As soon as there was enough light to see, I would have to move again.
The first light of dawn filtered through the cracks in the walls, casting long shadows across the floor. I gathered my things and prepared to leave. Just as I was about to step outside, I heard a noise that made me freeze.
Footsteps. Slow and deliberate, approaching the shed. I quickly ducked behind a stack of old crates, clutching the knife in my trembling hand.
The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the man standing in the doorway. It was one of Logan's guards, a large, intimidating figure with a cruel look in his eyes.
He scanned the interior of the shed, his eyes narrowing as he looked around. I pressed myself against the wall, praying he wouldn't see me.
"You can come out now," he called, his voice dripping with mockery. "I know you're in here."
I stayed still, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. The guard took a step closer, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be," he said. "Logan will find you eventually. You can't hide forever."
I knew he was right, but I refused to give up. I had to fight. Summoning every ounce of courage I had, I sprang from my hiding place and lunged at him with the knife.
The guard was quick, much quicker than I expected. He dodged my attack and grabbed my wrist, twisting it painfully until I dropped the knife. He shoved me against the wall, his grip like a vice.
"You're coming with me," he growled. "Logan will be pleased to see you."
Panic surged through me, and I struggled against his hold, but it was no use. He was too strong. As he began to drag me towards the door, I heard a shout from outside.
"Let her go!"
The guard turned, and I saw Lily standing in the doorway, a fierce determination in her eyes. She held a crossbow aimed directly at the guard.
"Back off," she warned, her voice steady. "Or I will shoot."
The guard hesitated, glancing between me and Lily. I took the opportunity to wrench myself free and scramble away. Lily kept the crossbow trained on him, her finger on the trigger.
"This isn't over," the guard spat, backing towards the door. "We'll find you both."
He turned and fled, disappearing into the trees. I collapsed to the floor, my body shaking with relief and exhaustion.
Lily rushed over and helped me to my feet. "We need to move, now," she said urgently. "They'll be back soon with more men."
I nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. Together, we hurried out of the shed and into the forest, determined to put as much distance between us and Logan's men as possible. The search for freedom wasn't over yet, but with Lily by my side, I felt a renewed sense of hope.
The forest was eerily silent as Lily and I fled the shed, the urgency of our situation driving us forward. Dawn's light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor. We moved swiftly but cautiously, the fear of Logan's guards never far from our minds.
"We need to head towards the river," Lily whispered, her eyes scanning the dense foliage. "It's our best chance of losing them."
I nodded, trusting her judgment. She had already saved me once; I had to believe she could do it again. We continued on, every rustle and snap of a twig putting us on high alert.
As we approached the river, the sound of rushing water grew louder. It was both a relief and a source of anxiety. The river would help mask our scent, but it was also a natural barrier that could slow us down. We had no choice but to cross it.
Lily led the way, carefully stepping into the water. The cold bit into my skin, but I followed her without hesitation. The current was strong, pulling at our legs as we waded through. We moved as quickly as we could, trying to stay quiet despite the noise of the river.
Halfway across, I glanced back and saw movement in the trees. My heart sank. Logan's guards were closing in. I quickened my pace, urging Lily to do the same. We reached the opposite bank, climbing out of the water and into the underbrush.
"Keep moving," Lily urged, her voice barely audible over the sound of the river. "We have to put as much distance between us and them as possible."
We pushed forward, the forest thickening around us. The underbrush scratched at our legs, but we didn't slow down. The adrenaline coursing through my veins kept me going, even as my body screamed for rest.
After what felt like hours, we finally stopped to catch our breath. Lily leaned against a tree, her face pale and strained. I could see the exhaustion in her eyes, but there was also a fierce determination that mirrored my own.
"We can't keep running forever," I said, my voice trembling. "We need a plan."
Lily nodded. "There's an old abandoned cabin a few miles from here. If we can make it there, we might be able to regroup and come up with a better strategy."
"Lead the way," I said, determination replacing my fear.
We continued through the forest, the terrain growing more challenging with each step. The path was less defined, overgrown with roots and rocks. We had to move carefully to avoid injury, but we didn't slow down.
As we neared the cabin, I felt a glimmer of hope. It was hidden deep in the woods, far enough from any roads or trails that it might escape notice. When we finally reached it, we both let out a sigh of relief. The cabin was small and weathered, but it would provide shelter.
We entered cautiously, checking for any signs of recent activity. It was empty, just as Lily had hoped. We quickly set about securing the doors and windows, using old boards and furniture to barricade ourselves inside.