CHAPTERS 36 AND 37
CHAPTERS 36 AND 37
posted by Cat @ 9:42 PM
Monday, November 08, 2004
About Me
- Name: Cat
- Location: BULLARD, Texas, United States
C.R.Myers is a Texan—born and bred in the Lone Star State. A English/Drama teacher by profession, she received her M. A. from the University of Texas at Tyler. As a teacher and professional speaker, she designed and implemented her own creative course as well as writing college sketches, which were performed on a local television station. She decided to start writing seriously only within the last few years. Since then, she has written eleven novels. Black Ice/Shadowed Road was her first published novel. Since then, Through the Shadows, Red, Red Rose, Lady’s Game, Shattered Illusion, and Blonde Logic have been published as well as nine other stories sold to area newspapers and magazines. Through her writing, she has received cards and letters from fans from all over the US and fifteen different countries. The books have sold well and the reviews have been strong, leading to seven book signings and two out of state appearances. Two of the books have been chosen as books to be presented in Austin at the Texas Book Festival.
Previous Posts
- CHAPTER 35
- Seige Tower
- TIMELESS FIRE CHAPTER 34
- CHAPTER 33
- Legionary
- CHAPTER 32
- San Pietro
- CHAPTER 31
- Airel View
- CHAPTER 30
1 Comments:
CHAPTER 36
Nicadea jerked around.
“You, boy. Follow me.”
She stared at the red-headed man, trying to think of an excuse not to go. Nothing came to mind. If she tried to run, he’d catch and bring her back. Probably beat her. She fell in behind him, desperate to come up with a plan.
He stepped into a tent on the far edge of the camp. She could see him waiting for her as she approached. The camp had quietened down for the night. As she stepped into the tent, she realized her stomach was in knots. Her body trembled with fear. This couldn’t be happening.
“Come here. Don’t be afraid. We’re going to become good friends.”
His voice was low and slightly slurred. He’d been drinking. She could smell it his breath from two feet away. She looked down—careful not to meet his eyes.
“I am pledged to the General. He is expecting me.”
The man laughed. “He has someone with him. He won’t want you to be interrupting him right now.”
She took a step back.
“Come. I need help with my clothes.”
She swallowed hard and stepped toward him. The way he was leering at her, she knew he wouldn’t wait to undress to make a grab for her. Her choices were limited and time was running out.
He made a grab for her arm, jerking her to him with a violent abruptness. His rancid body odor choked her as she tried to pull away. She pushed against him, but her efforts were weak and ineffective.
“Come on, now. You’re going to like what I’m going to do to you.”
His slobbery lips planted themselves resolutely on her neck. It was more than she could bear. Twisting around, she brought all her strength to kick him solidly in the groin. He went down like the mighty oak he was, crashing loudly and taking all in his reach with him. Nicadea picked up a large pottery vase and broke it over his head. He lay still.
She didn’t think she’d killed him, but didn’t intend to wait around to find out. Working quickly she dumped several pieces of fruit and a plate of cheese and bread into head cloth. Tucking it under her arm, she slipped out of the tent. The woods were only a few feet farther. She wanted to run, but couldn’t chance the attention a page running the woods would bring.
As she walked past the middle of the camp, a movement out the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned in time to see the general coming out of his tent. Had he seen something? Heard something? Was he coming after her? She tried not to walk faster—not to appear as if she were running away.
When she looked back a few minutes later, he was gone.
Chapter 37
Niki tried to pretend she was alone. It didn’t work, of course, but she tried it anyway. There he was—five feet away, and he might as well have been sitting right in front of her. The sun was hot, beating on her already overheated skin. She closed her eyes against its brightness, but it didn’t help. Behind her lids she saw him, green-eyed, auburn-haired devil of a man, moving toward her for a kiss.
“Want something to drink?”
Her eyes flew open. His face was only inches from her own. “Yes.” She would have said anything to stop what would surely have happen if he’d stayed. She waited until he’d left before getting up. Maybe she should take a swim. He would know she was running away, but so what? At least she’d be safe. Wouldn’t she?
The water felt nice rolling across her feet. The sun flashed across the waves like billions of sparkling diamonds. She waded in to her thighs and embraced them like a lover, throwing her arms out and letting them carry her far across the blue water. For the first time in days she felt happy. Maybe she could make this work. Michael wouldn’t brutalize her—she felt sure of that. She’d just have to play it cool. If she could just manage to get through this honeymoon, everything would be all right.
The salt made her light and buoyant. Before she realized it she had floated far from the shore. Too far. She tried to turn around, but the waves were too strong. The water seemed angry, churning. She was tiring and the current pulled at her. She started to sink. Frightened, she started swimming in earnest now, but the shoreline was disappearing. She’d never make it. That was her last thought as she began to sink down under the waves.
Thorned branches pulled at her Nicadea's robe, slowing her down, tripping her in the darkness. Still, she pushed on. When the red-headed man’s body was discovered, everyone would be searching for the killer—her—a page. A loud noise followed by a crashing through the underbrush told her she’d disturbed a small animal. A hanging vine tore at her hood, and then her hair. Still, she kept up her pace. She must get far away.
By dawn, she was exhausted. The woods yawned ahead of her for as far as she could see. She had to get some rest. But where? She looked up. The ancient oak tree stretched high, its limbs large. She would rest there for a time. By the time she was ready to continue her journey, the army would have already passed on.
High up in the tree, she felt safe. She looked out over the forest, getting a feel for the lay of the land. She was close to the forest edge—much closer than she had realized. Beyond that was a clearing. She would cross tomorrow. She took out her small stash of food. She was hungry. She would have to hunt more food tomorrow, but for tonight, she would be full.
Post a Comment
<< Home