I flung the branch from my hand when I reached my destination. It was a small pond filled with all sorts of creatures: ducks, turtles, fish, and frogs. I called it Peaceful Pond because whenever I was here, my mind felt at ease.
I splashed water on myself, cleaning off the mud as best I could. It felt good to finally get it off. I wished I could wipe Nathan’s smug smile off his face as easily. But not even the fresh, cold water could scrub off the memories of the humiliation I felt.
I picked up a few flat pebbles and caressed them in the palm of my hand. I wound my arm and skimmed them over the surface, watching them create little footsteps on the water as they hopped. The cool, wavy grass and pine-filled air invited me to join them. Become one with us, it said. I lay down on the soft grass and gazed at a dog-shaped cloud. I tried to go to sleep, but I kept thinking of Nathan.
“Godsdamn him!” I ripped up a handful of grass and flung it, angry at him for disturbing my one place of solitude, and even more angry at myself for letting him.
I got up and stretched my legs. If lying still wasn't going to relax me, maybe running would. I jogged around the pond, heading towards the forest, leaping over exposed roots and fallen branches. I leaped over deep impressions in the earth. And then I saw the girl.
She darted through the forest, dark hair flying, chased by three men. She was wearing some kind of fancy gown, and its full skirt kept catching on snags and underbrush, slowing her down. One of the men was gaining on her. I had to help her. If I could get her away from the nearest one, we could lose the others in the forest.
I used my speed and knowledge of the terrain, staying out of sight of the girl’s pursuers as much as I could. I also prayed that their attention would stay on the girl, and they wouldn’t notice me.
I hid behind a large oak tree and picked up a fallen branch. Cradling the rough wood in my hand and trying to ignore the pounding of my heart, I waited until the girl ran past. A second later I swung the branch as hard as I could, releasing all the pent-up emotions I’d felt earlier when I couldn't do anything against Nathan. Just as I’d hoped, my weapon smacked into the pursuer’s face. The half-rotted branch shattered and splintered, and he fell to the ground. He didn't move again.
The girl stopped and stared at me. Her eyes were purple—a shade I’d never seen before. They seemed to see right down into my soul.
“Run!” I yelled.
The girl broke her gaze and ran. I went after her, confident we could lose the other two and go for help. This was my forest, and I knew every inch. Just as I caught up to her, she leaped a log and went down, giving a muffled cry.
She had tripped and fallen into a shallow ditch. I hopped the log and slid down next to her.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
She grimaced while I helped her up. “It's my ankle. Just a sprain, but it’s going to keep me from running.”
I looked over my shoulder, but I couldn’t see the men from where we were. I was thinking furiously.
“I don’t suppose you can use a sword?” I asked, half-joking. By the looks of her clothes, she’d never done anything more taxing than embroidery. I couldn’t use one either, but if I went back and took the unconscious man’s weapon, we might have a chance.
The corner of her mouth curled. “Yes.”
I stared at her. She looked serious. “Good. As soon as we get to the top, I'll get you that man's sword. If you can take one man, I'll look for another branch and try to hold off the other one as best as I can. We'll have to fight our way out.”
I boosted her up and climbed out after her. “That's not a bad plan,” one of the men said, stepping out of the brush. “Shame you won't get the chance.”
They converged on us, pinning us between them and the log. One was small and wily-looking, and the other was huge with angry eyes. They both had swords, and looked like they knew how to use them. We were in big trouble. Without weapons, we couldn't fight, and with the girl's ankle, we couldn't run.
Sweat trickled down my forehead. I wiped it aside and said, “Leave her alone.”
The smaller, wily one said, “Relax. We're not going to hurt her. She's far too valuable. If we wanted her dead, we would have already killed her.”
I glanced at their shortswords. He was right. One quick thrust and we would both be dead.
He pointed a long and dirty finger at me. “You, on the other hand, are a far different story. While I thank you for giving us this breather, my partner is going to be very upset when he wakes up. The mark on his face and the sting of it…well, let's just say I wouldn't want to be you.” He gave me an oily smile.
“What do you want?” I asked.