1. Escape

DELILAH’S POV

The dark forest under the hidden moonlight looked like a deep endless tunnel. My naked feet scrambled over the dried twigs and branches, crunching under my weight, as I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I could feel the thudding of my heart, and the fear whirlpooling inside me. Short and frequent breaths filtered in, as I constrained my eyes solely on the pathless way in front. Don’t look back.

Do not dare to look back.

Facing your death is the greatest fear of a being, even who thinks themselves as mighty as Hercules. Death brings them all to their knees, and what’s more fearful was experiencing your death chasing you. I could feel my feet wet and burning, realizing I must be bleeding but that is the least of my concern now. I never dared to look behind me. My legs burned, lungs exhausted to supply any more breaths but I didn’t stop. For I know, once stopped, I would never see tomorrow’s sun again.

The sound of the crunching of dried leaves, twigs, and branches echoed in the silent dark forest. The moonlight was the only source giving me a somewhat clear vision of the way in front. Despite the sound of running footsteps and the crunching, I didn’t dare to look bad. If they got hold of me, I knew even my angels couldn’t protect me. They’re like the scavengers, tearing and feasting on you, and I had already faced some trailer of such situations.

A sharp branch cut through the sole of my feet, and with a bad staggering, I fell on the patchy, wet forest floor. My eyes travelled to the deep gash of a cut and the blood pouring out of it. A hiss left my lips when I pulled out the twig and penetrated into my skin. More blood poured out, and despite having fear with them at some point in my life, I no longer fear them. After all, one doesn’t fear what they see every day.

I tore the long end of the battered dress I had worn and tied it tightly around my feet to stop the blood to pour out anymore. I tried standing up, but with this leg, it felt kinda impossible. I dragged myself against a tree trunk, before bringing my legs near to my chest, hands wrapping around them. I cocooned myself hearing the sound of running footsteps. Please don’t be here.

The sound simply turned sharper as I heard voices now. Voices which are nightmares.

“Where the fuck the bitch ran?” I heard a deep familiar voice before the sound of running stopped and I could hear them so near to me. I hold in my breath, pressing my palms tightly against my mouth, not to escape even the slightest sound. I pushed myself more against the tree trunk, letting the slight bushes hide my cocooned form as much as possible. 

“I think she is further deep into the forest, Let’s look for her there.” The sound of footsteps faded and I released the breath I was holding back with fear and anticipation.

I tried to stand up with my injured feet but it felt impossible at the burning sensation hitting there. My legs felt wobbly and too tired. Still, with whatever energy I left, I dragged myself up, hissing in pain but it was okay. This wasn’t the main concern.

I didn’t know when they will be back again, and I have to lose my newfound freedom again. As if my brain registered the seriousness of the situation, I began to walk. Pain shot up in my legs and feet but I didn’t stop. Maybe I couldn’t run but could surely walk. All the sounds of the night insects and the animals filled in the air, and death still lingered around me among the wild animals of the forest. But, getting caught by them isn’t as painful or shaming as being feasted by the animals dressed in shirts and pants.

I didn’t even have the least idea where would I go, or where I would find myself a little safer.

Trapped in that house for the last five years of my life was nothing but worse than hell. A sob wanted to break through me still it didn’t, but maybe the tears have also dried up, and now I didn’t have any more to express. No one listens after all.

I scrambled over the forest floor under the moonlight, looking for any way out of here. The night was almost towards its end and I wish for it so much. At least under the light of dawn, I would have a way to go somewhere. I shivered at the cold freezing wind breaking on my skin, and cold trails left behind. My bare arms and legs felt the direct coldness.

There is home nowhere for me.

Walking aimlessly I found myself welcoming the daylight I didn’t know after how long.

Basements didn’t provide you with that.

The way in front got much clearer now, still due to the onset of winter I couldn’t much figure out through the veils of fog and blurriness. Shivering still I tried to scramble forward as much as possible. The overbearing pain in my legs and feet made me feel dizzy but I tried shaking it off.

This was not the time to feel such.

I pushed myself forward more, and with every step I took, the dizziness only got worse. I closed my eyes tightly, letting the feeling past me but with time it didn’t go away. My legs began to feel so wobbly, and heaviness like huge boulders settled on my head, crushing me more. I could feel my legs bending and the numbness on the soles doing nothing but worsening the situation.

And I didn’t know when but, I couldn’t take it anymore and before I could reach the road a couple of steps away, I felt my body slamming on the ground, head hitting the tiny stones, and the body laid over the wet and patchy forest floor.

And soon numbness and darkness took me in.

The beeping sound buzzed near my ear, causing me to open my heavy-lidded eyes. A groan left my lips as the worst headache was like someone hammering my head to their pleasure. It felt too heavy to lift up. I blinked my eyes multiple times to open it, feeling the heaviness settle on my eyelids.

Through the blurry vision, I tried to make out where am I. The pale-white-washed walls and ceiling welcomed me, while the lingering smell of medicines and drugs flooded my nostrils. The beeping sound and the environment were enough for me to know, I’m in a hospital.

My eyes shot open at the realization, and the headache worsened. Hospitals mean bills, and I don’t have any money. Oh my god!

I looked at the IV tube attached to my hands, and my legs felt so numb and paralyzed. I tried moving my arms and legs, but it only made the bearing pain worse. I groaned at my inability to raise up from the bed. I feel too exhausted and spent out to gain any strength to fight against the numbness and sleepiness overpowering me. If I did not leave now, these people would definitely ask for the bills.

Jesus! Why did anyone have to bring me here? What would I do?

As if on cue, the huge door in front of me opened and a young-looking nurse walked in. A tray settled in her hands which she kept on the table beside my bed, and took a syringe. My vision was too blurry to ask her anything. “This will cure the numbness.’’ She smiled and injected something. before I could ask her anything, sleep overpowered me.

When the next time I opened my eyes, I was feeling much better now. The heaviness and numbness little better, though my muscles are still stiff and my injured feet haven’t lessened in pain. Guess the cut was just too deep.

 I looked at the white-coated man, who lifted his eyes at me smiling lightly. “How are you feeling now?” I opened my mouth to speak but it felt too dry and scratchy to say anything. My voice croaked as I tried to speak. “Wa-water.’’

He lifted my head up, before guiding the glass to my lips. I sipped the water and felt like I’m drinking it after ages. It cooled down my inside, and the dried throat felt far so better. “Thanks.’’

He smiled again, “it’s okay, how are you now?”

“Good.” My voice felt so foreign to my ears. It’s like ages since I have spoken. Back there, there wasn’t anyone to speak to, or more like you aren’t allowed to.

Speak only when spoken to.

Be quiet.

Never question.

“That’s great. It will eventually get better. And about your cut, you have a deep one causing a good amount of blood loss and then fatigue hitting you, so at least a few days of bed rest is totally needed.” I nodded at him. I don’t have a bed.

 He looked at the paper settled in his hands. “You have a badly cured broken limb. Any reason?”

My heart thudded at the reminder. “Got no doctor where I lived.’’ He nodded and I know he didn’t believe me but I couldn’t tell him the truth. It’s safe this way. “you’re badly injured when you’re brought here, so we thought of calling the cops.”

My eyes widened at the words. No not them, “please no,” I gulped the rising bile inside me, “don’t call them please.”

“But- ‘’

I cut him off, shaking my head vigorously, causing my headache to worsen. “please don’t. I will leave today itself.” He looked unconvinced but I needed him not to call any cops. “I request you please.”

He sighed still unconvinced maybe I couldn’t defer. “Okay, You are fine to leave today itself, just a few more dressing and meds needed to be taken for the cut and the fatigue.”

I gave him a grateful smile. “Who brought me here?”

“I’m sorry but I couldn’t disclose that.” My eyebrows furrowed at that. “why?”

“He asked not to, and since he paid the bills we were bound to.”

Bills paid! My eye widened at the newfound information. “he p-paid?” he nodded.

His phone ringed and he received it before murmuring, “I will be there soon.’’

Someone called for him, and he left before I could ask anything else. I sighed feeling the weight of the situation.

Now, where would I go now?