Ashley’s POV
I kept running, my heart pounding so loudly it drowned out everything else. The cold wind slapped against my face, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. My legs felt like jelly, but I couldn’t stop-not now, not after what just happened.
The moon’s light guided me as I stumbled upon the old cottage by the lake. It was the same place where I had spent countless afternoons as a child, its wooden frame weathered but still standing tall.
Collapsing in front of the door, I gasped for air, clutching my chest as panic clawed its way through me. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and I felt my throat tighten as the memory of the arrow flashed before my eyes.
I hugged myself, trying to feel a semblance of safety, but my tears flowed freely. *An arrow. They shot an arrow at me.*
“I’m scared… I’m so scared, Mom,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
******
Memories crashed over me like a tidal wave.
I was deep in the woods, clutching Leon’s limp body as I wailed. My cries echoed through the forest, bouncing off the trees, but no one came.
“Somebody, please help!” I sobbed, my small hands shaking as I tried to rouse Leon. His face was pale, his breathing shallow.
“Ashley!”
Her voice. Mom’s voice. I turned around and saw her rushing toward me, her face pale with worry.
“Mom!” I cried, throwing myself into her arms.
She held me tightly, her warmth chasing away some of the fear. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you! What happened, sweetheart?”
“It was a wolf,” I stammered, my words tumbling out in gasps. “We were looking for Vee, and a wolf came out of nowhere. It tried to bite me, but Leon-he pushed me out of the way. It bit his hand instead, and then he fainted.”
Mom’s eyes darted around the forest, scanning for any sign of danger. “Where’s the wolf now?”
“It left when Leon told it to go.” My voice cracked as tears streamed down my cheeks. “I was so scared, Mom. So scared.”
Mom knelt down, cupping my tear-streaked face. “Listen to me, Ashley. I’m going to teach you something-a trick for when you’re scared.”
I sniffled, nodding. “Okay…”
“Whenever fear overwhelms you, count from one to ten,” she said softly.
“Just… count?” I asked, confused.
“Yes,” she said, a small smile curving her lips. “Count to ten and repeat it ten times. By the time you’re done, I promise help will find you.”
“Really?”
Her smile grew wider. “Ten is a powerful number. It’s a symbol of the extraordinary. Your guardian angel will always find you if you call for them this way.”
I nodded slowly, holding on to her words like a lifeline.
“Now let’s get Leon home,” Mom said, lifting him with surprising strength.
*******
I blinked back tears as the memory faded. Sitting alone by the door of the cottage, I took a deep, shaky breath.
“One… two… three… four… five…” I whispered, starting to count. My voice trembled, but I kept going.
The night was eerily quiet, the only sound coming from the rustling leaves.
“Six… seven… eight…”
The fear gnawed at my insides, but I clung to the memory of Mom’s voice.
“… Nine… ten.”
I started over, my breaths growing steadier with each count.
By the seventh repetition, a voice broke through the silence.
“Ashley!”
My head snapped up, and I froze. “Steven?”
I turned toward the sound, and relief washed over me as I saw him running toward me. He stopped just a few feet away, his imposing figure illuminated by the moonlight.
“You hid well,” he said, his voice low and steady, though there was a sharp edge to his tone. “I guess the only thing someone as weak as you is good at is running and hiding.”
I stared at him, unable to form words. Tears welled up in my eyes again, and before I knew it, I threw myself into his arms.
“Mom was right,” I whispered, my voice cracking as I held onto him tightly. “My guardian angel found me.”
Steven stiffened for a moment, clearly taken aback, but then his arms wrapped around me protectively. I could feel the tension in his body, the barely-contained power that radiated off him like heat from a flame.
“I’m not an angel, Ashley,” he said, his voice softer now.
“To me, you are,” I murmured, my tears soaking into his shirt.
He pulled back slightly, just enough to look down at me. His piercing gaze held an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
“You don’t have to be scared anymore,” he said. His voice was steady, but there was a promise in his words-a promise of safety, of retribution for those who dared to hurt me.
I nodded, clutching his arm as though letting go would shatter the fragile sense of security I felt in his presence.
For the first time since the night began, I felt a flicker of hope.
Steven was here.
And nothing could stop him.