Prologue
Prologue
Eastvale - About twenty years ago
"Are we really gonna follow through with this?" the guy shouted to his girlfriend, who led the way. His voice murmured against the trees and the silence of the forest. "I mean, are we really gonna do it?"
Ines stared back at him and put a finger to her lip, she looked like a dark lioness in the twilight. The forest never ended, an eternal forest, the trees were scattered and veiled the skies. Nevertheless, the forest proved easy to navigate, they'd become familiar with the forest over the past few years.
"Of course we are, you fool," she whispered, wandering in front of the man. Remi felt uneasy, though they were following the plan perfectly. "The only thing I'm worried about is all of Eastvale hearing your voice."
It seemed like a lifetime since they first entered the forest. Why did it have to be so far? The same trees and occasional patch of dirt appeared and made time slowly linger on. Ines ignored the repetitive landscape and time. Like a feline seeking her prey, she had a goal and needed to travel to get there.
The two had traveled together through the rain and nighttime of the forest, birds crying above them in the treetops. Still, they didn't stop, even with the pitter-pattering of rain and wet grass that clung to their shoes. The beads of raindrops flickered on the plant leaves and grass, dancing in the seldom moonlight.
Remi followed Ines, she was the mastermind. She knew how to get to the heart of the forest and how long it would take, she had dreamed of it for years. He tagged along because he loved her dearly, he didn't want her to go unprotected and get caught alone. If the plan failed, he wanted to go down with her. Ines spoke with confidence despite the odds of getting caught.
They ran through the woods, Ines navigating the path. She seemed lionhearted, but Remi wondered if she felt uncertainty beneath her exterior. He decided that Ines had fantasized about doing this for too long, she was merely fulfilling her task. Remi wasn't feeling as fearless, they had wandered for days and the landscape hadn't changed. Nothing had changed.
"We don't have all night, Remi. We're almost there," Ines turned to him, grass blades stinging her ankles. Remi thought about how bold she was, how nothing, including their sparse food and the neverending forest, had broken her determination.
He sprinted toward her and met her eyes. Her eyes glowed lilac and he wondered how he'd been so lucky in winning her heart. She was beautiful and strong, an amazon queen who would show no mercy. "Ines..." Remi started, "No matter what happens here, ever, I will always love you."
No reply. Ines' eyes softened, looking forward. She froze. Remi stopped walking, glancing at his girlfriend and wondering if she had noticed someone. Shit, may be they had been spotted. This was it, they were done for. A pang of anxiety agonized his body, fresh rain poured from the skies.
"We're here, Remi. See that pool of water? We're here." Relief.
Everything stood silent, even the birds in the forest. She looked at the pool with such certainty in her eyes that it startled Remi.
"It's there, on those rocks," she pointed to a cluster of stones beneath the tree, a newborn lay on the stones.
Now Remi noticed the silhouette of the child resting by the pool. Ines had guided them through the forest for days and now they were there, nothing could stop the pair now. He had followed her lead and now he watched his girlfriend stare in admiration at the pool of water, the towering tree, and the newborn. A smile formed on her face.
"What are you waiting for? Go get the child," ordered Ines, moving toward the water. Remi nodded and swept the newborn up into his arms. "There we go. Let's get out of here."
Continue to Chapter One