Chapter 11
853 Words
The thumping sound of my running footsteps echoes through the woods.
My ragged breathing; inhale, exhale, coming in and out just as fast as my heart beating against my chest,
The wind howling in my ears to run faster and faster with each step I make, crinkling the dead leaves underneath the weight of my feet.
“Why?! Why did she do this?”
I silently ask, tears staining my delicate porcelain skin.
“Did she not love him at all?”
My chest, burning with every ragged breath.
“And what about me? What have I done to anger her to the point of seeking my death?”
Risking looking back over my shoulder, I fail to see the lifted tree root, making me tumble forward…
Usually, I wake up at this moment. But this time, I don’t.
Down on all force, I struggle to get up.
A cruel laugh echoes from behind.
“You thought you could get away from me? From your inevitable faith?”
Ingrid.
“What do you want? Why can’t you just leave me alone? Was killing my father not enough for you?” I scream, getting up shakily from the ground. Dusting the first off my clothes.
“Not enough you say? No, it was not. You are still in my way.”
“In your way of what? What have I ever done to you for you to hate me this much?”
“Your father would never shut up about you! About how great you were. Of how you reminded him of your mother! You took his attention away from me! In the end, I took him away from you. I knew it would break you. You are all alone now. No one cares for you anymore!” She cackles.
A soft wind glides over me, softly kissing my cheek. As if a gentle kiss has been placed on it. It reminds me of Bash…
Bash!
Sloan.
Soren,
Donavan.
Harry and Dorian...
Gregory!
Even Princeton and Lance!
I am not alone. I never was.
“You are wrong! I am not alone!” I scream, lifting my hand and punching her in the face.
In a flash, my surroundings changed. My eyes struggle to take in the harsh light.
“Please come back to me. Come back to us.” I hear the faintest whisper.
“Please. We haven’t had enough time together. Please.”
A rugged hand holding the side of my face. A soft kiss on the corner of my lips.
Fluttering my eyes open, I can’t see very clearly. My vision seems to have bubbles shining through.
“Snow?” A teary Gregory says.
“Oh, good lords all mighty! You’re awake!
“Not so loud…” I croak, my voice horse.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” He cries, laying his head on my chest.
With so much effort, I place my hand on top of his head, lightly patting it.
I try to say something, but my voice cracks again.
“Here, have a sip of water,” Soren says, holding a cup with a straw close enough for me to take.
“Thank you” I whisper, my throat feeling much better now.
Looking around the room, finally a little more alert, I see all of my men. All seven of them.
They look like they haven’t slept in months.
“How long have I been out?” I ask, still patting Gregory’s head.
“For about a day and a half,” Donovan said, trying to mask his emotions. But he can’t fool me. I can tell he’s as upset as everyone else.
“What happened to me exactly? The last thing I remember… We were at St-Peter’s bar…and then… I have no clue.”
“You were drugged. She put some crushed-up OxyCodin in your apple martini.” He says, anger flashing through his hazel eyes.
“She?”
“Ingrid. She’s finally been caught and charged for the murder of your father, and the multiple attempted murder on you.” Soren says, shaking his head.
“She really was the culprit?” I say, to no one in particular.
“A small part of me hoped I’d be wrong about her, but deep down, I knew,” I say, a sob escaping my lips.
“She did it! She really did kill my father!”
They all gather around each side of the bed, sitting where they can and comforting me the best they can.
“It’s ok, Snow. I mean, it’s not ok what she did, but you will be ok. We’ll be with you. You are not alone. Not anymore.” Gregory says, wiping away his tears.
I am not alone…
Why do those words sound so familiar to me?
Shaking off my thoughts, I try to sit up. With all of them fussing over me. They explain everything that happened after I fell.
So many things in such a short amount of time.
I’m so fortunate to have them protecting me. But what will happen now that their mission is complete?
- Writer
