Lady of the underworld

ars rolled down my face in streams. The image of my once-perfect father, shattered to pieces. "No, I must have heard wrong," I muttered, wiping the tears off my face, as I tried to convince my

g out, causing my pupils to constrict as I felt dangerous coming towards me with every second that passed. My body froze as sweat trickled down my forehead. The wind at night was especially chilly, but it was nothing compared to the chill that filled my chest. I could hear rustling sounds outside the bush, and just as I was about to fight to my last breath, my heart leaped to my throat as a large hand suddenly made its way over my mouth. A slightly magnetic but somewhat familiar voice whispered into my ear, "Don't move," My breath halted in my throat as the owner of the voice pulled me deeper into the bushes. My eyes reddened at the thought of everything I had gone through that day. And now it seemed like I was going to get kidnapped or worse. I closed my eyes as tears trickled down my face. I let the owner of the voice take me away. I wasn't lugged like a sack of potatoes like I had expected, but I felt myself sunk into the arms of my kidnapper, as I was carried in a bridal-style position. I didn't have the strength to move, so I let myself be carried. The exhaustion from running around all day, coupled with the fact that I had still not eaten, gradually dawned on my body. It was obvious the adrenaline rush I had gotten had faded away. My eyelids fluttered slightly as I felt myself about to give in to the exhaustion. "You can open your eyes now," the voice called out in a light tone, a light chuckle accompanying his words, rousing my sleepy self. "I will when you put me down," I replied carefully, as I could sense my kidnapper didn't have any bad intentions towards me. "Oh, my apologies," he replied almost instantaneously, as he let me down carefully. His large hand was still placed on the small of my back, as he made sure to support me in the event that my knees gave out. "Careful," he said, as he allowed my small frame to lean on him. I was filled with relief as I felt my feet finally touching solid ground. "Thank you," I muttered, rubbing my eyes softly as I tried to get accustomed to the light. It wasn't too much of a hassle, as the lighting of the shack we took refuge in wasn't exactly the best, so I could barely ascertain his features. He looked to be a boy with a fragile physique that seemed to be still growing into itself. His hair was a messy tangle of dirty blond locks. But it was his eyes that truly set him apart - vibrant hazel orbs that sparkled with innocence and curiosity. They shone like emeralds in the dim lighting of the shack. Despite his