Uncharted Paths (Sequel to Downfall)

Mary Allen

Robert’s POV

I quickly grabbed everything I could and put inside one of the bags as the other guys did the same.

“Let’s go!” Deon yelled

I quickly moved to them Belle with a scared look on her face next to Tom

“LEAVE THE CARRIAGE” I yelled “Let’s take the horses!” I said, quickly holding Belle in my arms to climb the horse.

The shotguns, sound of men yelling and horses were getting closer. I could already sense them

“C’mon!”

Tom and Deon were on the other poor horse, who ran bearing both of their weights.

“Take it, Robert!” I looked to Deon who threw a shotgun at me.

I looked back and already saw men running towards us, yelling something I couldn’t understand

“Robert!” Belle yelled, pressing herself tight against me

“It’s ok, Belle” I said “We came this far, we’re not getting enslaved ever again”

I looked back an started to shoot as well, but it was useless, they were more. I looked ahead. There was this river, if we were able to cross it fast, we could shot them while they swam to us.

“DEON!” I yelled “THE RIVER!”

He looked at me with an unsure look on his face, but quicklynodded and headed there

“ROBERT!” Belle yelled “Please no”

“No… what Belle?”

“I-I can’t swim…” she cried “I-I don’t like the water”

I looked at her, remembering her suicide attempt a long time ago. Was there any kind of trauma with water because of that?

“Belle, I’m here. I’m not letting anything happen, ok?”

“No… please I…”

“Don’t you trust me?” I looked at her

“Of course, but”

“Don’t be scared, I’ll hold you. We could swim with the horses but that would slow us down. So all you have to do is kick your legs into the water, ok?” I said

“O-Ok…” she said, still scared.

I dived into the water with the horse, as well as Deon and Tom. I quickly moved away, bringing Belle with me. I started swimming as fast as I could with her

“Ahh” Belle groaned

“It’s ok!” I said reassuring “Just move your legs. I’m right here”

The horses were faster, alone. Deon and Tom right behind them, Belle and I following. I occasionally looked back, they hadn’t still reached the river, but they would soon. So we had to be quick.

“I’m here!” I hear Deon yelling, quickly nabbing the horses so they wouldn’t run away scared.

“Me too!” Tom quickly followed as both started pointing their weapons to the other side.

I took a few more seconds to reach the other side with Belle and as we did, the other men had already reached the water and started shooting.

“GET DOWN!”

“Robert!” Belle cried, scared

“It’s ok, it’s ok” I crawled on the floor with her “Get behind that tree!” I commanded as I pointed back and tried to focus to shoot.