Chapter 3

Nia POV

There aren't but a few cars on the road, but each one refuses to stop, honking their horns and swerving around my body. I scream for help, but no one is willing to pull over.

I look in the direction I just came from, and I can see the men that were chasing me, are hot on my tail. If I run clear across the road, it is into a patch of woods that I have never been through.

Charlie told me to stay away from this acreage of woods, and I have never asked why. If you tell me something is dangerous, I don't need to be told again.

I have to make up my mind quickly. I can see more headlights in the distance; however, my pursuers will surely catch up to me by the time any of those cars approach me, and there is no guarantee that these drivers will be any different than the first ones.

Without wasting another moment, I take off into the woods.

"You are only making it harder for yourself!" The supposed leader shouts, but again, I don't dare look back.

For some reason, these woods seem thicker. There are more trees, and I swear I can see a meadow or something up ahead.

The chill in the air is starting to make it difficult to breathe, and my limbs are starting to ache. I am definitely not dressed for running through the woods with no outwear on. I am in a pair of grey leggings with a black off the shoulder sweater and my dirty work shoes, that thankfully are comfortable to run in.

However, the wind is making it difficult to continue. I can hear several cars honking and screeching, and I know that my wanna be attackers have crossed the road. I need a place to hide, but where could I possibly hide in the middle of the woods.

Then, as if by divine intervention, I find a hollowed out tree that is big enough for me to fit in. I run over to a small patch of mud that is beginning to freeze, and I begin to cover myself in it, hoping to mask my scent.

I can hear thudding footsteps approaching. I cover my tracks that the mud created, and rush over to the hollowed tree. I squeeze in, in the nick of time.

Two of the men chasing me run right by me, but I know better than to breathe just yet. I keep my breathing quiet and even, despite the fact that my heart is pumping in my chest.

I can hear the crunch of leaves and snapping of branches, as my pursuers trample through the woods searching for me. "Which way did she go?" I hear one of them shout.

"How the fuck would I know? I was running right next to you!" His comrade responds. "Who the fuck knew she was so fast? She definitely has to be a super." He adds.

I can tell they aren't too far from my hiding spot. I don't dare to move or breathe, while they are so close. "We better keep looking before Leo finds us standing around. You know how he gets." I hear the second voice say.

"Fuck, I am tired of doing all this fucking running just because he had a hunch that she was a super. What if she is just a regular human? We are wasting our time!" The first voice shouts.

"Is that so?" Another voice says. "Hey Leo, we were just trying to figure out what direction we should search in." The second voice from before says.

"No, that is not what I heard. I heard a hired body complaining about us wasting our time. Apparently, Jeff believes my ability to lead is questionable." This Leo guy says. He moves to wear I can see him, and I know that he must be standing in front of the two men.

He looks even more menacing from behind, somehow. "I am just saying that we don't know for sure that she is worth anything. We haven't found a super in a while, which means we haven't been paid. That's all." The man who is apparently Jeff states.

Leo reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wad of cash. "Would this get your ass moving again?" Leo says calmly.

I can't hear the man respond, if he has said anything, and I am too nervous to move for fear of being caught. So, I just stay perfectly still, anxiously waiting to see what comes next.

"So, do you not want this?" Leo says, waving the money around in the air. "Come get this fucking money, so you can move your ass again!" He shouts. The man I am assuming is Jeff, walks up to him hesitantly.

Jeff reaches for the money, but he never gets a chance to grab it. Leo drops the wad and reaches out to snap Jeff's neck. He falls to the ground, lifelessly.

"Anybody else questioning my methods?" Leo shouts, but no one dares to answer. "Then find me that fucking girl!"

I can hear retreating footsteps, but Leo doesn't leave just yet. He looks down at the patch of mud I used to cover myself. He squats down and brushes the tips of his fingers across the mud and sniffs it.

He looks across the woods in every direction. When he looks in the direction of my hollowed out tree, I hold my breath. His gaze lingers on my tree, but thankfully he never approaches. A twig snapping nearby grabs his attention, and he takes off.

I left my cell phone back at the cafe. I don't have anything on me. I had only stepped outside to get some air. I didn't think I would need anything. Now, I am silently cursing myself because I have no way to let anyone know that I am in danger.

I wait a few more moments, before I finally step out of my hiding place. I don't hear any of the men that are following me nearby. I have no idea where I am, and now I feel completely turned around in these woods.

I know that I cannot just stand here in the open, but the mud is at least helping me blend in with the area, keeping me hidden.

Something inside of me is pulling me to one particular direction. I don't know what is in the direction, but something in my soul is pulling me, and I follow. Though it feels like I have nothing left to give, I push my body through the woods.

Everything aches and burns. My lungs feel like they are on fire, and it hurts to swallow. The icy bone chilling wind feels like ten million needles piercing through my skin.

I want to scream out in pain, but I cannot let my location be known, in case those men are still nearby. The branches and bushes are getting thicker, like it is trying to conceal something from the outside world, but something continues to guide me through.

As the trees and bushes begin to thin, tiny spots begin to flood my vision. There is a sharp pounding in my head, and I can feel something inside of me stir.

I can hear shouting, but I cannot make out any words, before darkness consumes me.