The cold wind whipped against Alessandra’s cheeks as she ran through the forest, branches clawing at her silver gown, moonlight slanting through the trees like judgment. Her lungs burned, feet stinging with each step on the uneven ground, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. The words she’d screamed still echoed in her head, louder than the chaos she’d left behind.
"I need to go..."
But the woods weren’t empty.
The sharp crack of twigs behind her told her she wasn’t alone.
"Alessandra!"
Colton.
"Stop running!"
Wylon.
They were gaining on her.
"No!" she screamed without turning back. "Leave me alone!"
But they wouldn’t. They never did.
Just as she reached the ridge near the outer border, arms wrapped around her from behind. She shrieked and kicked, but Wylon lifted her off her feet
