Beth stood beneath the expansive blue sky, the gentle warmth of the sun embracing her skin. Her surroundings were unfamiliar, leaving her to wonder how she had ended up here. Before she could even begin to piece together her thoughts, a strong grip yanked her by the arm, forcefully spinning her around.
A loud slap landed on her face and it was followed by the enraged voice, "You… You took my happiness away. How dare you!"
"No!" Beth screamed, her eyes snapping open.
Images of the menacing woman's face swirled in her mind, the memory haunting her even in her dreams. Her heart raced as she struggled to catch her breath, the fear of the dream still gripping her.
She closed her eyes, attempting to calm herself. 'Who is she? Why has she even reached my dream to haunt me?' she wondered.
But before she could dwell on it for long, another realisation struck her like a bolt of lightning. Opening her eyes with a jolt, she found herself surrounded by the warm embrace of daylight, the sun casting dappled patterns on the leaves above.
Panic surged within her as the memories of what had happened before she lost consciousness flooded back. She scrambled to her feet, her gaze darting around the unfamiliar surroundings.
Taking a glance at the spot where she had encountered the lifeless wolf, she was shocked by the absence of it. This made her doubt the reality of what she had witnessed.
Standing on shaky legs, she surveyed the forest, the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds creating a soothing backdrop. A cold shiver ran down her spine, and she cursed herself for venturing into the woods. The idea now seemed reckless and foolish, the daylight doing little to alleviate her unease.
"Hello! Anybody, here!" she shouted as she began to roam the woods.
Strangely, she struggled to find her way back home. The path that had seemed so clear the other night now eluded her completely. She couldn't fathom how she had managed to navigate through this dense forest before.
"Shit! We got nothing today as well!"
Suddenly, a voice reached her ears from not too far away. Filled with a mix of relief and curiosity, she hurried towards the source of the sound.
However, her urgency caused her to overlook her steps, and before she knew it, her foot got ensnared in a leg-hold trap. Pain shot through her leg as the trap tightened, leaving her both physically trapped and mentally panicked.
When her attempt to free herself didn't work, she yelled in a desperate quivering tone, "Somebody help!"
Shortly after, two figures emerged from the wilderness. The first man appeared rugged and sturdy, his long hair and beard framing weathered features. His attire, a mishmash of earth-toned clothes, suggested a life spent outdoors. The cowboy hat perched on his head seemed like an odd choice but somehow added to his distinctive look.
Walking alongside him was his companion, who seemed slightly leaner but no less imposing. This man's attire was darker, a mismatched assortment of clothing that hinted at a rough and unpredictable lifestyle. His long hair and beard were punctuated by a few visible tattoos that peeked out from under his sleeves.
As they approached Beth, the man with the cowboy hat couldn't help but let a sly grin curl across his lips. "Well, well! What do we have here?" he drawled, his tone a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
Her heart pounded in her chest, the sound reverberating in her ears like a panicked drumbeat. Despite the unease creeping through her, she willed herself to stay composed.
Summoning her courage, she cleared her throat, hoping her voice wouldn't betray her unease. With a tremulous smile, she began, "Um, I'm sorry if I've stumbled upon something I shouldn't have. I got caught in this..." Her hand trembled slightly as she gestured to the trap ensnaring her ankle. "I honestly don't even know what this thing is. I was just trying to find my way out of here."
Both men exchanged glances before a hint of smugness crept into the face of the man with the tattoo. "Looks like our fortunes are shining down on us today. We've hit the jackpot," he muttered, his gaze lingering hungrily on Beth.
Her throat tightened, and her voice wavered as she managed to respond, "I... I'm sorry, what?"
A booming laugh escaped the man, his demeanour shifting to one of casual friendliness. "Ah, don't mind me. I was just joking. Let me give you a hand."
He crouched down before her, his hand outstretched towards her ankle. Feeling the pang of fear, she instinctively pulled her leg back slightly.
"No need to be frightened. We're just trying to help," he reassured, his tone attempting to soothe her concerns.
Tentatively, she nodded, still unsure about the situation. As his hand drew closer to her ankle, his touch brushed against her skin.
"Wow, you've got quite the soft skin here," he remarked, a lecherous glint in his eye.
Her instincts flaring, she attempted to retract her leg, but his grip tightened around her ankle, immobilising her.
"Come on now, no need to be in such a rush," he grinned, his fingers digging into her skin.
"Let go of me, please!" she implored, her voice trembling with fear.
Ignoring her pleas, he turned towards his companion, his voice laced with impatience and authority, "Quit standing around! Get over here! Don't you want to feel the softness of her skin?"
Desperation laced her pleas as she begged for mercy, "Please, I'm begging you..."
The other man's laughter filled the air, chilling her to the bone as he knelt in front of her, "You're like a delicacy in the wilderness. How could we pass up this opportunity?"
Tears welled in her eyes as panic consumed her. Her heart pounded loudly, drowning out all other sounds. Summoning all her strength, she mustered a burst of energy and jerked her leg with all her might, despite the searing pain from the trap.
Just as a glimmer of hope ignited within her, allowing her to wriggle free from their grip, she crawled frantically, pushing through the pain to stand on shaky legs. But before she could take more than a few steps, a strong hand seized her by the waist, pulling her back with a jolt.
Refusing to surrender to their menacing intentions, Beth continued to fight with every ounce of strength left in her. She thrashed in the arms of the man who held her captive, her screams piercing through the eerie forest. The touch of the other man's hand on her thighs sent shivers of revulsion down her spine, only fueling her determination to break free.
Summoning all her inner strength and courage, she mustered a last surge of energy. With a swift and unexpected movement, she brought her knee up, aiming for the man's most vulnerable area. Her knee connected with his groin with a force that made him release his grip on her waist and stagger back in pain, letting out a strangled cry.
Seizing this precious moment, she managed to break free from the clutches of the man who had held her, and without looking back, she sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her.
In her disoriented state, Beth stumbled, her legs giving way beneath her. She was on the verge of falling when she collided with something solid and unyielding. Strong arms wrapped around her instinctively, preventing her from hitting the ground.
Breathless and shaken, she looked up, her eyes meeting a pair of piercing, intense eyes. It was a man, but not one of the predators who had been chasing her.