November 23rd, 3025
The moon stings her unaccustomed eyes. It is the first light she has seen in weeks. Her breathing is labored; she has been running for over an hour now. Her escape had been planned out for days, and she was finally given her chance earlier, just around dusk. It had been the perfect timing, and she had to take the opportunity. She might have never gotten the chance again.
If she failed, at least she had tried her best. At least she had kept her promise. She hadn't given up; she had never given up. If she was taken now, she would go with the peace that they were safe. She hadn't been persuaded to betray them yet, and she wouldn't give in. No matter what happened to her, they would be safe. No dark magic would get in the way of that.
Her lungs burned, her eyes watered, her legs and head ached; she ran. She pushed herself farther than ever before, wanting to see them in front of her. She remembers her lover's eyes, her brother's smile, and her sister's happiness. She savors the memories of better days. It isn't enough. She needs something concrete. She needs to be able to know for sure they are okay. Knowing they should be just isn't enough. She must get back to them. She doesn't want to risk giving them away. She will get back, she tells herself, she will.
She powers herself forward with energy she didn't know she had, fueled by her drive to save them from the regime. They don't know she has escaped. She hopes they won't try anything stupid. She hopes they have stayed put. She hopes.
She has heard no sign of anyone around her for miles and miles, over an hour now. She must be alone. She must have gotten away with escaping. They must have given up when they realized they had underestimated her. She's made it! She runs faster, elated now. She's done it. She's going home!
As she runs harder, heading straight towards their hideout, she becomes careless, too confident. She doesn't notice the lightening horizon that hints at dawn, she doesn't watch for trouble, she doesn't listen to determine if she's now being followed. Her happy thoughts have blinded her to her surroundings. She has been running for well over two hours now, and she is halfway home, halfway to her family. She veers off onto a carefully concealed pathway that leads straight into their safe house and approaches a log that is propped up against two stumps, a makeshift bench.
It all happens very quickly now, as the realization of her mistake sets in. She looks around. Suddenly, the sky is on fire, she is surrounded by an army, she hears a thousand footsteps marching instep. She cannot believe what she has done. She has failed them. She hangs her head in her hands. If only she hadn't lead them to the path, if only she had been more careful. Her carelessness had been suicide and murder. She has led them right to the place they have all worked so hard to protect. She has to plan her next move, if there is one. Surely they are all doomed, but she will not give up so easily. Maybe it is only her imagination. Maybe she wasn't followed.
A twig snaps, leaves crunch, her eyes shot open and search for a weapon as she springs from her seat and takes on a protective stance. As she looks around the area, she realizes it is useless. There is nothing, but ever nothing. She is caught; they are caught. She has failed them all. It is over.
She seeks her attacker, and finds him quickly. Dread and recognition fill her body. The man smiles as he lifts his hands, wiggling his fingers mockingly as they begin to spark and glow.
"Caught ya," he grins at her.
Before she can even think to respond, blue light is thrown from his fingertips onto her skin, scorching her, and she gladly gives into the darkness.