Daughter Of Shadow's King

Chapter 6: Hunger Pangs And Escape

My stomach twisted with hunger as I scanned the empty kitchen. Again. No scraps, no leftovers, nothing. Sophia and Emma had been particularly generous today, devouring every crumb. I was invisible to them, a ghost lingering in the shadows.

My eyes landed on the stale bread from yesterday. It was something. I snatched it, my fingers trembling as I tore a piece off. Dry, tasteless, but it filled the gnawing void a little.

As I chewed, my mind wandered to escape. Tonight. Maybe tonight I'd find a way out. They can't keep me forever...

I forced the dry bread down my throat, tasting nothing. Energy was energy. I needed it for tonight.

As I hid the crust in my apron pocket, footsteps echoed outside. My heart skipped a beat. The Shadows didn't usually bother with me, but you never knew.

The door creaked. It was Sophia, the youngest one. She tossed something onto the table – a half-eaten apple. "For the pet," she muttered, eyes gleaming with mischief, before vanishing.

A gift? Or a trap? I eyed the apple, my stomach roaring. Screw it. I snatched it, biting into the tart flesh.

Sweetness exploded on my tongue. I ate it in three bites, core and all. For a moment, I forgot the shadows.

Tonight. Tonight I'd be free

At midnight I pace in my room. I keep looking at the clock and then at my packed bags. It's now or never. I take a deep shuddering breath and slung my bag over my shoulder and slowly quietly walk out of the room. I look around quietly and make my way towards the front door.

I pushed the heavy door, freedom a breath away. Cool night air hit me. Almost...

Then Kael's hands clamped my arms like iron. I screamed as he yanked me back. The Shadows' faces twisted, cruel – Sophia and Emma watching with cold eyes.

"This is what happens to thieves," Kael snarled.

Blows rained down. I curled tight, protecting my head. Pain exploded in waves. The floor rushed up...

*Darkness.*

I woke to agony. Every inch of me screamed. I was on the floor, in the dark. No windows. The Shadows' basement, maybe.

A dim light flickered on. Sophia crouched beside me, a cold smile on her face.

"You shouldn't have tried," she whispered. "Now you'll stay down here. Forever."

She stood, leaving me to the shadows. I tried to move. Couldn't. Pain owned me.

*The dark closed in.*

*I woke to agony once again. Every inch of me screamed. I was on the floor, in the dark.*

Hours? Days? Time vanished. My world shrunk to pain and hunger. I'd lost count of meals – or was it days since they'd fed me? The apple Sophia gave me seemed like a dream.

Footsteps echoed above. The door creaked. Not Sophia this time. It was Kael, my stepfather. He descended, eyes like ice.

"Hazel, you've been a... problem." His voice was silk. "But problems can be solved."

He knelt, studying me like a bug. "You're beautiful and so many of my friends have an eye for you and even they agreed to pay handsomely for you even for just a night with you."

I spat at his feet. "I'm nobody's prisoner."

Kael chuckled. "Oh, you'll be useful. They will pay to get you and I'm more than happy to give you away."

A twisted plan formed in his eyes. I knew I'd be a bargaining chip. Or worse.

*Suddenly, the basement door slammed open. A hooded figure stormed in.*

"Leave her," a low voice growled.

Kael snarled, "And who are you—"

The figure moved lightning-fast. A blade glinted. Kael backed off, hand on his chest.

"You don't touch what's mine," the stranger said.

*Mine?*

The hooded figure knelt by me. Warm fingers brushed my face. "Hazel? Can you walk?"

I tried to focus. Who was this? An ally? A trick?

The voice was like a whispered secret. "Come. Now."

With effort, I nodded. Pain flared, but I pushed through. The stranger helped me up. Shadows blurred.

We moved. Up stairs, into night air. Cool wind hit. I stumbled, but the stranger held me tight.

"We're not safe," they whispered. "Not yet."

*Where were we going? And who was this stranger? And more importantly how did he know my name*

We stumbled through the dark streets, my legs barely holding. The stranger's grip was the only thing keeping me upright. He led me to a sleek black car parked in a narrow alley. He opened the door, helping me in.

As he started the engine, I tried to ask him who he was, but he just shook his head.

"Not yet, Hazel. When the time is right, you'll know."

The car roared to life. I barely buckled up when he sped through the deserted streets. I glanced back – three cars were tailing us. The stranger's eyes narrowed. He took a sharp left, tires screeching. The cars followed.

He swerved right, then left again, weaving through alleys. The pursuers fell back, but didn't give up. He pushed the car harder, speedometer climbing. Finally, he took a hairpin turn into a quiet residential street. The cars missed the turn. We were alone.

He slowed, breathing steady. "We're clear."

Frustration welled up, but my body was too weak to argue. We stopped in front of a small, cozy cottage. Smoke curled from the chimney, carrying the scent of baking bread.

The stranger knocked, and the door swung open. An old lady with kind eyes and a warm smile greeted us.

"Mara's ready for you, sir," she said, stepping aside.

The stranger handed me over to her like I was precious. "Take care of her, Mara."

Mara's hands were soft as she pulled me into a gentle hug. "I'll treat her like my own granddaughter, promise."

The stranger turned to leave. I grabbed his arm, trying to speak.

He leaned in, voice low. "When the time is right, Hazel. Trust me."

Then he was gone, vanishing into the night. Mara led me inside, wrapping a warm blanket around me.

"Rest now, child. You're safe."

Safe. The word echoed in my mind as sleep dragged me under.