love of his life was probably dead. Mano pulled the child closer to his chest, the warmth radiating from the child's body providing him little comfort. The guard's shouts were growing more distant as he ran deeper into the forest. After a few hours of wandering through the forest aimlessly, Mano found a cave that seemed to be uninhabited. Even though it was small and damp it would have to do for now. Vines grew along the walls of the cave, water trickled down the stalactites that decorated the ceiling of the cave forming small pools. The cave was pitch black. A small hole in the ceiling allowed a single beam of light through, dimly illuminating its surroundings. There was an array of crystals in many colors, ranging from dark purples to sky blues. Mano gently stroked his child's head trying to comfort her as she let out soft cries. As Mano stared at the crystals, enchanted by their glistening surfaces an idea formed in his mind. 'Crystal, your name will be Crystal', Mano murmured as he stared down at his child lovingly. That moment of joy did not last long as reality set in. He needed to find food and water quickly or die a slow death. Naomi's sacrifice would have been for nothing. Mano slipped Crystal into a cloth sling wrapped around his chest before heading into the unknown to find food, water and other necessities. He mumbled a prayer under his breath, hoping he would not cross paths with the devilish and demonic creatures that was known to roam this forest at night. The only relief he had  was the knowledge that the royal guards would not dare to set foot into this accursed forest.