Echo’s Journal Entry #10

Journal Entry #10
I became an orphan, at least that’s what Gregory and Sarah said when they finally unmasked me. We stopped several times throughout the hurried journey and Gregory would lower me from my slumped position over his shoulder. Neither spoke or pulled the burlap sack from my head though. Their heavy breaths mingled before violent screams broke the silence and I was hoisted up again.
Light eventually filtered through the woven material covering my face. Gregory placed me onto a bed of dampened leaves. The vines were cut, freeing my limbs. My numb hands pushed at leaves as I scurried on my knees to get away from them. A strong hand grasped my ankle and pulled me back to my starting place.
“Don’t make me tie you up again. That was most unpleasant,” Gregory said.
Shivers coursed through my body.
“Unpleasant for me,” I replied.
“For me as well,” he said.
As if I wasn’t confused enough!
Sarah gently stroked my hand and I jerked away from her. The realization that I’d been kidnapped set in hours ago. I was in escape mode at this point. Ways to get away swirled through my brain, each one quickly dismissed. They were faster than me, stronger than me, and there were more of them. I had to wait for my father and his coterie. But they weren’t coming.
“I understand you may not trust me right now, but I have to tell you something,” Sarah said.
I curled up into a ball to distance myself from her as best I could.
“There is no easy way to say this, and this was never our intention. The times we stopped along this journey was so that our group could protect themselves. Rowan and your coterie followed us and were prepared to do anything to get you back. Despite everything you said about your father, he truly loved you,” she said.
My eyes darted to her.
“What do you mean, loved?” I asked.
“I’m sorry, but your father and his coterie didn’t survive. They are all dead.”
My breaths quickened as moisture filled my eyes. There wasn’t anyone coming for me. I couldn’t escape from Sarah and her coterie. This was my new home and there was no one I could trust.
Those year I was forced to be part of their group were difficult, but I eventually adapted. Each place we traveled to, I found a special place that became my own sanctuary. These private spots kept me focused and helped me survive until the time was right to get my revenge.