Chapter One: Run

Amelia's POV

“Run!”

The clanging of an axe head on the rough edges of wood mixed with the whistling from a kettle and black coffee beans woke me up as I stirred gently in my sleep. I rub my eyes with that back of my palm and peered from my window to see no one other than my dad, chopping off firewood.

Smiling brightly, I sprang to my feet and made way to the kitchen where I turned off the cooker and let the tea off the stove. Yawning, I poured some tea into a clean teacup and headed outside.

“Good morning Papa.” I greeted, cheerily.

He stopped briefly to look at me, the brightest smile gracing his face. “Amelia, you're awake. Did I wake you up? Was I too loud?” He asked, lovingly.

“No Papa, it was about time I get up. We have enough firewood, do you have to flex your muscles every morning?” I asked, jokingly and offered him some tea. We both laughed at this as he took it from my hand and drank it in one go.

He ruffled my hair with his large hands which bore me gently ever since my mother had died sixteen years ago and he threw me a fake punch but I was quick to dodge it and counter it with mine and he fake cried in pain.

“Go freshen up, I'm almost done.”

I nodded my head in compliance and went to the bathroom to bath. I hummed a tone to myself as I wore my favorite pants and a leather jacket which he bought me last fall, intending to make breakfast, a familiar scent hit my nostrils.

‘If you ever perceive a scent like ours, run Amelia, run and never look back.’ Papa has always told me.

I dashed outside only to see him swinging his axe and chopping off someone's head. There were seven men surrounding him, teeths gnarly, face covered with fur and claws for nails.

“Run Amelia, run!” Papa screamed, fear evident in his tone.

“Papa!” I cried out in horror as more men began to come in. They turned their attention towards me and two of them charged at me, Papa swung the axe once again, slowing them down. I bolted away and went through the back door.

My eyes were fixed on the road and I was worried, I could feel some presence behind me but I didn't stop, tears stung my eyes. Who the hell were those men. I stumbled on a root and went crashing on the floor, hurting my knees.

Suddenly, I got scoped by a really firm hand and we took flight. “I told you to run Amelia.”

“Papa!” I muttered, relieved he's with me.

We halted as we got to thr edge of a cliff, we always coke there to practice when we had the time and also play around at the stream at the foot of the cliff.

“Give the child up Giovanni, there's nowhere to run.” A malicious voice advised.

In the blink of an eye, we were surrounded, the men had the same scent as I did and their mission was obvious.

“Don't you dare take any step closer Rico.” Papa hissed at the man who spoke, he seemed to be their leader.

Rico scoffed and walked up to us, staring daggers at me while Papa shielded me with his body. “You betrayed your kinsmen, you betrayed what we stand for, how dare you harbor her and-”

“Shut up Rico! I fought you tooth and nail back then, nothing will stop me from doing it again!” Papa interjected, he then proceeded to draw a circle around us. “Who wants to die first?”

Three men charged at him, swiftly he dealt dangerous blows to them and they writhed in pain, immobilized.

“Still got spirit?” Rico mocked.

“Go away!”

“Give us the girl and maybe, I'll be merciful enough to give you a painless death.”

Papa snickered and chopped off another head. “You'll have to get through me first.”

I watched in horror, for tht next thirty minutes, my father fighting with the men, he protected me gallantly and sustained injures in the process. He wouldn't let me join in the fight neither would he let anyone near me, soon he got tired as he was loosing blood.

“The order was simple! Kill damn werewolf in that pack but you chose to be a saint and keep her alive? How-”

“Shut up!” Papa barked at Rico and he looked around. He could tell we were outnumbered so he chuckled softly. “How about you die quietly, Rico?”

More men lunged forward but my father was surprisingly able to eliminate a good number of them, it went down to a fight with him and this Rico.

“I'll kill you, then I'll kill her.” Rico bragged, pointing his sword at me.

Papa scoffed. “Let our weapons do the talking.”

They both fought like ferocious tigers, yelling, jumping, throwing fists and punches. Ten minutes later, Rico had his bones broken and deep wounds while Papa has more than just cuts. I could tell he was tired already he turned around to face me, sadness evident in his eyes.

“I'm sorry Amelia.” He apologized softly and with a swish, he sent us both spiralling down the cliff and straight into the stream, we landed on him as he used himself as a shield.

With difficulty, I pulled him out of the waters and dashed back into the forest to find some herbs. With tears stung eyes, I squeezed the juices into his mouth, he could barely move or speak and I was equally injured. Hours later; he gained consciousness.

“Amelia.” He called out weakly and I held his hand, giving it a warm and gentle squeeze.

“You have to leave me here.” He uttered, with difficulty.

I shook my head and chuckled lightly. “I will never leave you behind Papa, he began mubling some words I do not understand but I caught the faint scent of the attackers, they were closing in on us.

Luckily, he had taught me how to make do of whatever was around so I made a makeshift cart and placed him in it then began to drag it through the forest as it was getting dark already.

The scent was getting closer so I ran, every step was painful but I ignored it but soon, they caught up with us.

“Give up now princess.” Rico taunted as he leapt towards us, he gave Dad's injured arm a rough squeeze causing him to scream in agony.

Infuriated, I kicked Rico and he retreated few steps backwards, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“Get away from my father!” I yelled, gritting my teeth. He laughed loudly and signalled to his men and once again, we were surrounded.

I kicked one of the men, had an opening and grabbed the cart, attempting to escape but Dad grabbed my arm. “I’m sorry Amelia, you have to leave me here.”

“I can't, I won't leav-”

“I killed your parents so leave! I deserved this, I'm not your father, I never was so please just go!” He yelled in frustration.

My heart sunk and I was thunderstruck with fear and shock. “What?” I mumbled.