Chapter 71: Chapter 71

I took a shaky breath before looking back at the cabin, reminiscing how we ended up here. It transpired so briefly, like a fast-forward movie clip when you blink it is already ended.

"Let's keep moving forward, Natasha." I heard Ethan whisper, then held my hand. I nodded, then let him yank me to his side. He was carrying Bobby in his other hand. We walked out of the woods with a heavy burden inside our hearts.

Before we could leave earlier, Ethan squelched the bodies on the ground, giving them a pleasant tomb for respect. Even if it was just an accident, we couldn't hide the fact Ethan killed the two of them. I just hoped that Allen and his minions wouldn't bother again to go there and find it suspicious that the cabin is empty.

No one was around that area except us, and even if so, they had traced us then, which means we no longer had any idea where to go. I glanced at Ethan beside me, whose brows were furrowed, eyes were focused on the path. Even if he looks so severe and mighty now, I know deep inside that he was shattered like a broken glass smashed.

I rested my head on his shoulder, enveloping my hands around his elbow and taking this moment with him. I suddenly missed him, even though I was right next to Ethan. I felt his hands gliding down to my waist and secured my body with his hands.

Bobby unexpectedly barked, making me look at him. I reached him and then patted his head, causing his tail to wiggle.

"I completely forgot about you, Bobby. I didn't hear you the whole time inside the cabin." I whispered, then shivered when the cold wind brushed on my skin. I felt Ethan's clasps tighten, making sure to make me warm.

"I hid him below the wooden bed you slept in before moving to Charm's room. I told him to keep quiet and gave him food while no one was looking." Ethan explained, then hugged bobby tightly, who was happy to see both of us after being hidden for how many days.

"Why did you hide him, though?" I asked, then lowered my vision to the ground, watching my feet pass on the leaves. I noticed how muddy my feet were because of the flood.

"Nato doesn't like animals, he said before seeing Bobby in the bag where I hid him." he lowered his eyes to Bobby, and his lips curved up.

"I don't want to risk Bobby. He's like a child to us," he muttered, then kissed Bobby on the top of his head, no matter how wet his fur was because of the rain.

I couldn't help but admire this man. He may look vicious, precarious, and ready to slaughter someone with menacing eyes. Still, when you look closely between the lines, he's actually a great guy with a good heart. He wasn't someone whom people thought he was.

"Where are we heading to, Ethan?" I whispered while my jaw was shuddering from too much cold. I closed my eyes and then squeezed myself, keeping myself warm somehow.

Ethan didn't say anything when I anticipated his answer. I thought he didn't hear me, but I saw him looking straight ahead when I glanced at his side. His expression showed he was thinking hard.

"I-i don't know, Natasha." his voice broke, losing some essence of hope in it. He suddenly stopped walking, and since he was holding me, I looked at him, confounded. I was about to ask why he ceased on our tracks when he suddenly dropped to the ground, unconscious.

"Ethan!" I yelled in shock and fear, then kneeled to his side, trying to shake him. He wasn't responding even if I tapped his cheeks numerous times. Bobby was barking, then went out of the bag, helping me wake Ethan up.

"He isn't responding!" I cried, then I leaned my ears on his chest, trying to find his heartbeat. My anxiety faded when I heard a beat, but my body couldn't relax since he was still unconscious. We can't stay here! Not with a storm above us!

"Ethan, wake up! We need to move forward, or we'll be blown away by the storm!" on cue, I almost lose my balance because the wind suddenly blew harshly on us. I saw Bobby fall down and was taken away from us.

"Bobby!" I reached him with my hands and then ran up to his spot. Good thing I caught him before he was blown away by the breeze. Bobby was trembling, and I could sense his fear when I held him between my arms. I secured him, telling him everything was going to be alright.

"I'm here, baby. I'm here."

I didn't waste any more time when I hurriedly went back to Ethan's side. I used my other free hand to prop it on his shirt and then tried to drag him away from the woods. If we stay here longer, it's dangerous. We might encounter snakes or any venomous animals on our way.

I was gasping, trying, and fighting to stand up and be there for them. Bobby wanted to help because he was fighting to let go of my arms, but I didn't let him. It's too risky. He might get taken away again in mere seconds.

"Baby, I can't risk you. Ethan did everything to protect you, so I have to do the same," I told him, which he gladly understood because he stopped moving and just snooked closely at my chest.

I focused my attention on our path. I don't know how many minutes I was dragging Ethan since my legs got wobbled suddenly. Even though I wanted to fight it, there was nothing I could do. I dropped to the ground, my face hitting the dirt.

Bobby cried, getting pinched on my body. He let go and buried his face in my shoulder, begging me to keep moving.

However, I was so drowsy I couldn't think straight anymore.

I tried to creep and move towards the end of the woods. Expectancy filled my soul when I saw a highway. If we get there in time and a vehicle passes, they will see us and call for help. I grumbled, then glanced at Bobby, waiting for me to get up. I admire this pup's bravery even in times of calamities. Even if it was aching in every joint, I forced my body to drive myself to stand up.

"W-we're almost there...we can make it, Ethan," I grumbled, then closed my eyes. I crossed the storm above us while dragging Ethan. He saved me numerous times from a disaster. He had fought so hard to keep me safe, and it is now my time to give his generosity.

Ethan doesn't deserve to live in the cruelty of this world. He had a kind and innocent soul who was taken advantage of by those who have everyday lives than him.

"Come on, Bobby. We can do this!" I yelled, pushing my limits. Bobby barked, trying to cheer me up and sensing he was helping. I took a peak in front. We're almost there. When I looked to my left, something caught my eyes, and I saw a vehicle. Someone is coming! This is our only chance to get out of this place!

Ethan was heavier than me, making it difficult for me to keep my balance as I kept on moving forward. I gasped for air, breathing in and out until I overlooked a tree's root poking into our path. I fell again, and this time my head hit a rock. I cried in torment, punching the soil.

I lifted my head up, observing the vehicle when it was too late. The car had already passed through the highway, leaving us alone again in the deserted woods. I stared at it. My vision was getting blurry. Not because of the rain, but because of my swelling tears. I sniffed, restraining it, but it was no use. Bobby stopped immediately and then crawled to the nook of my neck.

"N-no..." I shook my head, trying to get up, but my body betrayed me this time. I tried it once more but lost the sense of my muscles. I   rolled over until I faced the sky that synchronized with my sentiments. I raised my hands, trying to touch it and feel it.

"It's over..." I whispered, then closed my eyes, slowly accepting our fate here. I just hope when I woke up, I am in an outlandish place, not here in the endless hell we are trying to escape.

Before I lost my consciousness, I heard footsteps coming our way. I tried to peek at what it was, but my vision went black, and my hand dropped to the ground.

"Natasha..."

I heard a voice calling my name. I shuffled in my spot, wrinkling my forehead, when I felt a pair of hands grab my shoulder, making me jerk up in sit-up straight. I was out of breath when I was faced to face with Ethan.

"You're okay," he whispered, then embraced me tight between his arms. I parted my lips, trying to discern what was going on and what is this place? I slowly pushed Ethan away and then roamed my eyes around the room. It's spacious and somehow neat looking.

"I don't know either this place, Natasha. Both bobby and I woke up, and we're inside this room."

I didn't say anything too much. I tried to get up, but I saw my hands were tied up when I looked down. I furrowed my eyebrows, confused about what was going on.

"Ethan?" when I looked at him, I saw he turned into his wolf form. He was smiling evilly, crawling slowly to my spot. My eyes dilated in fear and shock.

"Ethan? What are you-"

He suddenly jumped on my body and then devoured me before I could finish what I was about to say.