In the Nest of the Fallen Serpent - Chapter 10

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 10

* * *

Her escape was short-lived.

“Stop!” The guard’s shout spurred her on. ‘If they catch me, it’s over.’ The thought consumed her.

As she scrambled through the undergrowth, she realized the guard’s shouts had faded.

‘Did he give up?’ She stopped, catching her breath, and looked around. Dusk had deepened into darkness, swallowing the forest whole. The distant howl of an animal sent a shiver down her spine. A chilling wind swept through the trees. The guard’s warning about ravenous beasts echoed in her ears.

‘It’ll be alright.’ ‘If I can just stay hidden until dawn, avoid the animals, then I can escape…’ Hope flickered within her.

“Aagh!” A searing pain ripped through her left shoulder, sending her tumbling forward.

“Ugh…” Hilde gasped, turning her head. She recoiled in horror.

“Gasp…!”

‘Who… who shot me?’ There was no mistaking the arrow embedded in her shoulder, a stark declaration that she was now the prey. Its fletching quivered with her trembling.

‘I have to… hide…’ Despite the agonizing pain and the terror of the unknown, her survival instinct kicked in. She crawled desperately, seeking cover, each movement sending fresh waves of agony through her shoulder. By the time she reached the shelter of a large tree trunk, her bitten lip was bleeding, and her back was drenched in cold sweat.

“Ha… ha…”

‘Were those soldiers chasing me? Or was it a hunter? But at this time of night?’ Huddled in the darkness, she clasped her hands together.

‘Please…’ A desperate prayer, her only recourse in her helplessness. ‘Help me…’

Then… the crackle of dry leaves and twigs underfoot stole her breath. Frozen in terror, she was as helpless as a rabbit caught in a snare. She could only tremble, awaiting the inevitable.

“Ah.” A familiar male voice, laced with a strange languid amusement.

“Found you.” Her prayer went unanswered.

* * *

Shrouded in the darkness, the man resembled a death god. He approached with an unhurried grace, his form casting an imposing shadow over her. His brilliant gold eyes flashed like a predator’s. Hilde was captivated by their intense hue. Was it just her imagination, or had she seen those eyes before? The man’s silhouette, too, seemed familiar.

“You appear to have been shot. Do you require assistance?” His voice, low and resonant, struck a chord of memory. A voice that raised goosebumps and sent shivers down her spine.

Hilde could only part her lips, unable to speak.

“I asked you a question.”

“Aagh!” The man’s index finger carelessly brushed against the fletching of the arrow lodged in her shoulder, sending a jolt of excruciating pain through her. A cry escaped her lips.

“P-please, help me.” The plea tumbled out, unbidden. Not only the deaths she had witnessed haunted her, but the pain, too, refused to become familiar, no matter how often she endured it.

“I never said I would kill you.”

Hilde pressed her lips together, determined not to cry out, to avoid angering him. The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth as she bit down on her injured lip.

“You seem to be mistaken. Let me clarify.” Her attempt at stoicism was a miscalculation.

“You would do well to answer me properly. My patience is limited.” Hilde realized his threat was genuine. And that her next words would seal her fate.