Part 1.3
The door slammed with such force that Zoé thought she broke the frame and the door would come crashing down in moments. She knew she was acting childish, locking herself in her room to storm and mope about something her father wanted her to do, but what other choice was there? Go to him crying? Begging to not make her go? How could she do that? Even before the fire, anytime her father asked something of her, she was terrified to disappoint him. How could she get out of this without disappointing her father? She couldn't even bring herself to blame Hugo... everyone in the house knew she was avoiding Luc like he was the plague reincarnate.
Why shouldn't she? He didn't move her when she was a child, and to this day she felt little for him besides the acknowledgment that he was a well read and witty individual. Was the fire and the removal from society suppose to make her fonder of the man? She paced back and forth in her room, still in those riding cloths, the sun a bare crescent on the horizon as it sunk lower and lower. Time enough... well time enough in her mind. If Maxime was there then she might not have a chance.
She grabbed her cloak and made her way downstairs, out the back door by her drawing room and walking all the way around the kitchen to make sure that she was not seen by the other servants. The sun gave her an hour, maybe an hour and a half for a good ride. The confusion and anger in her mind was not going to go away from any other means, and she feared if she didn't get out of that house she would suffocate and scream. Into the stables, the horses were already fed and combed for the night, she passed by the two drafts who pulled her carriage and instead went to her mare. The young horse snorted until Zoé produced an apple to pacify her. The blanket and saddle seemed to materialize of their own accord, and Zoé was riding off through the hills surrounding the estate.
Rolling hills and groves dotted the landscape, past the small lake, Zoé headed north, well off her lands within twenty minutes, her mare snorting and whinnying in protest as Zoé pushed on. The ride was hard, and by the time the last rays of light were disappearing over the horizon, she had little idea where she was. Heading south would return her to her lands, but she was still too angry, too upset to face her father and Hugo, and the inevitable scolding she would receive from Nadine. Continuing north, into a forest she didn't explore in her early days at the estate, she would be careful to make sure her horse did not find any uneven footing. The oaks and beech trees came in around her, a blanket to block out any rays of light from the dying sun, but luckily they did not cluster together too tightly. Urging her horse forward, she would find herself in darkness on the other side. A strong and wide creek ran between the woods and the chateau in front of her. Zoé did not recognize it, although she barely knew any of her neighbors, she didn't think she'd even heard of someone living out here. The sun had fully set by then, and she knew if she did not return soon, her father would be in a panic and the house would be in an uproar trying to find her. She urged her horse to turn around, although the stubborn animal had already moved to the creek to try and get a drink of water.
"No, no come one we have to head home," she said sternly, pulling at the reins to the horses displeasure. It neighed and Zoé sighed, sometimes it was as ill-tempered as she was. Lanterns upon the hill were already lighting, and Zoé did not wish to be introduced looking bewildered and dirty from her ride. With a click of her tongue she finally got the horse to turn away from the bank. Getting the animal back up the embankment was a challenge, and with a small press of her heel, the horse finally climbed up the dirt bank. She saw a glint out of the corner of her right eye, turning to look back at the creek, for the source. A crunching noise came from the bushes to her left, and she barely saw the pheasant that took flight above her head. The noise was enough to scare her horse though, and in a panic the horse reigned, sending Zoé tumbling back down the bank and onto the rocky creek bed. She didn't even think she screamed when she fell, but when she hit the bank she let out a cry. She saw stars dancing in front of her eyes, the noise of that horse racing off in the distance was no more than a muffled collection of notes. The ice cold creek was quick to soak through her sleeves and knees, and Zoé tried to pull herself up, only to feel a rush of nausea that soon sent her back onto the gravel bank.
Great, I will die because I acted like a stupid child, dramatic, but with no way to get home, barely able to move, and it already night, death could come, or at least a bad illness. She counted, but lost track, the passing of time was only marked by her cloths, inch upon inch growing wet as the water seemed to creep up her skirt. Again, Zoé tried to stand, only to be sent back down on the bank with a groan. Her hand touched her forehead, feeling something wet and ragged beneath those fingertips. She looked at her fingers, knowing they were wet with blood, but she couldn't barely see them in the darkness. A wince and soft curse left her lips as she felt pressure upon her temple again, but her hands were no where near her forehead. The pain sent her reeling, shuttering as the world seemed to spin. She was moving, she knew that much. "Who...?" There was no response, and as the set of arms jarred her, the movement was too much, and the blinding pain in her skull took over, sending her into darkness.
Uh oh! Yeah, sorry it's so corny. I didn't mean for it to be and ugh... it just came out that way. Oh well, I'll make due. Entire thing is based around a song I just learned soooo if you wanna have fun, try and figure out what the song is through all of these parts. Good luck and have fun! Enjoy.
-Celene