Shadow Moon: Secrets

POV Scarlett     “RUN!” Her mother had screamed. The wail of her pain still rang through the girl’s ears as she was jerked out of her bed. Her mother had forced her out the backdoor, continuously screaming “RUN”. And she had. She didn’t know what was happening, but she had to run. Her mother said so.       The small blonde girl raced through the woods with tears streaming down her face. She wore a white nightgown that was tattered and torn from the overgrowth in the forest. The cold dirt and rocks on her bare feet abusing her soft skin. The pale glow from the full moon made her already pale skin seem to glow. Her hazel green eyes searching frantically as she clumsily ran through the woods for somewhere to hide.     Behind her loud howls could be heard. But she could no longer hear her mother’s frantic cries for her to run. She just kept running. As fast as her legs would carry her through the forest. She weaved through trees going off the beaten path. It was getting harder to run, her chest burned. Tears wouldn’t stop blinding her vision. She didn’t know where she was or really how much time had passed.     Scarlett ran as though her life depended on it. She was getting so tired. Another branch scratched across her arm and shoulder drawing blood. Her tears increased rolling down her face harder as she searched still for a hiding place. The trees were thick here, but not thick enough to hide her.     As she continued to race through the forest she came up on a clearing. The moonlight making the water of the pond before her glow brightly. There was a small waterfall, the sound of crashing water drowning out her heavy breathing and wails. Everything seemed to hurt.     She gazed around the clearing and started to move slower now. Searching around the boulders. She moved closer to the large boulder near the waterfall. The bushes surrounding it creaked and snapped as she pushed behind them. Finding a small crevice just behind the boulder that she could just barely fit into. Scarlett curled up making herself as small as possible.     She would have to hide here for now. She couldn’t run anymore. Her breathing began to slow down but the tears still rolled. She didn’t know what had happened. Her mother had sounded so scared. She’d heard screams like someone was in pain. Was her mother dead?     As her adrenaline wore off, she was thankful for the mud near her. The water from the pond must have been a hot spring, because the squishy slime surrounding her was warmer than the night air. Scarlett tried to remain as quiet as possible. The howls and yells were getting closer.     Whoever had gone after her mother was searching for her. She couldn’t tell how far away they were. But she couldn’t run anymore, they would find her. She hoped for her mother. She hoped that her hiding place would be enough. As her breathing calmed more, she started to feel heavy. The howls didn’t sound like they were getting closer. She could rest for a little while.     Scarlett let her heavy eyes close. She would rest, and then she would run again. She would find help. She would find her mother. She just had to.     The bright sunlight woke Scarlett up. She was wet, and cold. She wasn’t in her bed. Where was she? She looked around frantically and the night before came back to her. She had been told to run. Someone had attacked the cottage her mother and her lived in. The tears stung at her eyes as she remembered.     Listening careful she tried to peak around the boulder and eventually through the bush. She didn’t hear anyone running. She didn’t hear anymore howls. Had they given up trying to find her? She froze for a moment trying to think of what her next move should be. Being a child though she just couldn’t take it anymore and instantly started crying. Heavy tears and loud sobs.     A few minutes later she went silent as she heard twigs snapping and the sound of steps coming quickly in her direction. She held her breath. They were going to find her. Terrified she tried again to make herself as small as possible. A moment later the bush moved a bit, more light shining through onto her muddied face.     “Hey, Sweetie. Are you okay?” The tanned male spoke softly, almost a whisper. “It’s okay. You can come out here” He was older, with dark brown hair dusted with bits of gray. Amber colored eyes looking over her.     The girl pulled away from his outstretched hand in the same moment wailing out for her mother. The man grabbed her swiftly pulling her closer to him. “Come now. You’re safe. It’s okay. “He repeated. Over and over telling her she was safe.