Prologue

Ava maneuvered her way through the forest, her clothes tattered, bearing marks on her skin from a fierce struggle to defend herself. Her nails were mostly broken, and she wore just one shoe, clueless as to when she had lost the other. All she could do now was walk away.

Upon reaching her cabin on the outskirts of town, she knew she had to escape. She had been spotted with that man, and undoubtedly, he would spread rumors that he had claimed her, that she had willingly surrendered to him. By morning, the whole town would be buzzing, her parents would feel ashamed, and their neighbors would shun them for having a promiscuous daughter. What other option did she have? Leaving seemed easier at this point. Avoiding trouble. Though she had never shown any intention beyond being a tour guide to outsiders, her parents had always warned her not to be too friendly with strangers, as their intentions could be unknown. But she enjoyed engaging in conversations and meeting people from the city. This time, however, it had been different.

Ava hastily entered the bathtub to cleanse herself of the mud and dirt clinging to her. Her brown hair clung to her pale skin, and her eyes were red from crying. Even her hands trembled with fear, as the images of that dreadful encounter replayed relentlessly in her mind. Why did this have to happen to her? She had taken care of herself, become independent a year ago, secured a stable job, and had friends. She loved her hometown, and now she had to abandon it all because of a man who would undoubtedly taint her life. As she emerged from the shower, she hurriedly changed clothes and grabbed a gym bag to pack essentials. As she was doing so, she froze upon hearing a knock on her door. Her body tensed, and she sought the nearest object she could use to defend herself. She heard her name faintly in the distance, recognizing it as Alice, her best friend. Alice knocked louder, prompting Ava to rush to the door. When she opened it, she found Alice with a face full of concern. Seeing Ava in her disheveled state, Alice grew alarmed.

"What happened? Where were you? The group arrived except for you," Alice scrutinized her friend. "What happened, Ava?" Ava hesitated to share the truth, consumed by fear.

"Nothing, I just wasn't feeling well," she cleared her throat, attempting to cut the visit short. However, her friend sensed that something was amiss.

"Don't you dare lie to me, Ava Elizabeth Gray. It's me, Alice," Alice pushed the door wider, making her way inside. Her gaze shifted to the mess strewn along the hallway leading to Ava's room. "What's all this mess?" she inquired, but Ava didn't respond promptly, desperately needing an excuse to make Alice leave.

"I'm redecorating my room. Can we talk tomorrow? I'm not feeling well." Alice turned to her friend.

"You've been crying. Why? If you're feeling unwell, why are you tidying up? Your explanations don't add up," Alice crossed her arms, unwavering in her gaze.

"I cried out of excitement about the news. I'm going to New York. They called me an hour ago, that's why I came to the cabin," Ava lied.

Alice raised both eyebrows in surprise. She knew Ava had been yearning to live in New York, but it was many hours away from their village. Ava would have to take two trains, make her way to the airport, and catch a flight to reach there.

"Have you told your parents?" Ava asked.

"I will in a little

 while..."

"This is unexpected, Ava. When do you have to leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," she said, trying to deflect her friend's inquisitive gaze.

"Well, I wish you the best. Call when you arrive in the city, okay?" Ava nodded hastily, and they embraced each other tightly before bidding farewell. As Ava closed the door behind her, tears streamed down her face once more. She gathered her unfinished tasks, wrote a somewhat brief but necessary letter, and swiftly left the cabin with her suitcase. The pain in her body served as a reminder of the harrowing ordeal in the forest. As she walked along the long road that would lead her out of town, she contemplated her words and actions. If they refused to let her go, she would do whatever it took to prevent it.

As her mother opened the front door, she caught sight of her daughter ascending the wooden steps.

"Ava, what are you doing here? Weren't you at work?" Her mother smiled weakly, but when Ava remained silent, her heart skipped a beat. "What's the matter?" She scanned Ava from head to toe and then glanced at the suitcase. "Where are you going with that suitcase?"

"I have to go. I received a call from New York." Her mother's eyes widened in surprise. "And I have to leave now."

"That's impulsive, daughter. Your father hasn't returned from the mine. Since when did you want to leave town?" Her mother sensed that Ava was holding something back.

"I can't wait any longer. I have to go." Ava reached over, retrieved the envelope from her coat, and handed it to her.

"You can't leave now. Wait for your father to arrive, dear."

"I can't wait any longer. I have to go." Ava left the suitcase behind and approached her mother, who was still grappling with the idea of her eldest daughter leaving the place where she was born and raised. She feared that this decision would have repercussions on Ava's future. Their embrace was warm, but for Ava, it was the hardest thing she had ever done. When they parted, she smiled at her mother to provide reassurance.

"You've been crying," her mother whispered, her fingers gently caressing Ava's cheeks. "I hope it's out of excitement and nothing else."

"I have to go. I'll contact you as soon as I arrive." Ava nodded quickly.

"Can't you wait for your father?" Ava shook her head, knowing that he would go to great lengths to prevent her departure.

"Tell him I'll be fine, just like today. Tell Frank I love him." She placed a kiss on her mother's forehead and departed, pulling her suitcase along, without looking back.