As I made my way through the untamable Highland forest, I was beginning to realize what a bloody fool I was. I heard the barks of dogs behind me, and the angry voice of Officer Randall, who were chasing me through the woods. I had stuffed my leggings in my purse, and I had left my coat behind. I was sobbing silently, but I let out a shriek when I slid down. The mud splashed into my face and mouth when I was gasping for air. I stood back on my feet, and watched the men with torches, who were running on the path on the hilltop. My whole body was shivering, and I was coming to breathe, with my hands leaning on my knees, a hound appeared in front of me. He groaned at me, his teeth shone in the moonlight.

Fearfully I looked at the dog, and I started to run away. The dog was chasing me, but it wasn't as fast as I had expected him to be. I ran further and futher, into nothing. The darkness had totally consumed me, and I had to trust my on own intuition, which wasn't always very good. I heard the sound of water, quite loud, so there must be a creek nearby. I heard the dog again and anxiously I reached for my pocket knife and- the dog jumped up at me and I held the knife towards him as I feld the dog's weight had pushed me over and his teeth piercing my shouder. The dog was heavily breathing and with guilt I pulled my knife out of him.

"That's my dog you bitch!" I heard Randall and the started to shoot at me. He hit is dog in the head, who was now dead. I saw the light fading in his eyes, and I crawled back when Randall ran towards me, reloading his gun. I crawled up and ran again, my heart pumping between my ears. I saw the creek and I threw a few branches in it, so it made a loud splash. I ran back and I climbed into the hightree that was next to me. With pain and much effort I finally sat down at the top branch.

"Oi! Follow the water, then you'll find her!" I heard Randall yelling. I let my head fall back, so it would lean against the tree trunk. I closed my eyes and I tried not to scream, to resist the pain in my shoulder. The white fabric that was covering my shoulder was now torn and dark red. I torn it more open and touched the wound. I was utterly shocked when I felt a few teeth in it. "Okay Eve," I whispered to myself, "don't panic now." I was heavily breathing and I started to hyperventilate. I was sure the soldiers were gone, and I climbed down again. I stood on a branch 7 feet above the ground, and it broke when I put my full weight on it.

I fell down through a few little branches and I felt them cutting my face, legs and arms before I fell face-down in the mud. I spat a few leafs and mudlumps out and grossed myself out. I forgot to say one thing about my self: I am most clumsy. I was looking up the sky, and saw stripes of orange running through the blue sky. Dawn. I put my shoes off and started to undress myself. I was completely naked, when I put the dress back on. I laid my purse on the floor, and on top of my purse my underwear. I let myself slid into the water. "Ohhh, that's cold!" I said breathelessly and I submerged. I washed the mud off my body as much as I could. It felt nice to wash me. Comparing to Randall, the mud was not dirty at all. Carefully I pulled the dog's teeth out, six of them, if you want to know, and I put them in my purse. Nice souvernir isn't it? I felt terribly sorry about the dog though, I love animals. But i fit was a cat, i'd have let it scratch my eyes out before i'd actually hurt it. I climbed out of the creek and after a while I put my underwear on.

I grinned when I was thinking about it: who would have thought that I was actually walking through the Highland woods in my underwear after being attacked by a man and his dog in the 18th century? "This is insane…" I sat down on the soft grass under a tree and laid my dress some further away, spread out, so it could dry in the sun that was now shining through the trees. I was looking around and stood up carefully. I passed some bushes and I wished I could find something to eat. I was gone for half an hour, and all I could find was a handful of blackberries and a few marigold flowers. Marigold flowers have healing powers, so now they were very useful. (i don't know much about healing herbs and stuff, but last year at the Elfia Fantasy Fair, I bought soap made form the marigold flower, and that woman told me where the flowers are used for).

I enjoyed the berries very much. They had a wonderful taste. Probably because everything we eat in the 21th century is nearly toxic. I smashed the marigold flower and I rubbed it on my wounds. While I held my face in my hands, I was trying to think of going back to Craigh na Dun, but it would be foolish. I had not a single idea how to getthere, and above all, if I would go back up towards the mountain, I'd certainly pass Randall again. And I don't think he'd keep it with rape only this time. I started to shiver, it was so cold my teeth were chattering. I stood up and checked my dress and luckily, it was dry. I sighed out of relief when I felt the warm fabric, but I knew that it would keep me warm forever. I had to find a way, or at least someone that would help me. I decided to continue my journey, and to hope for the best.

I was following the creek the opposite direction. I was humming songs to myself and I was thinking what I would do if I meet someone. Should I say my own name? Age? Nationality? Birthplace? Those questions were running through my mind as the sun was rising higher. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I heard a voice behind me: "Where ye lookin' for, lass?" Slowly I turned around and I was facing an old man. I was on the point of being honest, but I just looked at hi mand shrugged. "Food, I guess," I said indifferently, "and a roof above my head." The man smiled. "Don't we all lass? These are hard times." I nodded slowly and tears were filling my eyes. My shoulder was hurting terribly and I felt miserably. "Don't cry, ye lassie!" the man strumbld towards me, "come with me to me house, and i'll give ye some stew to warm up." I nodded. "Thank you." I said in a small voice. "The name's Dan, by the way." The old man said and I shook his hand. "Evelien." I replied with a faint smile.

At leastt his man was too old and too slow to even try to rape or assault me, so I knew he wouldn't be such a big threat. He led me out of the forest, and a bit further away, I saw this small house standing at a river pond, the end of the creek, I assumed. He entered the house, and carefully I followed him. I saw a girl sitting in a chair near the fire, with a boy on her lap. She looked anxiously at me. "My daughter Maeve and her son Daniel," the old Dan started, "her husband was killed by the Redcoats last month." Maeve kissed Daniel on the top of his head and with sympathy and pity I looked at them. "Have a seat, lass." Dan said and quietly I said down in a chair next tot he kicthen table, my hands folded in my lap.

I introduced myself and I told them the same things I told Randall, now including the assault and rape. Dan was slightly shaking his head and Maeve had turned pale. "There's ain't a curse in Latin, Gaelic or English that cou' possibly describe that what I'd wish to them basterds." I nodded quietly in agreement and sighed. It was twilight when I looked outside the window, and even I was smart enough to think I'd be a bad idea to go out in the dark now." Dan noiced me, thinking and gaing outside the window. "Ye wanna move on aye, lass?" I nodded slowly but frowned. "But ye don' know where te go…" Maeve suddenly woke up out of her daydreaming. "Father, you still need to pay them taxes to the Laird, right?" she said quite excitedly, "maybe he can help her." Sheepishly I looked from the one to the other. "Yes, yes.." Dan said and a little smile appeared on his face, "wonderful idea, lassie! We'll leave at dawn! It is one and a half day by horse, I think Teddy can carry use both"

I was really confused. "I am sorry, where are we going?" I asked confused. "Castle Leoch, lass," Dan said obviously, "The Laird, Colum MacKenzie, might be able to help you." Maeve made a 'ahem' kind of noise. "Consulting only… he's got a bit of an- eh- walking problem." I stared at her for the briefest moment but I corrected myself and forced a smile. "Thanks, really, that would be great."

Dan smiled friendly at her. "Alrigh' lass," he said, "you can sleep in the chair, I'll bring ye a blanket." I smiled and Maeve stood up to go to bed with Daniel. "Goodnight. She said. "Night." I replied quietly as I watched her, walking to her chamber. Dan came back with a blanket, and I made myself comfortable in the chair. He handled it over, wished me goodnight and left me alone in the room.

That night I was so worried I was wide awake, but on the other hand I was relieved that I didn't had to spend my night in a tree. I was thinking about my parents, if they 'd be worried already? What will come next? Will that Laird even help me out? Questions were distracting me. Finally, when I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore, I fell in a nice and peaceful sleep.

The next morning, after a nice breakfast, Dan was preparing Teddy the stallion for the journey. Maeve had packed a bag with food for us. When they were both done we walked outside and breathed the fresh air in. I do have to admit, the air smelled amazing… So pure. The grass, the earth, the flowers… everything. Anyway, Dan walked up to me and asked: "Min' if ye take the reins, lass?" I shook my head. I did kind of regret that, because I slightly forgot how much afraid I was for heights and horses, I thanked Maeve and Dan kissed his daughter goodbye. And there we went, into the Highlands.

Scotland was truly a most beautiful country. But in the 18th century, it was still pristine and pure. The mountains, rising high above our heads, the river's current rushing with our pace, the wind blowing my hair to all directions, and the sun shining brightly upon our faces. Everything was going perfectly fine, until… We were only 12 miles away from Castle Leoch when I was again, face to face with the Redcoats. I heard them shouting ordering us to stop when we were galloping our way to the Castle. "Whatever they do or say- just ride! I need to get ye and this money to the Laird, ye understand?" I nodded firmly and made poor Teddy to quicken his pace.

"STOP NOW!" We heard the Redcoats yelling multiple times. "Keep riding! I'll shoot them down!" I felt Dan turning behind me, and he fired his gun. My heart was pumping in my throat and I almost passed out when I heard gunshots behind us, and those weren't Dan's… Then, Dan led out a horrifying scream. "DAN?!" I cried in horror, but I didn't look behind me. Dan was howling and moaning loudly. "shot… go… Leoch…" He mumbled. The Redcoats were too far behind us now, and with tears In my eyes, we rode along. After a half hour to an hour or so, I saw a Castle in the far. "Yes…" Dan whispered. I smiled out of relief and we rushed to the Castle. Everybody was looking with frowning looks at us when we arrived. I dismounted Teddy and the blood seemed to be taken away from me when I looked at Teddy/ He had a big gaping hole in his right chest and he was as white as chalk. "HELP! PLEASE! HE NEEDS HELP!" I yelled. The people were exchanging looks, wondering who would go. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? HELP HIM!" I yelled furiously. A tall, red headed young man walked out of the door, confused. "YOU!" I said, when I was half-dragging Dan towards the doorway, "help… please." He helped me to get Dan inside and we laid him on the floor. A group of people gathered around us, as I was trying to stop the bleeding. "Don't just stand there, you fools! Help him!" I yelled. "There's nothing we can do lass." I looked up and a red headed handsome man was looking down at me, with pity. "He insisted to come here, to give you his last fucking coin for your stupid Laird!" I snapped. "Evelien…" Dan mumbled, "yer a good lassie…." His body froze and I watched him as the light was fading in his eyes, until they were blankly looking towards the ceiling.

My whole body was shaking and I started to hyperventilate. I couldn't cry… I was just- I looked at my hands. They were covered with blood. "I just, we were," I stuttered. A man with a big brown beard pulled me up. I couldn't see his face. "Let her go!" A loud voice said, and the group around me took distance of me. I shrugged the man's hands of me and my eyes dwelled to the voice's direction. I saw two very instable and misshapen legs approaching me. They stopped right in front of me. "You have a lot to explain, woman."