Shattered Bonds: Luna's Reckoning

The Urgent Getaway

Rashel's POV

That evening I seemed to nod off. Every breath seemed like the walls of the room were drowning me. I kept running back over the phone to talk with Seth in my head. His voice was worried, and his promise seemed both quite far and quite near. He was on his way, but how long would it take? And throughout the interim, Jethro would what?

Trying to devise a plan the following morning, I strolled back and forth. Jethro's threat loomed huge and I knew I couldn't sit and wait for Seth to save me, like a black cloud hovering over me. I have to be in motion. I had to leave here before Jethro's management tightened any more.

I spun to face the window. My one chance was this one. The guards were not watching the windows even though they were stationed outside the door. Opening it gently, I could feel the cool morning air all about me. Though it looked startlingly far, below was a plummet that would have been better than staying caught in Jethro's game.

I took a long breath, then grabbed the bedsheet and cut it into strips to build a crude rope. As I joined the strips, my hands shook with horror and exhilaration. My heart is hammering. Every sound in the passage made me freeze, terrified Jethro or the guards may enter at any moment.

At last the rope was right at hand. I hurled the other out the window and watched it swing just over the ground, one end tightly fast to the bedpost. Though it wasn't perfect, it was the only one available. Knowing this could be my only chance; I turned one last time back at the door.

Grabbing the rope tightly, I climbed onto the windowsills. I started to bring myself down when the door sprang open. I staggered to the rope, losing my balance and hung uselessly outside. My breath seized in my lips as I lifted my head to see Lisa standing there, shock obviously enlarging her eyes.

"Racher, what are you doing?" She gasped then sprang for me.

With a shaky voice, "Let me go, Lisa," I said. "I have to get out of here right now.

Lisa hesitated, her expression trapped between horror and sympathy. " Should Jethro grow to know, he will—"

"I'm not caring!!" Desperate lacing my sentences, I reached. I had to leave this location. Just let me pass by, Lisa. Kindly.

She backed off, her face pale. I assumed she might try to stop me for a moment. Her voice was almost audible, she said, "Go." "Be warned, though." Jethro won't treat this lightly either.

My pulse pounding, I nodded and continued down the rope lowering myself. I pushed myself inch by inch to keep moving even if the ground seemed to go on forever. My feet touched the earth at last, and I let out a weak breathed sigh. Half expected Jethro to be rushing in, so I looked up at the window but it was empty.

I accelerated. I knew I had to keep as much space between Jethro's house and me even though I had no idea where I was headed. Though the forest loomed ahead, dark and menacing, it was my only cover. I plunged into the jungle, gasping frantically for air while pushing through the undergrowth.

Every branch of the dense branches seems to extend to seize my clothes, slowing me down. Driven by fear of being caught, my lungs burned and my legs hurt but I carried on. One could hear guards yelling in the distance; their voices became closer.

Ducking behind a large tree, I attempted to breathe again. My head went mad searching for a plan. All would be finished if the guards found me. That cannot be allowed to happen. Not at the moment I was so close to freedom.

One emerged from the undergrowth as I was preparing to start sprinting. I halted; my heart rushed straight into my throat. When Jethro came, he was furious. His eyes fastened on me, and I understood then he would not let me go without a fight.

"Rashel," he said, his voice explosive. "You really felt you could avoid me?"

My hands trembling, I turned aside. "I'm done having fun with your games, Jethro. You can't keep me here.

He moved forward, his presence threatening. "You are, Rashel, mine. You suit me, not with him.

Determined not to allow his remarks to sink in, I shook my head. "I am not a part of anyone. Not Seth, nor you. I'm under control now.

Jethro arrived, his hand out for my arm. I turned aside, but he seized my wrist fast. Panic surged through me as I resisted his hold; yet, his strength exceeded that of my own from his anger.

"You don't understand," Rashel said through clenched teeth and blazing eyes. All for you, I have done. I have protected you, guarded you—“

"You captured me!" I cried and drew against him with all my force. I never wanted any of this!

His grip tightened; for a few seconds I wondered whether he may not let go. Then, though, a great crash echoed over the forest and footsteps followed. Startled, we both turned; Seth came out looking both angry and desperate.

Leave her behind! Seth shrieked and came storming at us.

Jethro hesitated, and in that brief second I staggered back toward Seth. I was pulled behind him, his body shielding me from Jethro's wrath.

Seth said, "This is over, Jethro," in a stern voice. "You cannot detain her here. None more.

Jethro squatted and narrowed his gaze. You feel you could simply grab her? Having done what you have done?

Seth tightened his jaw, but he did not waver. "I come here to fix mistakes I made. I will not let you hold her captive.

Jethro laughed a hollow, black sound. You do not know, do you? Rashel is not only rich. Sheis—"

But before he could continue, a howl pierced the forest. Every one of us halted and looked toward the sound. Close enough, that was the call of Jethro's pack. too close.

Seizing my hand quickly, Seth said, "We have to go." Not now.

Jethro advanced, then Seth softly pulled me back under great force. "You'll regret this, Seth," Jethro warned, voice full of hate. "This is not quite done."

I glanced away as Seth and I ran, our feet banging on the wooden floor. My heart hammered, adrenaline driving ahead mixed with horror. Jethro wouldn't give up easily, but for now I was free.

As we neared the edge of the forest, I saw Seth's car buried among the trees. He opened the door for me, and I lurched in hands shaking. We flew off with the trees sprinkling green as Seth entered the driver's seat.

In days, I had hope for the first time. Seth had found me, and between us we had fled Jethro. As we drove off, though, I couldn't get rid of the impression that this was far from done. Jethro's threats stuck with me as a sobering reminder of the fight still to be fought.

Seth sent a soothing glance over at me. "Are you Alright?"

I nodded, not sure whether that was true. I'll be. We are unable to stop either. Not now.

He squeezed me gently and reassuringly. "We will sort this out, Rashel. I swear.

Still, I couldn't suppress the leftover anxiety when the road spread out ahead. Jethro still lived here; he would not let me leave without struggle. I found myself caught in the middle; Jethro and Seth's argument was just starting.

The car sped over the curving roads, and I came to see that, no matter how far we ran, the past would always be only a step behind. The sole questions were what it would cost when it finally caught up and how long we would keep ahead of it.