14 Run!

We blindly run down the river bank. Behind us is the sound of heavy footsteps trailing behind us. Neither Daric nor I look behind us. Knowing it would only serve to slow us down. A small part of me that isn't focused on running for my life is upset that I'm getting chased again.

/I hope this doesn't become a pattern./

"Stop in the name of Lord Crowdon!" one of them yells.

I assume that's the noble whose land we're currently running on.

"Refusal to follow our orders is a crime worthy of execution!" the other yells, voice choppy from running.

Crowdon is not known for kindness. If they catch us and take us to him, we have low odds of living past the meeting.

Daric is unable to resist looks over his shoulder. I'm about to snap at him to focus on running when he trips. He hits the ground hard and struggles to get to his feet. I quickly pivot to get back to him. My feet slide on the river bank from the sudden turn. Seeing his ankle swell and turn a deep red, I throw his arm over my shoulder half dragging - half carrying him with me as he moves with a limp. The sound of our pursuers footsteps is getting louder. The river bends with a tree root pointing out at the curve. We follow the bend. For the moment, the tree root hides us from sight. I have a split second to decide how to proceed. The men are gaining, and Daric's injured leg will give out soon.

Desperate and trying to think of a way out, I'm not watching where I'm stepping. I misstep, crashing into the ground. I hastily try to scramble up. But notice from my lowered position, there is a large animal burrow dug beneath a root and hidden behind some brush. I would have missed it if we had not landed so close to it during our tumble. Making a swift decision, I drag Daric to the burrow.

When he sees where we're headed, I can feel him tremble. "No," he says as he shakes his head vigorously. Silent horror appears on his face.

"We have to," I leave no room for arguments.

"I can't," he replies as he digs in his heels, slowing us down.

"They're about to catch up. So you can either keep it together, or possibly get placed into a dark, damp, and dirty dungeon for the rest of your life." I speak in hushed tones as I continue to drag him.

Trembling, he doesn't speak. Trapped in whatever nightmare the burrow triggered. Probably didn't hear a word I said. I throw us in head first, crawling in to conceal us. It's a tight fit, I'm half on Daric and half on the ground, but we manage. Well I did, Daric is moments from losing his mind and giving away our position. I can feel my heart squeeze, knowing he has suffered a deep trauma that I'm forcing him to relive.

As soon as we're in, I hear footsteps pound against the ground as they come ever closer. They come to a stop directly behind us. We're facing the inside of the burrow, so I have no clue if we're seconds from being dragged out or not. The silence stretches on, while I feel as though my heart will beat out of my chest. My breath becomes ragged, and I clench the back of Daric's shirt in desperation; as though the raggedy cloth will provide safety.

"Which way did they go?" One of them breaks the silence, his voice ruff and choppy from the exerting run.

My panic slowly recedes in relief.

"How am I suppose to know which way they went?" The other asked in between pants, sounding worse off than the other guy.

"Weren't you keeping an eye on them?"

"I was!"

"Then how can you not know where they are? What good are you?"

"You seem to have forgotten, but you were there too!"

"Well, I thought you were paying attention."

"Hold on," they were quiet for a long pause. "You heard that?"

"Yeah, I'm not sure if you noticed, but we're out in the forest! There's a lot of noises!"

"I'm not talking about the wildlife!"

"Just admit you lost them and was probably following a woodland creature. The Goddess knows it's not the first time."

"One time! Let it go, man! And that's beside the point. It sounds like a person."

They fall into silence. I soon realize where the noise is coming from.

Next to me, Daric is letting out a stream of whimpers that are building in volume. The men get quiet. I hold myself statue still. Breathing shallow and willing Daric to quiet down. When he didn't, I wrap my arm around him to cover his mouth. Bad idea, because he fights against me. And in such a small space with us so close together, his flailing limbs whack into me. I did my best to hold him down and whisper comforting words. But he has reached blind panic, and nothing I said or did is reaching him.

"Yeah, I think I hear it too."

Following the sounds Daric is making, their footsteps approach.

The following silence bears down and chokes me with uncertainty and fear. At the moment I question, /if I can feel pain, can my delusion kill me?/ Just when I believe I'm seconds from discovery; there's the sound of rustling bushes and a high-pitched scream shatters the silence. If I didn't know otherwise, I would have thought a woman is being murdered. There are chaotic noises of dull thuds, shouting, and growling followed by rapidly retreating footfalls.

I keep us still as I hold down Daric. When I the danger has passed, I crawl backward dragging a struggling Daric by the ankle. Checking to make sure there was no one or thing around that would kill us. I focus on Daric.

"Daric, look at me." I get no reaction out of him other than flailing, rapid breathing, and a wide-eyed staring. I put my hands on either side of his face; forcing him to see me. I surprise him, but he doesn't calm down. "Daric, sweetheart, I need you to take deep breaths. In," I inhale deep, "out," I exhale. It takes several minutes, but I continue until Daric's breathing matches my own and evens out.