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I am done.

I am so done with this mask of a life that I have been chasing down a rabbit hole for longer than my brain would like to remember.

It's over. It's done, and I am never going back to that man.

I looked back into the rearview window, it's just me on the road. Me and this beat up single cab Ford F-150 that I bought by trading in my shiny silver Mercedes that he bought for me.

He bought so many things for me that eventually, it seemed like every inch of my body was bought. The diamond earrings in my cup holder were an anniversary gift that he bought for me. The tennis bracelet that was burning a hole in a pocket of my purse was a birthday gift from him. Even my fantastically fake french manicure and blonde hair still smelling of bleach were all things that he bought for me.

From the dirty rearview mirror, I could see the pain all over my face. The bruise on my lip from where he punched me. The swollen left eye that had turned an angry black and blue from where his other fist met me. My cheek had a slice, angry red and puffy, from where I fell onto a dresser when he tripped me.

And that was just my face– my body was even more broken in more ways than what met the eye.

I would not go back to him. Ever.

He came home angry. He always came home angry these days, unless he wanted to have sex. Then he was sweet, caring, and apologetic.

"I'm so sorry baby, I didn't mean it."

"Baby, you know you push my buttons, don't you? But you're right, I'm sorry, babe."

Lies.

The day I decided to leave him was the day I started living again, and now on this open road when I was supposed to feel free, I still felt caged.

Because I knew he would come.

I couldn't let him find me. He could never find me, because if he did, I would certainly die.

We lived in Malibu. The home of blondes, fake boobs, fake tans, ridiculously large houses, and Instagram perfect lives. It all seemed so surreal at first for me; a small town girl from a city outside of Portland. The newness and the rollercoaster that was that lifestyle kept me so blinded to the bleaching; the bleaching of my own identity that is.

 I had looked at a map for days, a map that I burned over a burner on my stove so there would be no evidence. I had thought about every possibility and the likelihood of me being able to actually get there. So many were tempting, yet I found flaws in all. So at the end of the day, I started driving.

I had been driving, for two days now, only sleeping for around an hour at a rest stop along the way. I had been on I-5 for what seemed like forever now, I had decided to go to Alaska.

I knew no one in Alaska. Absolutely no one. It was perfect. I could disappear in a little cabin somewhere in the woods. I could grow a garden, a big garden like my mother used to have before she got sick. I could get a job, I could work at a small town store, or I could do whatever the hell I wanted without fear of repercussion.

I only stopped for the necessities. Before I crossed the border, I spotted a Wal-Mart. I knew he would try to track me down. He would be like a hound on the hunt, and I could not risk that.

I loathed Wal-Mart and the establishment that it represented, so I was a Target girl. Like that was any different. But I knew he wouldn't look for me there, so that's what I decided on as I pulled into a parking place close to the entrance. Close enough so I could run back to my car quickly if need be.

I quickly tossed new clothes in my buggy: practical leggings, a few long-sleeved t-shirts, a sweatshirt, and a rain jacket. I got some new underwear, comfortable cottons, and a few plain nude bras. It was liberating to pass up the lace. The lace that he loved. That he demanded that I always wear.

After finding the necessities, I quickly made my way to the hair dye. The long aisle full of every color of the rainbow that I could choose from; the many different identities that I could choose from.

But I went back to my roots. I always wanted to go back to my roots. I went back to the brown that was almost black that I had been born with. The dark color that seemed almost as dark as night as it contrasted with my skin that was naturally almost the color of moonlight in the dark.

It was time for a change, a change that I was more than ready for.

I purchased my items at the self-checkout, because I couldn't risk anyone seeing my face. Not only would they be horrified, but I was terrified of the trail I was leaving. I couldn't let him find me. Not ever.

The water was warm at the rest stop. I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed until my skin was raw. The baking soda paste that I had mixed was starting to wash away the orange that stained my skin, causing the water at my toes to turn into a resentful yellow.

My hair was another story. It was like my hair welcomed the change as it sucked up the dark dye like it was water in the desert.

My reflection almost scared me. Before me was a woman who I had not seen for so many years, that she almost seemed like a stranger. She was like a doe scared of the light from an approaching vehicle as she looked back at me in the mirror. Her long wet dark hair stuck to her skin and her wild blue-grey eyes seemed to be glowing, storming, full of fear, thought, and frantic desperation. Yet there was fight behind her eyes. There was a fire that had not been there for many many years, yet here it was, starting to slowly burn.

Her skin was pale. Like porcelain gleaming as the water started to dry up from the hot shower. She was well built, yet she had allowed that build to diminish. Yoga and cute little Zumba classes at the local country club had not allowed her to become as strong as she should be, as she would be.

But it did not matter.

Seeing myself again was the life that I needed breathed back into me, and I wasn't about to lose it.

I slept in my truck again that night. I always slept in the truck, I was terrified of motels. In a motel, he could barge in and drag me out. At least in the truck, I could lock the doors and drive away.

The morning came earlier than I would have liked, but the new sun gave me hope. I had made it three days. Three days without him. I could make it three more days, then three more days, then three more days. I could make it many days without him.

I stopped at a McDonalds along the way. God, I didn't realize how much I missed this food. I knew it was horrible for you. He used to go on and on and on about how awful it was for you, but it tasted so damn good.

Hash browns, a McGriddle, and a vanilla latte with whole milk because who in their right mind really wants to drink nonfat?

I turned the dial of my radio, trying to find a decent station while I took another sloppy bite out of my bacon, egg, and cheese McGriddle; grease dripping down my chin while the Eagles sang in the background.

I didn't really have a destination. I just had a plain paper map with a red-penciled drawn line to Anchorage, where I could then figure out where I wanted to settle. I could have used a GPS or a phone, but I couldn't afford to be tracked.

They were tempting at Wal-Mart. I almost bought an iPhone, I could have bought an iPhone, but I didn't. I was too scared. I was too scared that somehow he would trace it back to me. So at the check out line, I decided on a paper map. The kind my father used to love.

He had so many paper maps. It was his favorite thing to collect. He taught me how to use them, how to use a compass, and how to navigate my way without the use of petty technology. He taught me many things before his car accident. Before the slippery ice caused his 4-Runner to skid off into the icy lake.

I smiled to myself. My father would be proud of me now. Using a paper map and going on an adventure of my own.

It was a long drive. Too long.

I had too much time to think on my own. To allow my mind to marinade on the many things that had transpired in my life. God how I screwed up. I should have never talked to him, I should have never gone with him, I should have just completely avoided him.

But I didn't.

Because at the end of the day, at that frat party in college, Marcus entranced me. He charmed me and made me feel like no other had before. He was good at that; he made anyone he spoke to think that for a second, they were the center of his universe. His universe. A place where in his mind, everyone revolved around him.

I scoffed to myself. The thought now repulsed me. But what repulsed me more, was that I used to buy into it. More than that, I drank that kool-aid like it was the one thing keeping me alive in this miserable world. I was foolish. I was so foolish to think that the life Marcus offered me was the one I wanted.

I got exactly what I wanted, but when I realized what it was doing to me–how it was eating away at my soul, I knew I had made a grave mistake. A mistake that almost cost me my life to fix.

But not again. No more. I was weak then, but I wasn't weak now. My mother didn't raise me until her last dying breath to be weak, to mold to someone else's form, or to forget who I am.

I was headed towards Talkeetna. The trees were thick and the sun was bright. Winter had faded and spring was starting to bloom, yet the bitter cold outside was a cruel reminder of winter's wrath. I pulled my coat, that I had picked up at a small shop in Anchorage, tighter around my waist then turned the heat up on my trusted truck. Ted is what I called him because he was cozy as a teddy-bear yet just as reliable.

Ted.

Ted and I were currently jamming out to some Beyonce that was blaring on the radio and eating gummy bears and Cheez-it's like no tomorrow. Junk food. I was going to eat and drink and do whatever the hell I liked, and I liked gummy bears and Cheez-it's.

My stomach still grumbled, though. The empty carbs did nothing for my belly that had been living off them for the last few days. That and I was tired. Well, exhausted to be exact. The lack of sleep and actual food was starting to wear on me. It was probably time to stop. To eat. But Lord knows that I was afraid.

I looked in my rearview mirror again and cringed. The bruises had faded a slightly, but they were still ugly. Still ugly black and blue reminders of the fool I used to be. A weakling.

Sighing, I looked back at my map. There were a few small towns and campsites along the way, I could probably stop at a cafe or something then park Ted at a campsite for the night.

My stomach rumbled and twisted. I sighed again and drummed my fingers on the wheel while popping another gummy bear into my mouth.

Neon lights glowed in the distance, and soon they were not so distant. The words 'Diner' flickered in a muted blue that I was pretty confident used to be electric blue. I guess all things fade eventually.

It wasn't grungy and in fact, was quite clean. A small diner with pictures of locals and news clippings hung upon the walls.

I made my way to a booth in a corner near a large red 'Exit' sign. I was always looking for an exit these days.

"Can I help you dear?" a woman with a name tag that read 'Shirley' asked me with a voice that sounded almost like a frog's. She was probably a smoker. Even in her later years after her youth was fading, she wore her yellow diner dress and red apron proudly. Her red painted lips gave me a sympathetic smile and her eyes decorated with tacky blue eyeshadow did their best to hid any inquisitiveness.

I looked down at the menu and sighed. I hadn't ordered for myself for so long that it almost felt like I was doing it for the first time. "What's good?"

She looked down at her pad then back at me with another small smile. "Well, today we have a special. Grilled cheese and a mean tomato soup. It's damn good if you ask me."

I nodded under my hoodie that I had pulled around my face. "Sounds good then."

"To drink?"

"Um," I sighed again and fiddled with the menu, "can I just get a water and some coffee?"

"Sure thing dear. Sugar and cream?"

I froze. My heart started to flutter at the question. Did I want cream and sugar? Did I even like them? I had not been allowed to decide so for so long that the thought seemed to kick me into a minor panic. "Both please?"

She nodded and walked back to the kitchen. Stripping the paper off her pad and handing it to the cook who gave her a sly wink.

I shuddered. This was the most social interaction that I had for a few days. No, this was the most social interaction that I had for years. Marcus used to do the talking for me. Marcus used to make the decisions for me. Marcus used to control my life for me.

But not anymore.

Shirley came back with my water and white coffee mug that she proceeded to fill with a steaming brown liquid. She set the cream and sugar down before me before turning back towards the kitchen again, leaving me to myself.

I stared at that brown liquid for the longest time. Did I want cream or sugar or both?

I started to drum my fingers, then took a sip of the cool water sitting in front of me.

Why was this choice so hard?! It was just a stupid cup of coffee!

"It's never easy." Shirley's voice caused me to jump in my seat. I immediately started cursing myself for letting her sneak up on me. If she could, then who else could?

"What, um, what are you talking about?" I replied quietly.

She sighed and slid in front of me, another white coffee cup in hand. She placed it in front of me and poured another glass.

I didn't move. I couldn't move. She had discovered me.

"When I left my first husband, I didn't know shit from a strawberry. He had taken so much of me from myself. I remember I sat and almost had a breakdown in the shampoo aisle at the store. There were so many, and I had no idea which one to choose!"

"So what did you do?" I asked quickly with a hint of desperation.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she gazed at the two steaming coffee cups before me. "I bought them all, then decided which one I liked the most."

She took the cream with her long pink-painted fingernails and poured it into one glass, then took the sugar and poured it into another before pushing them both towards me.

I gave her a small smile. I couldn't help but buy into whatever Shirley was saying. My fingers, that were trying so hard to conceal their trembling, took the first cup with only cream and placed it to my lips. I took a careful sip of the hot liquid, letting it swirl around my mouth and awaken my taste buds.

I cocked my head and stared more at the cup. "It's ok."

She pushed the second cup to me, which I took to my curious lips and sipped. It was bitter then incredibly sweet. Two incredibly polar opposites dancing in my mouth. I shook my head and pushed it back to her.

Shirley smiled again and poured some sugar into the cup with only cream, then pushed it towards me again. I let out a huff of anxiety. It had been days since I had taken my medication that Marcus demanded I take. He demanded I take it after one his beatings. One of his beatings that was apparently driven by my 'anxiety.'

I sipped the cup, with cream and sugar. It was gentle and sweet, yet it still had the strength of the coffee underneath it. It was perfect.

"I see that smile girl, I think that's your mix."

I nodded again and took another sip. "I think you're right."

Suddenly her hand was on mine. I looked up to meet her large brown pools surrounded by faded blue eyeshadow. Her face held so many wrinkles, so many stories. For me, though, it felt like she was almost a blanket of safety. "It get's better. The first few days are the worst, but girl, you're a lot stronger than you think.'

"Thank you," I whispered while looking back to my cup.

She stood up promptly as a bell rang and went to the counter where an order, probably my order since I was the only one in the diner, was waiting.

The smell of the grilled cheese on sourdough bread and the steamy tomato soup drew a more passionate growl from my stomach; I happily bit into it, letting the melted cheese stick to my teeth. I smiled to myself, my spirit feeling alive again with the feeling of actual food finding my stomach. I continued picking at the sandwich, dipping bits int the tomato soup and savoring the dripping bread.

The bell on the front door chimed and my eyes snapped to attention. A set of three burly men walked in, wild looking, and made their way to a booth not far from mine.

My fingers stopped their task and my throat almost forgot how to swallow. I had no reason to be scared of them, but yet their aura gave off a feeling of danger, so much danger.

Maybe I was being foolish again and making assumptions about people who I didn't even know. Or maybe I wasn't. But I felt fire light up in my belly, fire that I was afraid of because I knew how foolish it could make me. It made me bold to do things that I probably should not do. Or maybe I should. I didn't know. I hadn't been allowed to appease the fire in so long, to dance with it, that I wasn't sure what dancing with it would do.

I tried to continue to eat my sandwich, but I felt like a deer watching its predator. My eyes could not take themselves away from the men, away from the three large men that sat only a few seats away from me.

Golden eyes.

Golden eyes from a man with shoulder-length blonde hair, tied half up, met mine. It was only a second. But it was a second too long.

His eyes assessed my body then a smirk pulled at his lips. Panic arose in my core. I finished my sandwich quicker than I would have liked and flagged down Shirley for the check.

She walked back to me with my change and another bag. "For the road dear."

"You didn't have to do that."

She looked back to the three men, then to me. "Don't worry about it, now it's probably best that you get going darlin'."

I nodded to her, took my to-go bag and change, then made my way quickly out the back door I was sitting close to. I fumbled with the keys a nervously, looking back through the window at the group men who were now all staring at me like I was their next meal.

I shivered as I unlocked Ted and quickly climbed inside. Inside the safety blanket that I knew would keep the monsters away.

I looked in the rearview as I was pulling out. Golden eyes, three sets of them, all burned into mine. I hadn't ever seen anything like it.

"What the hell are they feeding the people up here?" I mumbled.

The feeling didn't leave me, the fear. Those men had struck a familiar chord in me. I stepped down on the gas peddle. Maybe if I drove faster, then I would be able to evade this feeling. This feeling of fear that ate away at my bones, had been eating away at my bones. I had to be rid of it.

The tall trees that started to surround my truck as I made it through the long winding road that led me more and more to freedom. I had no idea what I was going to do or where I was going to stay. Up to now, I had just been sleeping in the truck underneath my coats, but now, I would find my own home. My cash was still mildly ample, and I could probably find a room or apartment. Something that was enough until I could get a job and save enough to find something more permanent. Maybe I would get lucky. Maybe I would find a small cottage nestled in the woods. Away from people. Away from prying eyes. Away from him.

A small dirt road came into view and I quickly discarded my map and started to steer my truck towards it. Dust flew up behind my stuck as I turned onto it, and dusk was starting to overcome the day, and night would be here soon. A small clearing, a small campsite, awaited me just a quarter mile down. It would be the perfect refuge for the night.

I quickly parked the truck and surveyed the area. It didn't seem like anyone was here, and it looked mostly quiet. Exactly what I needed; some damn peace and quiet.

I parked Ted and quickly hopped out into the crisp night air. Crickets were barely chirping, I guess some of them survived the winter; if they could survive, maybe I could too.

My first thought was to build a fire, which I wasn't too experienced in, but I did buy some fire-starter logs and matches along the way. It may be cheating, but at least it would keep me warm.

I started to gather some smaller logs, I read somewhere that the smaller logs are what you're supposed to light first.

It was a crunch that snapped my head around, causing me to drop my bundle of small branches. I felt frozen. I felt stiff. I felt like I was going to pass out.

There was a man. Older, maybe in his mid-fifties? He had gray hair that had to have reached his shoulders, but it was pulled back behind him, so I couldn't tell. He had on worn jeans and brown boots. Brown boots that were smashing out the last bits of the cigarette he had been smoking. He tucked his worn hands into his red and black winter coat, taking me in suspiciously with his silver eyes.

"You're trespassing."

I let out a shaky breath and looked back at my truck, Ted, that was only a few steps away. "I didn't see a sign. I thought it was a campsite."

He cocked his head and assessed me some more. More than I would have liked him too. "Well, this is my property and you're trespassing."

"I was just looking for a place to stay the night, I would be gone before dawn." God, maybe he would just shed some mercy and let me stay.

He spat out towards his side before digging into his pocket and pulling out a carton of cigarettes. "No can do miss. You can't stay here."

He lit his cigarette, a light that seemed to suck out the fire that was burning in me. I nodded. I wasn't going to argue with him. Even at his age, he seemed impressively built. Strong. Like he had been raised by bears, a Tarzan of Alaska. "I just, I was looking for a campsite. Do you know one close by?"

He took a drag of his cigarette and took a few steps towards me. Too many steps. I backed away towards my truck until I felt my back hit the metal. My fingers reached for my keys as he let out a breath of smoke.

He looked at my face. He was close enough to see. To see the bruises and damage that had been done. Something flickered in his eyes, but it passed too quickly before I could recognize what it was. "There's one about three miles from here. It will be one your right. Just keep an eye out."

"Thank you," I breathed out. He started to walk away, smoke from his cigarette lingering in the air.

He turned back towards me, looking back over his shoulder for a pregnant moment. "Be careful, girl. If I was you, I would head back to Anchorage."

I quickly opened the driver's door and shook my head. "I can't do that, I have to keep moving."

He nodded. "Well then, better get moving. Stay close to that truck, wouldn't want any wild animals to get you."

I shivered.

Who the hell is this guy? How did he even get here?!

"Thanks," I muttered before hopping in Ted and practically skidding out of there.

I got about a half mile down the road before I felt myself start to relax. Start to breathe. I didn't even realize that I had been holding my breath.

"Shit Charlotte, what the hell was that?!"

I let out a shaky breath. I was ok. I would be ok. Just a crazy old man, nothing to get scared about.

You're strong Charlotte. You're strong, remember what dad told you...

I swallowed down my fear and kept my eye out. The turn, if the crazy old coot was right, should have been coming up soon.

It was a campsite. A long road winding through it. It was mostly empty, and I was grateful, but that didn't stop me from driving to the very back of it.

I knew there were no people, but my gut told me not to take any chances. By now, he was probably furious with rage; a rage that would surely see my demise.

I parked Ted near a beautiful clearing. There was a stream trickling nearby, and there was plenty of limbs on the ground to collect.

Making myself busy, I built a small fire with my starter logs. Thank God for them. They seemed to feed the fire all on their own, slowly burning and feeding the flickering beast.

I took out the to-go package. Shirley had apparently packed me another grilled cheese and some fries. I smiled to myself as I thought of the kind woman. Kindness. I almost had forgotten how powerful it was.

The sandwich was not cold, but it was not warm. It was still good, though, as were the fries. I ate them mindlessly and let the flames dancing over my small fire capture my gaze.

The fire flickered on and started to dwindle as the darkness set in. I climbed back into Ted and locked the doors. I always locked the doors. I don't think I would ever stop locking the doors.

The jacket that I had pulled around me was warm, I even decided to splurge myself and keep the heater on for a while longer than I had planned. It was perfect. Cozy like a den of my own, a world away from all my troubles. It was a far cry from the luxury that I used to live in, but the freedom it gave me was worth more than all the gold in the world.

I sighed and laid my head on my make-shift pillow of clothes and a backpack. My eyes started to drift, slowly, so slowly into bliss.

Then there was a howl.

It was loud. It was too loud. Close. Too close.

I shot up in my seat. Heart starting to flutter, eyes frantically searching everywhere, but there was nothing.

"It's probably further away," I mumbled.

I laid back down and squeezed my eyes shut. I just needed to find sleep. A little sleep. It was probably because I was sleep deprived.

I almost dozed off when a loud thud yanked me out of the Sandman's pull. My truck shook a bit from the collision. I looked everywhere but didn't see anything.

Another thud. This time on the tail.

"Time to go," I muttered.

My fingers dug into my jacket pocket, fishing for my keys that had fallen amongst the other random items I kept in there.

Another thud. This time, it was harder and closer to the cabin.

I tried not to scream and pulled the keys out of the pocket. My shaking fingers barely got them in the ignition, and the ignition barely started to the car. My old beat up Ford that was choosing now of all times to give up.

"Come on Ted!" I hissed.

The engine turned and my heart simmered down a hair. "Thank God!"

Before my foot could shift the truck into drive, a loud crash rocked the cabin from the passenger side, drawing a scream from my mouth and denting the door.

"What the hell?!"

I couldn't let it phase me. I had come too far to be killed now. I wasn't going to let Marcus kill me, and I wasn't about to let whatever this was either.

I hit the gas and Ted kicked up gravel as his tires struggled to gain traction on the ground. I made it about ten feet before something crashed directly into the front of the truck, sending me sideways. Then something else crashed into my side, knocking me over to the passenger door.

I tried to claw my way back to my seat, but another crash shook the truck, then another almost lifted the truck, then suddenly I blinked and the truck was falling onto its side.

I screamed again and covered my face. When I opened my eyes I was met with silence. Pure and horrifying silence.

I couldn't stay here, but I couldn't leave either. Whatever this was, it had planned this. Trapped me like a wolf traps its prey.

The window cracked.

The window cracked as a dark figure started to crawl on top of the driver's side door. I had to run. It was run or let whatever that thing was kill me from the corner I was pressed against.

I held my breath as the thing jumped off, and seemed to be walking around the rear of the truck. The windshield was shattered, but I didn't want to make too much noise. So I opened the cover of the sunroof because Ted was one fancy ass truck and quietly opened the glass. The air was cool and it was still quiet outside. Too quiet.

But I couldn't stay. I had to run.

Maybe I could make it back to that old guy? Maybe he didn't live far...

I was a runner in high school. I loved to run. I would run and run and run and run until my legs would literally give out on me. My mother used to call me 'her little gazelle.' I hadn't run like I used too since I had been with Marcus, but that didn't matter. Legs didn't forget how to run just because they had not done so in a while.

I didn't waste time as I squeezed through the opening. I ran.

My legs pumped underneath me and my lungs started to fuel my body with the oxygen it needed to flee. My feet dodged limbs and jumped over failed branches, and my hands pushed away bushes that only got in my way. Adrenaline rushed through my body, coursing through my veins and brought fire to my feet that were racing across the ground.

Hands grabbed my waist and pulled me down roughly. Tumbling to the ground, I found myself pinned down but a weight much heavier than my own. My eyes flickered open to meet glowing gold ones.

Golden eyes and golden hair, the man from the diner.

He smiled a sickeningly wicked smile down to me, the same smile Marcus used to have before he was about to beat me the use my body as he pleased.

Before the man could move, I kicked between his legs then made another mad dash for it. I could hear his groans fading behind me, but my feet kept carrying me. Growling.

Growling coming from my side caused my head to whip around, a mistake. I was tackled again but a large brown blur. I tumbled to the ground hard, my knees scraping against the dirt as I fell onto a patch of leaves. I hid my head against something hard, but that's not what caught my attention.

Golden eyes prowled towards me now. Golden eyes on four legs. Four legs that were attached to a wolf. A big ass wolf that was more like a small horse. An animal that was licking its lips at its next meal. Me.

I screamed and kicked it away, but it seemed to just laugh at me; a strange wolfy laugh. I scooted back and climbed back to my shaking legs, that were trying to carry me away, but I was stopped. Another wolf golden caked with mud prowled towards me. I turned around again and tried to find an exit, an escape, but the blonde man just stalked towards me, smiling like he had just won the lottery.

"I always love a good chase."

I felt my breath catch I my throat. "Stay–st–stay away from me!"

He looked at the two giant wolves that were still growling and eyeing me up for size and shook his head. "I don't think so."

I let out a sharp breath. My eyes trying to find an exit, my brain trying to work out all the possibilities of how this could end. "Just let me go, please, I won't tell anyone, not a word!"

"I don't think so little lady," A gruff voice replied from behind me.

I turned quickly and felt my heart drop into my stomach. The wolf was gone but not in his place was another man from the diner. Another large man that looked like he wanted to have his wicked way with me after his friend was done.

"What the? That the hell–"

Slam.

Slammed into the dirt by the blonde man who took my shock as an opportunity to strike. I tried to claw my way out. Scratching his arms, kicking, screaming, and beating him with all that the had.

But it did not phase him. He just laughed lowly before slapping me hard, waking up wounds that were trying to heal.

Tears were streaming down my face as he started to unbutton his pants. More tears fell as he undid mine. I couldn't let this happen again, but I was trapped.

He pinned both of my hands above my head with just one of his bear-like paws, easily restraining me. I kicked and kicked and kicked but he just slapped me again with his free hand. I saw stars and tasted blood.

I shuddered as a panicked breath escaped my lips. Maybe if I closed my eyes it would all disappear. Maybe if I turned my head away, the feeling of him forcing my legs apart would be but a distant memory. Maybe if I just laid here, just long enough, it would be over. It would be over and they would just leave me.

Maybe.

But I was tired of just laying down without a fight. I would fight.

I kicked him hard again, and again, and again. But it did nothing. I tried to bite him when rubbed himself on me, but he only laughed and said. "I like it a little rough too girl."

I screamed, but he just covered my mouth and muffled it away.

He almost had me. Was almost inside me. Until he was suddenly ripped off me.

It took me a moment to comprehend the fact that he was no longer on me, but not long enough for me to quickly pull my tights back up and scrambled to knees. My shaking knees that felt like they would give out from the previous struggle.

I was still seeing stars, but I could still see the struggle going on in front of me. A tall dark blur was tearing the golden man limb from limb, literally. Another blur, grayish and black was fighting the two large wolves on his own.

I wasn't going to wait to see what happened, I ran.

I ran as fast as my legs would let me, back to Ted, back to safety.

A sharp pain and a jerk caused me to fall like a large tree in the woods onto the ground. I looked back and a golden wolf had my leg in its mouth like a chew toy, jerking it back and forth; sinking deeper and deeper into my flesh.

I let out a blood-curdling scream as it released my let then started to step towards me. Blood dripping down its hairy chin and it's long tongue licking it up like candy.

It lowered itself to me. Its breath danced along my chest with hot need, hungry desire. Tears were flowing as I started to embrace my fate.

But then he was gone. He was knocked into a tree but the grayish black blur I had seen earlier.

I rolled to my side, my leg handicapping me and shooting pain through my body. It was a wolf that I saw. A large black wolf that was starting to gray, to silver.

He danced around the golden wolf like it was his toy, then struck with a ferocity that made me want to vomit from the fear it churned in my belly. The golden wolf didn't even stand a chance. He was dead before he could even snap his jaw; bleeding onto the clean forest floor.

I tried to stand but my leg felt like a thousand fires were blazing up it. A languished moan came out of my lips as I fell back to the forest floor. I looked back at my leg that was spilling blood, precious blood. I was losing too much of it.

I was going to die I was sure of it.

My vision was fading; fading, yet I tried to hold on. I tried to hold onto the last bits of life that were waning away from my grasp, but it seemed futile. Darkness swirled around me, calling to me gently. It was going to be impossible to resist the temptation.

I blinked my eyes and fell a little deeper. I opened them and blazing silver eyes stared back at me. I was curious, but my curiosity was killed by the darkness that pulled me into its embrace.

It was peaceful. Tragically peaceful.

Then again, I always wanted peace.