Find A Way Out
1115 Words
The first few weeks were uneventful. Selena tried to figure out the guard routine and security pattern of the gates; she had to find a way out. Staying complacent was not an option when she had people to deal with at home.
Makeshift wooden shelters dotted the camp, barely standing against the wind. Men spent fifteen hours in the mines, hauling metals with only three-minute breaks every five hours. Each echo of clanging rock against rock reminded her of the cruelty they endured.
She learned the scarred man’s name was Skalwarg—the top boss here. Other masters rarely appeared; Skalwarg’s presence was constant, a shadow over every movement. Supplies came every two months, escorted by slavers from town. When that convoy arrived, she’d have a window.
The carts were guarded, yes, but carelessly.
That evening, she carried a tray of food to the master’s chamber. Distant clattering and the occasional patrol punctuated the eerie silence.
The guards’ cold glares followed her, their silvered weapons glinting like knives in the dim light.
A hulking guard stopped her at the door. “What are you here for, b***h?”
"Bringing food, would you like to check it? so I let Skalwarg know you put your grubby hands all over his meal?" she asked, baring her fangs.
The guard snarled as he slapped her across the face, "Know your place, filth," She stumbled back, tasting blood, her wolf bristling. The chains suppressed its rage, twisting its raw hunger into a helpless coil.
Selena slipped inside, only to catch Skalwarg mid-roar.
"We keep losing bodies! What good are you if I have to buy more every month?" His pheromones hit the air like a slap, acrid and heavy.
The slaver bowed low, throat bared. "Forgive me, master. Ajin will test the caves tomorrow. This won’t happen again."
Selena’s nails dug against the chain at her neck. Her wolf bristled under his stench but the runes smothered her, trapping her rage beneath her skin.
Skalwarg’s gaze snapped to her. Scarred tissue twisted as he scowled.
She set the meal down, letting her eyes flick across the papers—maps, figures, notes she couldn’t read fast enough.
"What are ye staring at, b***h?" His voice cracked like a whip.
Selena froze.
"Out," he snarled. "Before I peel your hide."
Selena retreated quickly, the itch of the rune burning hotter with every step. She felt his eyes follow her all the way to the door.
She would have to return. Whatever freedom she wanted was on that table.
Her hand reached for the chains on her neck. The itch had intensified from the encounter. Her wolf hated being suppressed and challenged.
Selena walked around the camp that evening, trying to glean as much information as possible from the whispers flying around. After another unsuccessful day, she went back to the kitchen where Myra and Juno were making dinner.
"Where is Illys?" she asked, looking around.
"She went to the stream to get water. With the shortage of workers at the mine, no one has had time to bring us water." Myra said, chopping vegetables.
"Since when?" Selena asked, frowning. The sun had started setting; "what could be taking her so long?" she wondered out loud.
"I suppose it has been a while. Would you check on her and carry some buckets with you, too? We might need them," Juno said from the stove.
Selena dashed toward the stream, slipping between a cluster of trees. The magician’s cabin was rumored to be somewhere here. She spotted Illys crouched by the shallow water, tossing stones.
"Illys! Do you know how worried I was?!" Her voice made the girl jump, nearly losing her balance.
"Sister Selena!" Illys gasped, clutching her chest, wide-eyed and trembling. Selena knelt, scanning her small body for injuries. None—but the fear, the raw panic in her scent, tugged at her wolf.
"How could you be out here alone? You know how dangerous this place is," Selena scolded softly, though her wolf whined, nuzzling Illys instinctively.
"I'm… sorry. I lost track of time," Illys whispered, tears spilling. Selena’s heart softened. She cupped the child’s face, brushing away a stray tear, and drew her into a careful hug. The warmth of the embrace eased the tension coiling in both their chests.
"It's okay, love. I shouldn’t have scolded you so harshly," Selena murmured. "We stick together here. Always. Understand?" Illys nodded, sniffing back tears.
They filled the buckets in near silence, shadows stretching long as the sun dipped behind the mountains.
A movement flickered at the forest’s edge. Selena’s pulse quickened. 'The magician?' she thought, but the dusk and the child’s safety pulled her back.
"Sister Selena?" Illys whispered.
"Nothing, love. Let’s hurry," Selena replied, steering them toward the kitchen. Darkness settled over the camp, broken only by distant hoots and the occasional clang of rusty chains.
The water didn't return on time, so the meal was late.
Thanks to Skalwarg's pissy mood, the warders punished them with only one meal per day for a week and were put on constant watch by the men during meal preparations to ensure they weren't sneaking food.
"This is pointless. There's hardly any food in the first palace, and now they're starving us?" Myra grumbled as she moulded dough for bread.
"They're probably trying to cut down on supplies till another batch comes in. I hear some of the men aren't being fed as well," Juno said, turning the stew on fire.
"I'm sorry, this is my fault," Illys apologized, head lowered in shame. "It's alright child, we will be fine," Myra said, smiling.
Selena however was lost in thoughts, the person in the woods had to be the magician, she would have to find some time to go there and find something that can help with her escape plan.
'But what excuse will use?' She thought as she cleaned the table.
"Selena?" She jolted out of her thoughts to see the three of them staring at her.
"Wha- what did you say?" She asked, straightening.
"Are you ok?" Myra asked, worried.
"Yeah I'm fine, it's fine. I'm just working on something," she said smiling reassuringly.
"Just make sure it's not dangerous," Myra said.
"Oh come on, don't you trust me anymore?" Selena laughed.
"I trust you!" Illys beamed, jumping into Selena's arms.
Myra gave a small smile, "as long as you know what you're doing, I rust you too."
Only Juno said nothing, but the look she gave Selena let her know where she stood.
Selena sighed as they settled in for the night, this was taking longer than she thought.
'The more time I spend here, the more things get complicated.'
- Writer
