White Gate Heart

•Chapter Eight•

Feeling my breath hitch in the back of my throat, I tapped Charles' shoulder. He grunted in frustration as Kingsley had refused to move. 

He turned away from his failed attempts and gripped the reins tightly at the sight of the ill wolf. Growls erupted from the throat of the beast, and he shook his head in anger, prowling low to the ground. Sweat began to bead on the back of my neck and forehead.

"Charles?" I whispered, my voice shaking with fear.

"Yes?"

"Don't you think it'd be wise to escape?" I asked, locking my eyes with the wolf's black orbs. The gleam in his eyes displayed a hunger that needed to be satisfied. 

Without a reply, he nudged Kingsley and he broke into a desperate sprint, responding without a single hesitation.

I took the courage to glance back and the fool of a wolf was sprinting after us. While his hind legs seemed to dysfunction, he never faltered in his pace. The sweat began to glisten off of Kingsley's rump and his snorts became louder with each passing minute. Fear crept into my stomach as the running steps of the beast grew louder.

I turned around, and began to cling tighter as the gallop of Kingsley grew unsteady. Snarls of hunger and perseverance erupted from the wolf's jaws. The hair on the back of my neck grew straight, and I began to clench my eyes shut. 

My life could be at death's door, and it petrified me. Anxiety and adrenaline pumped through my entire body. As much as it was frightening being chased and the possibility of death, it was amazing. The adrenaline racing through my body was quite a fascinating experience, and I yearned to feel it as much as possible. For once, I was running as fast and as far, but it was a quick presence of freedom. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, it disappeared. 

We were now off the path and I was clueless as to where we were. Branches of trees whipped both Charles and I in the face, causing us to duck with each passing tree. The cadence of throbs were persistently felt as we entered a clearing. I touched my face gently and brought my hand back into sight. Dark blood pooled on my finger and I felt lightheaded. Sharp pierces of pain intensified through each passing second in my head, and I cringed. Taking deep breaths, I took another audacious look backwards and was more than relieved to see that the wolf had disappeared from sight. 

Kingsley slowed without any command from Charles. The horse must've sensed the sickened beast had faltered far behind. 

Charles glanced back as well, taking deep breaths to calm his nerves and adrenaline rush. 

My shoulders slumped and I sighed heavily. Looking up into the sky, I shut my eyes briefly to pray.
Thank you Lord. Thank you for keeping us out of harm's way.

I finally let out a heavy sigh and gripped my chest, feeling my heart's consistent drum. The feeling of galloping and running from something had made me forget about the pain beating throughout my head. Opening my eyes, I realized it was getting dark and the stars began to reveal themselves.

"Oh no," I groaned aloud.

Charles urged Kingsley forward, his back straightening and returning to its professional and polite manner. I, meanwhile, remained hunched over and dazed.
"What's the matter?" he questioned suspiciously, looking at my expression. His brows were furrowed in worry, either because he thought the wolf had caught up on us, or because he genuinely cared for my feelings.
My goodness Rebekah silence your love for a man you just met. Fool.
"I'm going to arrive home far past curfew!" I exclaimed, rubbing my temples in distress. I was still quite out of breath, and it hurt my chest to exclaim in such a way.
"Well worry none. Surely it's only close to eight o' clock," he reassured with a gentle smile.
"Indeed, but the issue is that my curfew is of six o'clock." I bit my tongue. Way to go, I just told him my childish curfew. Now he'll surely think my father set such an early curfew due to my lack of obedience or good behavior.
Charles was silent for a moment, fumbling with his reins.
Say goodbye to Charles Poppenburg, you just mistakenly turned him away.
I rolled my eyes at my conscience's voice.
"Why would he set such an early curfew? There are only so many hours you can enjoy in a day," he stated.
"You would think he could raise curfew or even rid of it at my age of eighteen," I replied, twisting my mouth in a nervous state. Charles simply replied with a "hm," and a nod of the head.

With that, Charles urged Kingsley back into a speedy gallop, and he shouted over the loud rush of air,

"It's unfortunate we will be late. You can blame the mistake on my own doing!"

"No need, we could be misjudging the time. Let's just hope we can make it in time," I replied, gripping the sides of his coat as I nearly lost my balance. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment, but I was lucky that Charles never noticed. 

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It was dusk and it was obvious that I was far past curfew as we arrived back home. The nerves in my stomach began to somersault as we drew closer to the hill that my home rest on. All that I could hope of was that Lydia discovered a good excuse to my rule breaking. 

I dismounted Kingsley and gave Charles a slight curtsy.

"Thank you for your kind help," I whispered.

"It was no trouble, except for the wolf," he laughed slightly.

I nodded sheepishly. The silence grew, and Charles had yet to leave. I shifted my feet in uncomfortable silence. I was lucky enough to hear the orchestras of crickets play in the night. I deeply appreciated their harmonies and leaps of joy in the summer's breezy quiet. Charles unknowingly interrupted their performance.

"I'm in deepest regret we couldn't find your horse, but I'm most certain she'll return due to having a good owner," he complimented. Before I could reply with gratitude toward his compliment, he clucked at Kingsley, and the white stallion became a mere speck on the gravel road towards town. 

I smiled briefly. My heart thudded and danced inside my chest's cage. It was grave to have lost an expensive and dangerous horse, but it was a small sort of accomplishment to have gained the friendship of Charles. 

Returning towards my position facing the house, I began shuffling silently through the grasses. Lifting my skirt ever so lightly, I made my way towards the back of the home, where the kitchen was located. Stopping right before the door, I listened intently for any sign of movement within the house. There were no signs of light; I would have to make my way through the house guided by the full moon's shine. Breathing heavily, I turned the knob and held my breath. I paused for just a moment, reassuring myself as to the absence of any presence. 

Shutting the door with a silent sigh, I tiptoed through the kitchen, the floor heaving underneath my footsteps. The smell of supper's sweet potato biscuits left its trace in my nose. My stomach rumbled, reminiscing in the memory of food. It was tempting to find something satisfying, but my mission was still incomplete. The focus was to slither through the house undiscovered, as if I had been here all day.