Raven's Flight

Allie panted, tree bark scraping her sharpened shoulder blades.

Am I deep enough in the forest? How far is it to the road? Have they realised I'm gone yet? Please, no! Don't let them realise till morning…

The dregs of the Community (newcomers, and those in disgrace, like herself after her failed escape) were woken at 5AM. That'd give me a couple hours.

Fighting back tears, Allie tilted her face to the stars. Who am I kidding? I’ve no idea how to use them to stop myself getting lost…

But I have to try.

She kept running.

If only I'd gone with Simon when I had the chance... Her brother tried to get her out, but his clumsy attempt had involved snatching her off the street. She'd panicked and fought him off.

Curtis showered her with affection for that. I'm so proud of you, my raven. The memory lanced her heart. For a half-second, she nearly turned around.

Weakened, bent double and wheezing, she made herself remember times he’d led other girls away from the firelight. Times he’d disappeared for days, even weeks at a time. What (or who) was he up to? When he returned with another skinny, insipid looking girl clutching his arm.

The last one, Candace, was seventeen. When she wasn't gazing round at them all, she turned those wide, watery headlamps on Curtis, tracking the movement of his eyes and lips.

Allie had hated them, thinking herself simply jealous. In hindsight, those girls were like mirrors. Did I really look like that? Is that why the other women had looked at me with such dislike?

Chest squeezing, legs screaming… I must rest soon... But where? Last time they’d cut off her hair. What might they cut off this time?

The light bled from the sky, stars fading. How will I stay headed in the right direction, now?

The trees were thinner up ahead. Harsh light appeared, accompanied by the rumbling of an engine. Her heart leapt, and a burst of energy flooded her, tearing out of her in a hopeful scream.

“Help me!”

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Edited to add author's note:

Word count - 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and authors note.)

Submitted on Saturday 14th September at 18:27

Author's Note

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 258 daily microfiction story streak since 1st January.

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

The story behind the story: This follows on from Like a Raven's Wing and His Raven.

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. I will do my best to respond to each one and reciprocate the reads.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Here's a recent entry to the Unfiltered (stream of consciousness) challenge:

Here is a recent Top Story of mine:

My new Dollar Challenge! Please give it a look:

A recent Runner Up placement for one of my Wanky Poems:

And now for something completely different:

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Thank you again!