3

I had no idea how much time had passed. There were no windows to tell me if night had come. Nobody came into the dungeon.

It must have been days because the lack of food had gotten to me and my body had weakened.

The door opened suddenly, and I looked up. It was the first time anybody had bothered to come here since Elowen visited

"Rebeccah" I am startled by Paula's voice and I rushed to the bars.

"Paula" I sobbed as we held each other through the bars.

"Paula," I cried harder, my body racked with regret.

"It is okay". She whispered, gently running her fingers through my hair as much as the bars would allow. I tried to believe her words but I knew it wasn't okay. She must have heard the news she knew my fate. I brushed my finger over her cheeks, there was a fading bruise and her swollen forehead that was covered with a light cloth.

I saw specks of blood and my heart broke further.  

"They hurt you." She shook her head.

"I am fine. Really. You should worry about yourself. They are taking you away" I whimpered

"I am sorry, I wish I could do something." Her voice broke, and the first tear slipped through.

She looked over her shoulder.

"Here. This was a gift from an old friend." She slipped a key between my fingers.

"It can only be used once. To open any lock in the world. It will be difficult to escape here and even more difficult in the Misty Falls. You must try to make your escape before you get there." I nodded as I held the key in my hands,

"I wish I could do more." She said again, wiping her face.

"You have done more than enough for me. You cared for me after my Mother's death like I was your own, you put your life on hold just to be with me."

"You are my daughter Rebeccah." She whispered

"Hurry up" a voice from outside spoke.

"I have to go, but please do not worry about me. And promise me that when you escape you won't come back for me, "

"Paula" I shouted

"Promise me, Rebeccah, that you will live your life. Start fresh and don't think about me."

"How can I do that? How can you ask that from me?"

"I do not have much time. And even if you find me alive,  I will be too weak to leave with you. You would only get caught."

"I can't." I shook my head

"You must promise me" she said firmly

"Your time is up" a burly guard barged in, taking Paula by her arm.

"Take it easy." I snapped at him and he snarled at me in return

"Do not fucking tell what to do." he yanked Paula away while I banged on the bars in fury,

"Do as I have told you." Paula's voice rang loudly as she was taken away.

I fell on my knees as I sobbed thinking that this would probably be the last time I would set my eyes on Paula, hear her voice.

"Oh goddess" I cried in the silent dungeon,

"Come to my aid," I whispered that to myself

I remained in the same spot up until they came for me again. The key Paula had given to me was securely kept between my breasts, guarded firmly by my clothes.

Caleb led the guards this time.

"Take her out," he ordered and I was grabbed on both hands and taken outside. It was dark outside and there were barely enough lights to see what was happening around me.

I was led into a large wagon with no windows only little bars. I was forced to crouch like an animal in the small space. The back door was shut and the lock was secured in place. Caleb's face filled the small bars.

He has a look of disdain as he eyes me up and down.

"It's a pity I didn't get to have a taste of you" he said in a creepy voice but I ignored him.

"Do you not have anything to say?" I don't but I spit at him

He wiped his face and his eyes were full of rage.

"Open the fucking door," he yelled

"There will be no time to secure her again if we do" Another answered.

"I do not care. She disrespected me."

"She is going to the Misty Falls. She will get what is coming to her" that appeased Caleb whose frown changed to a smile

"He is going to tear you apart." He taunted and I looked away.

They were wrong. I would never get to the Misty Falls.

"It is time" someone announced, and the wagon lurched forward, and there was a foul smell, released into the wagon.

"No!" I yelled as I recognized the smell.

I tried to fight it, but it was impossible. It was already pulling me under. Caleb's gloating face was the last thing I saw before I passed out.

My head throbbed as I opened my eyes. It took a moment for me to realize where I was. To my horror, the wagon was no longer moving, and even still there were other girls.

I forced my weakened body into a sitting position. I looked around at the other girls who looked frightened. There was no way they picked other girls along the way. The wagon was too small and this place was too big.

"Where are we?" I asked

"Misty falls" Someone answered

Oh my. The wolf's bane knocked me out and I failed to escape before getting to Misty Falls. But that didn't dampen my resolve. I had to escape. I crawled to the smaller door and peered outside. There were no guards.

"Don't bother" the girl close to the door said

"We are probably in the middle of the forest surrounded by guards." That was good for me. I tried the lock

"You can't escape save your energy."

"I can and I am going to" I said, full of determination.

"Have you not heard of the beast of Misty Falls? It is a full moon tonight."

I had no idea what she meant. The only dangerous person was the man I had been given as a gift. I retrieved the key and tried the lock. It opened and the key vanished into the air.

"Are you coming?"

"It is stupid. " she turned away.

I didn't wait for a moment I jumped down and ran. The light of the full moon, guided me through the forest my feet pounding the earth, and at the center of it. I heard a thunderous roar.