Saving me

Joanna's POV:

Waking up to sound of keys jingling and rattling together was something I found very unpleasant for the first time in years. My ears and head throbbed painfully and I felt like they were about to bleed. No one ever told me that pregnancy was this hard.

"SSS."

The sound of someone hissing was enough to make my eyes fly open as I stared vigilantly in the dark dungeon. Thankfully, I was able to see clearly in the dark this time.

Standing before me was the young man I wasn't expecting for once.

"What're you doing here?" My voice was meant to come out as a whisper but sounded like I had been dipped in shit and was dehydrated for years.

"Shhhh," The guard, whom had been watching after me in my former cell held his finger to his lips as he stretched out his hand to me.

Hesitantly, I stared at him and for once in my life, I decided to take this dangerous step.

I placed my hand in his and I felt his grip tighten as he pulled me to stand.

"I want you to be as quiet as possible. Avoid bumping your stomach," He said, turning to face the door, missing the look of horror and shock on my face.

"Don't worry, I didn't say a thing."

He spoke again and it was like my soul had left my body. How did he know I was pregnant? When did he know?

I was glad he didn't tell anyone as that would only put me in more problem.

He led me through a secret passage way I had no idea was in this hellhole.

We had only taken a few more steps outside the passage way when we saw the patrolling guards.

How could I have forgotten about the monsters Sebastian had trained?

"This is what's going to happen, as soon as they are distracted, run towards the border as fast as you can. Don't look back, I'll be there with you shortly."

I didn't have the time to ask him what he meant when I saw him sprint towards the patrolling guards in a flash. They were a total of three bulky men and I doubted my helper would be able to hold them off.

I was about walking towards them when I felt his eyes on me as he distracted the guards. Seeing this, I immediately sprinted towards the forest, where the border was without looking back.

Goodbye to the Red moon pack! I yelled hysterically in my heart as I continued running.

Along the way, I saw tiny furry animals that brought smiles to my face.

It's being a whole of ten minutes waiting for my helper but he was nowhere in sight and I was starting to get sick of this forest. I had the urge to vomit out whatever was in me and the filthy smell in the air wasn't helping.

I thought forests were supposed to be surrounded by pure air but I guess I was proven wrong once again.

The creaking sounds in the forest were enough to make me alert as I wrapped the only shawl I had tightly around my body.

I held my breath, hoping it'd be my helper that was here. Thankfully, he soon appeared before me but then, my eyes enlarged as I stared at his bloodied chest and large claw marks.

"Y...y...what happened to you?" I stammered out as tears sprung out of my eyes while I glided my hands on his bloodied chest, hoping it was only my illusion but feeling the warm temperature of his blood on my hand was proof enough to tell me that it was real.

"I'm fine. Take this and leave now. Do not ever let them take you again because you would never have the chance to leave. Live well, sweetheart," He whispered, trying to look brave but I could tell he was hurting. No one would ever be able to survive those large claw marks.

"No! No! I'm not leaving you here. Come with me. Let's leave together," I cried out, pulling him by his hand.

Even if I had just gotten to know him a little, I could tell he was a kind man at heart despite his scary appearance.

"No! You need to leave. I'll be fine."

"Why? Why? Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me? What did I do to deserve this help from you?" I cried miserably, choking on my sibs as I stared at him in the eye through my blurry vision, thanks to my tears.

"Because you remind me of her...She was just like you once were. So small yet so brave. She had been used just like you were. Out of shame, she killed herself, leaving me behind all alone."

Then, I saw a streak of tear stream down his face. Appearances definitely had a way of fooling people?

How could a man whom I thought was heartless be carrying so much pain despite his calm exterior? It wasn't the time to ask about whom he was talking about as I only wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

As soon as I stepped out of the border, my connection with the pack would be broken- not that I had any.

"I won't leave you alone! Please let's go together! You helped me, now let me return the favor by helping you too," I cried, unable to stop myself and seeing the pain in his eyes showed me how much he was hurting.

"If you really want to help me, find her and take good care of her for me, my name is Jude" He said, stuffing a crumpled photograph into my hand.

I had no time to open it when I felt a slight sting on my palm as blood dripped on the floor.

It turned out that Jude has slashed my palm intentionally with his claws.

I knew the repercussion of what he did as this would only make the guards find me faster. I knew I couldn't argue any longer.

"Go!" He screamed and my heart bled.

"I promise, I'll pay you back," I cried out and turned, running and crossing the border, leaving my past behind but just before I turned fully away, I caught a glimpse of claws shooting out the chest of Jude.

Then and there, I knew he had been killed.

I ran blindly into the streets and once again, I believed I had a fate with getting hit with vehicles. This time, I hoped I wouldn't wake up back in that hellhole.