Placing my hand against the wall, I used it as a guide to navigate the dark. Heat rolled in waves down my back, making my thin shirt stick like a second skin. The potent scent of woodsmoke and incense clogged my throat, and I took shallow breaths to keep from coughing.
One hallway led to another before I felt the tiniest draft of cool air. In the next room, candles flickered, and I spotted a door. A narrow window—open a crack—let in a cool breeze.
“Wait,” Hendrik whispered.
Something moved in the shadows. It all happened so fast as the witch appeared out of the dark, and Hendrik gave me a hard shove. I lost my balance and my grip on him. Falling to the floor, I looked up into the glowing eyes of the witch. But she wasn’t watching me. Her bright gaze held Hendrik in place, and a scream bubbled in my throat when his eyes radiated the same flash of light.
“Run!” he shouted, unable to break free of the witch’s spell. “Run and don’t look back!”
My feet froze, refusing to move, until the witch lifted her hand toward me, fingers sparking with magic. I lunged for the door, throwing my weight against it. It shuddered open, and I tumbled through, landing shoulder-first in the dirt.
White light flooded my vision. I squinted to allow my eyes to adjust, taking in the dense trees, hard-packed earth, and the house towering over me like a monster ready to swallow me whole.
Fear and adrenaline kick-started my heart as I scrambled to my feet.Run!Hendrik’s voice screamed inside my head, and I listened, rocks tearing through the thin soles of my shoes as I dove through the trees.
Heavy breaths whooshed in and out of my chest and a stitch burned in my side, but I ran faster, heedless of the thick branches that carved long scratches into my exposed skin. I didn’t look back, certain if I did, I’d see the witch.
When a stump snagged my foot, I crashed to the ground, sliding through a bed of wet leaves. I rolled onto my back, trying to recapture my breath. The tree branches swirled overhead while I gulped air like a fish on dry land.
Slowly, my initial panic ebbed, and I sat up. The trees spread in every direction, each identical to the last. Somehow, I had to find help and go back for Hendrik, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d end up hopelessly lost.
What if I couldn’t find my way back to the house?
The realization clenched my stomach, and a sour taste filled my mouth. I squeezed my eyes shut against the sting of tears, but they dripped hot and wet onto the back of my hand.
When I opened my eyes again, my gaze landed on a peppermint candy that had fallen from my pocket. The pink swirls appeared overly bright against the dark leaves. Reaching into my pocket, I retrieved a handful of mints.
Choosing a direction, I weaved through the trees, dropping candies as I went. My supply dwindled, but I kept moving, scanning the forest for a way out.
It was ironic how time had meant so little while captive, but now, it meant everything, and I felt it slipping away. Already, the sun had dipped lower, and the dark I feared the most was coming.
Startled by the heavy thud of hooves, I ducked behind a tree. A short distance away, I spotted a rugged trail, and a rider came into view, followed by a small covered wagon.
Without thinking, I jumped in front of them. The men shouted, pulling back on their reins to avoid a collision. I fell on my backside, landing in the dirt as the man on the horse dismounted.
“Thomas, why have we stopped?” A woman peeked through the canvas-topped wagon. She gasped when she saw me.
Thomas knelt at my side, his gaze roaming over my knotted hair and mud-caked hands. “Where did you come from?” he asked. “We’re miles outside the kingdom.”
The words were thick on my tongue, but I forced them out in a jumble of scattered thoughts. “My brother. I have to go back for Hendrik. The witch has him.”
“Witch?” A look passed between the two men.
Climbing from the wagon, the woman crouched beside Thomas. “What’s your name, dear?”
“Liana. Please, I can take you there, but we have to hurry.” I unfurled my hand, showing them the few remaining candies in my palm. “I left a trail.”
Thomas stood and nodded toward the man driving the wagon. They each mounted a horse, and Thomas addressed the woman.
“Wait here with the girl, Sarah. We’ll see if we can find anyone.”
I watched helplessly as they disappeared into the trees. The woman nudged me toward the wagon and offered me a drink of water. I drank greedily from the canteen, nearly choking on the cool liquid.
“Go easy,” Sarah murmured, watching me with concern.
I handed her back the canteen, and she opened the canvas flap on the wagon, gesturing for me to climb inside. I couldn’t do it. The gaping hole looked like the mouth of a monster. My whole body trembled as I backed away from the wagon.
Sarah held up her hand and lowered the flap. “It’s okay—we can wait outside. Why don’t you tell me a little more about yourself?”
