Runaway

Chapter One

5 YEARS LATER...

The old tavern smelled of hard liquor and sweat. Men and women spoke loud, trying to talk over one another to be heard. Magnolia didn't mind, it kept the attention completely off of herself as she walked up to a barstool and sat down, waiting for the bartender to assist her. The material wrapped around her head hooded over her forehead, shadowing her beautiful eyes.

She tossed a few coins onto the rough wood, exchanging them for a drink. She rubbed her boney index finger up and down the side of the glass, lost in her raging thoughts. A big, muscular hand settled on her shoulder, startling her. She jumped back in fright, narrowing her eyes at the man. His eyes were rather small for his head, his face bearded with long dark hair. He breathed heavily as he stared into her face, shoving her hood off.

She immediately reached back to pull it back over her face but his hand stopped her, gripping onto her thin wrist. She struggled to pull it out of his muscular hold, listening horrifically as his coarse voice rang through the liquor-scented air.

"You're the-" He began, but was immediately cut off when Magnolia threw her free fist up into his cheekbone. He released her other wrist in shock, giving her the time to throw her hood back on and begin her escape out of the tavern.

"Not so fast, there." Another old man grabbed her waist, yanking her back, announcing her identity to the whole bar.

"It's the lost Princess!" He shouted, every head turning to look. At once, about twenty men and women came running at her, trying to grab onto her. Magnolia tried to run, but the man wasn't giving her a chance.

"Do you have any idea what price the King has on you?" He whispered into her ear, tightening his grip and throwing her back into his chest.

"She's mine, I got her first!" He shouted at his growing crowd. The original man that she had hit began flashing his arms around, yelling harshly.

The arms around her waist suddenly let go of her, and Magnolia spun on her heel, watching a young man beat the other up. He wore a dark green flat bill hat, his long dark hair peeking out of the bottom of it, curling slightly. He spun the older man around until he was on his knees. Twisting his arm, he kicked the old man in the back, causing vomit to spill out over the wooden floor.

The young man turned and looked her sternly right in the eye, the look making her shudder. She turned, ready to run, but once again, was in another man's arms. The young man held her against himself, pulling out his gun and revealing it to the rebellious crowd. Everyone halted in shock.

"Come one step closer and I'll shoot you." He announced, his voice amazingly deep and smooth. The mob stops where they were, freezing at the sight of his gun. He slowly backed out of the tavern, not once lowering his weapon.

When they were finally away from the bar, he loosened his grip, to instead tie Magnolia's hands behind her back.

"Seriously? I just saw you fight back there, I'm not going to try and pick a fight with you. Just please let me go." Magnolia tried, watching him look at her out of the corner of his brown eyes.

He just grunted, sweat trickling down his tan forehead. He had seen her punch back there as well, and didn't want to risk the fortune he had in his hands. He gripped her hard with his rough right hand, holding onto her upper arm. He shoved her along with him, off the dirt road, and into the dark woods.

Magnolia took in her surroundings, trying to figure out where he was taking her. She noticed every other tree had a solid X cut through it, an easy mark a sharp blade could make. The young man maneuvered her through the tall trees, not once speaking a word. "Who are you?" She asked, looking towards him. He quickly glanced her way, making eye contact for a split second before turning back to the trees.