Two.
1009 Words
Chapter Two.
Love's POV.
I couldn't tell exactly what was going on, but I knew that smoke and incense were burning. My head was spinning, my heart racing so fast it felt like it would burst through my ribs. I could barely hear the priests' chants and all I could think of was my fate.
I was going to die here.
I was dragged and pushed down to my knees with my wrists still tied up. It's not like I had anywhere to run, why make me in pain until death?
I could hear the waterfall crash behind me, feeling its spray cooling my bare arms. Everywhere was eerily silent, and for the first time since I got taken away, I started to cry.
That was all I could do.
I wanted to scream, to run, to fight. But what was the point? There was nowhere to go.
I heard the voice of their high priest.
"This is okay for the best. Their blood will keep us free from calamity." He said.
Calamity my foot. His disgusting species. If I had the chance, I'd kill them all.
"The gods are watching." He said solemnly. "The human offering must be given."
My mouth was dry.
No last wishes, perhaps I'd have asked for a drink if we were offered wishes. If the stories were true, I didn't want to wander for all eternity as a parched spirit. The least they could do was offer to quench my thirst.
A strong hand suddenly held my shoulder.
It was happening.
I tried to brace myself, but the moment the priest muttered the final words of the ritual, I was yanked back and thrown into the angry waterfall.
I hit the water flat on my back, and the pain was unbearable. Before I could think, I felt my body sink into the water before I could catch so much as a breath.
Cold. So, so cold.
I flailed, but the ropes held my arms tight. Water rushed up my nose and burned my throat. My chest hurt and I could taste blood while my lungs screamed for air. I had to fight it. If I was going to die here, then it would be a fierce battle. I wasn't an offering to some imaginary werewolf goddess, I was a person with hopes, dreames, and the will to live!
I tried to kick my way up, but the water's power dragged me deeper, spinning me like a rag doll.
I just had to accept that this was it.
I was going to die.
My body felt heavy, my limbs numb. I stopped fighting. The water muffled everything now, all sound, thought, pain. I couldn't see, but I knew that my light was fading.
And then there was a whisper. It was so faint I almost thought I imagined it.
"Love."
I didn't imagine it. It was clear, soft, so warm.
I opened my eyes. My eyes had been covered, but somehow, I saw her.
A woman, draped in silver, her long hair floating around her like liquid moonlight. Her face was mostly blurred, but her eyes were bright, glowing like the stars.
She reached for me.
I wanted to reach back, but I couldn't move.
"Love." She whispered again. "You must wake up my dear."
What was she on about?
The currents moved violently, and suddenly, I was thrown, tossed, hurled through the water like a fragile leaf in the wind. My chest burned. My head spun. I was literally in mid air.
I hit something solid while landing.
My body jerked, and I felt the rush of air. My lungs still felt like they were on fire, but I was no longer drowning.
I started to cough.
I heaved, water spilling from my mouth. If only I didn't have this gag, this would have been better. Every inch of me ached, and the air was chilly.
I heard footsteps. I had to run.
My body stayed in place. I was too weak to even move my legs.
"Breathe, child." A voice murmured. "Breathe."
My gag was removed from my mouth, and a hand pressed against my chest, pushing hard. More water forced its way out, and I coughed again, struggling to sit up. The blindfold was removed too.
My vision blurred, and then it slowly cleared.
An old woman crouched beside me, and she had grey hair. I couldn't her face as everything clashed in my eyesight. I struggled to sit up.
"Good." She said when I sat up. "You're awake."
I shivered violently, my soaked clothes clinging to my skin.
"W-Where..." My voice came out hoarse. "Where am I?"
She sighed.
"Safe, for now. But barely."
I turned my head, trying to take in my surroundings. We were right in front of the water fall, but I was the only one out. The others must have died.
My wrists. The ropes were gone.
The woman must have freed me.
"Who are you?" I croaked.
She sat back on the sand.
"Sefina."
"Why... why did you save me?"
She gave a small, sad smile.
"You have suffered enough, I only wanted to help."
I didn't know how to respond to that.
She reached for a bottle of water and held it out.
"Drink. It helps when you breathe while taking it in." I caught her joke, but I couldn't laugh at it. Nothing was funny here.
Sefina watched me like she didn't trust me. Not sure there was much harm I could do in my current state.
"You should rest." She said. "Your body is weak."
I shook my head.
"I have to go back."
Her expression darkened.
"Back? What about the ones who threw you away?"
I tensed.
"My family must be worried, I have to see them."
She sighed.
"I wouldn't advise returning, there are so many things to put into consideration."
"But my family..."
"Child, if you return, you will die. And you will put your family at risk of death too."
Her words sent a chill down my spine.
- Writer
