It itched as I ran but the last thing I could do was care. The wind rushed past my ears, dragging the sound of my breathing into a blur. Thorns bit into my ankles, the cold earth tore at my soles, but I didn't stop. Couldn't. Wouldn't.
I waited for the alarms to ring. For the sirens to blare. For my name to thunder through the air like a curse, chased by orders and the echo of boots.
But there was nothing.
Just the ragged pulse in my throat and the sharp beat of fear in my chest.
No bells. No voices. No crashing gates.
Only the sound of leaves whispering secrets to one another.
The sun hit my skin, blinding me but I welcomed the pain.
I broke into the clearing, heart hammering, breath caught somewhere between panic and disbelief. For a split second, I stood still, chest rising, sweat clinging to my back, eyes darting around like prey expecting a hunter.
Still nothing.
