When I woke up, Theo was gone. The forest felt emptier than ever. He left a note: "Follow the same route I told you. I'm gone. I need to get them off your trail." I sighed.
I missed when I had my life together: the family dinners, late night chats, and, of course, my room!
I sighed again.
Someone was nearby, and I could hear them walking. Then I remembered the man in the black robe! To make matters worse, there was literally a dead man a few meters from where I stood.
I knew I had to leave before sunrise. I packed the remaining food in a backpack I saw on the wall and started my journey to a clan I didn't know.
Looking behind me constantly, I knew someone was following me. I could sense it, but it seemed they weren't here to harm me.
It was a silent journey. I didn't meet any human on the way, a few animals maybe, and my secret follower. I didn't know why I felt safe even though my life could be in danger. It could be Theo. You can never predict him, not after he saved me twice. He was my guardian angel. I believe he's always watching.
I saw the first house, and joy overtook me. Finally,
All I needed to do was find Zeddicus, one of Theo's allies, I guess.
The people in the town were not so friendly. They were all appearing in numbers, staring at me like I was an abomination. I stopped in front of a woman and her child.
"Good afternoon. Can you show me directions to Zeddicus's house?"
She paused what she was doing and glared at me.
I sighed, tired and desperate for a good sleep. It was sunset already.
Suddenly, she pointed towards a big house across the road. It was the biggest I'd seen in the town so far.
Zeddicus must be an important man or probably their Alpha, I thought.
I walked slowly, with random eyes looking at me from everyone. They probably haven't had visitors in a while, I was thinking in my head.
I walked into the open gate and knocked on the huge door, but no one answered. I turned and saw an apple tree behind me in the compound. I was hungry and couldn't resist.
I picked a few and sat on a stone. I was so engrossed in the apple that I didn't notice the wooden cross near the stone.
I was sitting on a gravestone!
I stood up to read the words written on the grave.
"In loving memory, Zeddicus Gaphar."
The apple went sour in my mouth.
"Not now, not now, not now," I kept saying. My head is ringing simultaneously.
"There she is."
I heard a man's voice behind me. They were about five, including the woman who had pointed the house to me.
The new Alpha's house was bigger and full of life. The woman was still behind us. I was pissed at her, and she couldn't look at me.
I was angry at myself, my parents, Theo, and of course, the devil herself, Agnes!
My life was taking crazy turns, different circumstances, and unending chaos.
"Where is Theo?" My heart cried out.
"Sit." The man holding my arm ordered, and I sat in a room filled with chairs. One was bigger, and I could tell it belonged to the Alpha.
We waited for a while, and then their Alpha walked in, short and pot bellied. I almost giggled. He looks like someone who can't even defend his throne.
"Woman, I heard you trespassed our late Alpha's sacred grave."
He went straight to the point.
"Well, the law will be lenient on you because you are an outsider. But why exactly are you here?"
He finally asked.
"My mat... uh... my friend asked me to seek shelter in Zeddicus's home for a while."
"Were you banished?" He asked, giving me a mischievous look.
I had to think. My answer could cost me my life.
"No, I am traveling."
"Traveling? With no bags?" He scrutinized my body.
"And who is this friendly mate of yours?" He laughed hysterically.
I waited until he was done laughing.
"His name is..."
He gave me a "hold" sign.
A man walked into the room, a man in a dark robe. My heart leaped. The same man in the woods.