Chapter 193: Evil Within
I ran as fast as I could into the woods. Branches blurred around me as I ran fast, ignoring the brutal screams that echoed in the woods. They must have gotten another one! I thought to myself, the sound couldn’t have been Branderson because it was feminine which meant that they were yet to catch Branderson. Somehow that gave me a little bit of relieve but it was just a little because my heart still ached for the people that we had lost.
My legs hurt from running, the muscles in them screamed in protest and I could feel myself starting to slow down a bit and still, I didn’t stop. I couldn’t, I had made a promise to Branderson, I was going to live, I was going to go back home. I was going to allow his sacrifice to be in vein.
With that thought in my head I ran faster, ignoring the ache in my legs and the burn in my throat. My breaths came out in cloud of smoke as I panted because of the harsh weather. I couldn’t continue like this, I was going to have to give up soon and it doesn’t matter how badly I wanted to go home, my body was weak and it was going to shut down any minute from now on.
But still, I have to try! I thought to myself just as a loud guttural roar filled the forest. Birds soared over head and I turned my head towards the sound, already knowing who it belonged to. I slowed down in my steps as I turned back towards the direction and another cry sounded. This time around it was the sound of one that was filled with pain.
Branderson, they got him already!
I stood there for a few seconds debating on whether to continue my run or just leave him there to die like he wanted. Except that was it, he had been ready to die, he wanted to be united with his family, so I could just leave him there. That was exactly what he wanted and it would be good if I honored his wishes.
I turned around to leave but my legs had already turned back heading back towards where I came from. It doesn’t matter what I said, I couldn’t leave Branderson, not when I knew I still had a chance to save him. I pushed myself to run faster when I heard another scream come and this time around it was closer. I stopped to pick up a piece of wood I had found on the ground when I sighted the soldiers that were torturing Branderson.
They had him down on his knees along with the other people they had found. Some of them were bleeding and some just looked too tired. They had Branderson on his knees, his head was ripped back up with a dagger pressed against his throat. One of his eye had swollen shut and blood now dripped from his mouth.
"Let him go!"