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I'd never ventured further than this when it came to the forest. It only grew darker and more wild from here, and had always been an imposing force standing at the very edge of my little world ...
But perhaps, just this once, it will become my refuge and grant me the safety that I so desperately need.
10
Hazel
Darting across the road, I veer left, and straight into the depths of the trees beyond. The forest was my best hope, my best chance of protection from anyone else who might be lurking in the shadows ... or anyone who might come looking for me.
I can't help but wonder if Merelda will hunt me down herself. Perhaps she'll place a bounty on my head, or worse still, send Lord Payne to drag me back.
My steps quicken at this thought, but with each step further into the forest, the dim light from the stars above fades until I'm forced to slow.
Branches scrape over my skin, tugging at my dress and hair. Closing my eyes to protect them, I use my hands to navigate through the thicket I seem to have found myself in.
My foot catches in a tangle of wiry vines, and I let out an annoyed sigh as I struggle to disentangle myself.
Finally breaking free of the thicket, I struggle to hold back tears as I realize I can still hardly see a thing. Pressing onward, I check each step before taking it, my hands held out in front of me to keep me from running into anything.
I don't know how long I continue on like this. All I know is that my going is slow.
Too slow.
Especiallyif Cyprian and Amadeus have been discovered. I need to put as much distance between them and myself as possible, but at this rate, I’ll never manage it.
Squinting once again into the pitch black darkness, I curse myself for dropping my bag, and with it my tinderbox and candles. If only I'd been more careful to avoid Amadeus, I'd now be able to navigate these trees.
I wouldn't even need to. If Amadeus hadn't caught me, I wouldn't be escaping through the forest while he lies dead on the ground.
Looking up through the thick foliage overhead, I let out a small cry of frustration at the moonless sky.
"I need help. Just a little light, anything ... please."
I sink to my knees in defeat, just as something flickers into view up ahead. My heart skips a beat as I lean forward to push several branches aside, and the light brightens further.
It's just a small pinprick of warm golden light, but it's more than enough to give me hope.
"Thank you," I whisper in silent prayer as I scramble back to my feet.
Cautiously, I make my way toward it, the light growing brighter as the darkness of the forest slowly gives way to it the closer that I get.
Finally, after pushing my way through a particularly thick set of bushes, I stumble out into a small clearing. There, sitting in the middle of dark forest is a tiny cottage. I frown as I stare at it, wondering what I should do next.
The clearing is overflowing with wildflowers of every size, shape, and color, many of which I've never seen before. The cottage itself has thick winding vines twisting up and over it.
Everything about this place feels strange, and yet, somehow familiar ... as if I've seen this place before. The air is saturated with the crisp scent of flowers and starlight. As I take another step into the clearing, a warm breeze brushes past me, playing at the lengths of my skirts as my eyes widen in wonder.
Lazy fireflies drift past me, making the whole scene feel that much more magical. Turning my gaze back to the cottage, my eyes catch on the lantern hanging by the door. That must be the light that drew me here.
How did I not know a place like this existed so close to home?
I stand in the midst of the wildflowers, contemplating my next move. Firelight flickers in one of the small paned windows, half hidden in vines, but I can't see anything else from here.
There's no movement, no sign that anyone has spotted me, but that doesn't mean the cottage is empty. Before I've even come to a decision, I realize I'm already moving closer, as if the cottage itself is pulling me toward it.
At least anyone who lives this far out of town is unlikely to have heard anything about Amadeus or the girl suspected of bludgeoning him over the head. Perhaps, whoever is here, will at least be willing to point me in the right direction, if not give me a candle to help light the way.
Approaching the arched door, I stop to listen for the sounds of someone moving about inside, but it's quiet. For a second, I contemplate lifting the lantern from its hook and simply disappearing into the forest with it, but the very thought makes me sick with guilt.
