The Escape
873 Words
Sage’s heart pounding like a drum in her chest. Her vision felt swayed like the warped corridor she crept down, each step was gamble, her every sense heightened as she made her way towards Kael’s office.
She knew she was walking into the wolf’s den, and the weight of her hidden plans pressed heavily on her shoulders.
She reached the staircase when a hand shot out from the shadows, gripping her wrist. She gasped, but another hand other hand flew to her mouth to stifle the scream from escaping.
“It’s me!” Rylan’s whisper was urgent but gentle.
Her wide eyes met his, and relief flooded her. “Rylan, what are you doing?!” She said with a panicked whisper.
“I stalled him,” he said quickly, his voice barely audible. Sage’s eyes wondered around the boy for answers. “But it’s not going to last long. You don’t have much time!”
Her stomach sank. “What are you talking about?” it would be redundant to say her heart sank to her feet, she lived with excruciating anxiety daily. No, this feeling in sage’s chest can only be felt.
Rylan’s silence was answer enough.
“Come on,” he urged, tugging her arm. “We need to get your things. Now!”
Sage hesitated, her feet rooted to the spot. “Rylan, if he finds out you’re helping me—” tears bubbling up.
“Let him…” Rylan cut her off, his jaw tight. “You’re not safe here, Sage. You haven’t been for a long time. We need to move.”
Reluctantly, she nodded, letting him guide her back to her room. Her pulse bearing down on her with every step, the creaks of the old floorboards, deafening in the silence.
When they reached her door, Rylan ushered her inside and closed it behind them, locking it quickly.
“Where’s your stuff?” he asked, his eyes scanning the small room, poorly lit closet she had been living in.
Sage moved to the hidden compartment behind the dresser. Her shaky hands worked swiftly, prying the panel loose and pulling out the bag. She handed it to Rylan, who opened it and checked its contents.
“This is it?” he asked, his brow furrowing.
“It’s all I have,” she whispered, her voice shaky.
Rylan sighed, his expression conflicted. He closed the bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Okay. There’s someone who can help you.”
“Who?”
“Evander,” he said. “He’s a scout from one of the Sanctuary packs. They’re on the other side of the border, but they’re good people. If anyone can keep you safe, it’s them.”
Sage froze. The Sanctuary pack was rumored to be kind but fiercely protective of their own. Crossing the border into their territory was dangerous; especially for someone like her, tied to Kael’s pack….
“Rylan, I—”
“You don’t have a choice!” he interrupted firmly. “You can’t stay here. Keal is planning something…look I’ve never helped you and I should have. Please…let me now.. ”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but the unspoken words hung heavily in the air.
Sage swallowed hard, nodding. “How do I find him?”
“I’ll get you to the edge of the territory,” Rylan said. “Evander patrols near the border. He’ll find you.”
The gravity of his words settled over her. This was happening. She was leaving!
Rylan stepped closer, his expression softening. “You can do this, Sage! You’re stronger than you think.”
She blinked back tears, her resolve hardening as they rolled down her face. “Thank you, Rylan. For everything.”
They embraced briefly.
“Be careful,” he whispered. “And don’t trust anyone until you’re with Evander.”
Sage nodded, pulling away. “Okay!”
Rylan opened the door a crack, peering into the hallway. “It’s clear. Let’s go.”
They moved quickly and silently, their footsteps barely making a sound on the worn floorboards. Every shadow felt like it held a threat, every corner a potential ambush of jagged wolf’s teeth to the neck.
As they approached the edge of the pack’s main grounds, Rylan stopped abruptly, holding her finger tips.
“This is as far as I can take you,” he said, his voice tight with urgency. “Head east. Keep low and stay in the shadows. Evander will be waiting near the ridge.”
Sage nodded, her throat too tight to speak.
“Good luck, Angel!” Rylan said softly, using Kael’s nickname for her with a bittersweet sweet. “Don’t look back, remember why you left!” He whispered with a fierce determination in his eyes.
“Don’t call me that,” she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the tears in her eyes.
“Be free” Rylan whispered so softly letting go of her finger tips as he walked backwards blowing her a gentle kiss before the night swallowed him whole in her shadows.
With one last glance, she turned and slipped into her own shadows, her heart pounding as she made her way toward the unknown east.
- Writer
