Chapter One

This is just a snippet of chapter one... please be gentle.

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undreds and hundreds of pines loom far above, branches growing wild and free in every which way possible. A latticework of light paves the way through the rough terrain. The singsong of birds echoes in the sky while critters scatter below, the forest is alive and well with excitement. Stinging my cheeks, the air is crisp and cool; it smells of morning dew and moss.

 

“Run!” I shout out of breath.

 

It’s almost as though some sort of animal instinct has taken over me. Ducking and dodging, I tactfully navigate through the woods with unnatural gait. Adrenaline burns through my veins as blood pounds in my ears. With every breath, the air burns my lungs and fills my mouth with a metallic taste. I could feel the crunching of the hard ground below me as my sneakers hit the ground. I’m tired. I’m panting. We can’t stop.

 

I tighten my hold on the child. I don’t know who she is or whom she’s running from. All I know is I have this unbearable urge to protect her. I glance back at her. She looks no older than six. Her long, jet-black hair is matted to her forehead with sweat, and she’s dirty. It’s her eyes that really captivate me, big doe eyes too big for her face. Two perfectly round pools - deep, dark as midnight, they draw me in. Despite her ragged appearance, she is breathtakingly beautiful.

 

“Just a little further.” I manage. If I’m tired surely she’s exhausted.

 

I clutch tighter to her little hand, it’s cold and coarse and nothing like a child’s should be. I don’t know how long we’ve been running nor could I see any signs of our assailants, but I don’t weaken my resolve. Just ahead lies a rope bridge.

 

“We’ll cross the bridge.” I barely croak out. The pain pierces my throat like a thousand tiny knives.

 

The sight gives me a second wind and I dig my toes into the hard ground, ready to bolt, but she stops. I look back at her in confusion and try to pull her. Without a word, she shakes her head side to side. Her face is unreadable and void of any emotion. Instead, she takes a step back, her hand slipping out of my grip, and two small, cold hands push me hard. I’m falling…

Author's Note

I'm working on the rest of the chapter. I'm having trouble finding my voice...