Homeward Bound

Audra's POV

I woke up to a sky still cloaked in darkness, the air crisp against my skin. The forest was eerily silent except for the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. I stretched, my muscles aching from days of endless walking. Hunger gnawed at my insides, but I pushed it aside. There were more pressing matters—like getting home. Gathering my trash, I tucked it into a small hole beneath the roots of a tree, burying it under damp earth. It wasn't much, but it kept my presence hidden. I continue my journey south, my bare feet pressing into the cold, uneven ground. The hours blurred together as I walked, exhaustion weighing down on me. The terrain shifted beneath my feet—gravel, dirt, soft patches of moss that cushioned my steps. By nightfall, I stumbled upon a still lake, the water a dark, glossy mirror reflecting the rising moon. My throat burned with thirst, but I hesitated. Stagnant water wasn't safe, but dehydration would kill me faster than a stomachache. Crouching at the edge, I hesitantly scooped a handful of water to my lips. The metallic tang of minerals coated my tongue, but I forced it down. Every gulp was a risk, but I had no choice. My body craved the water more than food, more than air itself. I curled up beneath a thick tree trunk, the bark rough against my back. The night stretched on, the wind whispering through the branches, lulling me into restless sleep. When I awoke, the sky was still ink-black. I rubbed my arms, trying to chase away the numbness in my limbs, then took another drink before setting off again. Just before sunset of the next day, I finally saw it—the distant glow of streetlights, the familiar markings of a town. Relief flooded my chest, but I tamped it down. This time, I wouldn't make the same mistake. No human contact. No questions. I was a ghost, slipping through the cracks of society. I allowed myself an hour of rest before moving under the cover of darkness. The streets were empty, save for a few distant figures, their voices muffled by the wind. I moved quickly, my eyes scanning for what I needed—clothes, supplies, anything to help me last longer out here. A shopping plaza loomed ahead, its rows of stores promising everything I sought. I bypassed the front doors, heading for the dumpsters behind them instead. Behind the grocery store, I struck gold. Expired food, still sealed. I set it aside, knowing I'd return for it later. I moved on to a sporting goods store and rifled through their dumpster. My fingers brushed against fabric—jackpot. Pulling out a slightly torn hiking bag, I inspected it under the dim light. The front pocket was ripped, but the straps were sturdy, the zippers intact. It would do. Next, clothes. I dug deeper, pulling out discarded outdoor gear. Some were too large, others too small, but eventually, I found what I needed: two pairs of slightly loose leggings, a brown long-sleeve sun shirt, two tank tops, and a pair of shorts. Not perfect, but better than the thin gown I had been wearing. I stripped off the tags throwing them back into the dumpster, and stuffed the clothes into the bag, then resumed my search. A dented metal water bottle caught my eye—another stroke of luck. It wasn't much, but it was something. The last dumpster I checked held a pair of sneakers, but they were too big. I cursed under my breath and left them behind. With my scavenging done, I returned to the grocery store to collect the food. My bag was heavier now, but the weight was comforting. It meant survival. Back in the forest, I crouched by a small stream, collecting it in my new watter bottle and using the water to wipe the grime from my skin. The cold sent a shiver through me, but I endured it. I braided my hair while it was still damp, hoping to keep it from turning into a tangled mess. Feeling somewhat refreshed, I made my way back into town, this time with a plan. The gas station was dimly lit, the neon sign buzzing softly. I walked in confidently, masking the exhaustion clawing at my bones. The clerk eyed me as I approached the counter. "Could I maybe borrow your phone? My phone's dead, and I just need to see directions back to my hotel room," I said, keeping my tone casual. He gave me a once-over, skepticism flickering in his eyes. "Been out in the woods a while?" He gestured at my disheveled appearance. I forced a sheepish laugh. "Yeah, went on a hike this morning and ended up off the trail. Got lost." I shrugged. He sighed, pulling out his phone. "Here you go." I smiled, taking it quickly. The battery read 74%—not bad. "Thanks," I said before bolting out the door. I sprinted around the back of the building, ducking behind a dumpster as I pulled up a map. My fingers trembled as I typed in my home address. 89 miles. Five days' walk, at least. But at least I was headed in the right direction. I checked the phone's settings. A password. Damn. But the biometric setup was still accessible. I quickly configured it with my fingerprint before shutting the phone off completely. It would be my lifeline, and I couldn't afford to waste the battery. Taking a deep breath, I melted back into the shadows, disappearing into the forest once more. Tonight, I would sleep. Tomorrow, I would keep moving.

Acheron

The loud pounding on my door shattered the fragile quiet of the morning. I groaned, throwing an arm over my eyes. "Sylvin, what the hell? It's seven in the damn morning!" The pounding didn't stop. "Sir, we have a problem," Sylvin's voice was urgent. Annoyed, I threw on my robe, tying it lazily as I yanked open the door. "What could possibly be so important that you had to wake me up this early?" I seethed. Sylvin swallowed hard, taking a small step back. "She's gone, sir. I went to check on her this morning, but she was gone. I called Luna and she checked the security footage—Audra woke up, stumbled around, and found the tunnel exit. The footage is missing from that section, along with the perimeter cameras. We have no idea which direction she went." He said breathlessly. The room heated instantly, a wave of fire erupting from my skin. Sylvin flinched, his face singed from the sudden outburst. I stormed down to the lab, my fury barely contained. Luna stood there, her lips curled into a wicked grin, a team of hunting dogs at her side. "How could this happen? The monitors were supposed to alert us to any activity!" I growled. Luna smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement. "That is… unless she drowned them." She turned to the monitors, playing back the security footage. Audra lay motionless, barely breathing. Then, suddenly, an ethereal blue light exploded from her, waves of water cascading from her chest. The liquid coiled around her like a living entity, short-circuiting the machines, frying every monitor in the room. Then, as quickly as it came, the water vanished, evaporating back into her skin. I licked my lips, hunger curling in my gut. That power—untapped, raw, magnificent—would be mine. Luna chuckled. "Acheron, you're drooling. Stop it. Just imagine how much stronger she'll be once we teach her to control it." I rubbed my chin, my irritation slowly shifting into something else—something far more dangerous. "Yes," I murmured, a grin stretching across my face. "Powerful indeed." Audra might have escaped, but it was only a matter of time. And when I got her back… she would be unstoppable.