CHAPTER 23

ARTEMISIA I darted into the foreboding woods. I ran as fast as my legs could take me. Occasionally, I glanced at my back to see if what I was running away from had caught up with me. I didn't dare to stall since I knew I would be an appetizing meal for the beast if I did. I leapt over a chunk of wood that was on my path and let out a wince as my leg got stuck into a hole that I hadn't noticed in front of me. I felt something snapped around it and I didn't need to look to know it was a snare that had caught my leg. Also, I felt I was beginning to bleed as my head became woozy. "No no!" I shook my head frantically whilst trying to chase away the dizziness that was building at the corner of my eyes. My head reeled and my heart palpitated. I didn't come this far to become unconscious in the middle of nowhere. Earlier, everything had been great. Emma, Julie and I had taken a stroll around Merene and had arrived back at the palace later than usual. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary