Chapter 3: The Escape

Ivy’s POV

My whole body was shaking in the cold cell. Sitting in the corner, I ran my fingers through my blue hair, which used to make me unique but now only served as a reminder of all I had lost. As I considered all that had transpired, my heart ached. I was preparing for my mating ritual just yesterday. I was now being treated like a criminal in this gloomy jail.

A little window high up on the wall was the sole source of light. I could see the soiled stone walls around me since it let in just enough moonlight. The musty, wet scent of the cell suggested that no one had been there for a while. They may not have used these cells very often, so that could have been a positive thing. Or maybe it was a warning sign—perhaps inmates had not been here for very long.

I tried to ignore the notion by shaking my head. That's not how I could think. I have to be resilient.

My parents were always on my mind. Were they alright? Were they also in such cells? Or worse, someplace? I couldn't get the letter from my mother out of my head. She'd written, "We lied to save you," "We're not guilty. The horrible things they said we had done were untrue. We simply said lies because we believed they would keep you safe.

I put my arms over my knees and drew them up to my chest. I didn't care that my ceremonial garment was now ripped and filthy. Finding a way out of here was the only thing that mattered.

I looked up at the sound of voices. I heard two guards conversing softly as they passed my cell. I tried to listen to what they had to say by pressing myself against the bars.

"Tomorrow at dawn," said one of the guards. "The Alpha wants it done quickly."

The other said, "All three of them?"

"Yes. The daughter comes after the parents.

My blood became icy. They were discussing our execution. daybreak tomorrow. My heart began to beat so quickly that it was painful. I was having trouble breathing. They intended to murder us!

No! I couldn't allow this to occur. I couldn't pass away in this manner. I had to go!

Desperate to find anything that may assist, I sprang to my feet and scanned my cell. I saw a little crack in the wall at that moment. Although it wasn't particularly large, it may be sufficient. I exerted all of my effort on it, attempting to enlarge it. As I pushed and pushed, sweat trickled down my cheeks. I continued despite my fingertips hurting from brushing on the hard stone.

The crack would not go away. Stone trashes fell free, but not enough. I knew I had to be quiet, but I wanted to shout in fury. I continued to work on the wall until my fingers were bleeding and sore.

And then I heard footsteps once again. Someone was on the way! I tried to conceal what I had been doing by pressing myself against the wall. I was certain that whoever it was would hear my heart pounding so loudly.

The door opened with a squeak. Across the cage, I could smell the booze on one of the guards as he staggered in. He was intoxicated! He shocked to his feet, his eye lookingaimlessly around the dungeon.

His keys fell from his belt as he turned to go. With a gentle clink, the keys dropped just in front of my cell. The guard just moved as if he was drunk and leave the dungeon, leaving the keys on the floor, without even noticing.

In order to confirm that he was really gone, I held my breath. His retreating footsteps were the only sound in the prison. This was my opportunity!

I stretched as far as I could through the bars, my hands shaking. They could hardly reach the keys. Once, twice, my fingertips touched them... there! Taking hold of them, I dragged them inside my cell.

Finding the correct key took three attempts, but I was certain that someone would hear the metal scraping against the lock each time. The lock finally clicked open. In the silent dungeon, the sound sounded as loud as thunder.

I crept into the dark corridor from my cell. I was afraid my heart might explode from the speed at which it was thumping. I had to keep silent. I needed to exercise caution. It would all end with a one misstep.

I slipped along the wall, the stone floor freezing under my bare feet. I froze at every shadow, believing it to be a guard. My heart jumped at every distant sound or groan.

Then I heard actual footsteps approaching—heavy boots on stone. And unlike the inebriated guard, they were not stumbling. They were approaching from all sides!

"Run!" cried my thoughts. I began to run as quickly as I could. I was ahead of the entrance to the outdoors. It was visible to me! Freedom was so near!

Behind me, a guard yelled, "There she is!"

My heart almost stopped. I had been seen! My legs were burning as I ran faster. As additional guards joined the hunt, the cries behind me became increasingly intense. The stone floor was thundered by their boots.

When I got to the door, it was locked! Despite my best efforts, I was unable to get the handle to move. My chest was filled with panic. I was confined!

The window high up on the wall caught my attention. It was my only opportunity. As the soldiers approached, I could hear their cries reverberating off the walls. I had to hurry!

I sprang to my feet and grasped the window's edge. I scraped my arm on the hard stone, feeling pain, but I persisted. Using all of my remaining power, I managed to pull myself up. I could now hear the guards breathing since they were so near.

I eventually got through the window and onto the roof. The wind tugged at my ripped garment, and the night air felt chilly on my cheeks. I could see the guards pointing up at me as they ran out of the building down below. I was unable to remain here.

The trumpet was then heard by me. Three deep, protracted booms reverberated through the darkness. My blood froze. That was the warning sign for the group. To find me, they were calling on everyone.

I tried not to glance down as I raced along the roof's edge. I was so scared and tired that my legs were trembling, yet I was unable to stop. Ahead was the jungle. Maybe I could hide if I could only get to the woods.

However, I could hear footsteps approaching from behind. Now the guards were also on the roof! They moved too quickly! As they drew closer, I could hear their boots on the tiles.

When I got to the forest's edge, I came to a complete halt. In front of me was a cliff. The river rushed by below, its dark water glowing black in the moonlight. My head spun because the plunge was so far down.

Heights frightened me. They had always frightened me. I was never able to climb trees like the other kids, even as a youngster. That old terror returned with a vengeance as he gazed down at the flowing river below.

But I was powerless. The guards would arrive soon. They were yelling for me to give up, and I could hear it. More soldiers with torches were approaching from behind them. The whole pack would arrive soon.

I hurried to the brink and jumped without giving it any more thought. I briefly felt like I was soaring into the night. The wind whipped past me, tugging at my hair and clothing. The officers yelling above me was the last thing I heard.

I slammed into the water. It was like to striking a wall. My whole body was stunned by the cold water, which forced breath out of my lungs. The river was more powerful than I had anticipated; it dragged me beneath and whirled me about till I couldn't tell which way was up.

I was pulled downstream and away from the pack lands by the water. Out of my life and all I knew. The air burnt in my chest. I struggled against the water, feeling as if my arms and legs were made of lead.

A part of me wanted to just let go and follow the river wherever it led. What was left for me to fight for? I had been living a lie my whole life. My parents were probably already deceased. Every person I had ever loved had betrayed me.

However, something inside of me refused to give up. Perhaps it was obstinacy. Perhaps it was rage. Or maybe it was hope that I would discover the truth about who I really was, somewhere, in some way.

I struggled against the river with all I had left. Air roared out of my lungs. My skin felt like it was being stabbed by hundreds of needles since the water was so cold. In an attempt to get to the surface, I kicked forcefully.

Faces passed through my head as the world around me began to darken. My folks. Derek. Angel. My existence is a jumble of truth and falsehoods. Was I not the one who was picked? Had I been living a lie my whole life? Or was there more to this tale than was generally understood?

After then, everything became black, and the river swept me out into the night, away from all I had ever known, and toward whatever destiny lay in the shadows.