CHAPTER 4

Anne's POV

What?

Making a potion out of the herbs I picked together, I brought up his head and fed it to him, watching as the drugs took effect in all his body. His body shook and vibrated as the effects spread all around him, buying him more time, albeit little.

He coughed again and wheezed, looking at me with a mixture of amazement and apprehension. It was like he had a million words to say and he knew there was no longer time to say it. I hated that look.

"Thank God you're back," I exclaimed, using all the strength and training to hold myself back from hugging him tightly.

"Even though, it seems like I am on borrowed time."

I pretended not to hear what he said. "Let's go back to the house sir. We can get your wounds cleaned and I will go get the healer from the village."

His look changed suddenly. "On no condition do you go back to the village. The house must probably be in ashes by now."

"Well then, I will just go from here to go pick up someone from the village to tend to your wounds."

He reached violently and grabbed my head, bringing my face a few inches to his, his hot breath running down my nose. "You listen to me! Nothing must make you go back to that village. Infact, you must start your journey faraway from here, the opposite side of the village."

I knew it must have been because of the assailant and it was because we lived in the woods. I have made quite some friends with the peacekeepers of our town, but it is just so sad that they don't extend their services to the woods.

"There will be no problem Father. We just have to make sure you are good."

"It seems you were not listening to anything I was saying, Annabelle."

He meant serious business every time he used my full name like that, but I was not ready to back down either.

"Whether you like it or not, Gunnar. I am going to save you and you will continue playing your role as my father."

He was no longer struggling with me.

"I win now, I guess you will have to tell me the best way to get down this cliff."

Gunnar was sobbing slowly and he looked at me, my hand clutching his. "I ws part of those that killed your parents."

The awkard silence following that plane was deafening.