And I knew Kaden would rather die than be a slave. Naturally, they would oblige him. And it would be my fault. All because I was out picking berries and daydreaming in the forest past curfew. But all of that didn’t matter, not now, when I was literally watching my life play out in front of my very eyes.
I let out a pitiful scream as I reached the edge of the woods. There was a clearing directly in front of me, and the forest continued to the right. I quickly calculated my chances in the forest and then in the clearing.
The clearing had a large lake I could run around and possibly hide in, that was if they didn’t stop and search for me. Once in the clearing it would be possible to outrun the Enforcers and their ships, for they moved slower over water. None of us really knew why. It was just a fact.
My lungs burned in protest as my tired legs urged me forward. My feet caught a branch, surging me forward towards the sharply-wooded forest floor.
I screamed from the impact and warm blood trickled down both of my legs. I paused to take a look at the large wounds on my shins and frantically brushed away the dirt near the cuts.
I had no time left. I could hear the shouting. With a whimper, I scrambled underneath a rock ledge and peered over. The ledge shielded me from being seen but smelled musty and old. Thoughts of snakes and rats flooded my brain, but I had to stay safe. My gaze locked on movement from where I had just run.
Kaden was leaning against one of the trees. I could make out his devastating features. With brown hair and warm eyes, he was so handsome it was hard not to tremble in his presence. His strong arms braced across his chest, and a mocking smile firmly in place.
I watched in horror as two of the Enforcers approached the trees next to Kaden. His expression was strong, unwavering. I would always remember him that way—courageous.
He looked like a warrior. A feeling of self sufficiency washed over me. It was the first time in my short life that I felt grown up, even if it hadn’t been of my own choosing. At only thirteen and fifteen, we had been forced to grow up before our time. To provide for our mothers who, when they gave birth, often faced the perils of death from lack of medical supplies. And to give food to our brothers and sisters, all in hope that one day we would be free from the tyrannical government of the West Republic.
Kaden didn’t even scream as the Enforcer slapped him across the face. Nor did he flinch when the man spit on him, the saliva mingling with the blood tricking down his chiseled jaw.
At fifteen, Kaden was the eldest of my friends. I had always been half in love with him. But what girl wouldn’t be? He had helped feed my family for the past five years when my father was unable to work. He was so protective, so gallant. If only it wouldn’t have cost him his life.
I crouched closer to the ground. Pine needles brushed against my legs, burning my flesh. I had always been allergic, and now it seemed to flare to life at the worst of times.
I reached down and rubbed the exposed part of my legs to relieve some of the pain, cursing my stupidity at wearing such tattered pants out in the woods.
Kaden swore as the Enforcer grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. The black of his uniform burned my eyes in all of its symbolism, like death had descended upon us. The Enforcer’s gloved hands clenched around Kadens’ face as he asked about me. My gaze darted to the horrific scene, watching my world crumble. Each piece hit the floor until finally there was nothing left.
Kaden lunged for the man but was subdued by another hit to the head.
I froze.
Kaden looked the man in the eye and smiled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Perhaps you’re mistaken?”
The Enforcer swore and punched Kaden in the stomach. I had to fight the bile building in my throat. Extreme nausea overcame me. How could a person be so cruel? I was one girl. What worth was I to the Republic? One girl couldn’t cause so much harm as they thought. After all, girls were worth nothing to the government, merely slaves or a means to providing more heirs to the empire. I knew it was just the fact that they lost me, and they would suffer the consequences. Nothing more, nothing less.
It had to be.
“I’ll ask you one more time—where is the girl?” The Enforcer seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on Kaden. His smile wide as he continued to deliver blows to Kaden’s body.
Kaden grinned. “I’ll tell you one more time. I have no idea what girl you’re talking about.”
“So you’ll die,” the man said plainly.
“So I will,” Kaden answered.
A scream erupted from my throat before I could stop it. Without warning, Enforcers came crushing around me, dragging me to my feet, and pulling me towards the ship. “No! No! Kaden!” I yelled and begged, but Kaden was nowhere to be found. I gave myself up in vain with the small hope that at least my sacrifice would save his life.