CHAPTER 28 : THE RIVER'S SECRET

The next day, the slaves were sent to fetch water from a nearby stream. The task seemed simple enough, but for Lauren, it was never just about carrying water. Since her arrival, every chore felt like an extra weight, a reminder of how trapped she was. The guard, as always, was with them—silent, ever-present. But today, something was different.

Lauren couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The air felt thick with tension, like a storm was brewing in the distance. She wandered away from the others, seeking some space for herself, hoping to find some peace. The stream, with its quiet flow, seemed like the perfect place to escape the constant watchful eyes. The land around the water was calm and serene, so different from the uneasy, oppressive atmosphere of the camp. She needed the silence, the solitude, to clear her mind.

As she knelt by the edge of the water and dipped her hands into the cool stream, she felt a strange peace wash over her. For the first time in days, the fear, the dread, seemed to slip away, replaced by a calming sensation—something soft, something familiar, almost like home. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to relax, to forget the world around her.

But then, the stillness was shattered.

"You've wandered far, slave."

The guard's voice was closer than she had expected. Lauren froze, her heart leaping into her throat. Her senses had already been on edge, so when she heard him, her breath caught in her chest. She had felt him before she saw him. She looked up, and there he was, standing not far from her, watching her closely. His dark eyes seemed to pierce through her, his gaze intense.

Before she could say anything, before she could react, her foot slipped on a smooth rock hidden under the water. She tried to catch herself, but it was too late. Her body tipped forward, and in an instant, she was falling. The cold water rushed up to meet her, pulling her under with its strength. Panic gripped her as the current tugged at her, and she fought desperately, but the water felt like it was swallowing her whole. She couldn't swim—she had never learned.

The guard didn't hesitate. In one swift movement, he jumped into the water after her, his hands gripping her waist, pulling her toward him. The force of the water and his movement sent them both tumbling further downstream. The coldness of the river, the rush of water, and the sheer chaos of the moment made everything feel like it was happening in a blur. But through it all, the guard's hold never wavered. His strong arms kept her close, and he fought against the current with a powerful force.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the shallower part of the stream. The guard dragged them both to the riverbank, gasping for air. Lauren's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. The coldness of the water seemed to sink deep into her bones, but what made her heart race was not just the shock of the water, but the closeness of the guard. He held her tightly against him, his body pressed against hers, as they both tried to steady themselves.

Her heart hammered in her chest—not just from the shock of the water, but from the closeness. His breath was warm against her skin, his arms still holding her firmly, and she could feel the rapid beating of his heart. The sensation was overwhelming, something she couldn't ignore. His presence was so strong, so intense.

But as Lauren tried to regain her bearings, something unexpected happened. She felt a sudden awareness of her appearance. She was drenched, her hair falling loose and wild around her shoulders. She had always kept it covered, always dyed it so no one could see its true color. But now, the water had washed away the dye, and her natural hair, white as wool, was free. It cascaded down her back in thick, unruly curls, untouched by the color she had used to hide herself. For a brief moment, she was exposed—vulnerable, raw.

The guard's eyes widened as he took in the sight of her. His mouth went dry, and he couldn't look away. He had seen her now, really seen her—her true self. Her hair was white—pure, woolly white, like freshly fallen snow, and it seemed to shimmer under the sunlight. She was... beautiful, in a way that felt beyond the ordinary. Ethereal. And he couldn't stop staring.

Lauren felt a flush rise to her cheeks. A heat spread across her chest, and for the first time in a long time, she felt exposed—not just physically, but emotionally. Her secret was out. The one thing she had hidden for so long, the thing that she had kept so carefully concealed, was no longer hers alone. The guard had seen it. He had seen her.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her pulse quickening. The feeling was overwhelming. She wanted to look away, to hide, but she couldn't. There was something about the way he was looking at her, something she couldn't explain. The guard stepped back, his breath coming faster, as though he was struggling with something inside himself. His expression was a mix of shock and something else—something she couldn't read.

Lauren, too, was trying to make sense of the feeling that had stirred inside her. She couldn't explain why her body was still warm, why her skin felt like it was tingling from his touch. She had never been this close to anyone before—never allowed herself to be this vulnerable. It made her uneasy, but there was something else, something she couldn't push away. The pull between them was undeniable, like an invisible force drawing them closer, even as both of them tried to make sense of it.

In that moment, everything seemed to stop. The world around them faded, and all that mattered was the space between them, the unspoken connection that now lingered in the air. Neither of them knew what it meant, but it was there, hanging heavy in the silence. They were both changed, in ways they didn't yet understand.