2: The chase II

I never liked the idea of fighting, that’s why I never trained, but the vile words this man uttered from his pile hole made my blood boil and made me regret never learning how to fight. Because right now, I wanted to greet his face with my fist and not in a friendly way.

Her head lifted, and her eyes caught sight of me staring at her. Her breath hitched and her eyes widen as fear registered in them. I held up my hands in surrender, trying to make her understand I wasn’t with them. Then I place my finger to my mouth, telling her to remain silent. She nodded, still panting.

The man who stood on the other side of the woods glanced around and then made his way towards the side of the woods where the girl stood while looking around for her.

I knew I couldn’t stay hidden anymore. The man intended to harm her because she was weaker and I couldn’t stay still.

Stepping out would mean throwing myself out in the line. That could get me hurt, and who knows what else would happen? The Royal family already lost the queen, my mother, less than a year ago and we are still healing. Doing this might put me on the line as well.

I can’t take him on unless I have my magic, which keeps fading with every passing moment. I have to put myself first because this doesn’t look great, yet I can’t think. I don’t want to put myself first. The queen told me while she yet lived that life was fleeting and what we do with it is what’s important.

I choose to do something.

I stumbled out from behind the trees and the man paused on his step and gave me a narrowed look. “Who are you?”

“I’m... n..no one.” I stuttered, realising how stupid it was to reveal myself without a proper plan.

“You’re not no one. You move and look like someone from a noble family.” He said, his teeth gritting and his eyes narrowing with malicious intent.

My heart plummeted with fear and I took a step back as he approached me, “Tell me, boy, what’s a child like you doing in a dangerous wood like this?” he sneered.

From the left corner of the woods, I saw the girl who was being chased and she stared at me with utter confusion, but still didn’t come out of her hiding place. Smart girl.

Since I have no plan, I intend to lure him away and then cast a spell that would put an end to this once and for all. I have to be brave and stay one thought ahead of him.

I tucked my hands behind me, trying to spark up fog or smoke, but my magic seemed weaker than I’ve ever experienced. It made no sense why it was so now, but it meant I was more vulnerable than I’d ever been in my life.

The man took a long stride forward and I back away only for my leg to get caught by a visible root. I fell off my feet, landing hard on the ground covered with dry grass. My body ached and my eyes blurred up for having slammed my head to the ground when I fell.

The smoke I tried to create with my hand faded away, but not before the man notice them and his eyes darken with anger.

“Magic!” he sneered, his hatred for people like me showing as he stormed towards me.

I tried scrambling to my feet, but he caught me by my legs and dragged me closer.

“You’ve got magic, little boy? You’ve been using it on us for how long? You’re the reason that bitch escaped! because you kept interrupting.”

He’s smart, I’ll give him that.

I struggled to get off his hold, but failed miserably. My head turned to the side of the wood where the girl stood and our eyes met. She looked confused still, but more than anything, apologetic. I wanted her to run and save herself. I wouldn’t escape this fate. This might be where I die and I’d gladly take it. I’d die happy knowing I stood up and fought for someone. I’ll move to the life beyond, knowing my mother would be proud of me when she sees me.

The man noticed the direction of my gaze and his head darted there and saw the girl unmoved. He let go of my leg, seeing his prime target. He kicked me in the stomach and I groaned and twisted on the ground, writing in pain.

“Come here, doll. Come here or I will kill him.” he threatened, stretching out his hand.

“No, don’t. Run!” I yelled to her despite my pain.

He kicked me in the face, bruising my mouth. I twisted on the ground, coughing and spitting out blood.

“If you don’t come, he will suffer. Is that the person you are? Letting others suffer for your sake?”

She shook her head and approached him, having no other choice. I couldn’t object this time. My mouth felt numb from the kick.

My heart clenched in pain, knowing the fate that awaited her with this monster of a man.

I lifted my hands and stare at them, but my magic was gone, and it now felt like I never had it. My head hoisted to the side, and I saw a fallen branch and I stretched my hand to grab it.

The girl now came to stand close to the man, and he grabbed a fist full of her hair, making her whimper out in pain.

“You will come with me, doll. I can’t wait to take these filthy clothes off your body.” he rubbed his hand over her shoulder, down her chest.

“Aye! Bastard!” I called out to the man. He turned around, and I swung the heavy branch as fast as I can to his head. It smacked against his temple with a loud impact and the next second, the man fell to his knees and then to the ground, unconscious.

The girl drew a shaky breath at what had just happened and her grey eyes widened as she stared at the unconscious man and then at me.

I panicked at what I had just done. I just killed a man. I’ve never been violent before, I’ve hurt no one before and now I’ve taken a life.

I threw the branch on the ground, my hands becoming sweaty and my whole body shivering uncontrollably.

“He may not be dead,” I said, already accused and tortured at the hands of the voices in my head.

She nodded, but said nothing else. “Werewolves don’t die that quick,” I added, hoping to make myself feel less guilty about what I’ve done.

But what did I do? I saved a girl. She would have suffered a great deal of pain if this man had taken her with him. I am not the bad guy. In fact, I’m the opposite of that and she knows it too.

Her eyes darted to the branch I tossed to the ground a while ago, and she bent and picked it up. I watched, confused as to what she wanted to do.

She tightened her grip on the branch and raised it to slam it against his head. She wanted him dead; she wanted to finish the job; she was just like me.

She couldn’t finish the job as she hoped because we heard instinct noises and sounds of many footsteps approaching, along with the barking of dogs. She immediately dropped the log and stepped back.

“Go, run away. If they see you, you’ll be in trouble,” I told her, ready to face whatever comes. I wanted to know her more, or even get her name, but that would no longer happen tonight.

I picked up the branch she just dropped and tightened my hands around it. The girl smiled at me and it was the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. She disappeared into the woods the next second and I awaited what might likely be my death.

My heartbeat raced with every second I waited to be found, but when I finally did, I didn’t swing to kill anyone because they were the King’s guard and they came searching for me. I let go of the branch and relief washed over my face, knowing this was the end.

I turned around to where the girl had run through, wondering if I’d ever see her again.