Page 2 of Wicked Revenge

Fuck.

I don’t have to analyze this nightmare. I’ve come to terms with this one over the years. Now? It just pisses me off and fuels my need for revenge. I won’t lie… sometimes they still get to me. This particular nightmare doesn’t anymore. It reminds me of the power I took back that day.

However, it’s the memories from before this one– those are still haunting me, like the monster in the dark. They follow me around, reminding me of everything I survived, everything I lost, just waiting for their moment to strike out and swallow me whole. The memories of my entire world before it was taken away from me.

Nope. Not going there today.

Today is too important. I’ve been training for two years for this day. The day I go back home.

Shadow Forest.

When I escaped, I found sanctuary in White Harbor. A complete stranger took pity on a broken and bruised girl. She gave me a home and a job within her organization, trained me, and gave me a purpose.

Revenge.

Padding across the plush carpet, I grab the clothes I laid out last night off the dresser and head into the bathroom. I can’t take everything, just what will fit in my riding bag. I don’t need much anyway. The rest I will figure out once I get home.

Home.

My heart aches in my chest at the memories of what I left behind when I ran, and everything I lost. I’ve spent the better part of these past two years healing– and by healing, I mean shoving my trauma and pain so far down inside me that it might never resurface. Avoidance and redirection have worked so far. Every time a memory threatens to undo me, I go hunting. It helps keep my anxiety at bay.

Once I’m showered and dressed, I sling my bag over my shoulder. I slip out of my room and tip-toe down the hall, trying not to wake anyone. We said our goodbyes last night before bed. I knew how hard it would be to leave if they saw me off.

But of course, I find my friends– my saviors– standing in the kitchen, waiting for me.

“You didn’t think we would let you slip out of here without seeing you off, did you, Red?” Tears well in my eyes as they surround me. Snow embraces me in a tight hug first, her three Huntsmen a step behind, bear-hugging and lifting us off the ground.

“I did, actually,” my breathless response comes after they set us down, and I can breathe again.

“We’re family, Red. Of course, we want to see you off. Are you sure you don’t want us to come with you? You don’t have to face this alone,” Snow says, rubbing her hands up and down my arms, the comforting motion barely felt through my leather jacket sleeves.

“I know. But I have to do this for myself.” My voice is strong, but inside, my head is screaming to take her offer. She has been my rock for two years, and I don’t want to let her go now. But I need to do this on my own.

She nods her head in understanding, and I know she’s remembering when she faced the demons of her past. “I understand that. It wasn’t easy letting these guys help me when I needed it. I wanted to do it on my own, too.”

She chose a different route than me. She showed mercy when I thought it warranted revenge. I understand her reasoning, but that's not the path I am on. I want my revenge staining my hands red. She’s a better person than me though. Our pasts are not the same. She’s been through some bad shit too, but our trauma is different.

“Promise me you will call us if you find yourself in trouble,” one of her huntsmen asks me as he hands me a shiny new phone. “This is untraceable. Our numbers are already programmed in it. Use it if you need us. Don’t you dare get yourself killed, Red.”

“I promise,” I reply to him as he pulls me in for another hug.

I’m going to miss these guys so much. They have seen me at my worst and helped me put my broken pieces back together. We make our way out the side door to the garage, flipping on the lights to illuminate the massive room. My ride sits the furthest back, next to the entry door.

My tears threaten to spill over while we say our final goodbyes, and I try my best not to let them fall. Today is the day I’ve been training for. I mount my bike and grab my helmet hanging on the handle.

“I’m going to miss you guys and this place. I’ll check in when I can. I promise,” I whisper, tucking my flaming red curls inside the helmet before shoving it on my head and popping up the visor.

“You’ll always have a home here. Stay safe,” Snow says with tears in her eyes as her huntsmen surround her for support. I nod back, not trusting my voice not to break.

This is why I wanted to slip out this morning. I knew it would be so hard to leave my safe haven and my friends this morning. I close the visor back down, concealing the tears that stream down my face.

The last thing I hear before the engine of my bike purrs to life is, “Give ‘em hell, Red.”

Chapter 2

It’s a full day's ride to Shadow Forest from White Harbor. I left early this morning because I wanted to arrive under the cover of night when the town would be asleep. I’m slightly regretting that decision now. I can’t find my damn cottage.

I bought it online with a local realtor, and I’ve only seen pictures. I need the seclusion that this property offers, but I’ve been driving up and down the road for over an hour trying to find the unmarked entry.

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