Chapter 1, Part 1

Part 1 of 2

I was running.

        The air was hot and thick as I made my way through the humid Morleander air. Panic flowed through me like ice running down my spine as I heard Lucas’s footsteps drawing nearer. I wasn’t running fast enough.

        “Help!” I screamed as loud as I could. I knew being in the outskirts of Wivern forest that I was doomed; no one being around for miles, but desperation won against logic. I heard Lucas chuckle behind me, closer than he was before. More icy panic ran through my body.

        “You can’t get away, love,” he sneered. “I’ll make sure of that.” I felt the brush of his fingertips on my shoulder as he reached out to grab me. I dodged forward and using every last bit of energy I may have had, I sprinted faster. The night was dark as the tall trees masked the already dim crescent moon. A speck of light appeared a hundred meters in front of me. I closed the space that lay between it and myself like a cheetah running after it’s pray, an image I’m sure Lucas’s imagined as well as he chased after me. Praying for someone that could help, I cried for help once more. A loud frustrated grunt managed from behind me and I knew if I didn’t get away now I would surely be killed for escaping.

        My heart sank as I came closer to the light, realizing it was only a reflection from the moon onto an old, run down car hidden away in the brush. It was rusted and old and had clearly been there for years. My mind went numb as I grasped onto the fact there were still no one around to help. Realizing my fate, I stopped running and turned slowly to face Lucas. He stood before me, a sinister smile on his face that caused fear to hit me like lightning.

        “Out of options are we?” he scoffed and took a step towards me. Instinctively, I took a step back.

        “Please, Lucas,” I pleaded. “Just let me go. I won’t tell anyone what happened, I promise. Just let me go.” Warm, salty tears fell down my face, hitting my arms as I held them out in front of myself defensively. Another surge of icy panic washed over me as Lucas took yet another step towards me. I in turn took another step back, not sure of what my plan was next. The space between myself and the trees was closing and I wondered painfully of the horrible acts Lucas had planned for me next.

        “You were with me two hundred and sixty three hours, Kenna Loury. And you’re not going anywhere this time,” he said and lunged at me. Pain and shock spread through my already damaged body. I waited for the next impact but it never came. We were falling.

Two-hundred and sixty three hours. Two-hundred and sixty three. Two six three. Those three numbers rang through my head as we fell further into the darkness of uncertainty.

Author's Note

I have separated chapter 1 into 2 segments due to the fact it is a long chapter as well as the two parts are in different "times". I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think of this brief intro:)