Runaway (The Knight Society #1)

2 years later...

Sprinting through the forest, I made loud and liberal use of some of the more colourful words in my vocabulary. People would be surprised what you can learn after spending a couple of days in some of the grittiest parts of town. It was like they had their own language, and I was putting it to full use as I crashed through the dense undergrowth. The task made somewhat more difficult by the fact I was trying to open the tube strapped to my back at the same time. Finally, the top popped off and I yanked out my sword, quickly recapping and swinging the tube onto my back again. Not the easiest mode of transport, but I could hardly go and get my morning cup of coffee with a sword hanging off my belt could I?

Foot after foot, I tumbled through the forest. Trees, roots, and branches cut and slashed my arms and legs as I stumbled blindly through the never ending wrangle of trees. Not daring to look back, I continued forward, arms thrashing at the vines that blocked my path. A blood curdling scream pierced the air. The sound caught somewhere between human and animal. I shivered but continued on what seemed like an impossible task of getting through the net of vines. Raising my sword, I swung at them, clearing a path in front of me. I hacked as if my life depended upon it. Another scream sprung from nearby and I was horribly reminded that it, in fact, did. Relief began to flood me as, one by one, the vines snapped under the pressure of the blade. Finally free, I lunged forward, needing no assistance from the nearby growls to spur me on. Now sprinting, I jumped and weaved through the maze of trees and relief begun to blossom in my stomach at the sight of nearby lights.

I can make it.

Confidence filled my body and I quickly turned my head to see if my attackers were still in pursuit. I felt my boot catch on a root sticking precariously out of the ground. A small yelp escaped my lips as my whole body went flying forward and I crashed to the ground. Pain exploded all over as my vision spun. The growling sounds closed in and I flipped over just in time to see the first of the mongrels step out from the shadows.

It slowly lumbered towards me on its misshapen feet. It’s teeth bared in a primal growl and I spotted the familiar elongated canines, specifically designed to bite into flesh. Human flesh. Shuddering, I felt around behind me for my trusty sword as more of the sickening creatures emerged from the shadows. They began to circle me, blocking off any chance of escape. Despite their animalistic qualities, they did have a degree of intelligence.

Finally finding the sword, my hand wrapped around the hilt. Once again my life depended upon the blade and at the moment, I didn’t like my chances. Not taking my eyes of the mongrel in front of me, I slowly got to my feet. Keeping my movements slow as the creature’s growls grew in volume. Quickly scanning my surroundings, I counted a total of five mongrels.

I adjusted my grip on the sword, angling the blade so it would easily slide through their ribcages and pierce their hearts. One of the easier ways to kill them. The mongrels lowered their bodies to the ground, preparing to pounce on me all at once. Not giving them the chance, I leapt into action, jumping on top of the one closest to me. It let out a startled yelp and I plunged the blade into its back. I didn’t get very far before I met the resistance of its spine. If I wasn’t sure I was about to die, I would have grinned in triumph as I pushed the sword deeper inside its back. A strangled half yelp, half scream, tore from its lips and its body went limp under me. Yanking the blade free, I turned my attention to my other four targets.

Any expectations of their loyalty I had for them vanished as they ignored their fallen comrade, eyes fixed upon me. What appeared to be the leader of the pack, simply licked his lips and smiled. He had no need to speak for me to know what he meant. He was excited to finally have a real opponent. No doubt he’d been living off the easy kills of civilians till now.

I bit out a curse at my own foolishness. Even though their faces looked human, they had never possessed a shred of humanity. All that drove them was bloodlust and hunger. Even though this had been drummed into since childhood, the sight of their faces sometimes threw me off.

A deep growl bubbled from the leader’s mouth and it lunged at me, eyes gleaming, jaw stretched wide, ready to bite me. The blood dripping down the blade caused my grip to slip for a fraction of a second, giving it enough time to latch onto my arm with its teeth, before I slammed the sword into its chest. Gritting my teeth, I resisted the overwhelming urge to scream, knowing it could possibly attract more of the creatures or god forbid something worse. The leader’s body went limp, its sharp teeth scraping my skin as its jaw fell from my arm. The pain was unbearable, but all I dared to release was a faint whimper.

Hot liquid now covered my arm but knowing there was no time to inspect the damage, I turned back to my three remaining opponents. Their expressions now held a hint of uncertainty, with their leader dead they were unsure of whether or not they should continue their attack. Wounded, I was an easier target but their gazes slid to the sword in my hands and their fallen pack members. One last growl escaped their lips, before they turned and ran off into the forest. I was obviously not worth the risk of possibly getting injured or killed.

Relief started to cool my heated blood but I refused to let it grow. The chance that I could die tonight was still too high for my liking. Getting to my feet, I began once more, to make my way towards the light in the distance. The pain in my arm began to build as the adrenalin seeped from my body. My whole left side was now sticky with the dark red blood that seeped from my arm. My right hand pressed against the wound in an attempt to stop more blood loss. As I stumbled out of the forest my head began to feel light while the rest of my body tingled.

Lights illuminated a building in the distance. It was a giant white mansion, surrounded by a large, towering black fence. Had I not been so desperate I would have tried another building. Anywhere but an Institute, but with the darkness eating away at my vision I had little choice.

Desperation welled up inside me as I began the long walk to the gate. Knowing it was unlikely but still possible, I looked behind me for signs of the enemy but found only a trail of blood. Pushing myself forward, I fell against the cool black metal. Mustering what little strength I had left, I raised my sword and banged it against the gate.

“Hello?! Anyone home?” My voice was strained and came out choked but I refused to allow the panic to overwhelm me.

Feeling panic begin to claw at me, I banged against the metal again.

“Hello?!” I heard the weakness of my voice as I slid down against the gate.

I barely noticed the hardness of the metal against my back as I felt my body go numb. The darkness grew and I dazedly hoped that one of the many sleeping residents of the Institute had heard my cry for help and would find the girl bleeding to death on their doorstep before I let the darkness overwhelm me.