I moved over from the seat as quietly as possible, trying to get as far away from the door. I put my knees up to my chest so if someone walked past they could not see my legs. My breathing was heavy. I had tried to calm myself down but it was now use. Panic, confusion and worry filled my body like a river, spreading fast and quick. I tried counting to 10 to slow down my breathing but still I remained panicked.
What is happening?
But more importantly...
Where is Axel?
Was he hurt or in pain. Did he need my help. I could not hear him over the noices of horses and faint yelling. The small windows in the carriage were blurred and I was unable to make out any shapes of people. I decided to step out of the carriage and walk over to where the sounds of yelling were coming from. Even though the idea sounded so stupid in my head. Following my heart not my head.
I walked down the steps cautiously then walked over to the other side of the carriage. While walking I saw little drops of blood sprayed on the wooden wheels of the carriage and the light brown hair of the horses. My stomach twisted and the idea of throwing up became more likely to happen. The smell was horrible. Blood and sweat filled the area where I was standing. I did not know if I could walk anymore. I stepped slowly and cautiously, careful to dodge any sticks or stones that could reveal my position.
There it was. When I finally walked around the carriage there was a man laying on the floor covered in blood. He was hidden under large green bushes. His face was muddy and there was an implant of a hand on his cheek. However his chest was still rising slowly. He was alive but barely. The black mask he had been wearing was now on the floor and his shoe laces had come undone. He looked beaten up and rough. In a wierd way I felt bad. I walked over to him and grabbed a gun from his jacket pocket. I picked a small pale pink lilly from a small pile of leaves and stickes, I placed it on his body saying a small prayer before leaving. With my gun pointed and ready to fire I cautiously walked around checking for Axel. I had no idea how many people attacked us and no idea where they were. I was checking if the safety was on or off when yells and shot came from the forest next to the road where the carriage stood. I ran into the forest. Leaves and branches coming close to my face and moss covered the floors. If I was not running directly to the sound of screams I would have admired the beautiful landscape.
I had been running for a couple of minutes when I found a lake. Full of crystal clear water and small fish. I dipped my hand in, feeling the chilling water take over my hand. On the other side of the lake stood Axel, unharmed and perfectly fine. He looked calm and collected like nothing had happened and it was just any other day. I ran to him. My foot slipping into the lake every now and then as I sprinted.
"What happened to you!" I yelled at Axel. "One minute we are talking in a carriage the next I am taking a gun of a dead body!"
"Go back to the carriage. It will take you to my estate. I have a few things to take care of."
I was shocked. After all this he expected me to follow him blindly and give in to anything he said. I laughed. He turned around, staring at me with no emotion showing on his face.
"Sorry Axel. That's not going to happen. I met you yesterday and you expect me to trust you? The only conversation I have had with you is this one and you are barley saying anything. Im not going anywhere until you have proven that you are good enough for my trust."
"Go to the carriage before I leave you here" he replied taking that same letter out of his coat pocket.
I scoffed and his idiotic behaviour and to be honest I was fed up with this situation. I wanted to go home. I wanted to paint the views of the farm, I wanted to play in the flowers endlessly with my brothers and I wanted to enjoy the simple meals and chats with my family. If I could go back I would cherish all those memories that at the time I thought we useless. Now I was stuck in a life with strangers who did not care about my safety or my feelings. To believe I cared about his well-being before. Now I have learnt my lesson!
"Fine, leave me here! It will be better than staying here with you and your childlike attitude!"
With that I ran. Into the forest, jumping over logs while sprinting deeper into the overgrown woods. For the first time since the start of the journey I feet alive. Just like back at the farm as a child. Soon I was out of breath and stopped running. I spotted a large tree with branches sticking out like arms. I desperately wanted to climb it so I did. I grabbed the first branch and put my foot onto a bump on the trunk of the tree. In a sudden I slipped falling to the ground and hearing a large rip. I looked down at my clothes spotting my Petticoat had been wripped in half. It was no longer attached to me or the rest of the dress. It was no matter anyway, I never like it. I got back up and tried for a second time. However this I made it up to the second branch and found a little place where I could sit comfortably. From this tree I could look up over all the forest and spot the pathway where the carriage stood. It still stood and it looked like it was not going to move for a while. I guess he was bluffing.....
But that means he is still the forest.
Authors note:
This chapter was for everyone to see the personality of our main character Aleena. Hope you enjoyed. I know this took way to long but it's finally published.
-Caroline <333