Beyond the Full Moon

Chapter 2

CHARLOTTE

As I stood frozen in fear, I could distinctly hear those men's breathing and the footsteps of my pursuers echoing from a distance. The sound sent a chill down my spine, but I felt a surge of gratitude for the early warning, knowing they were still far from my hiding spot.

I strained my ears to monitor their approach, tracking every deliberate step as they closed in on my direction. Their relentless pursuit was unnerving, but I vowed to evade capture, aware that their intention was to deliver me to their obsessive boss. His fixation on me was unsettling, and the thought of becoming his plaything sent shivers down my spine.

Determined to escape their clutches, I steeled myself for the challenge ahead. Their persistence only strengthened my resolve to remain hidden and out of reach. I knew their boss's obsession with me drove their relentless pursuit, and I couldn't let that happen.

Just as I thought I'd managed to evade them, a loud, exasperated voice pierced the air.

"Boss, I've lost her trail!" one of the goons said.

His declaration sparked a glimmer of hope, but I knew I couldn't afford to let my guard down yet.

As I huddled in my hiding spot, I overheard the men's menacing conversation. "We'll search every inch of this forest, boss, and we won't return until we catch her," one of them declared.

Their unwavering determination sent a shiver down my spine. I realized the danger of my situation. These men would stop at nothing to capture me and deliver me to their boss, driven by a twisted obsession.

To evade their grasp, I remained hidden in the small crevice beneath the massive stone, confident in its concealment. Even with advanced technology, such as drones, they wouldn't be able to detect me.

The tall man who had previously restrained me demanded, "Where could she be hiding? Have you two found any sign of her?" His accomplice shook his head and replied, "Nothing, not a single trace.”

The group leader's anger erupted, "Damn it! The boss will unleash his wrath upon us if we fail to capture her!" He bellowed orders, directing his men to fan out and intensify the search.

"No one leaves this forest until we have that woman in custody," he growled, his words striking fear into my heart. The men's relentless pursuit and their boss's obsession towards me left me with little hope of survival.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and focused on calming my racing thoughts. I needed clarity to outsmart my pursuers and escape their clutches. Refusing to be intimidated by their gender or numbers, I steeled myself against their threats.

I owed them nothing, especially their depraved boss, who had a notorious history of exploiting and murdering innocent girls from the convent. Surrender was not an option, as I knew it would seal my fate: brutal punishment, exploitation, and ultimately, death.

As I listened intently, the faint footsteps grew distant, indicating they had changed direction and were moving away from my hiding spot. I waited patiently for over two hours, ensuring they were gone.

Finally, I cautiously emerged from my hiding place, scanning my surroundings with vigilance to confirm I was safe. With each passing moment, my confidence grew, and I knew I had outwitted my pursuers—for now.

As I braved the biting cold breeze, my resolve remained unwavering. Survival was my sole priority right now, and I couldn't let the harsh weather conditions intimidate me.

I took a deep breath as a sigh of relief. I acknowledged that my pursuers had finally retreated, granting me a temporary reprieve. However, the harsh reality of my situation soon set in: I was devoid of even the basic necessities, with no spare clothing or shelter to shield me from the dangerous animals in this vast forest.

With no one to turn to, I drew upon every last ounce of resilience, steeling myself for the daunting journey ahead. Although I had found temporary refuge in the forest, I knew I couldn't linger, as my captors would inevitably return. The haunting howls of wild animals in the distance served as a stark reminder of the additional threats lurking in the shadows.

I made the bold decision to take a different path, veering away from the route the thugs had taken earlier. Without hesitation, I ventured into the heart of the forest, uncertain of what lay ahead but driven by the unyielding determination to escape.

As I fled from my pursuers, the moon's soft illumination guided me through the forest's darkness, revealing towering trees and scattered stones. Weary and disoriented, I stumbled upon a serene lagoon, its tranquil atmosphere a welcome respite.

Pausing to quench my thirst, I knelt down, my frozen body and trembling arms struggling to scoop up the icy water. The cool liquid was invigorating, and I knelt and hurriedly drank the water greedily, savoring the refreshing taste.

Despite the chilling temperature, my prolonged flight had left me parched. As I drank, feeling the water's soothing effects, my thirst was finally satiated, and I felt a fleeting sense of solace in this tranquil oasis.

For a moment, I forgot the dangers lurking outside, and the stillness of the lagoon enveloped me.

I was really surprised by everything I saw inside this dark forest. Even though it was cold and windy, and I was alone at night, which isn't safe for a woman, I still found it beautiful.

As I prepared to stand up, a dark silhouette caught my attention, looming behind me. I cautiously lifted my head, scanning my surroundings, but saw nothing. The eerie silence was unsettling, yet I was certain of the massive shadow reflected in the water before me.

With my nerves on edge, I rose to my feet and backed away from the water's edge, my eyes darting anxiously around the forest. Despite my skepticism about the supernatural, the unexplained presence sent shivers down my spine.

Unaccustomed to the forest's darkness, I trembled with fear as a towering stranger emerged from the shadows, swiftly grasping my neck and pinning me against a massive tree trunk.