I had to blaze.
I had to cinder his beliefs and control to the ground. And smear his soul with the ashes of his sins.
A loud howl came on the breeze.
My knees locked, slamming me to a standstill.
No. Please, no.
My heart squeezed. I should’ve guessed. He wouldn’t run after me like a typical chase. Why would he waste his energy hunting in the wrong direction?
He was smarter than that. Colder than that. He’d use the tools he had to make sure this little inconvenience was over and dealt with. Of course, he would use the very animals who’d become my friends last night.
Teaching me not one but two lessons in quick succession. One, the animals currently tracking me, currently hunting me, were not my friends, no matter how warm and cosy they’d been last night. And two, everything here, no matter human or animal, would not hesitate to kill me.
The thought depressed then infected me with strength I’d only just become acquainted with. There was no hope at making Jethro feel. The only hope I had was to fight ruthlessness with ruthlessness.
I had to contest him on every step and ignite that spark buried deep within.
Another howl and a bark.
Energy shot through my body, hot and bullet-fierce.
I took off again, sprinting down a small hill, holding onto branches as a rush of vertigo threatened to spill me into nettles and brambles.
The collar on my throat was heavy, but at least it had warmed. The diamonds no longer felt alien but a part of me. The courage of my ancestors. The spirit-strength of women I’d never met, living in a piece of jewellery throbbing with their guidance and energy.
The hatred and repulsion I felt toward the collar disappeared. Yes, the Hawks had given it to me, sentencing me to death with an action I couldn’t think about, but they’d given me a piece of my family. A piece of history I could use to my advantage.
Another bark, followed by a loud whistle.
You can’t outrun him.
I scowled at my pessimism.
But you can hide.
I shook my head, fighting tears as a twig dug into the sole of my foot.
I wouldn’t be able to hide. He came with foxhounds. Their noses were legendary.
Up high. Get up high.
I skidded to a stop. My neck craned as I peered up the length of a knobby-looking tree. The branches were symmetrically placed, the leaves not exactly thick but its trunk strong enough to take me from earth to sky.
I’d never climbed anything in my life. I could fall to my death. I could cripple myself when I suffered a vertigo wave. I’d never been stupid enough to try.
You’ve never had to run for survival either.
Shoving useless fears away, I moved toward the tree with out-stretched hands. It didn’t matter I’d never climbed one. It didn’t matter I’d avoided all gym games and apparatuses, because I only ended up getting hurt.
I would climb the damn thing and conquer it.
I have no choice.
Either stay on the ground and sit quietly for him to arrive, run blindly through woodland, or climb.
I’ll climb.