Chapter 3
1546 Words
It’s been two days. Two days since the horns were blown, and Connor came to speak with me.
I haven’t talked to him, he’s been avoiding me. I feel bad in a way, but I also stand by what I mean.
He’ll make a great husband one day, just not for me. I’m not the marrying type. I’m too care free to be with someone.
I’m sitting at my spot, it’s peaceful. I come here to think and clear my mind. You may think things aren’t stressful in my time, but they are.
It’s a different kind of stress, or so I’ve been told. It’s stressful to survive and maintain our way of life.
There hasn’t been any news of the man that was claimed to be on his way to our village. Though I’m interested, it’s been a while since a new comer has joined us.
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POV Change: Connor
It’s been two days since I’ve tried to talk to Estella. I love her, deep down I know she doesn’t love me the way I love her though.
It’s just our way of life, when we become of age we’re expected to find someone to marry.
Estella is not like the other women here, she is kind but fierce. Loyal to a fault. She is smart, God she is so smart.
Aside from all those qualities, Estella possesses beauty. Natural beauty. She doesn’t look like the women from the pictures I’ve seen of the old days.
Any man would be lucky to call her his wife. I unfortunately know, that man isn’t going to be me.
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POV Change: Estella
At some point I had fallen asleep while sitting in my spot near the creek. The sun began to set, and the creatures of the day were turning in for the night while the creatures of the night began to wake.
The crickets and bullfrogs sang together in a beautiful lullaby. I lay, staring up into the sky dreaming of days long passed.
I close my eyes on last time, inhale a deep calming breath when all the sudden the snapping of twigs ends my tranquility.
Bolting up from the ground, I take to my feet in a defensive stance.
“Whose there?” I call out, it’s darker now. Only the light of the moon is here to help. Another snap of a twig and I’m running back for the village.
Just as I went to leap across the creek, a strong arm wraps around my waist while the other arms hand is clasped tightly around my mouth to muffle my screams.
Panic lightenings through my body, fight mode kicks in and I’m struggling against what feels like a brick wall.
Kicking my legs, and wiggling my body to break loose I finally smack the ground with a thud.
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POC Change: Clayton
How odd to see a woman sleeping in the woods alone. Maybe she’s on the run like myself.
She begins to move around, signaling she is waking up. She’s more beautiful than I originally thought.
Being this close to her, I can see she has natural beauty.
My mind and my feet are on two different wave lengths. As I inch closer to her, my mind is screaming this is a terrible idea.
Stepping on twigs, she jumps to her feet. She’s ready to fight, this is my kind of woman.
“Whose there?” Even when she’s scared, her voice sounds so pure and innocent. Yet fierce and full of fire.
I need this woman. I need her to be mine. I take another step closer and she makes a bolt back to her village.
Not if I have anything to do with it, as she leaps for the creek I reach out and stop her.
She’s putting up a fight, she’s definitely a fighter. She’s twisting and turning in every direction and she’s….. my balls…. She’s kicked my manhood.
I send her tumbling to the ground as myself smacks the ground holding myself. That’ll leave a mark, probably no kids in my future now.
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POV Change: Estella
Right on, I’ve injured him. Teach him to sneak up on a woman like that!
“Mind if I ask just who you think you are?”
“I’m not sure where you’re from, but in this village, we don’t ambush lone women.”
Holding onto him self, I internally smile to myself knowing I’ve hurt him.
“I don’t belong to a village.” The man states though gritted teeth.
Than it hits me, this is the man we were warned about a few days ago. Real panic take over as I realize the situation I’m in.
“Why are you running? What did you do? Did you steal something? Kill someone? Why are you here?”
“One question at a time doll, this isn’t thirty questions.”
He’s a smartass, lovely. Two can play at that game.
“Let me rephrase that. What kind of thief are you?”
The man sits up, just across from me. He’s far enough that we have to speak up to hear, yet close enough to see his beautiful face.
His height, his muscles. His face, and God those hands. I have a thing for hands? Who knew.
“How do you know about me girl?”
“First of all, I’m not a child. I just turned 18, so please refer to me as a woman.”
A roar of laughter fills the space between us, he’s laughing at me. How rude.
“Im sorry, did I say something funny?”
“You think you’re a woman because you’ve turned 18? Let me guess, your parents have picked out a husband for you but that’s not your thing so you’re running away from your womanly duties?”
Damn he’s good.
“Actually no, I’m a free spirit and they know not to push me into an unwanted marriage.”
“Right, that’s why you’re out here alone at night. You’re not hiding from a particular man are you?”
Again, damn… he’s good.
“Are you going to answer my question? How did you hear about me?”
“Answer my question first.”
“I don’t steal, I only take what is owed to me.”
“You go from village to village, and take what is owed? Yet you don’t belong to a village, no one owes you anything.”
Arrogant much?
“I’ll ask you again girl, how did you hear about me?”
In my best manly voice, I puff my chest out and start mimicking the man across from me.
“How did you hear about me girl? I only take what I’m owed. I’m a big scary man. Blah blah blah.”
I chuckle as I finish my imitation, I think I was pretty spot on. Sasquatch over here doesn’t think I’m funny. He’ll learn.
“Clearly I’m wasting my time here. It was nice to meet you kid. Take care, and stay out of the woods at night.”
As the man gathers himself to his feet, his body towers over me. Why am I feeling these feelings? I’ve never felt this way before, not even with Connor.
Dusting himself off, he holds a hand out to me. I’m suspicious of him, but he doesn’t seem all that bad. I mean if he was going to kill me, wouldn’t he have done it by now?
I reluctantly take his hand. His touch sends sparks through my entire body. The rough callousness of his hands, mixed with the warmth radiating from them has me seeing stars.
As I’m pulled to my feet, I’m face to face with this handsome giant. I didn’t realize that he had pulled me into his chest.
It’s a bit chilly tonight, but I couldn’t tell being this close to him.
Is his face getting closer to mine? Oh God, it is. Is this going to be my first kiss? With Goliath over here!
He lifts my chin with a single finger to have better access to my lips. My heart is racing and my knees are beginning to grow weak.
His lips look so kissable, I can’t wait to feel them on mine.
Just as we’re inches apart a twig snaps in the distance.
Jesus, what is with snapping twigs tonight?
Gigantor jumps away from me in a rush to disappear leaving my standing alone by the creek.
I’m feeling all kinds of things right now, my mind is spinning and I’m left with so many questions.
“Ell, why are you still out here? It’s getting late and it’s not safe to be alone. Especially at night.”
Connor, it would be him. Feeling slightly irritated I look around for big man. I don’t see him, dang he’s good at getting gone fast. I should take notes.
“Thanks Con, I fell asleep and lost track of time. Walk me back?”
A small smile creeps onto Connors face at my request to escort my back to our village.
Making our way through the woods, I take a look behind me and see the outline of my skyscraper. I smile to myself as I follow Connor back to safety.
- Writer
