A Night of Rest, A Morning of Reality
The fire crackled softly in the dimly lit cabin, casting flickering shadows on the wooden walls. Emma lay nestled in Ruby's arms, her body finally warm after nights of traveling in the cold. The security of a roof, even a temporary one, felt foreign. She wanted to believe they were safe, even if only for a little while.
But reality had a way of creeping back in.
She awoke to the distant sound of a horse's neigh, her heart slamming against her ribs. For a moment, she panicked, thinking they'd been found. But then she heard Mrs. Thompson outside, her voice calm as she spoke to her animals.
Emma let out a slow breath, trying to steady herself.
Ruby stirred beside her, his arm tightening around her waist. "You're shaking," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.
She swallowed hard. "I keep expecting them to find us."
Ruby sat up slightly, brushing a stray curl from her face. "They won't. Not yet. We have time."
Emma wished she could believe that.
---
A Plan to Stay Hidden
After a quick breakfast of bread and tea, Mrs. Thompson handed Ruby an old hunting rifle.
"You'll need this if trouble comes knocking," she said, her sharp eyes scanning Ruby's expression. "Do you know how to use it?"
Ruby hesitated before nodding. "I know the basics."
Mrs. Thompson snorted. "Basics won't save you if someone comes looking. I'll teach you."
Emma's stomach twisted. The thought of Ruby using a gun, of possibly having to defend them, made her uneasy.
But she knew it was necessary.
As Mrs. Thompson led Ruby outside, Emma helped clean up the small table where they'd eaten. She could feel the older woman watching her.
"You love him, don't you?" Mrs. Thompson asked suddenly.
Emma froze, her fingers tightening around a tin cup.
"Yes," she admitted softly.
Mrs. Thompson nodded knowingly. "Love is a powerful thing. It can make people do foolish things."
Emma looked up. "Do you think running away with him was foolish?"
Mrs. Thompson studied her for a long moment. "No. I think staying would have been worse."
Emma's throat tightened.
"Your kind of love isn't the kind his family approves of," Mrs. Thompson continued. "They'll do anything to pull him back, to make him forget you. You need to be prepared for that."
Emma swallowed hard. "I know."
Mrs. Thompson sighed. "No, child. I don't think you do."
---
Danger on the Horizon
For the next two days, they remained at the farmhouse, helping Mrs. Thompson with chores and keeping out of sight.
Ruby practiced shooting, growing more confident under Mrs. Thompson's guidance. Emma focused on learning the small tasks that could help them survive if they needed to stay hidden—starting fires, gathering herbs, stitching torn clothes.
It felt almost normal.
But the feeling didn't last.
On the third afternoon, while Emma was helping Mrs. Thompson in the garden, Ruby came rushing toward them, his expression tense.
"Riders," he said sharply. "Coming down the road."
Emma's blood turned to ice.
Mrs. Thompson wiped her hands on her apron, unbothered. "Could be anyone."
Ruby shook his head. "No. I recognize one of them. He works for my family."
Emma felt like she couldn't breathe.
Mrs. Thompson glanced between them before nodding toward the back of the house. "Take the path through the woods. It'll lead you to the river. Cross it, and they'll lose your tracks."
Emma hesitated. "We can't just leave you—"
Mrs. Thompson gave a small, sad smile. "I've lived a long life, child. This ain't the first time I've helped someone escape. Now go."
Emma felt Ruby's hand close around hers, tugging her away.
They didn't have time to argue.
---
The Desperate Escape
They ran.
Emma's legs burned as she stumbled through the dense underbrush, Ruby pulling her along. The sound of hooves grew louder behind them, the men getting closer.
Then—a voice.
"Ruby! We know you're out here!"
Emma's heart pounded.
"Come back now, and we'll make this easy!" another voice called.
Ruby didn't stop. He pulled Emma forward, pushing past low branches and leaping over fallen logs.
Then she heard the worst sound imaginable.
Dogs.
A deep, echoing bark cut through the trees.
Emma's breath caught. "They have bloodhounds."
Ruby cursed under his breath. "We need to reach the river. Fast."
The barking grew louder, closer.
Emma pushed herself harder, ignoring the ache in her legs, the sting of branches scraping against her skin.
Then—a glimpse of water through the trees.
"The river!" she gasped.
They reached the bank, the water rushing past in a cold, swirling current.
Ruby didn't hesitate. He grabbed Emma's hand and waded in.
The cold was a shock, stealing the breath from her lungs. The current was strong, pulling at her skirts, but Ruby kept a firm grip on her as they pushed forward.
Behind them, the barking stopped.
Then—angry voices.
"They crossed the river!"
"Find a way around!"
Ruby pulled Emma up onto the opposite bank, both of them gasping for air.
For a moment, they just sat there, dripping wet, staring at the woods they had escaped from.
Then Ruby turned to her.
"We can't stop now."
Emma nodded, teeth chattering. "Where do we go?"
He took a deep breath, looking toward the darkening horizon.
"As far away as we can."
---
A New Beginning
That night, they didn't stop. They walked until Emma thought her legs would give out, until the lights of Mrs. Thompson's farmhouse were nothing but a distant memory.
It wasn't until dawn that they finally collapsed beneath a thick cluster of trees, exhaustion consuming them.
Emma curled against Ruby, her body shivering from the cold.
"We almost got caught," she whispered.
Ruby wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "But we didn't."
She looked up at him, searching his face. "How long can we keep running?"
His expression softened. "As long as it takes."
She believed him.
Even if the world was against them, even if the odds were stacked higher than she could bear—she believed him.
Because love like theirs wasn't meant to be caged.
And as long as they had each other, they would find a way.