Darling of the Wild

It was a chilly night, but bullets of sweat are evident on my forehead. I was panting heavily while running for my life in this dark, scary, and unknown forest. Twigs and dried branches snapped under my shoes as I ran. The sound of the chirping crickets and leaf crackles filled the air. The trees grew thicker along my path, making it hard for me to see. However, I never stopped. I ran faster despite the hunger and thirst I'm feeling because I haven’t eaten properly for the past four days.   I got bruises all over my body, my lips and forehead are even bleeding, but it will never beat the desire in my heart to be alive. The moment I stop running, I know it will be the end of my life and Aiden’s. I needed to find help. I wanted to live. I wanted to see my brothers and my dad. I’m sure they are really worried about me and doing their best to find me. This might be my only chance to get out of here, so even though my body is aching I will not stop.   The moon is my only source of light as I ran deeper into the forest. I don’t know where I am. I don’t know where I’ll go. But I continued taking this dark, narrow path. As I run faster looking for a cabin where I can hide or a road where a car might pass by, I didn't saw the log lying on my path which cause me to stumble and fall. I felt the pain on my whole body as I hit the ground.   Tears started to pool down my eyes as I lay down, the sharp unpleasant sensation in my whole body doubled, I think my knees and my palm are bleeding and the hope that I can get out of these scary place and be free, slowly vanished. I was covered with dirt as I groaned when I tried to move my foot.   I let out a sob when I felt that my left foot is broken, and it might be hard for me to run. I cried silently while covering my eyes with my arms and lying on the ground. I spent few minutes crying and having self-pity when a realization hit me.   Yes, it might be hard for me to run but I can still walk. Slow progress is still a progress, Maia. Aiden needs help. – That’s what I’m telling myself as I tried to stand up.   It wasn’t easy. I let out a muted cry to express my pain because I’m scared that my captivators might hear me. Driven by the desire to be free and to help, I succeeded to sit down.   I was checking my foot when I heard a gunshot few meters away from me. “AIDEN!” I can’t stop myself from screaming because of fear and shock. I was filled with so much adrenaline that I was unable to think about the excruciating pain in my body, especially my foot. I stood up and started limping to go back.   I cried so hard as I walked back on the path I took. Aiden needs me. I shouldn’t have run by myself. Terror and panic filled my whole being as I think about what could happen on him.    I barely took few steps when I heard some footsteps near me followed by indistinct whispers. My heart beats went faster when I realized my captivators are near me already.   I limp faster to hide behind one of the trunks. I hugged my knees tightly and leaned my head over it hoping to become more hidden. I closed my eyes and prayed that I will get out of here safely. My whole body is shivering because of cold, panic and fear. Tears pooled down from my eyes as I called out my dad inside my head.   ‘Dad, I need help. I’m so scared, daddy.’   I screamed when someone grabbed my arm gently. I tried to fight back to run away at first but taken aback when he envelope me with a tight yet gentle hug. Then he whispered in my ear, “I found you.”   With those three words, I started crying not because of despair but because my hope is here. I am finally safe. I leaned my whole body in him, and I softly said, “Aiden.”