~KivaI run. Fast.Not once do I look over my shoulder, keeping my gaze pinned straight ahead. I need to put as much distance between Ark and me.My shoes are drenched as I trek through the snow, dodging through trees, guided only by the moonlight. My lungs are burning, my breath's coming out in rasping breaths.I don't know where I'm going, but eventually I emerge from the forest, seeing the glittering lights from a village on a distant hill.I nearly collapse in relief. I'll find a place to hide out for the night then make my way back home in the morning. Father will immediately send people out to find Ark, he will be captured, and imprisoned.And I'll finally be safe.By the time I make it to the village my limbs are hideously cold to the point my joints groan with each step. My lashes are frozen, my lips raw and my fingertips and toes numb.No one is lingering around this small little place at this time of the night, so I risk knocking on the door of a sweet home at the edge of th

~KivaI nestle further into the corner of the cabin, feeling the jolts and bumps as we move along.I'm out of the rebellion compound, which is a miracle. Ark rose me before sunrise, telling me he wanted me to accompany him to an undisclosed location. I didn't protest because being out of that prison based place means a chance to escape.“I can’t believe this," I mumble, staring out the window.The cold frost I know so well in my Territory has melted away with the hours we have been travelling. We have ventured into new lands, where the trees are sparser and the fields stretch for miles.“I figured you would feel safer with me than alone in that compound," he notes, speaking to me for the first time since we left this morning.A vibrant sunrise has melted away into a moody, cloudy day. Rain threatens to fall the further we go, which is beneficial for me. If I run, my tracks won't last and the visibility will be low.Since we left I've been storing beneficial information. Not once has m

~KivaThe door to my room opens, Ark walking in."Come." He motions toward the open door, tucking his hands behind his back.Frowning, I sit up. Dusk has faded into night, which is usually the time I spend being escorted to a bathing room.I don't think that is what Ark is here for.Getting up, I follow him tentatively through the door. Each time I leave that stuffy room, I feel an immense amount of tension remove itself from my body."Where are we going?" I ask, following him as he leads me down the corridor. There are no security around, but Ark is enough of a threat to keep me from making a break for it.And he wouldn't be bringing me out here if he didn't know there is nowhere for me to escape.Looking over the edge of the railing to the ground floor of the atrium below, I see it is drenched in gilded light. People linger below, grouped up as they enjoy each other's company.My stomach lurches. I'm stuck up here, while they enjoy themselves below, as if they aren't holding a capti

~KivaTonight, my opportunity has come about by a random, very lucky series of events.It has been a couple days since I slept with Ark, and since then, I've been pushing my luck with what I am able to do. I am Ark's only weakness, and although I enjoyed our night together, I need to exploit it.So tonight, I asked one of the guards if I could switch one of the vegetables on my plate for another. She looked irritated, but obliged me.Her replacement got caught up in conversation just down the hall, so in the few seconds I had where my door was left unattended, I made a break for it.Now, I'm stalking quickly down the hallway, shoulders squared back, trying to look like I belong here.Since everyone is downstairs, enjoying their dinner together, I don't see anyone as I scale down the stairs, heading toward where I know there is a door to the outside world.Once I'm out there, I could get lost in the forest to freeze overnight. But there is a bit of daylight left, which I'm going to use

~KivaThis is bad. Really bad.Ark has taken me back to the compound again, letting me calm down. I haven't slept, unable to stop replaying the events of the other night over in my head.Caspian is free. I'm free from him, although not free from Ark.But that is the least of my concerns. Ark's accusation rings in my head. His sister is dead, and somehow Caspian is involved, and so is my father.Did they kill her? My stomach churns at the thought.Rolling over in bed, I tuck my knees to my chest, wanting to sob. I have no reason to trust Ark, and yet I believe him. Seeing his expression, hearing the way he spoke has made it clear to me that whatever is going on is terrible.I just can't wrap my head around how my father is involved.The sound of voices drawing near has me sitting up. The guards that are usually posted outside my room don't speak much, and don't dare come in.Not like Ark did...It's strange to think that he once guarded my door as these people now do. I don't even know