Page 19 of Snows Sinful Seven

Chapter 5

Snow

I’ve never felt fear like this before in my life. So many different emotions are running through me. Betrayal that my father plans to kill me. His own daughter! I knew he wasn’t a good man, but this? He’s more of a monster than the ones who lurk in the woods.

Sorrow over the fact that I have to leave Regina behind. I asked her to come with me, but I should have tried harder, insisted that she join me. I’ve left her behind to defend herself. I only pray that her being the Queen grants her some mercy.

That leaves anger mixed with panic. I shouldn’t have to run from my own home. I shouldn’t be running to save my life.

But here I am, stumbling my way through the dark tunnels, bags tightly clutched in my arms.

A flashlight, darn it, why didn’t I think of bringing one? Stupid, I’m so stupid.

Thankfully, I know these tunnels well enough. I feel the walls, letting them guide me. When I feel nothing but air, I know I’m where the tunnel breaks off. Left or right. Right will lead me deeper into the palace grounds, left is the way out to the forest.

So, I take the left.

After what feels like forever, I reach the exit. I slap my hand along the side of the door, looking for the latch that opens it.

“Come on!” I urge before finding it. With all my strength, I shove it open.

The moonlight hits my eyes, and I squint, needing a second for my eyes to adjust.

The wind howls widely, the rain stinging as it pelts against my face. I pull the hood of my cloak up before ducking my head to try and protect myself.

Of all the nights for a storm, why now, why tonight?

I do my best to shut the door in my haste to get away and take off into the woods.

What do I do? I can’t find a place to ride out the storm; it leaves them time to search for me, to find me.

No, I have to keep going, I have to get as far away from here as I can.

I’ve never been in the forest this late at night with only the moonlight to guide my way. Even that doesn’t offer me help as a cloud moves to block it.

Darkness. It’s almost pitch black.

Looking at the palace behind me, I know that the path is somewhere around here. My eyes try to scan the area around me, but I can hardly see a few feet in front of me.

“No,” I sob, heart pounding as my lungs scream for relief.

A shout behind me has me jumping in fear, forcing me to make my decision. So, I run.

Tears spill down my cheeks, mixing with the rain as I blindly make my way through the forest.

With no path to walk on, I stumble over fallen logs, sending me crashing to the muddy ground. I don’t let it stop me, getting back up and pushing forward.

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