Despite the betrayal of Cal, I do not stop running. I might even do it more now. Every morning, earlier than sunrise I drag myself out of bed and to the washroom. The temporary room the Samos have given me is small, just like the cell Maven threw me into rot. I never bother to close the door at night, giving myself a feeling of freedom. Just like when I run. I will dress in familiar clothing back when I was just Mare Barrow. Loose fitted shirts and dull sweatpants.

I start with a few exercises near the small pond situated near the front entrance of the estate. Once my body is nicely warmed up, I jog around the estate, eyeing the beautiful and intricate garden that surrounds it. There is a large metal fence surrounding it all, keeping me closed in. Which is why I don't just run in the walls.

Ever since I left Whitefire and tasted freedom I have never stopped drugging myself with it. Everybody knows I leave the estate, and beyond the guarded the soldiers. Who is to argue with the little lightning girl?

As I run, I slip through a small hole of the fence in the back I requested Cal burn for me. It was strange, after him picking the crown we hadn't spoken for a month. And when we finally did, it was to secretly burn another's property. We did not speak much when he did, he simply nodded to my request, did as I asked and left. I have not spoken to him since.

I brush away the memories, filling my lungs with the fresh minty air outside the estate. This was my time to run, relax, not dwell on the past. I focus on the fact that Evangeline and her family have seen to it to give the scarlet guard a place to train and sleep. It should surprise me, yet it doesn't. Not since Evangeline freed me back in Whitemore. That truly phased me.

Once again I find my mind trailing back to Whitefire and all, the pain. 6 months. 6 months of him. His icy blue eyes, his jet black hair that curled beautifully behind his ears, the way he smiled was venomous, yet crooked as cals. And his menacing obsession, of me.

As I attempt to brush away the thoughts, realization sets in. I glance around me, noticing I'm lost. The woods here are deep and dark. The trees near the estate were smaller, bushier and paler. I shrug it off, feeling lost like this was a nice feeling. Not like when you don't know who you are. But when you feel freedom in a place you've never been to before.

Instead of jogging, I decided to walk, slowly keeping my steps aligned with my calming heartbeat. The sun still hadn't risen. In Fact, it shouldn't. Not for the next fes hours. Unlike most mornings, Id gotten up even earlier than 5 am. Perhaps 11 pm. I don't know why, but I had that feeling. Like I needed to get out even earlier.

I start jogging again, then sprint, feeling the wind rustle through my loose hair. I tire myself out an hour later, leaning onto a tree in the moonlight. I slid down, curling up into a ball and sleeping.

...

I awake to someone spent winning their fingers through my hair. His long fingers are familiar, and I wonder what Cals doing here.

"Don't tell them." I tell Cal. Don't tell them I snuck out of the estate.

"Tell them what?" His voice sounds lighter for some reason as he continues to weave his fingers through my hair.

"Don't tell them I snuck out. Infact, could you put me down now?" He chuckles softly as he ignores my request and keeps walking.

"Cal, I said put me down" His fingers stop midway through my hair. Hes stiff now no longer moving. I try to squirm out of his arms, yet my eyes are still shut. No, they're open. Everything is black as I scream, scratching at my eyes as though it could restore my vision. I realize it was not Cal, but him who was comforting me.

As soon as Maven releases his tight grip, I run. I stretch out my hands in front of my, hoping I would not hit something. I was not so lucky. I banged my head forcefully against a piece of metal. At Least I think metal, before my mind blots out.

…

My eyes are still clouded when I open them. I can feel the bark I sit upon, where I had banged my head. I stretch out my arms, trying to feel my environment when I notice it is not natural bark I sit upon. It is wood that has been sanded down to a floor. Around my wrists is the heavy feeling I wish to never have used again. I scream, violently, attempting to tear away the silent stone when my vision slowly begins to return. I can make out faint light, yet everything is still fuzzy. Not until the bumps come do I realize I am in a moving carriage. A moving prison.

"Did you have a good little sleep?" I punch where Mavens voice is coming from, still unable to see. He chuckles a hollow laugh that sends chills down my spine. I throw another prunch , this time he catches it, twirling me into his arms like a dance. He swings me around like we once danced in his ballroom, this time without music, i play along until I feel his knee cap brush against my leg. I grab his hands around my waist, twisting them as he gives a yelp. I kick him hard in the shins and he backs away, the heat getting hotter in the carriage. I nearly feel tiny sparks from his fire on me before he calms himself. I hear him, brushing himself off before opening the carriage door.

"I'll say goodbye to Cal for you". I can hear the smirk as he opens the door. Without thinking, I bolt to the sound hoping to run outside. As I jump out. The carriage Maven managed to catch me midair. His hands are tight around my wrists as I lay hanging outside a moving carriage. His voice stays. The same, laughing at his little toy. "Be a good little girl while I'm gone.l With that he tosses me back into the carriage, closing the door behind him.