further through trees, bushes, and high shrubs. She had lost count of time, not k

chest from lack of air. Every part of her body ached. Her feet, clad in the worn-out shoes, felt raw and bloody. The clo

of Aiden when he heard the news of her escape. If she had been charged with treason before, she sure as hell would be killed on sight if s

second, she went rolling down a small ditch. Rocks and branches pierced and cut h

Her ankle was twisted, and she was sure her whole body was covered in debris and cuts. It was then she noticed warm liquid trailing down her face. Placing her head

r had was pain. She had hoped with every fiber in her being that, for once, she could feel what it felt like to be loved. She remembered the soft graze of Aiden's fingers on her skin when he first w

e their little bubble. But like always, the bubble had to pop, dragging them bot

he wouldn't have gone through with the death penalty he had bestowed

cautiously. The sun had long set, casting an eerie shadow in the forest. The trees that once served as shelter and

Her heart thundered in her chest, and every hair on her body stood stiffly. She could feel eyes o

silence, she spoke up, trying to make her

rection, but she saw nothing. Using a tree as support, she stood

of her voice at the end of her statement. Of course, she wasn't armed, but she

," a masculine voice echoed

his head in an attempt to show that he meant no harm. But Ruby knew better than to trust his antics. Her hand, which lay

form. He looked to be in his late 40s. Through the growing darkness, Ruby watched to see a

he did not attempt to talk. "I am as startled to find

ad been running for hours, but sure enough

I?" Ruby ask

e replied. "Are you hu

passing through. I'll be gone before you know it," A whimper

Come with me, my place is not far from here.

ming any closer. For all she knew, his

rm. If you do not trust me, then you may trust my daughter. Sh

woods had now come alive. The trees felt like they had eyes watching her, waiting for the right moment to strik

e arm, Ruby finally s

ite of what he had shown, she'd be out of there before he c

the air is gett

ehind the man. The more they walked, the more precise the path became. The once thick coverage of the fi

g. The house stood a few meters away from the next house. The stairway that led up to the e

nition. At the top of the step, he opened the door and stepped a

esence. Dorian was the first person Ruby had trusted for as long as she could reme