Cassie - Freedom

Cassie 🤍

The door slams shut behind me as the bright sunlight makes my eyes sting, I turn away waiting for them to stop hurting but it's taking too long!

I hang Izzy's card round my neck as I try to narrow my eyes to look around desperately searching for the road, It isn't until my eyes adjust I spot it in the distance!

Run!

I started moving as my feet hit the floor, The snarling and screaming is slowly fading into the background the further i get away. I cover my nose as the air smells weird, there's too many different scents hitting me at once!

I make it to the road and quickly duck into the forest beside it like Red told me.

As i find my footing and pick up speed everything starts blurring past me, i can't even tell what most of it is, I didn't know it was possible to even move this fast! A huge smile pulls at my lips as the wind rushes past my face.

My feet slam against the moist soil as water droplets cling to my skin as i pass the bushes and trees. I take a deep breath through my nose, making my pulse race i realise It smells exactly like Red! He was right!

I look back over my shoulder at the building that now looks tiny in the distance, the outer walls are white with water stains and it's surrounded by trees and bushes.

I can no longer hear the alarm but there's also no sign of Red?Should i slow down? I think as a whimper escapes my throat.

I slowed until I was no longer moving. Should i go back for him?

*Red?*

Tears start to brim my eyes. Where's Red?

I look around and see no movement. The building is still.

*Run fast. don’t stop Kitty* suddenly bursts into my head.

His okay!

I turn and sprint "Cassie run fast! Find red barn!"

I dodge through trees, jump over logs, the wind is flowing over my skin, i feel alive!!

After endless hours of following the same road the sun starts to go down.

My lungs begin to burn as my muscles feel like they're ripping, but i don't stop, Red said to keep going!

I stumble on a branch as my legs tire but manage to catch my footing again.

I keep pushing forward until the light goes completely.

I slow my gurning legs down until i stop, it's dark - so dark i'm struggling to see the road.

Did i miss the barn?

I narrow my eyes to look around, i lean forward putting my hands on my knees trying desperately to catch my breath.

I can hear creatures roaming the forest, the bushes are rustling and there's movement in the trees above.

I don't like it, i take a few steps to my left and sit at the bottom of a large tree that can protect my back from any attacks, I pull my bare legs up to my chest and rest my chin on my knees.

My body starts to shiver as the adrenaline wears off, i wish Red had told me his plan i would have worn better clothes instead of just a nightie!

Red... i whimper.

*Red?*

a minute passes..

*Red? free?* tears start to fall down my cheeks.

nothing..

*Red Cassie scared* i hope he can hear me.

Minutes of silence pass.

I start to sob "Cassie alone"

I continue to look around at the trees as the wind makes the bushes move.

"Things could hurt Cassie" i whisper before scanning in front of me before wiping my eyes.

"Cassie should move" i nod as i stand up.

"Red said keep running" i talk to myself, I keep following the road as best as i can, I'm not moving as fast anymore but i'm still going.

The birds flap around above me as things scurry around the floor, why is everything worse in the dark?

I pick up a smell i recognise and crouch down, i sniff around and follow the scent through some trees.

Pork? It's a small / medium sized animal with tusks. I tilt my head to the side as i sniff the air moving closer trying to avoid twigs.

My stomach starts to rumble alerting the weird animal that i'm here, it goes to run but i leap for it and quickly slice through its throat with my claws.

Blood flows out of it as i look at it panting! My heart is pounding and the tiny hairs over my arms are stood on end.

I did it! "Cassie hunt" i say holding my head high looking around for praise.

A frown suddenly falls over my face as i remember i'm completely alone.

I sigh and look down before i slice through its soft belly to feast.

Once i'm stuffed i sit back against a tree with the half eaten animal at my feet.

*Red Cassie hunt!*

Nothing..

*It was round and fat, Cassie saved you some*

....

*RED ANSWER CASSIE!!*

....

He didn't come, he didn't follow, Is he still stuck there? Or have they hurt Red?

I start to whimper as my heart aches.

*Red hurt?*

"Why Red not answer Cassie?" i ask into the cold air.

I decide to wait, maybe he just hasn't caught up yet? I am very small and fast! Maybe Reds big and slow?

I nod, yes that makes sense! Reds just big and slow!

I sit there and let my eyes flutter closed while i wait.

I Wake up to the sun on my face hurting my eyes, its so bright i don't like it.

I sit up straight and squint my eyes to look around, the dead thing is still there and there's no movement from anywhere, apart from the wind blowing the leaves around me.

I get up to my feet and stretch, i need to find some water as my throats starting to hurt.

I start walking beside the road once more, looking around i realise it all looks the same.

Road, Trees, bushes. There's been nothing different since i left the white building.

Well apart from that weird animal that was definitely different!

I start to pick up speed as my body wakes up.

*Red? Cassie up*

....

I continue running while checking for Red over my shoulder every few minutes.

I hear a noise like spilling water? i look to the side taking my eyes off the trail in front of me, i try to focus on where the noise is coming from when my foot suddenly comes into contact with a rock making my ankle buckle to the side.

I fall forward onto my knees and luckily put out my hands to stop me from hitting my head.

I roll onto my bum to check my ankle, its turning red and beginning to swell.

I look around seeing nothing but the usual trees.

"Stupid rock!!" I shout throwing a small log in its direction.

I let out a groan as i try to get to my feet, i manage to limp a few steps before grabbing onto a tree. I hear what sounds like rushing water in the opposite direction from the road.

I bite my lip looking at the grey concrete, but i really need a drink.

I turn around and limp towards the sound of water, after about fifteen minutes of limping i step out into a slow flowing river.

"Wow"

It's like my pictures it's so pretty!

I sit down with my feet in the cool water as i cup some in my hands to drink!

It tastes so cold and fresh, it's the best water ever!!

*Red Cassie found water*

...

I sigh and lean back on my hands taking in the beautiful view.

There are sounds of all kinds of creatures around me, little reptiles croaking and jumping in the water.

Birds tweeting above me, If i look carefully i can even see fish swimming past!

If my ankle didn't hurt i'd try to get one they look tasty!

As the sun starts to get low in the sky i decide i should try to get moving again, i must be close by now unless I've totally missed it.

I manage to stand easier this time after resting my ankle for a few hours, i take a deep breath before i head back to the road limping, using the trees to hold myself up along the way.

After a while of stumbling and fighting the ground to stay upright i grip onto a tree and catch my breath. Frowning i look around, i should have reached the road again by now.

I turn in a circle but there's no sign of it, i huff and continue to move forward as rain drops start hitting my skin.

trying to move quicker i lose my footing and stumble. I Growl as the rain gets heavier making the only bit of fabric i'm wearing cling to my body making me cold.

I shouldn't have left. I should have just stayed with Red! I'm completely lost, wet and hurt!!

"Stupid Cassie!!" I hit the tree i'm leaning on making wood splinter from it.

I look around for shelter but there isn't anything. The best i have is the tree I'm under taking most of the rain.

Sliding my back down the tree i hug my legs once i'm sitting at the bottom. My body starts to shiver as thunder echoes around the forest.

*Red please* I beg.

...

*Cassie lost* i whimper

...

I sat there all night shivering wishing I had never left the white building.

I'm still awake by the time the sun rises. it's a very pretty mixture of colours, some reds, oranges, yellows.

It makes me smile for the first time since leaving Reds side.

I sat there watching until it was high in the sky bringing me much needed warmth.

Once the sun had dried me and i'd stopped shaking i pull myself up, I've started walking better but still slightly limping. I don't know where i'm headed but i can't just sit there and die.

My stomach starts rumbling so i stop and decide to sniff around for food until i pick up a scent to follow.

I quietly stalk towards the animal, treading carefully so i don't make any noise until i spot it! It's big with antlers? I think it's a deer!

I get low as i slowly approach being careful of my ankle. It's stood feeding from a bush not paying any attention to what was going on behind him, Silly deer!

I prepare to pounce just as it's flung backwards with a large cat sinking its fangs into its throat!

I gasp and fall back in shock as i lock eyes with this brown predator.