I have to run for hours by myself before I start to spot them. I followed Silvers scent so we'll have to wash off soon so we're not followed. I did my best to cover his scent with my scentless one which is why it's taking me so long to get caught up. They were huddled under a tree resting.
"So what took you so long Lyria?"
"You try to run at top speed with broken ribs while covering a male's scent. It hurts and I'm exhausted." Lyria said with sarcasm. "We need to bathe as soon as possible, and I mean all of us." I lay down and rest as well.
Silver came over and checked me over.
"You need to wrap that."
"I know, will you help me?"
Silver gave me a wide-eyed look.
"I-that's not a good idea."
I sit up some and look at him confused.
"If you're afraid to hurt me, don't, I can handle a little bit of pain."
"It's not that. Have you ever noticed I tried my best not to touch you? I don't deserve to be anywhere near you. The life of a slave is not one I can easily get over." The look he was giving me was making my heart hurt.
I lowered my eyes not able to look into his anymore. Thinking back on our time together, he was right. This is the most skin he's seen on me and not once has our skin ever touched in the slightest, not even by accident. I can't believe I never noticed that.
He's a slave. There are strict rules for everything. Males are beaten into submission before the rules are brutely tortured into them. Rogues take their anger and frustration out on the slaves and claim it was a teaching moment.
I've never seen the full extent of it but I have seen some of their teaching moments. The slaves are unjustly beaten and mistreated.
If you look close enough you can still see the scars that are all Silver's body.
It'll be difficult to overcome something like that.
"I'm sorry, I'll get Lily to help me so don't worry about it, but we'll have to wash first. I'll go see if I can find any water close by."
"You just got here. You need to rest."
"It's fine honestly. I think I need a moment to myself right now."
"Okay but don't go too far."
"I won't."
I connect with nature to see if I can find a water source nearby. I sat there for several minutes and nothing so I got up, took a deep sniff, and followed my gut.
When I was far enough from the others, I collapsed. The pain was nearly unbearable but I refused to seem weak in front of the others. It's a little after mid-day and I'm already so exhausted I can barely stand on my feet.
I haven't eaten anything all day either. I have to find food soon too.
I still very clearly remember how to hunt but I can't catch large prey.
I take a deep painful breath and mustered all the strength I could to get back up.
I fall back to my knees.
'Guess I should have rested first.'
"What am I doing? I can't do this on my own. I don't know how to be in charge of other females or how to take care of them. All I had down was the escape. I don't know what to do now that we're free.
I run my hands over my head pulling back the loose strands, beyond frustrated.
'Deep breath. Calm down.'
One thing at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself.
A little pep talk was all I needed.
'Water, we need water first.'
I get back up again and run. I don't care where or how far, I just run.
A while later I stop in front of a wide river. I found water. I smile and jump up, cheering myself on. I take a drink before sitting down, I relax for a moment.
It's getting late, I need to get back to others quickly.