The river's rapid currents churned noisily, filling Xia Xin with unease. She had a deep-seated fear of water and knew she couldn't possibly swim across. The path she had just taken was the only one in sight—no other way to go.
Surveying the surroundings, she realized that although there were no roads wide enough for a vehicle, there were some narrower trails that a person could traverse. Trees and waist-high grass would provide her with cover. If she could just make it to the forest, she'd be effectively concealed from the twins hunting her.
Resolute, Xia Xin braved the thorny path. Her clothing snagged and her skin was scratched, the pain turning her complexion ashen. Finding a secluded spot, she redeemed some healing ointments and bandages from her system, tending to her wounds first.
