Forcing myself to concentrate on the trees surrounding me, I strained my ears to hear.
Only insects and birds. No Jethro.
How far was it to the boundary? What direction should I go?
Time seemed to slow, braiding with the fluffy white clouds above as if there were no cares in the world.
It was hypnotic.
The lack of sustenance in my stomach made me tired; I needed a rest.
Just a little one.
The screech of a crow snapped me awake.
Shit!
How could I have faded out like that?
How long had passed? It could’ve been hours or just minutes.
I have no idea.
My heart rabbited, energy heating my limbs. Move. Run again.
Jethro was far away. I couldn’t hear him or the howls of hounds.
Looking at the ground, my lungs crawled into my mouth. Down there, I didn’t feel safe…up here, I did.
Move!
I couldn’t move.
I would probably cling to my sanctuary until I died of hunger and became fossilized. To be found like a mosquito wrapped in amber a thousand years from now.
The thought made me smile.
Would they be able to bring me back to life like in Jurassic Park, outliving the Hawks by thousands of years to finally have the last laugh?
A twig snapped below, wrenching my attention back to the forest floor.
Oh, shit.
Squirrel stood below, looking directly into my eyes. His bristle tail wagged back and forth, his tongue lolling happily. He yipped, scrabbling at the tree.
Tears.
I couldn’t hold them back.
The one dog that’d granted such comfort last night was the one to ruin my future today.
How could you?
I wanted to scream at him for destroying me.
Jethro stepped silently from the shadows like a glacial ghost. His horse was hidden, along with the pack of dogs. In his hand, he held the whip and a saddlebag.
He touched the end of the whip to his temple in a salute. “Well played, Ms. Weaver. I didn’t think you’d have the coordination to climb. I must admit, foolhardy of me not to think of all avenues.” A smile crept across his lips. “I suppose desperation will make one do things they might not ordinarily be able to achieve.”