Please just let this be the result of my own imagination and nothing more.
I could hear the rustling of leaves on the ground, and it felt like something was moving behind me. My body froze from fear as my mind wondered if this would be the perfect time for me to run and never look back. Running straight up ahead sounded easy but the fact that it was quite dark, and I couldn’t see so far in front of me made that difficult. The leaves rustled again, and I began truly regretting my decision to leave the mansion.
Wasn’t the wall or the gate supposed to be just a short walk away from the mansion?
I closed my eyes and let out a sigh before taking a deep breath as I tried to gather my courage again. While telling myself that it was probably nothing, I slowly turned my head around to look over my shoulder. At first, I couldn’t see what it was clearly, but I was certain that something was moving in the darkness like a mysterious shadow. I should have started running but something told me that I would be immediately pursued if I started running.
What should I do now?
My lower lip quivered, and my hands suddenly felt so cold. The clearest idea that popped into my head was that I should find my way back to the mansion instead of trying to find a way to get away. I could always save my plan of escape for another sunny and bright day. Either that or I could try my best to convince Bradon again. Anything would be better than dying right here in what seemed like a dark forest somewhere within Bradon’s secluded territory which was basically in the middle of nowhere.
“Please...I’m going to head back now...” I pleaded in a soft whisper.
I felt like I must be going crazy as I started talking to the dark shadow that I could sense but not quite see clearly. My sense of guilt from running away started to take over as I became convinced that this was happening to me because I did not obey Bradon’s order to stay inside the mansion. The moment my legs took a step to the side, I was convinced that I saw something move in the darkness.
“Bradon...?” I called his name in a soft whimper.
I hated how meek and scared my voice sounded. The way that I somehow longed for that moving shadow to really be Bradon told me that I was truly scared. If only Bradon was here, I will probably be dragged back to the mansion and punished but he wouldn’t actually kill me but if that shadowy thing was a tiger or a beast of some sort then I really might end up dead for real this time.
A growl answered my call for Bradon, and I immediately knew that the figure hiding in the shadow wasn’t human. Instinctively, I took a few steps back. At that same moment, the unknown beast approached me, and I could see it clearly as it stepped out of the shadows. I gasped when I saw that it was a dog and not a very cute version of one.
“Oh...” I murmured as my eyes widened.
The dog was black, large, and its fangs looked so big as it continued growling at me. I had no idea why my brain was trying to remember the name of the dog’s breed as if that was a crucial piece of information that I needed at the time.
Oh, right. It’s a Doberman...
“Don’t come any closer. Go away...” I muttered as I took another step back.
I wouldn’t say that I would rank lowest in a sprint race with other girls, but I was quite certain that I couldn’t outrun that dog. If I turned and ran, I would just end up as dead meat. Glancing around, I couldn’t find anything that could serve as a weapon at all.
“Stop! Go away...” I commanded a little louder than before.
Someone told me a very long time ago that if I acted scared, it would be worse for me. The right way to handle a situation like this is to stay composed and never show my fears. I should talk as if I had authority over the beast. Instead of immediately pouncing on me, the dog stared at me as it continued baring its fangs. I cursed Bradon for owning such a frightening dog and my own luck for having to run into it.
Suddenly the dog began barking quite loudly. My mouth dropped open in shock as I looked around me. My index finger flew to my lips as I gestured for the dog to be quiet.
“Shhh...Shhh!” I hissed with my finger pressed against my lips.
It felt like one of my nightmares had sprung up to life when the wind suddenly subsided and the sound of the dog barking pierced through the silent night. I bit down on my lower lip as my eyes darted around. Not only did I feel like I would die from this dog’s attack, but its loud barking sound would alert everyone of my plan of escape. The dog continued barking as I stared at it while my feet felt rooted to the spot. I couldn’t move even if I wanted to, and I was no longer sure if I wanted to continue with my plan of escape or if I just wanted Bradon or someone to come and save me from this aggressive beast.
The dog took a few steps forward and that made me automatically shrink back in fear. After taking a couple of steps backwards as I kept my eyes on the dog in front of me, I felt a strange sensation like something had wrapped itself around my two feet.
“Ahh!” I let out a cry of shock and surprise when my feet were suddenly bound together.
I lost my balance immediately and I suddenly felt myself rapidly falling forward.
--To be continued...