The Girl in the Wilderness

My feet began to get sore from all the running. I could hear the deafening sound of the crickets and the cracks of the twigs under my bare feet. Enveloped in fear, I tried my best to speed up even when my legs were shaking. I muttered a curse underneath my breath when my left foot hit a rock; then came stumbling down the cold, wet pool of water. Great!  

Strands of red were sticking on my sweaty shoulder. I held onto the huge rock beside me and got up with all the strength I could muster. Due to the pumps of adrenaline, I couldn't feel anything; I felt no pain. I started running again. If I stop and slow down, they will surely catch up.  

The sky was dark and the air was moist from the rain. It is still raining; the trees were swaying from the cold bust of wind. My body feels cold; I almost forgot that I have nothing to cover me. Not even a single piece of clothing to keep me warm. I have to find some place to rest because I'm certain my body won't be holding warmth for too long. I will freeze to death if I don't put up a fire anytime now.  

I could hear their voices from their heads, the sound of flaming torches in their grips and the strong gust of wind was undoubtedly their doing. There are too many for me to fight. I did not have a choice but to run away because I'm far too weak. I am powerless against them.  

The rain somehow stopped. There was no cottage in this part of the woods. There are just huge puffs of gray clouds; the forest is foggy tonight. The fog started to blur my sight until I couldn't see anything. I looked down and saw a deep hole just beside a huge tree. Without having a second thought, I jumped into the hole and hid. I'll be staying here until the sun strikes up. I pulled my knees up to my breasts due to the coldness of the ground. Closing my eyes, I felt drowsiness embraced me.  

A rather husky, deep voice stirs me awake. Or was it the blinding streaks of sunlight on my face that woke me up? Perhaps it is the loud chirping of the birds? I do not know. I could feel the wet ground beneath my bareness. Then there came a smooth, manly voice that was very different from the previous one.  

“Is she awake?” That voice is oddly smooth to the ears.  

Based on the tones of their voices I could easily say that they're all men. To find out the owner of those voices, I slowly opened my eyes. There were three brunette heads and one blonde.  

“Moron! Of course she is. You wake her up.” A dark-haired man stood tall on my right, his eyes holding stillness and displeasure. They are the color of ashes. Even with his glasses, those gray orbs sparked of authority.  

“I did not. Gideon did! Look, he's sipping from that boar so loudly!” I glanced at the blonde one they call Gideon, his back is facing us so I couldn't see clearly what he's doing.  

Ah, there are too many voices. My head started to spin. I shut my eyes for a second, hoping to stop the dizziness.  

“She's naked.”  

“Stop staring at her body, you pervert!”  

I opened my eyes and saw that I am indeed of no clothing! I quickly covered my body with my arms.  

“Who's naked?” Vibrant blonde locks came into sight, his eyes lit in the brightest of blues. The stranger beamed at me with a cute smile. My lips parted at the sight of blood all over his mouth, sharp fangs covered in red.  

“Hello there!” The blonde greeted me, his lips dripping with blood. I gasped in horror. Somehow my throat ran parched, I couldn't speak up. I want to gag even when there's no water left in my throat.  

“Gideon!” A tall, gray eyed man scolded him.  

The blonde who goes by the name Gideon wiped the corner of his lips abruptly.  

“Sorry about that.” Gideon smiled meekly before scratching the back of his head.  

What in the world are they? They are like dangerous predators, with those sharp teeth. They are not human to me.  

“Let's take her home first.” Said the gray eyed one.  

My brows furrowed in confusion.  

“Izaac, carry the girl.”  

“Izaac hates girls. I will carry her!” Gideon volunteered, raising his hand in the air.  

Izaac is the one with the black hair and emerald eyes. He darted a glare at Gideon and moved closer to me.  

“Move. I will carry her.” Izaac insisted with a stern voice.  

“Daniel, give me your shirt.” Izaac stared at Daniel.  

Confusion was written all over Daniel's face. His hair is dark like the other two. The color of his eyes was black as well. He looked playful like Gideon but his voice was manly and smooth.  

“What? Why? I'm not taking my shirt off! There's a girl here.” Daniel eyed me cautiously. I almost rolled my eyes. My, for a guy, he is really fussy.  

I could feel Izaac looking annoyed even when his back was facing me. Izaac managed to get Daniel's shirt and lay it on top of my body. I almost forgot that I am naked as they talk like I'm not here. It's embarrassing.  

“We have to get going. The others might smell her from here.” The gray eyed man looked at me.  

“Ambrose is right. We don't want to lose our food do we?” Daniel agreed with a playful grin across his face.  

Food? What food? Does he mean the two dead boars on Gideon's grip?  

Before I knew it, a pair of sturdy muscles gripped my back and thighs. A yelp came out of my lips. Suddenly I was lifted up to the ground. The three men started walking to I don't know where but we are currently in the middle of the forest. Gideon carries two boars, dragging them along the wet ground. Are they some sort of hunters?  

Izaac was calm and quiet the whole time as he carried me. I'm not sure how heavy I weigh but he's actually carrying me with ease as if I'm as light as a feather. Surely I am not that heavy am I?  

His face was fixed towards the path we're currently heading. From up this close I could see his features clearly. His eyes of the darkest greens, lips as if painted of the faintest pink, and that stubborn jaw. He is indeed attractive but I think he's not the talkative type. 

We have reached the river. I could hear the gushing of water and the falls nearby. The splashing was soothing to the ears.  

I tugged Izaac's shirt, “Water.” I managed to say. My voice is hoarse and shaky.  

He looked at me and glanced at the other three that are already a few miles from us. Izaac put me down and helped me drink from the river. The water is cold and almost salty. I couldn't complain more because I needed the drink.  

“I can walk.” I tried to stand up but failed, I gripped onto his arms so I wouldn't fall into the river.  

Izaac looked at me like I'm some cat that he wants to just leave here but is forced to take care of. To be blunt, I didn't care what he thought. I just don't want to owe him anything after this. If he didn't want to help, he shouldn't have volunteered!  

“Your body is far too weak. Let me carry you. Don't make this hard for me.” He said, giving me a stern look.  

I didn't even ask him to carry me! My, I'm starting to hate this man more and more.  

“We have to speed up.” Izaac did not ask and before I could speak up, he carried me again and in only a few seconds, we walked alongside with the other three.  

I shut my eyes, trying not to throw up. Although I badly wanna spit on Izaac's face but that's just disgusting and rude. I'm not brusque and vile like him.  

“You can't speed up like that! The girl is unwell. She might throw up and die.” Ambrose scolded and his eyes were deadly serious.  

“Her body might not take it. She's not one of us.” Gideon glared at Izaac.  

Izaac looked at me as he raised his one eyebrow. Regret did not even go past those merciless, emerald eyes.  

“She's alright.” The corner of his lips slightly curved up.  

How I wish I could strangle him right now but I can't because I'm hungry and my body is too low on energy. This man is downright rude!  

“The girl may not be like us but she's different.” Izaac paused.  

“She's not human either; otherwise she wouldn't have survived the fog last night.” He finished with a blank expression.  

He fixed his gaze on me as if trying to figure me out. Those green orbs were like a black hole that drew me in and before I fall too deep, I broke the contact. I looked away as I was confused so myself. Looking back at my memories from last night, I only remember my name: Feyre Wells. Is that even my real name? I'm not sure. Everything's just messed up.