Hana thought she had finally escaped. She had outsmarted Thane and made her way back to the forest. But as she ran, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned to see Thane grinning at her, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
"You think you can escape me?" he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I've been playing a cat and mouse game with you, Hana. And now, it's time for you to pay the price."
Hana tried to run, but Thane was too fast. He caught her and brought her back to the palace, his grip like a vice around her wrist.
"You'll never escape me," he hissed, his breath hot against her ear. "You'll always be mine."
Hana struggled and kicked, but Thane was too strong. He dragged her back to her room and threw her onto the bed, his eyes blazing with fury. "You'll pay for trying to escape," he snarled, his hand raised to strike her.
Hana cowered, expecting the worst. But Thane's hand hesitated, and he turned away, his shoulders tense with rage. "I'll deal with you later," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "For now, you'll stay here and think about your foolishness."
And with that, he stormed out of the room, leaving Hana shaken and terrified.
Hana was left alone in her room, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. She knew she had to think carefully, or she would never outsmart Thane again. She began to pace back and forth, her eyes scanning the room for any opportunity.
As she walked, she noticed a small window high up on one wall. It was narrow, but it looked like it might be big enough for her to squeeze through. Hana's heart raced as she thought about the possibility of escape.
She quickly moved over to the window and examined it more closely. It was locked, but Hana was determined. She searched the room for anything she could use to pick the lock, her eyes settling on a small hairpin on the dresser.
With shaking hands, Hana inserted the hairpin into the lock and began to manipulate it. After a few tense moments, she heard the satisfying click of the lock disengaging. She pushed the window open and hoisted herself up, her heart pounding in her chest.
As she squeezed through the window, Hana felt a sense of exhilaration. She was finally escaping! She dropped down to the ground outside, her feet pounding against the earth as she ran.
But as she emerged from the palace gardens, Hana realized that she was not alone. Thane was standing in front of her, his eyes blazing with fury.
"You think you can escape me?" he snarled, his hand reaching out to grab her. Hana tried to dodge, but Thane was too quick. He caught her and dragged her back to the palace, his grip like a vice around her wrist.
"You'll never escape me," he hissed, his breath hot against her ear. "You'll always be mine."
And with that, he threw her back into her room, the door slamming shut behind her.
Hana was trapped once again, her dreams of escape shattered. But she refused to give up. She would find another way out, no matter what it took.