𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 · 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥 ⁴

𝟒.𝟓

─── 「REMEMBER WHO I AM」 ───

     I tried to get rid of the ties around my wrists, but I couldn't. I heard Ulger leaving on his horse, his laughter echoing through my ears as I felt my mind racing. Alright, think, Sam, this is not the time to panic. We don't know where we are but we know it's probably far from Polis; it's also nighttime so chances are nocturnal animals are out on the hunt, especially panthers. Great, as if I weren't in enough trouble as it is. Different type of training? My ass. He's trying to get rid of me; this is payback for this afternoon.

I had the blindfold still covering my eyes, but I closed them anyway to help me focus on my hearing: the rustle of leaves, the chirping of bats around me... I also focused on what I couldn't hear: there were no voices around me –not that I expected them but, at this point, who knew-, there wasn't any water murmur either so that must have meant he left me in the literal middle of the forest... Yeah, but in what direction? Towards Arkadia? No, he wouldn't risk me going back there... would he? I opened my eyes, darkness welcoming me again. I need to locate my position. With the torches in Polis, I didn't even bother checking if there was a moon outside or if there were clouds. Big mistake.

I need to move before something catches my smell... but, first, I need this rope gone. Ulger had made a point to tie it as hard as he could, which was an inconvenience for me, but I knew I could get rid of it with patience and time. Problem is, I'm running out of patience and I don't have the time. I'll be happy just with my hands to the front.

I separated myself from the tree I was resting my back against to make sure I had space to move and I rose; I stood still after doing so for a couple of minutes to make sure there wasn't a potential threat around, at least not one that I could hear... I knew I needed as few things on my way as possible, so I took off my boots and started maneuvering my hands to try to make the rope as loose as possible before attempting what Ion had taught me. I didn't have the patience or will to wait much longer so, as soon as I got my boots off, I slid my hands down my back, squatting down once I got them to my ass. Yes! Thank you, Ion! I fell back on my ass as my hands were now behind my knees. That wasn't so bad... I heard a branch crack behind me. Fuck. I moved my legs slightly up to put them through my tied arms, feeling a sharp pain on my outer right one as I finally got my hands to the front; I immediately pulled my blindfold down. Not tying my feet too was a dumb move, Ulger. Another broken branch. Can I, please, get a second to breathe down here?!

I looked around me as I struggled to put my boots on again. I need this tie, gone. Now. Another broken branch behind me, my heart racing as I felt a shiver running down my spine; I quickly turned my body towards the noise, immediately relaxing as I distinguished the shape of a deer a couple of meters away from me, so I took a deep breath and smiled to myself.

- "You gave me a good scare there, buddy."

The deer rose its head towards me just a second before a shadow lunged towards it, growling before it hit the deer. A panther. Fuck, it's time to go before it decides I'm a much nutritious meal. I started moving away from both animals, not bothering to look back and not really knowing where I was moving towards, which was a dumb move on my part, but my life was far more precious than the time I was wasting running around. Once I was sure I was alone again, I patted myself as best as I could to check if Ulger had taken all my blades. Hold up. I moved my hands to my right lower leg. Yes. The blade I kept hidden in my boot was still there; I had made sure to use something to tie it up every day just in case, but I had totally forgotten about it as I struggled earlier with my ties, hence the sharp pain on my arm as I had cut myself while moving my hands under my legs. Awesome, now, with some luck...