ANOTHER CHANCE

WILLOW'S POV

For days I was left alone in the dungeon, I had only my thoughts and fears for company. My only worry was for my friend Jake, I had not heard from him since we first tried to escape. I should not have allowed him to come along with me. Knowing my father well he hates people going against him and escaping amounted to treason in his book. I shudder thinking of what might have befallen my friend

The endless beatings, the starvation, the isolation. It was all becoming too much to bear, and I was not strong enough for the torture I foresee. I silently prayed for help because my willpower was almost failing me.

But then, something strange happens. I hear a noise outside my cell - a soft thumping, like someone knocking on the wall.

At first, I think it was just my imagination, but then I hear it again. I crawl towards the wall, pressing my ear against the cold stone.

And then, I hear a voice. "Willow," it whispers, urgent and desperate. "Can you hear me?"

I don't recognize the voice, but it's enough to give me hope. "Yes," I whisper back. "Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter," the voice says. "Just listen carefully. I've managed to disable the locks on your cell. You have a chance to escape, but you need to move quickly."

My heart races with excitement and fear. Could this really be happening? Could I really be getting a chance to escape?

I scramble to my feet, my body sore and weak from days of abuse. But I push through the pain, determined to escape from this hellhole.

As I step out of the cell, I see a figure in the shadows, their face hidden by a hood. "This way," they whisper, gesturing towards a darkened corridor.

I follow them, my heart pounding with excitement and fear. I don't know who this person is or why they're helping me, but I don't care. All I want is to be free.

We make our way through the dungeon, slipping past guards and avoiding detection.

I can hear the faint sounds of footsteps and voices echoing through the halls, but we manage to stay hidden.

As we reach the main entrance to the dungeon, the hooded figure stops and turns to me. "This is as far as I can take you," they say, their voice muffled by the hood.

“Do you have any information about Jake? I asked worry filling my voice

The figure studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "As it happens, Jake is alive. But he's being punished for his attempt to escape. You won't be able to see him."

“Can you help him?” 

They are silent for a few seconds “We took a great risk helping you because we believe your escape can help the pack. Your friend Jake would survive but you must leave now for our sake and yours.”

I hesitated briefly, fear of the unknown almost crippling me. 

 "You're on your own from here."  the hooded figure says to me and they made to leave

I nod, understanding that I can't risk leading anyone back to the person who helped me escape. "Thank you," I whisper, before slipping past them and out into the daylight.

For a moment, I'm blinded by the bright sun, my eyes struggling to adjust after days of darkness. But as my vision clears, I can see the forest stretching out before me - a vast expanse of green, filled with the promise of freedom.

Without hesitation, I start running, my feet pounding against the earth. I don't know where I'm going or what I'm going to do, but I don't care. All that matters is that I'm free.

As I run, I can feel the wind in my hair and the sun on my skin. I'm alive, and I'm free, and nothing can stop me now.

But even as I run, I know that my past will never truly be behind me. My father and my pack will never stop looking for me, and I'll always have to keep one step ahead of them.

But for now, I'm free, and that's all that matters.

But soon, the exhaustion sets in, and I begin to feel the burn in my legs and the stitch in my side. I try to push through it, but my body is weak and tired from days of captivity.

Finally, I collapse on the forest floor, gasping for breath. I feel like I'm going to die, my heart racing, my vision blurring.

But then, I hear a voice, muffled and distant. "Are you okay?"

I look up, and I see a man hovering over me, concern etched on his face. He looks vaguely familiar, but I can't place him.

"I'm fine," I gasp, struggling to sit up. "I just need a minute to catch my breath."

The man nods, his expression softening. "Do you need any help?"

I shake my head, my mind reeling. Who is this man? How did he find me? Is he a friend or an enemy?

But even as I try to process my thoughts, I can feel my body starting to shut down. I'm so tired, and I don't know if I can keep going.

The man kneels down beside me, his eyes fixed on mine. "Don't worry," he says, his voice soft and reassuring. "I'll take care of you."

And then, he picks me up in his arms, cradling me gently like a baby. I feel safe and warm, wrapped in his embrace.

As he carries me through the forest, I feel myself drifting off, my mind clouded with exhaustion. But even as I slip away, I know that I'm safe, that I'm free, and that I have a chance to start a new life.