Realizing too late that I'm gone, that I've slipped past him, that the open door was an opportunity I took.
But I don't stop.
Don't look back.
Don't let fear or second thoughts or the memory of Vaughn's hands on me slow me down.
I just run.
The forest closes around me like a refuge.
Trees and undergrowth and blessed, beautiful cover that hides me from view.
I can hear shouting behind me now.
Callum, probably calling for backup.
Maybe calling Vaughn.
Definitely mobilizing to come after me.
But I have a head start.
And I'm fast when I'm running from something.
I've done this before—ran from the Sanctuary in the middle of the night, made it all the way to Little Rock before Sarah caught me.
I can do it again.
I have to do it again.
Because behind me is Vaughn and the cage and the slow, seductive surrender to something I can't let myself want.
Behind me is training and performance and becoming someone's obedient acquisition.
Behind me is losing myself completely.
And ahead?—
Ahead is unknown.
Dangerous. Probably impossible.
But it's mine.
My choice. My risk. My freedom.
Even if it only lasts a couple of days.
Even if he finds me and drags me back.
Even if this is the stupidest thing I've ever done.
At least I'll know I tried.
At least I'll know I chose to run instead of choosing to stay.
At least I'll have these moments of freedom, however brief, however doomed.
