ALAN
A few hours later, I lay there like a dead man, my body battered and bruised, my strength exhausted from the trial. I could hear voices faint but growing louder, yet I was too weak to stand up and do anything. The voices grew clearer and I recognized them as Marcus' men discussing their next move. I strained my ear to listen, my heart racing with fear as they were leaving the forest, abandoning me.
With an extraordinary effort, I opened my eyes, shaking in pain as the sunlight pierced through my brain. I looked closely at them trying to leave the forest, their figures moving away into the distance. I knew I had to act fast, summoning every unit of strength to grab the road they used in leaving the forest. My mind raced with determination; I had to follow them no matter what lay ahea
