*HEY GUYS! APOLOGIES FOR ANOTHER DELAYED CHAPTER. I'M NOT SURE WHAT QUESTIONS TO GIVE YOU GUYS SO I'LL JUST NOT GIVE ANY AND LET YOU ALL GET TO READING, SINCE YOU GUYS DESERVE IT FOR WAITING SO LONG. WAIT, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'LL TELL A JOKE. OKAY, OKAY, TRY THIS. -AHEM- "I sold my car for gas money." -crickets- YAY! SO, ENJOY THE CHAPTER AND HAVE A GREAT DAY! c:*

Stay Creepy, My Friends!~

Chapter 17

Leaves and dirt stuck to my feet like tree sap as I trudged through the forest, in search for any sort of shelter or place of rest. I have been walking for what is now two days and a half. My dress was tattered and torn from pushing my way through bushes or tripping over twigs or my own bruised feet. My skin was riddled with bruises, scrapes and minor cuts and I was beginning to tan. I had no means to fully treat my wounds but Sam has helped me survive this far. Without him I would've given up and let myself lie on the forest floor to die. He has taught me how to temporarily tend to my wounds with certain natural things around me, where to sleep during the dangerous night and what sorts of berries and fruits to eat that won't slowly kill me with poison. Sam has taught me a good many of things in our time alone, our first ever time alone.

I still have not forgotten what had happened with the bandits and Father. The sound of a single instant of gunfire still shook me to my bones and have caused me to break down into tears more times than I could count. I can still hear it now, ringing in my ears, signaling someone's death and my own mourning. Honestly, I'm not quite sure I can keep going without Father. As helpful as Sam is, he cannot teach me how to hunt or how to build a cottage or how to runaway from society like we have done so many times. How will I be able to achieve the money for goods and clothing? I can't reveal my face to society or else I'll be locked up until my burning, whipping, stoning, any other malevolent torture that people can force onto me. Father protected me from that and he helped me understand the disturbing system of the world we live in. And with him gone...it seems like left is right and up is down. I don't know what to do.

Emily, stop and rest.

"O-Okay..." I murmured weakly as I fell to my knees and plopped over onto my side. I huffed and tried to take in as much rest as I possibly could.

How are your feet?

I slowly sat up and looked down at my scraped appendages, only to grimace and whine at how much they've worsened since I had last checked them. "They look horrid," I muttered and turned my gaze away.

I have an idea.

"Wh-What is it?" I asked.

Remove your bonnet and tear it in half, then wrap the fabric around your feet. As flimsy as it is, it should at least reduce the damage to your feet.

"But, what about daylight," I mentioned, "What will keep the Sun out of my eyes or protect my head from that terrible heat it gains?"

Until we can find something appropriate to cover your head, keep to the shade.

"Okay," I murmured and removed my bonnet from off of my head. I began pulling on it and trying to tear it in half like Sam had told me to do. Unfortunately, I had no luck. "I'm too weak...," I muttered as I kept trying to tear my white bonnet. Thankfully, Sam had picked it out of my hands and tore it for me. "Thank you," I murmured, and grabbed the two halves of the torn fabric. Then, I began wrapping the halves around both of my feet, and I was careful not to touch my bruises and blisters. Once the two halves of the bonnet were tied around my feet, I sighed and stood up to test them.

"Not very stable, but it will do," I said as I stared at my feet and wiggled my toes. I looked up at the tree branches and tried to determine where the sun was.

Ninety-five degrees to the East. The afternoon is almost here.

"Okay," I said. I sat back down onto the ground and rested my aching body. Sam and I sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the forest as leaves rustled, birds chirped and water flowed.

Wait.

Water. I hear water.

"Sam...!" I nearly exclaimed. "It's...It's...!

A river.

I beamed at the thought of actually drinking water. It's been so long since I've quenched my thirst! Oh, thank goodness!

Without another second to lose, I bolted up onto my feet and followed the direction of the water sounds. After passing through trees and more bushes and carefully trekking through a small ditch, I finally came upon the river Sam and I had heard. I could feel my body relax in relief and I fell to my knees by the river bank. Staring into the water, I smiled and followed where the river came from and left. I was relieved beyond compare. Not only will I be able to drink but I'll be able to come upon a shelter if I follow the flow of the river. Towns or homes are built nearby rivers as a close resource. After I take in my fill of water, I'll walk along the bank, and hopefully I will find a shelter.

I cupped my hands together and scooped up the running water. I eagerly drank and drank and drank, satisfying my dry throat and cooling off my exhausted body. I splashed water onto my face and soaked my hair. I washed off all of the grime and sweat from my skin and despite my lingering wounds I felt renewed. An idea came to mind and I removed the bonnet fabric from my feet and dipped them into the water. I let out a sigh of content and kept my feet in the water. Leaning back onto my hands, I looked up at the bright sky and wondered. I wondered what I'll do once I'm safe and away from the forest. And, just like that, my elated feelings were quickly suppressed to let grief gain way. I'll never be safe. No matter where I run, danger will always find me, and the chances of dying become greater and greater the more I resist Death's grasp. A fate at the burning stake is inevitable for me now. Ever since that single musket fire.

Hanging my head in sadness, I began to weep. My heart was heavy with nothing but tragedy and misery. But, Sam ceased my woe by singing a melody to me. I paid more attention to him than my sadness and soon my tears stopped flowing.

You'll be okay.

I sat there and nodded, knowing Sam will always be with me, even at my time of death. "Thank you," I told him. After that we sat in silence once again. I splashed some more water onto me and washed my face as well as I could. Once I removed my hands from my face, my eyes caught something to my right and I turned my head to see what it was. That's when my body froze and I stared with wide eyes at the burly, brown grizzly bear lapping up water from the river. I did nothing but stare. Soon after it was done drinking from the river, it raised up its big head and looked at me. I could feel my body stiffen as we stared at each other. For a second, I had thought it would grow angry at my presence, but surprisingly it did nothing but blink. It was harmless, for now. I guess I pose no threat. That seems plausible, considering my ragged state. Eventually the bear went back to lapping up more water and then started trudging into it. I watched as it sifted around in the flowing water, seeming to be in search of something. I calmly watched it sift and search until I was startled by it lunging into the water and picking its head back up to show a salmon in its large mouth. I hadn't thought there to be fish in this river. Maybe once the bear is gone I could try catching one and find a way to cook it. Father never had the time to teach me how to catch fish but I'm sure I can find my own methods.

The rest of my time was spent watching the bear catch more and more fish until it was finished. Afterwards, it climbed up onto the river bank and gorged on the meal it caught for itself. Before I knew it, the large creature lumbered away off into the forest. Just like that, everything was silent except for the flowing river at my feet. At the mention of my feet, I finally took them out of the water and covered them up with the torn halves of my bonnet again. Sighing, I stood up and began walking along the river bank in search for a shelter.

"What should we do if we come across people?" I asked aloud to Sam.

I'll protect you.

"How?"

You've witnessed what I can do. I can protect as easy as it is for you to blink. No one stands a chance against me.

"Don't get too confident with yourself," I remarked with a hint of amusement.

Being overconfident is better than not being confident at all. Besides, when it comes to you, its my obligation to protect you at all costs.

"Really?"

Of course. It seems the only reason of my existence is to care for you, to be with you always.

"I'm sure that's not the only reason," I said, "Your existence doesn't revolve around me. It revolves around you."

That is true... But, for you, I'd be willing to give up my ownership of my existence.

I smiled. "You'd be a fool to do that. It's like going extinct."

If I am a fool, then you are the queen I serve to amuse. And as long as my queen does not find my extinction amusing, then let me satisfy her with something else she does.

I stifled a chuckle, the kind of chuckle that I have not uttered for a while. It almost seems foreign. "You're too devoted to me," I stated.

You're the only thing that keeps me sane.

"Well, your passion is almost psychotic," I replied.

Then I shall embrace my insanity. Though, if I'm maniacal, what does that make you?

"Your obsession," I joked, "but...I suppose I'm insane as well."

Then let us be mad together.

My smile grew. "Alright," I said.

We spent long intervals of time trekking through the forest. My legs could practically weep tears as they ached terribly. But, I know I must walk for as long as I possibly can. My efforts will all be worth it, in the end. At least I hope they will be.

I soon came to a stop and decided upon finally trying to catch a fish, like I had promised myself. Stepping into the river, I looked closely for any sort of movement. I spotted something near my feet and I lunged into the water, though I was too rough and I ended up falling into the river and scaring the fish away. I sat up, with the water reaching my chest and I spit out the bit that seeped in my mouth during the fall. Huffing, I stood up and tried again. Each time I was ever close to catching a fish, I failed and scared fish away or humiliated myself. Once, I was almost close to finally having one but the fish had kept wiggling out of my hold over and over again until I finally dropped it. I trudged over to the river bank, hulled myself up onto the grass and sighed tiredly. "This is ridiculous," I muttered as I kicked at the water.

It would be easier if you had a fishing tool.

"Yes, but you seem to forget that I don't have anything," I said, "For Christ's sake, I don't even have shoes."

Let me try.

"Alright, but I warn you, those fish are nothing but devils," I added. I heard Sam chuckle in my head and then before I knew it, a fish came popping out of the water, flailing as if something was grasping it. The fish was then tossed towards me and I moved out of the way so it only hit the ground. I stared in awe but then I frowned as Sam had said,

What was so difficult about that?

"Oh, hush!" I muttered and Sam giggled. I crawled towards the fish, picked it up and then smacked it on the ground so it wouldn't flail around for much longer. As soon as it stopped moving, I asked for Sam to make a pile of wood some spot safe enough to start a fire. I looked at the fish and realized that I wouldn't be able to cut it.

"Sam, once you're finished, look for good stone like Father used to do to make a knife," I ordered.

Okay.

I prepared a fire with the sticks Sam gathered. Using dry bark, I rubbed a sturdier one onto it, until there was enough friction for embers. I picked up a pile of dried leaves, placed them onto the stick pile and transferred the embers onto the pile. I tended it and blew on it to try and receive some flames.

I've finished the stone.

I looked up and saw the stone knife next to the fire and I smiled. "That was rather quick," I remarked, "this sort of task usually takes Father another hour or so to complete."

It's a bit tedious at first.

"I'm glad you were able to do it, though," I complimented, "thank you."

You're welcome. How's the fire?

"It's....coming along," I murmured. Sam laughed in my head.

Why don't you let me take care of it, and you prepare the fish?

"That sounds reasonable," I said. I moved away from the fire and grabbed the knife. I tore off some fabric from the hem of my dress and wrapped it around the handle of the stone for an easier grip on it. Twirling it within my hand, I grabbed the fish Sam had caught for me and prepared it for cooking and consumption.

The fire is ready.

I looked up and saw flames blazing on the moderate sized pile of wood. Feelings of closure washed over me and I began cooking the fish like Father would in situations like these. Again, melancholia came flooding back to me and I grew very quiet. "I wish Father was here," I murmured as I watched the flames lick and crackle. Another pause of silence was allowed, before Sam reacted to my words.

You are not crying?

"No," I said, still staring into the fire sadly, "is that a bad thing?"

Every time you reminisce of him, you end up crying. Why not now?

I sighed. "There is no point to crying anymore. That won't bring Father back to me. I'm too used to the heartbreak now. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't shed a tear. I'm not able..."

You still miss him though, correct?

"Of course," I said, "I just can't do anything about it. I'm sure he would want me to keep fighting. That's all that I can do."

Sam didn't say anything more. I sat on the ground, watching my little fire crackle and heat the fish. The sky grew darker until I could almost see the sunset beyond the tree tops. Soon enough, the fish was done cooking and I carefully removed it from the fire, which was fading slightly. I removed the head with the stone knife and cut up parts that I could bite.

After eating what could've been considered a meal, I was feeling better and nourished. I threw the carcass of the fish into some bushes a few ways to my right and stayed seated in my spot. The rest of my time was spent stoking the fire until night came. My mind wandered off into a dark place and I couldn't control my imagination making me see myself within the flames of the fire. I writhed like a dying fly and cried to live. My expression was neutral as I thought of this and I wondered what it meant. Am I not reacting because I know I'll live and never end up at the stake or gallows? Or do I know, deep down, that I'll end up dying because I'm a "witch" and I'm not reacting because there's no use in thinking that I can make it?

I let out another miserable sigh. Then, rustling followed after it. My eyes widened and I whirled my head around to see who or what could've made that noise. My heart began beating as I dreaded what there could be in the shadows. I dreaded the moment where I would have to run away from my safe fire and into more darkness with something/someone hunting me down. I can't afford to stay in the same spot and I can't afford to leave it. Which one will keep me alive? No, which one will get me killed?

As I stood up onto my feet, another rustle sounded, followed by a huff. I backed away from the noise and stared from where it came from. Then it came from a different direction and I turned in confusion. Where is it?

"Sam," I whispered, "what do I do...?" He gave no reply. I bit my lip anxiously. Suddenly, under the light of the flame, I saw a figure. It was shorter than I, wore furry a coat of grey and was on all fours, with a long face that held beady black eyes. It was a forest coyote. It's slim legs allowed it to creep up near me and it stared at me. I wondered what it was doing here but then I remembered about that fish carcass I threw. It must be here for that. I relaxed a bit and stared back, hoping that it would disregard me and go for the fish carcass or a midnight swim into the river. But that hadn't been the case. As soon as I placed my foot forward to sit down again, it lunged. Luckily, I had jumped out of the way before it could latch its teeth into my arm. I scrambled away from it as it growled and prowled near me. It barked and bore it's white teeth threateningly.

"S-Sam!" I called out. As soon as I uttered his name, a stick of fire was thrown at the coyote's body and it growled louder and jumped back. It shook off the embers on its fur and persisted on me again. Looking around quickly, I found the stone knife and reached for it but the coyote attacked and nearly stole a bite of my hand. I whimpered and backed away again, but I lost track of my surroundings and I slipped over the river bank. Water snuck up my nose and my ears and once I resurfaced, the coyote was jumping in after me. I quickly got up and wadded through the water but the coyote was quicker as it leaped and leaped until it caught my dress in its teeth. Screaming, I struggled to yank it out and I made the mistake of punching its face. That only made it angrier and it let go of my dress and went for my hip.

A sharp, pain shot through me and I screamed. The pressure it placed into the bite grew stronger and agonizing until I could feel myself bleed. It's jaw was big enough for my child frame and I struggled to get out of its hold. Finally, there was a loud yelp and I watched as rocks were pelted at the coyote from an invisible force. Thankful for Sam's help, I wadded back to my fire and hulled myself onto the river bank again. My wound stung and I was forced to reduce to a crawl. I found the stone knife, grabbed it and turned around just in time as the coyote came out of the river too.

It looked angrier than before and it's intent to harm me was very, very prominent. I managed to get up onto my feet again, despite my wounded hip, and I raised the knife towards the coyote. Slashing it through the air, I attempted to scare it away but it held its cold gaze, knowing I was weak and incapable. Although that wasn't entirely true. As soon as the coyote lunged for me yet again, I smacked my knife into it, earning a howl from the wild animal. It jumped away from me and whined as blood trickled through its fur from its side. Surprisingly enough, it was still persistent and it came after me yet again. I stepped back though lost my footing and fell. The knife slipped from my hand and I stared up as the coyote jumped and time seemed to slow. My heart beat within my ears and I couldn't move my body. The moment of knowing you might die within the next few seconds was all too real. I watched as the coyote was upon me, baring its teeth that would soon sink into my flesh, baring my possible death. I could do nothing but watch and wait as my time drew closer by seconds and soon the animal was on me, ready to take my life.

Then I saw light.

-TBC-

*HEY, SO I USUALLY DON'T DO AN AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END OF THESE CHAPTERS, BUT THIS IS VERY SPECIAL. MY BEST FRIEND HAS MADE A WATTPAD UNDER THE NAME _ArchAngel AND SHE IS MAKING A STORY CALLED "The School Of Love". FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ROMANCE, DRAMA, RELATIONSHIPS AND SUCH, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. THE STORY REVOLVES AROUND THREE COUPLES, A BOYXGIRL PAIR, A GIRLXGIRL PAIR AND A BOYXBOY PAIR, AND EACH STORY IS CONNECTED. IT'S PRETTY AWESOME STUFF. SO CHECK THAT SHIZZ OUT AND GIVE HER SOME FEEDBACK FOR ME! SHE'S REAL EXCITED TO WRITE ON WATTPAD SO IT'LL MAKE HER FEEL HAPPIER! THANK YOU! c:*