I lowered my head, pushing harder, forcing my body to find non-existent energy and propel myself from hell toward salvation.
How long did I run? I didn’t know. How far did I get? Probably not very.
But no matter the stitches in my side or the spasms in my lungs, I kept going. Kept running. I thanked God for my endless nights of pounding the treadmill, and for the first time in my life, was thankful for my small chest size.
Shadows chased my every step. The sun remained blocked by the tree canopy. The yellow glow was still light, still bright, coaxing me on, screaming at me to get up when I stumbled, and ordering my tears to stop as I gasped for breath.
I kept running—zigzagging as much as I could, cutting through a stream, and almost rolling my ankle on the slippery rocks below. I did everything I’d ever seen survivalists do when being hunted.
With my heart whizzing, I bypassed woodland trails, avoided muddy paths, and obscured my scent as much as possible.
But I knew in my heart, it wouldn’t be good enough.
He’ll find you.
My body begged to stop and let the inevitable happen. To stop punishing myself for no purpose. My mind howled in frustration as lactic acid burned in my limbs.
It won’t work. Give up.
Go on, just…stop.
I shook my head, driving myself harder.
He’ll catch you.
It wasn’t a matter of if, but when.
I could run for years, and he would still find me. How did I know? I didn’t trust him.
I didn’t believe he’d let me get away so easily. Everything about him was a carefully scripted lie. Why should his word be any different?
I had no doubt if he didn’t find me, something else would—a snare, a trap—something just waiting to ambush its prey.
Every footfall I tensed, waiting for death—wondering if that last step would trigger a net or an arrow to my heart.
Stop running.
Just…stop, Nila.
My breathless inner voice was tired and hungry and completely worn out. My muscles cramped. My mind seized with too many questions.
At least it was summer, and I didn’t have to combat the cold on top of everything else. My skin glistened with sweat from exercising so hard.
But I hated the defeat in my soul—the rapidly spilling courage and hope.
This wasn’t about the chase. We all knew who would win. It was about defiance. The word that I never knew or put into practice until last night, but now I lived and breathed it. I would be the most defiant thorn, stabbing holes in Jethro’s carefully made plans.
I would never be able to win. The only way I had a chance at surviving long enough to reap vengeance on the men who ruined my ancestors was to fight his ice with fire.
I had to burn.
I had to blaze.
I had to cinder his beliefs and control to the ground. And smear his soul with the ashes of his sins.
A loud howl came on the breeze.
My knees locked, slamming me to a standstill.
No. Please, no.
My heart squeezed. I should’ve guessed. He wouldn’t run after me like a typical chase. Why would he waste his energy hunting in the wrong direction?
He was smarter than that. Colder than that. He’d use the tools he had to make sure this little inconvenience was over and dealt with. Of course, he would use the very animals who’d become my friends last night.
Teaching me not one but two lessons in quick succession. One, the animals currently tracking me, currently hunting me, were not my friends, no matter how warm and cosy they’d been last night. And two, everything here, no matter human or animal, would not hesitate to kill me.
The thought depressed then infected me with strength I’d only just become acquainted with. There was no hope at making Jethro feel. The only hope I had was to fight ruthlessness with ruthlessness.
I had to contest him on every step and ignite that spark buried deep within.
Another howl and a bark.
Energy shot through my body, hot and bullet-fierce.
I took off again, sprinting down a small hill, holding onto branches as a rush of vertigo threatened to spill me into nettles and brambles.
The collar on my throat was heavy, but at least it had warmed. The diamonds no longer felt alien but a part of me. The courage of my ancestors. The spirit-strength of women I’d never met, living in a piece of jewellery throbbing with their guidance and energy.
The hatred and repulsion I felt toward the collar disappeared. Yes, the Hawks had given it to me, sentencing me to death with an action I couldn’t think about, but they’d given me a piece of my family. A piece of history I could use to my advantage.
Another bark, followed by a loud whistle.
You can’t outrun him.
I scowled at my pessimism.
But you can hide.
I shook my head, fighting tears as a twig dug into the sole of my foot.
I wouldn’t be able to hide. He came with foxhounds. Their noses were legendary.
Up high. Get up high.
I skidded to a stop. My neck craned as I peered up the length of a knobby-looking tree. The branches were symmetrically placed, the leaves not exactly thick but its trunk strong enough to take me from earth to sky.
I’d never climbed anything in my life. I could fall to my death. I could cripple myself when I suffered a vertigo wave. I’d never been stupid enough to try.
You’ve never had to run for survival either.
Shoving useless fears away, I moved toward the tree with out-stretched hands. It didn’t matter I’d never climbed one. It didn’t matter I’d avoided all gym games and apparatuses, because I only ended up getting hurt.
I would climb the damn thing and conquer it.
I have no choice.
Either stay on the ground and sit quietly for him to arrive, run blindly through woodland, or climb.
I’ll climb.
My toes gripped the base of the tree as I reached for the first branch. I put my weight on it.
It snapped.
Shit!
Another bark—loud and clear, just over the ridge.