castle runaway. ˡᵉᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵍʰʸᵘᶜᵏ

FIFTEEN

Monique's POV

Around twelve midnight, I chose to stay over in a random tree in the woods where I found its thick roots comfortable for a sleep. For the first time in weeks, I hated myself because I didn't read anything about survival in the woods. I was too focused on escaping that I forgot about surviving.

I had quite a sleep in there and I woke up early in the morning. They might start a search of me later on. I stood up from the tree and continued on my way.

Of course I didn't expect a fancy breakfast for the morning so I went off to find some fruit to eat. Like I'm any Sylvaine, who had such a stick to have it summon a table of food.

I saw an apple tree and it was unusually short. I decided to get two from it. I bit from one of it and the juice of the apple dripped down my lips. I licked it up and walked to find water. Again, I hate myself for not studying the woods if there was a nearby river.

Just then and there, I remembered about Mark's friend, Simon, but I have completely lost my way and I don't know where to go. I just wished there would be a river as I ate the apple which was my only breakfast.

I finished both of the apples and I looked around the woods. The sun was shining above the sky in the east. Birds chirped nearby and the wind brushed through my face and through the leaves in the trees.

I wondered and wondered through what feels like an endless woods. I don't know where I was headed and I didn't choose any kingdom to stay because the King and Queen of Crescent would send a search in every kingdom, from far to near.

I would probably die at night because of the cold. I might haven't felt the cold last night because I was warmed by the feeling of being free.

Free.

That's what I am now. I might be alone, but I'm free.

I wandered the woods for hours and the sun was hitting my skin more softly, indicating that it was the start of the afternoon. I was thirsty and if I would stay for more than three days wandering with no direction to go, I would lose my hope. I just can't start in a random tree.

I have no experience of anything but being a pretend princess and a rag doll. A professional liar and a mask-wearing girl. I need to find someone who can help me start a new life, but of course, I don't know who.

My feet felt tired from all the walking so I decided to sit on a tree root to let my tired little feet rest. My stomach was growling, like there was indeed a hungry monster literally begging for food and would eat my stomach if I'm not going to find anything to eat.

I looked around and saw that I'm sitting under a mango tree. There were mangoes hanging on the small branches, but they were too high above.

Hungry, I really don't care about being injured. I've been in worst situations. I tried climbing up the tree and the first few attempts was not very lucky but my nth try was successful.

I balanced myself towards a branch with golden mangoes hanging from it. I sat on the branch and slowly took two mangoes. I probably look like a she-monkey right now, considering maybe a messy hair, dirty night gown and bruised legs and knees.

I peeled the mango using my nails since there was no knives. I bit unto it and remained in there until I have finished both of the mangoes I took. My hands was sticky and I was still insanely thirsty as I got off the tree.

I earned another batch of wounds. It's gonna be another rough day.. or week.

•••

It has been.. I don't know. Days? Ever since the third day in the woods hit me, I know wandering would take me to nothing. My depression was slowly eating me up again and I cry every time I trudge and move on, trying to find the direction of my new life.

They're wrong. I can't do this alone. Growing up in a castle makes someone so dependent to every person around them and when they're not there anymore, you don't know what to do.

I was lost, cold, hungry, thirsty and have a great need of a shelter. Every night, I slept on trees, either underneath or on the branch. When I do sleep on a branch, I gain another set of wounds so I mostly stay on the ground.

My night gown was now dirty and still, I passed by no river so I don't know what I look like right now. Do I look like a lost puppy? A lost monkey, I guess? Do I look like a beggar now? I slapped myself. When did I care about my looks?

I felt so dirty and itchy. Not bathing for days felt like hell and the lashes in my back from the whip of the punisher started to hurt again.

I probably look like some mental patient now. I feel like I'm slowly losing my sanity everyday. Thousands of questions corrupted my mind and no one can answer them, not even me.

Would someone find me and take me back? Or help me? Would they bring me back for gold? Would I even live now that I'm hungry, thin, bruised and I look like a crazy witch?

The night in the woods scared me now and I flinch at every sound I hear. That's why I sometimes stay put under a tree and wait for morning to come.

Every night was almost sleepless. The sounds of the crickets, the whistles of the wind, the howls of wolves miles away. I can't help but be paranoid at everything. I feel like a mad woman now.

It was another day of trudging through the woods. The places around me were unknown. No surprise though. I've never been outside in my whole life, only in the town and in the palace gardens.

I honestly feel like I was dying and all I can think about is that my hope would be all but gone.

"House," I gasped, my saliva drying on my tongue and throat. "House..!" I exclaimed more clearly.

There was a small house on my right. My feet muddy and bruised, I ran towards it without thinking twice. I don't care if the house is abandoned. I can now start my life there. It might be far from civilization, but that was the good thing.

My ankle bent sideways and I tripped on my run to the hut. I stood back up, walking hastily towards the small home. I fell on my knees when I arrived at the porch and I crawled next to the door.

I reached my hand out for the door knob but I was suddenly feeling dizzy. My head ached so hard and I was trying to catch my breath. My vision became blurry until it was all but black.

•••