Chapter Five
1058 Words
MAYA
The harsh clang of metal echoed across the small passageways as Lucas slammed the cell door behind us. A warning of imminent risk was intensified by the harsh sound that echoed through the silence.
I rubbed my wrists that were bruised from the silver cuffs, my breath coming in short gasps.
Stumbling slightly, I noticed the passage was eerily quiet as I hurried after Lucas.
“Come on, this way. We don’t have much time.”
Lucas whispered.
The rest of the pack seem to believe Maya is safely locked away in the dungeons. They didn’t expect an escape—not from the inside.
He grabbed my hand, pulling me through a back corridor that led out into the dense woods that bordered the packhouse.
The moonlight was still shining through the trees, creating long shadows that swirled with every movement. The scent of pine and damp earth filled my senses as we raced into the open air.
I glanced quickly behind us, the imposing walls of the packhouse loomed like a dark fortress. My heart pounded fast with the thought of what will become of me with my escape.
I no longer feel safe within those walls neither out here.
Lucas is not safe either. He would be in big trouble with Stefan if he finds out i escaped and Lucas aided it.
“They’re going to know I’m gone, Lucas. They’ll come after us.”
My voice was shaky.
Lucas nodded but didn’t slow his pace.
“We should be long gone by the time they realise. We just have to keep moving.”
His voice was steady.
We darted through the underbrush, twigs snapping beneath our feet, the shadows of the trees swallowing us whole. The moon provided enough light to guide us.
But the deeper we went into the forest, the more Maya’s nerves frayed. Every rustle in the branches, every gust of wind felt like eyes were watching us.
When we had put enough distance between us and the packhouse, Lucas finally slowed down and we slipped into the cover of a dense thicket.
I was out of breath but Lucas seemed to be fine. Our clothes were torn and covered in dirt from the run. The forest was silent, except for the soft rustling of leaves above them.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this… I can’t believe you helped me escape.”
Lucas crouched down, resting his hands on his knees. I could feel his breath ragged from the sprint.
“I’m not going to let them throw you to the wolves for something you didn’t do. You’re not a murderer, Maya. I know that.”
My eyes flickered with pain as I hugged my arms around myself, still reeling from everything that had happened.
“I didn’t kill her, Lucas. But no one else believes me. Not even Stefan.”
My voice trembled as tears rolled off my eyes all over again.
His expression softened as he knelt beside me, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“I believe you. And we’re going to prove it. But first, we need to keep you safe. If the pack catches you now, they won’t listen to your reasons.”
I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing heart.
I was free from the dungeon, but not from the looming threat.
“They all think I’m guilty. Even after everything I’ve done for the pack…”
Lucas gripped my shoulder to reassure her.
“Fear makes people do crazy things. They’re scared. Sonia’s death shook everyone, and they’re looking for someone to blame. Unfortunately, that’s you.”
“They’ll never see me as anything other than the rejected mate who threatened her.”
I shook my head in disagreement.
“They’re wrong. And I’ll help you prove it.”
Lucas' gaze darkened as he looked toward the treetops. The sun was rising.
“Let's move on”
“Where, Lucas? We ran through the night and I have no idea where we are heading.”
My voice was uncertain,
“What will it be for me now? I’m rogue, Lucas. The pack… they declared me a traitor.”
“We’ll figure it out. For now, we need to get as far from the pack as possible. They’ll be hunting you soon.”
He pushed a branch out of the way, his gaze focused straight ahead.
“You seem really calm for someone that just helped a rogue escaped been imprisoned”
He remained silent.
My stomach twisted at the thought of being hunted by her own people. The familiar faces that had been her family and community for years were now the ones chasing her down.
“Do you think… Do you think Stefan really believes I did it? That I killed Sonia?”
He finally stopped his tracks to face me.
I searched his light brown eyes for the truth but all I saw was conflict swirling around.
“I don’t know. Stefan… he’s not thinking clearly right now. He’s hurt. Angry. But I’ve known him my whole life. Deep down, he knows who you are. He knows you wouldn’t do something like this.”
I looked away, biting my lip. The image of Stefan’s face when he’d rejected me still haunted me.
His face lacked compassion that night, now it will be filled with hatred. It was not supposed to turn out like this, he was to love me like I did him.
“They won’t stop looking for me, will they? Not until I’m dead.”
“No, they won’t stop. But neither will I.”
His face was serious, but his eyes held a softness that I was not familiar with.
We continued in silence for a few moments, the only sounds were the crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant chirping of insects.
I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, feeling the chill in the night air.
“Where are we going, Lucas? Please tell me”
“ We are going to find out who really killed Sonia.”
“Thank you, Lucas.”
We’ll clear your name. I promise you, Maya.”
We continued deeper into the forest, every step we took was a step further from the life Maya had once known.
I couldn’t help but wonder if there was any way back from this.
- Writer
