“Captain!” I heard a voice from behind, “Captain!”

“What!?” I yelled, my eyes now upon him.

“The woman,” He stretched his hand and pointed towards the downhill path, “She’s escaped!”

A sarcastic laugh escaped my lips. Stupid. How does she expect to escape at this point? She’ll die of hunger or tragedy before she sees any sign of civilization.

I stretched my neck in annoyance, fastening the rifle closer to my body as I took a step.

“I need three men!” I ordered, my steps hastening as I advanced. My eyes narrowed in tenacity.

I will find you. I will find you even if I have to turn these mountains upside down.

We advanced in unison towards the woods, gazes in search of the woman’s familiar form, running like leopards on the hunt.

“Here, Captain!” I came to a halt as I heard a voice from one of my men, shifting my gaze towards him. “This is hers!”

I took the pitch colored tie in my hands. It is hers. I’ve seen this clutched on her wrist last night. I gazed towards the slanting area of the path and studied the broken twigs of the land as I bent down. She was here.

My gaze widened in realization. Fool. She’s on her way to her death!

With this, I stood and charged forward once more, the footsteps of my men filling my ears as we advanced.

“Ah!”

A scream resounded in the air, and at its sound, I was held to a halt. She’s done for.

“Let’s split up,” I spoke, my gaze surveying the environment, “I’ll take this path,”

Once more I advanced, my eyes narrowed as I ran through the trees and bushes. The land cleared gradually as I ran the path, the trees now replaced with grass as I charged forward. The view of the cloud adorned sky met my gaze, its bright blue vibrant as it came in contact with the brown of the land.

It ends here. Where the hell could that woman be?

I lowered my gaze in thought when to my surprise, hair the color of raven filled my vision. A scoff escaped my lips.

I gazed at her for a few moments, bemused that instead of hearing cries for help, her fingers voluntarily unclasped from the root she held on to. What the hell?

Immediately I bent down, gripping her hands in haste. I anchored my feet firmly on the rock before me, using its stability as I pulled her up. With a grunt, I felt her body lift.

She lifted her glance, and immediately I saw repulsion fill her tear threatening eyes. My lips curved to a smirk.

With much force I pulled her up, standing to my feet as I felt her body reach stable ground. Her chest heaved up and down, her mouth agape as she took each breath.

I took a step and approached her. She jumped to her feet in response, stepping away from me with fear painting her face.

“Don’t touch me,” She breathed, her voice empty of the fear that was manifest in her countenance.

“What,” I took another step, “Will you still run now?” Slowly I approached her, my gaze towards her unaltered.

I reached to take her arms, when to my surprise, I felt a fist to my face, shoving me backward with a forceful blow. I shifted my gaze towards her in ire, both her hands now armed with two sticks she must’ve picked from the ground. She positioned herself away, her body in a stance for battle.

I felt laughter bubble from my core, taken aback of the boldness she was showcasing. For a moment I began to process what had transpired and was reminded of how she was able to draw from me blood – twice now. Maybe she wasn’t that weak after all.

Incitement surged my veins as we began to circle each other. She seriously wants to take up a fight with me, doesn’t she? I smiled in amusement, sliding the rifle off my body as I gazed towards her. Let’s see how far your bravery goes.

I charged towards her, in a split of a second bending down in avoidance to her weapon’s blow. She did the same, wielding her sword made of sticks towards me. I felt two blows of pain, her body sliding off my dominance. She was now a distance away once more.

Three.

The sides of my lips lifted. Nice. I turned to face her, taking in a breath as I gazed at her shapely frame.

Enough of the games.

I advanced towards her, in an instant dodging her quick wielding of the wooden rods. Kicks and punches went in accent to her movements, a few successful in pushing me away, but not enough to keep me away.

With a snap, I confined her by the waist, taking her hands and twisting the sticks off her grip. She winced in pain, her body still forceful as she tried to break away from my hold.

I gazed into her deep brown eyes, allowing her no chance to move as I held both her hands behind her. Her chest heaved against mine, and I could feel the very breath from her mouth as she pierced me with glaring eyes.

I smiled inwardly; amused as her glowing red cheeks filled my gaze. It was then that I finally realized - she will never remember me.