There was another opening between buildings so I took it. My footsteps made no noise over the brick path but my ragged breathing sounded like hurricane force winds. When the pathway brought me out to another road, I saw my chance and took it.
Every inch of my legs and feet burned, screaming in protest, but I couldn’t stop. My lungs were squeezed tight, my heart pounding against my chest. Each breath I took scorched a path down my throat. I tried to listen for footsteps behind me but the only thing I could hear was my own pulse in my ears.
The road I was on turned dark and silent. No lights. No wind. No ocean waves crashing onto the shore. I pumped my arms and dug my heels in and ran faster. Shadows jumped and moved as I went by. I kept glancing behind me, but there was only empty darkness.
When my path ran right into another street, I didn’t hesitate. I turned right and charged toward the only lights I saw. The sign at the huge intersection said something about Beverly and Ipswich. The only thing that told me was that I remembered how to read, nothing else. It meant nothing to me. None of this did. The street around me was silent and empty in every direction.
A cold gust of wind ripped up from my left and it felt like needles piercing my skin. I took a deep breath then gagged. The air smelled sickeningly sweet, like maple syrup. Metal clanked and clashed behind me. I glanced over my shoulder just as the wolf-monster leapt out onto the road thirty feet behind me. I cursed and stumbled – then ran straight into a wooden bench. I breathed in, choking on the bitter cold air as my eyes watered and pain shot up my legs.
A loud, menacing growl erupted behind me, making the ground tremble under my bare feet. It sent tingles up my body and made my teeth rattle together.
No, no, no, no, no.
RUN. Run, run, run.
My legs hissed and screamed in pain as I sprinted down the street toward lights in the distance. Then I saw something that gave me hope…sticking up above the buildings and trees was a steeple with a big golden cross sitting on top. My heart fluttered. Churches are always open, aren’t they? I kept my eyes on that brick building and sprinted for it. On the front, facing the road, were two sets of stone steps and three wooden doors. If I could just get there—
The wooden doors in the middle flew open and I choked on a squeal. Happy tears rushed to my eyes and my heart fluttered. My body felt lighter as I dashed toward the open door. There was a person there. So close. I threw my arms up to wave them down, opening my mouth to scream for help, when a massive person stepped out from behind the open door.
A person with wide shoulders, long legs, and a black hood cloaking half his face.
NO.
WHAT.
HOW?
My steps faltered and I stumbled forward. He looked up and our eyes met. All the tears I’d been fighting broke free and pooled in my eyes, blurring my vision. It didn’t make any sense. He couldn’t have moved that fast. I’d just seen him by those buildings in the middle of the street – how did he get inside the church?
He narrowed his golden eyes then reached down and pulled something as long as his arm off of his hip. He swung his arm up and the object glistened like silver in the glow off the street light – I gasped. SILVER. It was a sword. The sharp edges flashed and my heart trembled. My stomach tightened into knots then sank like rocks in the ocean.
Move, move, move, move, move!
I ran as fast as I could in the opposite direction. A foul taste rose in my throat. I was done for. He was going to catch me or I was going to freeze to death. I peeled my gaze off of him and looked in front of me — and slid to a stop.
A woman stood in the middle of the street with her hands up. Her eyes widened. “Good heavens, child, are you all right?”
Chapter Three
Saffie
She looked me up and down, then her face paled. Leaping toward me in a few swift movements, she slipped her black coat off and wrapped it around my shoulders. The warmth was so sudden and intense it forced tears to rain down my cheeks. I didn’t know why I did it, or why I assumed she was trustworthy, but I collapsed in her arms.
“Just breathe, child,” the woman said in a low, soft voice as she hugged me tight. “That’s right, deep breath in. Deep breath out. Keep going.”
I blocked everything else out and just focused on her melodic voice and the warmth I desperately needed. With each breath my sobbing slowed and my chest grew a little bit lighter. I didn’t know how long we stood there like that, but after a while she stepped back and slid her arms down to my elbows.
I glanced over my shoulder, but he was nowhere in sight. Relief washed through me.
“Whatever happened, I’m going to help you, all right?” Her voice brought my gaze back to her. She ducked her head to meet my eyes. “But we need to get you out of this nineteen-degree weather without pants or shoes on. Come on.”
I nodded and let her take me by the hand and lead me onto the sidewalk, then to the second building on the left. It was three stories and made of dark brown, almost black wood panels. Plants hung from the two windowsills on the first floor. There were potted plants on each of the steps up to the front door and twinkling lights draped above the entrance.
The woman walked up the few steps and opened the door, then she turned back and waved for me to follow. I hesitated. I didn’t know this woman. I didn’t even know where I was or who I was. Knowing my name didn’t exactly count.
Where’d that guy go?
I scanned every shadow…but I didn’t see him anywhere. I didn’t trust that he’d run off. I’d already learned that the hard way. I gasped. The wolf. I’d almost forgotten about it. But it was nowhere to be seen either, nor did I hear any growling.
Weight draped around my body – I jumped—
“It’s okay. Just a blanket,” the woman said with a smile and kind blue eyes.
I looked down at myself and realized I hadn’t put my arms in the jacket she’d given me — what is that? There was some kind of mark on my arm. I frowned and lifted it up to my face. My eyes widened. It was a…tattoo. Yeah, yeah, that’s the word for that. Right there in the middle of my left forearm, taking up the entire width of my arm, were black shapes. The first was a big X, then three straight lines. I had no recollection of this, but I was going to just add that to the list of things I couldn’t remember.
The woman moved to stand in front of me, still smiling. “You have to be freezing out here.”
I bit my lip and eyed the door. It looked warm and cozy inside…but…
“It’s all right, dear, we don’t have to go inside.” She guided me to the steps then urged for me to sit down. Once I did, she grinned and held something out in front of her. “Lift your feet, please.”
For some reason…I did as she asked.
She slid big black boots onto my feet. They were so warm and fuzzy I actually sighed. Then I realized what she’d done – she gave me a coat, a blanket, and shoes. My heart fluttered and it chased away that chill on my spine.
I looked up at her and tried my best to smile but it was all wobbly. “T-t-thank y-y-you.”
She sat beside me, wearing her own fuzzy blanket wrapped around her. “I’m Landreia Night, this here is my home and my store.”
I cleared my throat. “I’m…I’m Saraphina.”