Chapter 69 : Buried Alive

*Alec*

I woke up to darkness, my body aching, and a heavy weight on my chest. As my eyes adjusted to the fading light of day, I realized I was in the woods. Trees towered over me, their branches dancing in the breeze. I groaned and tried to move. I went rigid, panting through the pain that shot through me. As it ebbed, I pushed a little harder against the heavy weight on top of me.

What was on top of me? I smelled blood, mostly mine, but there was also the dirt of dug-up earth and fallen leaves.

Had someone tried to bury me? I almost snorted. It was just like Lukas’ men to do a half-ass job on even the simplest task. My stomach lurched as I rolled down the small burial mound to the forest floor. The world spun around me. I could feel that my injuries had started to close. I needed food and rest. I needed shelter if the darkened sky meant oncoming rain.

I tried to stand, but my body screamed in protest. I choked on the pain, curling up as the sound of the evening and the fore