Every sound seemed amplified, every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves making my heart jump. I had to be careful. If I made too much noise, they would find me.
I stumbled across a shallow stream, the cool water soothing my aching feet for a moment before I pressed on. The terrain grew steeper, and I had to use my hands to steady myself as I climbed over rocks and roots.
In the distance, I spotted a flicker of light. Could it be the safe house? My heart leaped with hope, and I made my way towards it, keeping as quiet as possible.
As I got closer, the light revealed a small cabin, hidden among the trees. Relief washed over me. Lily's directions had been accurate. I approached cautiously, looking around to ensure I wasn't being followed.
I pushed the door open and slipped inside, closing it gently behind me. The cabin was sparsely furnished but had the essentials: a bed, a table, and a small stove. I quickly locked the door and moved to the window, peering out into the darkness.
The sounds of the search party grew louder. I could see the beams of their flashlights cutting through the trees. They were methodically sweeping the forest, getting closer by the minute.
I needed a plan. Hiding here wasn't an option if they were going to search every inch of the forest. I looked around the cabin, hoping to find something that could help. There was a trapdoor in the corner, likely leading to a cellar or a hidden space. I hurried over and lifted it, revealing a small, dark room below.
With no other options, I climbed down and pulled the trapdoor closed above me. The darkness was suffocating, but I forced myself to stay calm and quiet. I could hear.
The darkness enveloped me as I huddled in the cramped cellar, every muscle tensed in anticipation. I could hear the faint crunch of footsteps outside the cabin, the guards' voices growing louder as they drew closer. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a reminder of the danger I was in.
The flashlight beams swept across the walls, the light seeping through the cracks and illuminating the small space I was hiding in. I held my breath, willing myself to stay silent and still. Any sound, any movement, could give me away.
"Check inside the cabin," a gruff voice commanded. The door creaked open, and heavy footsteps entered the room above me. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing and calm my racing heart.
"There's no one here," another voice said, frustration evident in his tone. "Keep searching the area. She couldn't have gotten far."
The footsteps retreated, and I heard the door close again. I waited, straining to hear any indication that they had moved on. After what felt like an eternity, the voices faded into the distance. I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me.
I remained hidden for several more minutes, just to be sure. When I finally felt it was safe, I carefully pushed open the trapdoor and climbed out of the cellar. The cabin was dark and silent, the only light coming from the moon filtering through the small windows.
I needed to move. Staying here was too risky. I gathered a few supplies from the cabin,a blanket, some food, and a small knife,then slipped back outside. The night was still and quiet, the forest shrouded in shadows. I glanced around, ensuring the guards were no longer in the immediate area, then headed deeper into the woods.
My mind raced as I tried to formulate a plan. Lily had mentioned a safe house, but I had no idea where it was or how to find it. I could only hope that I would come across some sign or clue that would lead me in the right direction.
I moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows and avoiding any open spaces. The forest seemed to close in around me, the trees looming like silent sentinels. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig set my nerves on edge. I had to stay alert, had to keep moving.
After what felt like hours of trekking through the dense underbrush, I came across a small clearing. In the center stood an old, dilapidated shed, overgrown with ivy and barely visible in the moonlight. My heart leapt. Could this be the safe house?
I approached cautiously, my eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. The shed looked abandoned, its wooden walls weathered and cracked. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the hinges creaking loudly in the silence.
The interior was dimly lit by the moonlight streaming through the gaps in the walls. It was empty, save for a few scattered tools and a worn blanket on the floor. I let out a sigh of relief. It wasn't much, but it would provide shelter for the night.
I spread the blanket on the floor and sat down, finally allowing myself a moment to catch my breath. My body ached from the constant running and my mind was a whirl of fear and exhaustion. But I couldn't let my guard down completely. I needed to stay vigilant.
As I sat there, my thoughts drifted to Jenna. I hoped she was safe, though I feared the worst. If Logan had punished her for helping me, I would never forgive myself. But I had to push those thoughts aside for now. I needed to focus on surviving and finding a way to truly escape Logan's grasp.
The night dragged on, the silence only broken by the occasional distant shout or bark of a dog. I tried to rest, but sleep eluded me. Every sound outside the shed made my heart race, every rustle of leaves made me jump.
Just before dawn, the sounds of the search party began to fade. It seemed they had either moved on or given up for the night. I knew I couldn't stay in the shed for long.