Ariella's POV
Heart racing, I darted through the winding alleys of the shanty town, the laughter of the rogues haunting each frantic step. Desperate not to lead danger to those who had sheltered me, I veered off into a less familiar part of the town, hoping the complex maze of homes would confuse my pursuers.
The more I ran, the more disoriented I became. The town was a patchwork of makeshift structures, and in the morning light, every corner and every noise seemed ominous. Just as the voices behind me seemed to be closing in, my foot caught on an uneven board, and I stumbled, catching myself against a wall. I turned to face my fate, but a shadow detached itself from the shadows, a voice cutting through my panic.
“Ariella, over here!” It was Alice, her figure barely visible in a narrow
