Chapter 12

Aila Coraline

I panicked, and instead of calling for help, I jumped off, trying to save Cynthia. But the current was so violent that instead of paddling myself to safety, I was swept away. I failed to save Cynthia, and now I was at risk too.

"This is all your fault!" she yelled while struggling to swim.

She was a distance away from me, and I could literally sense how angry she was. The current had brought us farther away, and after a long struggle, the water finally became calm. Though, I wasn't sure if we were still in the homestead or if we had reached another pack.

"I didn't mean for it to happen," I replied, paddling myself to reach the land.

Cynthia glared at me, still furious. "Well, it did happen! Now what? We're lost, and it's because of you!"

We swam towards the shore, exhausted and shivering from the cold. Once we reached the land, we took a moment to catch our breath and survey our surroundings. The forest looked different, unfamiliar. We had definitely been swept far from where we started.

"Why did you even grab me? You knew it was dangerous!" Cynthia accused.

"I was falling! I didn't have a choice!" I defended myself, feeling frustrated. "It was either grab you or fall alone."

"You always ruin everything! You never think before you act," she spat.

Before I could respond, we heard rustling in the bushes. Out of the blue, unfamiliar people appeared, armed with spears and arrows. They looked cautious and ready to attack.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" one of them demanded, pointing a spear at us.

Cynthia and I exchanged worried glances. This was definitely not part of the plan.

"We mean no harm," I said quickly. "We're from the homestead."

The group hesitated, then the leader lowered his spear slightly. "Follow us. We'll see if you're telling the truth."

With no other choice, Cynthia and I followed them, hoping we hadn't stumbled into more trouble.

But maybe it was our karma. Just when I thought these people were logical, I realized I was wrong. Before we knew it, we had fallen into their trap. Following them wasn’t a smart move at all.

"You're really a bad omen, Coraline," Cynthia groaned. "If only I knew I'd end up being a captive, I wouldn’t have let you come with me."

Both of us were put in a prison cell. Our hands and feet were tied, making our movements limited. The smell of the prison was rotten, as if decaying animals and mold filled the air. The walls were damp, and the only light came from a small, grimy window high above us.

"This is just perfect," Cynthia muttered with sarcasm. "Do you have any brilliant ideas to get us out of here?"

I scanned the cell. "We need to stay calm and think. There has to be a way out."

"Calm? We're tied up in a filthy cell, Coraline!" Cynthia snapped.

Ignoring her outburst, I shifted my position, trying to loosen the ropes around my wrists. Just then, the cell door creaked open, and a burly guard stepped in.

"Get up, both of you. The leader wants to see you," he barked.

With difficulty, we stood up and shuffled out of the cell. The guard led us down a dimly lit corridor until we reached a large room. The leader, the tall figure with piercing eyes, was seated on a wooden throne.

"Explain yourselves," he commanded, looking directly at us.

"We were swept away by the current and ended up here by accident," I explain. "We mean no harm."

The leader's eyes narrowed. "And why should I believe you?"

"Because we’re part of a pack that values peace," I replied. "We have no reason to deceive you. Please, just let us go."

He stared at us for a long moment before speaking. "Very well. There's a task you must complete for us. Fail, and you won't leave here alive."

The leader did not tell us which task we would face. He said we'd find out in the morning. It's already dawn, but I couldn't sleep, thinking about the trial ahead. Fear gripped my heart, knowing failure would mean death.

Morning arrived, and I hadn't slept a bit. Cynthia was muttering curses as we treaded the path to where the leader awaited.

"Make sure you won't fail, Coraline. Or else we'll be dead!" Cynthia warned me.

When we reached the leader, he stood with a group of warriors. "Your task is simple," he said with a cruel smile. "Win a duel against my warriors, and you will be released. Fail, and you will remain here. Coraline, you will fight first."

I stepped forward, my heart racing in my chest. My opponent is as big as a giant and he towered over me. He had broad shoulders and thick muscles, and a deep scar ran across his face, showing that he had fought many battles before. The scar made him look dangerous and fierce.

His eyes were cold and hard, staring at me like a predator looking at its prey. I felt a shiver run down my spine. I swallowed hard, trying to find my courage as I heard the crowd around us whispering and murmuring.

“Ready to lose?” he sneered. The smell of sweat and iron surrounded him, making me feel uneasy.

“I’m not scared of you,” I replied, but I could hear a slight shake in my voice.

The warrior let out a harsh laugh, “You should be. I’ve taken down tougher opponents than you.” He stepped closer, and I could see his sharp teeth as he grinned.

Suddenly, he lunged at me, his fists swinging like giant hammers. I barely managed to dodge the first blow, feeling the wind rush past my ear as his fist missed me. The ground shook as he stomped.

Every punch he threw felt like a hard hit, and I realized he wasn’t just strong; he was also skilled. I struggled to keep my balance, my breath coming in quick gasps as I narrowly avoided another punch that could have knocked me down.

“Is that all you’ve got?” he taunted, grinning wider as he landed a strong hit to my side. Pain shot through me, and I felt something crack—maybe a rib—but I pushed the pain aside, focusing on the fight.

I fought back with everything I had, using my speed and strength. I moved in and out, trying to hit him whenever I could, but my punches barely seemed to bother him. His laughter filled the air, reminding me how much danger I was in.

As the fight continued, I felt my energy fading, and my muscles ached. But deep inside me, I felt a spark of determination. I had to keep fighting—for Cynthia and for my own survival.

With a sudden rush of adrenaline, I ducked under his next swing and kicked at his knee. He stumbled back, surprise flashing in his eyes, and I took my chance to punch him hard in the ribs.

The blow connected, and I thought I might have the upper hand. But he quickly recovered and hit me with a strong uppercut, knocking the breath out of me and sending me crashing to the ground.

Dazed and struggling to breathe, I forced myself to get back up. I knew I had to keep going. The fight wasn’t over.

"Give up now, little wolf," he sneered. "You don't stand a chance."

I gritted my teeth, refusing to let his words affect me. Summoning all my strength, I dodged another blow and countered with a swift kick to his knee. He stumbled, and I saw my chance. With a final burst of energy, I tackled him to the ground, pinning him down.

The arena fell silent as the leader stepped forward. "You have proven your worth. You are free to go."

I glanced at Cynthia, who was pale with fear. She stepped into the ring, facing a different warrior. The fight was brutal. Cynthia tried her best, but her opponent was too strong. Within minutes, she was on the ground, defeated.

The leader shook his head. "She will remain here as our prisoner."

"No!" I shouted, stepping forward. "I can't leave her here. She's my packmate."

The leader's eyes narrowed. "She failed the task. She stays."

I stood my ground. "Then take me instead. Let her go."

The leader looked at me for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. You will stay. She is free to go."

Cynthia looked at me. "I can't leave you here."

"You have to," I said. "Go back to the pack. Tell them what happened. I will find a way to escape."

I'd be more guilty if I left Cynthia here. I hate her, but I know it's my fault we ended up captive. If I hadn't pulled her, she wouldn't have fallen into the falls. So, I think it's only right to take responsibility for my actions

"I'll be back. Make sure to stay alive until then. You have to promise me," she uttered seriously.

I nodded. "I promise."