Page 111 of Stay With Me
“What are you doing?” the young blond asks.
“Um, sitting here,” I say as I try to hide where I tied my dress.
“Your dress is not right. We must fix it,” the other says.
My chest tightens as a wave of nausea sweeps through me. I try to think of something to say. As I run my hands down the dress to smooth it out, I look down at the ground and say, “It’s slightlytoo long, and I didn’t want to dirty it by stepping on it with my shoes. Matthew would not be happy.”
“Father Matthew,” they snap in unison.
“Father Matthew,” I say softly. The pieces falling into place. If Matthew has taken the title of Father, that means his father must have passed away. Is that why everyone is not here? Have they all passed away?
Aspen…My chest constricts thinking that I couldn’t save her in time.
Before I can ask questions, they look at each other, and then the blond speaks. “He will be very upset if the dress is not clean. We will be back with the sewing kit to adjust it for you.”
I release my breath as they turn to leave.
I can do this. I have to do this.
Rushing back to the window once the door closes, I push a little harder and feel the window move.
I slide the pane up just enough that I can squeeze through. With one last look over my shoulder, I peek my head through and find a bush right under the window. I lift my legs onto the sill and slide as far as I can until I topple into the bush.
As soon as I hit the ground, I hold my breath, hoping no one heard me. When no one comes running or shouting, I stand up slowly and look around. Tall trees surround the home with slivers of light peeking through the leaves. The smell of pine fills my nose as I work to catch my breath.
I don’t recognize the home we’re at, but I think we’re in the town to the west of Griffin’s Den because Joe told me there was a protected woodland over this way.
I take a deep breath and take off in the direction of the woods. If I can hide there for a while, maybe they’ll give up, and I’ll be able to find help.
As I take off running, someone yells from inside the house. I don’t look back and start to zigzag through the woods. Stumbling over the roots, I fight to stay upright.
My lungs burn as I push myself faster.
My name rings through the trees as Matthew yells for me. I pause as I look left and right, knowing I can’t keep running at this pace forever.
I don’t know if I can climb a tree fast enough, but I have to try. I move toward the biggest tree when a fallen trunk catches my eye just past it.
That could be a better option.
Running forward, I see the tree trunk is partially hollow. It’ll be a tight fit, but I think they’ll look up before they look for me on the forest ground.
Trying not to think about the bugs that might bite me, I climb in. The bark scratches my skin as my dress catches. I’m suddenly thankful the women put my hair in a bun so it’s all contained.
I pull my legs into my chest and hold my breath.
The voices get closer until Matthew and Chris sound like they’re right next to me.
“How did she get away?” Matthew asks, his voice trembling with anger.
“The women said she climbed out of the window.”
“Why did anyone think it was a good idea to leave her alone? Why can no one do anything right?”
“I’m sorry, Father. The women were afraid that if they spent too much time with her, they would be touched by the devil.”
“They will be since they let my chosen female get away. They will be sent to the basement with no meals for three days once we find her.”
“Yes, sir.”
