Rosalia's pov
I didn't stop running even when I was sure those men wouldn't come after me.
My long black dress was torn in most places. I was barefoot, my body ached, my muscles hurt, and my eyes stung with tears that couldn't stop flowing.
I tripped over a stone and hit the ground hard, slightly hurting my already-injured hand.
"Shit," I hissed, pulling myself up slowly.
I stood, chest heaving, sweaty and bloody in some places, my feet muddy and bruised.
I rubbed my arm and looked around.My whole body shaking and trembling from the cold and adrenaline rush and the pain in my muscles .
It was super quiet, with only the sound of crickets and the sway of the trees in the wind.
The forest was slightly illuminated by the moon, at least I could see where I was going.
I was lost. Deep in a forest miles away from civilization. The only house close to this place was my house, which was now up in flames, so that wasn't an option.
I walked forward slowly, tying my hair up using the hair tie I'd taken from my mom.
It was the only thing I had left of them..of her.
My heart ached all over again, and I knew I would never be able to get over it.
I mean who would ? Everything and everyone you've known your whole life , was all lost under a few hours .
I climbed a small hill and when I looked down, a sort of relief flooded me.
A small river flowed with clear water; I assumed it was clean.
I didn't exactly care. I sped down to the river, got on my knees, and drank.
The coldness refreshed me. I quenched my thirst and immediately felt a lot better.
I sighed, washing my face with the water.
I stood and ripped off the lower part of my dress so it was shorter and easier to move in.
I ripped the part I've torn from my dress in half . I used one half as a rag .
I used it , to dab at my skin after getting some water on it.
I cleaned my legs and arms and wrapped the other cloth around my shoulder wound.
I looked like a mess.
Wild hair with twigs, torn dress, barefoot, scratches here and there.
I sat on a rock near the river, hugging myself, scared, lost, hurt, orphaned.
I thought, what do people do in situations like this? I don't have a phone, I don't have anyone who will come to look for me, and I'm miles from civilization.
I'm going to die in the forest from hunger or from being eaten by anacondas or some other freaky things .
The thought made my skin crawl.
I flinched at the sound of thunder and lightning.
I looked up, grey clouds rolling fast.
"Great," I muttered to myself.
It was about to rain, and I was about to die sooner than I thought, from pneumonia or something.
I stood, deciding to look for a place that could shelter me.
A stupid thought, I know, but maybe I could find somewhere to squeeze myself until the approaching storm passed.
I walked forward, looking around. I was surrounded by trees and losing hope, but I kept moving.
I stopped when my eyes locked on something that looked like a small cabin.
It looked like it was falling apart, honestly, but maybe, just maybe, if it was strong enough it could hold for the night and then I'd figure out the rest in the morning.
I moved toward it as a few raindrops hit my cheek.
When I got closer, it didn't look so bad actually.
I looked around before I decided to get in .
It was really small, with a wooden door and no lock. Just a wooden cabin.
I pushed the door open and the moonlight, now being overshadowed by clouds, spilled inside.
I squinted and looked around, and then I spotted it.
A travel bag in the very corner of the house. My heart skipped for a second as I shut the door behind me.
I grabbed a long plank that was on the floor , and jammed it against the door to hold it closed, because the door didn't have a lock.
Then, with small, unsure steps, I approached the bag. The rain outside started pouring in light showers, thunder making the cabin shake, and lightning flashed, illuminating the interior.
I crouched down, tucking a loose strand behind my ear as I grabbed the bag.
I unzipped it, the sound filled the space as I opened it all the way.
My hand dug inside, pulling out the first thing I grabbed.
An old torch. Nice.
I tested it and flicked the little switch. Its light lit up the whole cabin.
At least I had light now.
I held it with one hand as I looked through the bag.
First I pulled out a pair of boots.
Wow, the universe really knows how to show up at the right time.
Then a blanket, a juice box, and a small pack of Oreos. I checked the expiry date. Still edible.
There was a jacket too, and a water bottle. Feminine leggings and a long-sleeved shirt.
So it was a girl's bag.
My hands froze when I pulled out the next thing.
A gun.
I checked the magazine; it was full. I set it aside since it wasn't something I wasn't used to. I'd seen guns all my life.
And the last thing I pulled from the bag…
A phone.
My heart skipped and I stood up slowly.
"So I won't die after all," I giggled to myself.
I switched it on. It took a while, but the screen lit up and I jumped in excitement.
My face dropped from happy to confused.
"What the—?" I whispered, looking at the message on the screen.
Call: 00006000
Is that even a real number?
But then I remembered, I wasn't supposed to find these things. They obviously belonged to someone else, so the message and all this stuff must belong to a certain person.
The storm outside didn't let up, it became worse, rattling the door.
The phone had no reception, so I'd have to wait for morning. Maybe whoever this stuff belonged to would show up.
I stripped off my tattered clothes and put on the leggings, shirt, jacket, and boots. I hoped the owner wouldn't mind. Then I chugged down some water.
I sat on the floor, placing the blanket over me as I sipped half the juice and ate a few Oreos, leaving the rest for tomorrow or for the owner too.
I slid down, using the bag as a pillow with the blanket over me.
I stared up at the roof while the rain hammered above.
A million questions flooded my mind. Who were the people that raided and killed my family? My dad had many enemies.
The main rivals.
They went by the name the Red Hawks. I didn't know much about them, really, but they were powerful and their symbol was a red cross placed specifically behind the ear.
Did they do it? Take my family from me?
I turned to the side, shut my eyes, and memories of my parents and brother flooded in as my mind flashed back to the chaos.
A tear fell and I sniffled, curling into myself.
One thing was for certain, though, in our world blood is paid by blood, and I would have my revenge no matter how long it takes .