Who Are You?

I froze in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. This can't be happening. The guards slowly walked towards me, their faces stern and unyielding. They stopped a few inches away, commanding me to face them slowly. I cautiously turned to face them, still keeping my head down, my heart pounding rapidly. 

“I'm sorry for startling you guys,” I stammered, trying to hide the fear in my voice.

The guards exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes gleaming in the moonlight. “Who are you?” the first guard growled. “You don’t smell like you belong here.

I'm Sylvie, Rufus's widow. It's one of those times that I miss him terribly. I know I should have waited for the morning. But I thought I could just sneak to our cottage to get to be nearer to him. But I can go back if it's not allowed.”

“Sylvie?” The guards exchanged a confused glance, clearly uncertain of how to respond.

“Yes,” I said, trying to sound confident. “I’m Sylvie, Rufus’s wife.” I took another step forward, trying to boost my confidence. “If you don’t mind, I really must be on my way.”

“Rufus?” the first guard repeated, still sceptical. “Are you sure you’re not lying?”

“Of course I’m not lying,” I said, my voice sharpening. “I don’t appreciate the accusation,” I replied my voice breaking slightly. 

“What do you know about losing a mate anyway?” I sharply added while wiping a non-existent tear. 

My words seemed to strike a chord within the guards, who shifted uncomfortably. “I’m...sorry for your loss,” the first guard stammered, his voice gruff. “We’re just doing our duty, ma’am.” As on cue the other guard hesitated but added, “I think I remember your husband, the old man who loved wearing the red hat and walking to the cottage side every evening. You seem to have lost a lot of weight ma'am.”

I nodded, my expression cool and composed. “ Thank you and I totally understand. And I appreciate your caution. But if you could just let me get  to my cottage, I’d be most grateful.”

The second guard nodded slowly, gesturing towards the castle. “Very well, ma'am. Please take care and don't ever walk alone this late again.”

I nodded and the guards walked away leaving me sweating and thankful. I quickly ran to the cottage afraid that the guards might be alerted to my escape and the whole plan being jeopardised. 

I scrambled towards the cottage, fumbling at the door in desperation. Then I remembered that Eira said the key would be within the flower vase by the windows. I ran there and whirled my hand inside trying to get it as soon as I could. I found it just like she promised and fumbled to open the door. 

The knob turned, I pushed the door open as it creaked, and I stumbled inside, slamming it shut behind me. For a moment I leaned on the door inwardly reciting a quick prayer and a request for more strength. Though my body wanted to sink to the floor and listen to my hammering heart, I knew I couldn't afford that luxury. Time is already behind me as it is. 

The cottage was a little more than a single room, the furnishings few and worn. But it was a shelter nonetheless, a peaceful place to hide from everything and everyone. 

After collecting all the necessities I thought I needed, including some sharp dagga I found hidden behind the wall clock, I rose to my feet, though my legs felt weak and unsteady, I knew it wasn't the time to appear weak. I knew I had to leave, to put as much distance between myself and the pack as possible. So I crept to the window, peeking out through a gap in the tattered curtains. The forest was still and silent, as if in sync with the pitch black night.

Slowly, carefully, I made my way into the forest, my eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. I quickly remembered all the danger I'll be in if my pack were to catch me trying to escape, so I quit my cautious walk and started sprinting through the forest. I effortlessly shifted into my wolf form and ran through the forest. The hours passed in a blur as I ran countless kilometres, but I kept moving, driven by a strong need for freedom and survival.