Sworn Enemies

My eyes fluttered open as light peeked through my window, warming up the side of my face. I rose from my bed quickly, walking over to the window to peer outside. The sun had risen yet it was still eerily silent. It was a silence I knew all too well. The melodious chirping of the birds that usually woke me from my slumber was absent this morning. Even the birds could sense it, quieting down to disguise their presence when they sensed the danger in the air.

He’d found me again.

I quickly got dressed, throwing on my usual faded leather jacket, tattered cargo pants, and combat boots before slowly opening up my door.

I felt the slight sting in the back of my eyeballs as my hazel eyes shifted to blood red. The formerly dim hallway became clearer and more illuminated as my eyesight sharpened to adjust to the darkness.

I tiptoed soundlessly down the hall, my senses sharpened as I expected the worst. I only made it a few feet before I heard another pair of footsteps shuffling nearby. Ignoring my racing heartbeat, I picked up my pace as I focused on making it to the front door. I heard the footsteps quicken, hearing the heavy stomps begin to close the distance between us.

I grasped the knob, letting out a sigh of relief as I began to twist it open. My respite was short lived as I felt a strong hand close around my free one.

“Where do you think you’re going?” a raspy voice demanded, tightening his grip on my hand. I recognized that voice anywhere. It was one of my father’s right hand men, Ezra. If he was sending one of his personal guards, he must really want me dead.

“Alright Ezra,” I said, raising my hands up in surrender as I turned slowly to face him.

Surprised at how quickly I’d given up, his grip on my hand loosened. Finding the opening I needed to escape, I yanked my hand away and flung open the door.

“You little-” he yelled after me, cursing loudly as he struggled to chase after me.

I turned my head, noticing his large, clumsy figure galloping after me. I had the advantage with speed but he was twice my size, covering twice my distance with each step. I scanned my surroundings, searching for an escape.

“You can’t run forever!” Ezra yelled after me.

Ignoring him, I focused my sights ahead and spotted a river. It was a river I frequented to escape my father's wrath.

Knowing Ezra wouldn’t come after me if I went in the water, I surged forward straight into the river. As soon as the water reached my ankles, I dived forward immersing myself deeper in it’s waters.

“D*mnit Wuro, why do you have to make everything so difficult?” Ezra complained, a hint of regret evident in his wavering voice.

I treaded water, backing up and putting more distance between me and the water’s edge where Ezra stood.

“I promise I’ll make it quick. You won’t feel a thing,” Ezra promised solemnly. Ezra was many things but he wasn’t a liar. But I wasn’t going to offer myself up as a lamb to be slaughtered either.

I looked around, struggling to find an escape where Ezra wouldn’t reach me.

“You won’t escape,” Ezra said sadly, his expression unreadable.

“I’m not going to let you kill me,” I snarled defiantly. He stood menacingly, declaring himself my executioner as many had before. I was so furious I didn’t even notice the sharp pain as my fangs sprung from my gums.

My relationship with my father could best be described as a game of hide and seek. I was constantly moving around, taking up residence in abandoned areas but he’d always find me. His assassins would show up to finish me off. I’d brushed death more times than I could count, coming out unscathed each time. I wasn’t going to let that streak break now.

“You can’t tread water forever. I’m not leaving until you’re dead,” Ezra said coldly. The hesitation in his eyes was gone as briefly as it had come, replaced with a steely resolve.

There was only one way out where he couldn’t come after me. Mustering up all the strength I had left, I started backing up quickly.

“Wuro, stop,” Ezra said, stepping a foot into the water. His smug face had quickly morphed into one of astonishment once he realized what I was doing.

I turned, swimming faster as I got closer to the river’s edge. I pushed forward, feeling the water steepen as the edge approached.

“WURO!” Ezra yelled.

Ignoring his protests, I swam on. My thick curls kept falling in my face, shielding my vision. Thankfully the current was pushing me forward, ensuring I stayed on course. I quickly pushed my hair back and out of my face, clearly seeing where the murky gray watercourse plunged from the cliff.

I wasn’t sure if I’d make it but at least I’d be far away from my father. He couldn’t come after me if I crossed the river. The waterfall was the only thing separating us from them. Beyond the cliff was werewolf territory.