RUNNING FROM THE PACK
1105 Words
"We need to go now!" Kael's words cut through Lyra's fear.
Her heart raced as she grabbed his hand. The forest seemed to close in around them, the trees pressing closer. The howls grew louder, and Lyra knew time was running out.
"How far will we go?" she asked trying to keep pace as Kael guided her deeper into the woods.
"As far as possible," Kael said looking back. "Damon won't quit until he finds us."
Lyra tripped gasping for air. "Will he send the pack to chase us?"
"Yes." Kael spoke with a somber tone. "They'll obey him. No exceptions."
Lyra felt her chest constrict at this thought. Damon controlled them. A control Kael once held, but abandoned. She understood the pack wouldn't think twice about dragging them back, using force if needed.
"We can't escape them," Lyra said, her voice trembling. "They'll overtake us."
"We'll figure something out," Kael replied squeezing her hand tighter. "I won't allow them to capture you."
Lyra wanted to trust him, but uncertainty still ate at her. She had lived under Damon's power for too long feeling powerless. Could she break free?
Another howl rang out in the night, nearer this time. Lyra's heart jumped. "They're coming closer."
"I know," Kael said, his voice strained. He looked around, his eyes searching the dark. "A place lies ahead. We can take shelter there."
Lyra's thoughts raced. "Take shelter? Won't they just track our smell?"
Kael shook his head. "I know how to hide it. Have faith in me."
Trust. The word weighed heavy, and Lyra doubted she could give it without hesitation. But what other option did she have? The pack drew closer, and Damon wouldn't quit until he regained control over her.
"Fine," she muttered, her voice soft. "Show me the way."
Kael sped up directing her through the woods, their steps quiet on the gentle forest ground. Lyra's legs ached from tiredness, but she pushed herself to continue aware that stopping wasn't possible.
After running for what seemed like forever, Kael stopped. "Here," he said guiding her to a thick group of trees and shrubs.
Lyra glanced around puzzled. "What is this place?"
"It's a hiding spot," Kael explained squatting down and pulling her next to him. "The trees here are thick enough to mask our scent. They won't spot us right away."
Lyra dropped down beside him, her heart pounding and her breathing heavy. "How much time do we have?"
"Not much," Kael admitted, his eyes searching the dark. "But it's enough time to plan."
"To consider?" Lyra spoke with a quiver in her voice. "What? We have no escape Kael. Damon won't quit."
Kael faced her with a grave look. "We'll discover an exit from this situation. As a team."
Lyra shook her head as tears welled up. "You fail to grasp it, Kael. Damon... he'll never release me. Even if we flee, he'll track us down. The pack will force me back."
"I'll prevent that," Kael stated with conviction.
"How?" Lyra asked, her voice cracking. "How can you stop him when he has control over everything?"
Kael kept quiet for a beat, his jaw tight. "I'll confront him."
Lyra felt her heart skip. "Confront him?"
Kael gave a nod, his eyes dark with resolve. "For you. To set you free."
Lyra's chest constricted. "Kael, you mustn't. He's too powerful. You saw how he hurt you earlier."
"I don't mind," Kael said, his voice soft yet firm. "I'd choose to die fighting for you over living with the knowledge that I allowed him to harm you."
Lyra caught her breath. Kael's eyes showed determination reminding her of their younger days, before everything crumbled. This situation differed though. Damon posed a real threat, not just another hurdle. He'd fight dirty.
"Kael, you don't need to do this," she said, her voice trembling. "You don't need to confront him because of me."
"I must," Kael replied speaking but firmly. "I lost you before, Lyra. I won't let it happen again."
Lyra gazed at him, her chest hurting. She wished to trust him. She hoped they could flee, that Kael could shield her. But dread of Damon's potential actions overwhelmed her.
Before she could answer, another howl cut through the night nearer now. Kael tensed up, his hand seeking hers. "They approach."
Lyra's heart raced as she clutched his hand. "What's our next move?"
Kael's eyes darted to the surrounding trees. "We flee. But this time, we're not just fleeing. We're going to seek assistance."
"Help?" Lyra sounded confused. "From who? The pack won't assist us."
Kael shook his head. "Not the pack. Others exist. Allies. We just need to reach them."
Lyra blinked. "Who?"
Kael looked serious. "People who have a reason to despise Damon as much as we do."
Lyra felt sick to her stomach. She didn't know who Kael meant, but his urgent tone told her they had no time to debate. She nodded squeezing his hand. "Okay. Let's move."
They raced through the trees, their feet making a sound in the dark. With each step, Lyra's heart pounded, and her mind filled with worry and uncertainty. She wasn't sure if they'd reach safety or find the help Kael mentioned, but she knew one thing: returning to Damon wasn't an option.
Howls echoed behind them sounding closer, and Lyra's heartbeat sped up. "They're gaining on us," she said feeling scared.
"I know," Kael answered, his voice calm. "We just need to keep going."
They sprinted till their legs ached, as the woods turned to blackness around them. Lyra's legs gave out when Kael slowed down and pulled her behind a big rock.
"Stay put," he murmured looking around.
Lyra squatted gasping for air. Her body shook from tiredness, but her mind raced. "Kael, what are we"
She stopped mid-sentence as a shape moved far off followed by clear footsteps.
Lyra's heart skipped a beat. "Kael…"
"Keep quiet," Kael whispered drawing her nearer.
They waited. The footsteps grew louder and closer. Lyra's heart raced. She held Kael's arm tight. Fear took over her senses.
Then the footsteps stopped without warning.
Lyra stopped moving. She held her breath. The person stood close. Too close.
Kael stiffened next to her. His eyes fixed on the dark ahead. "We need to go," he said in a low voice.
But as they prepared to flee, a deep voice broke the quiet.
"I knew you'd come here, Kael."
Lyra felt chills as Damon's voice echoed through the trees.
Kael and Lyra locked eyes. Fear gripped them as they realized Damon had done more than chase them. He stood before them now.
- Writer
