I had to make my target small. Then I realized my long blonde hair might contrast against the dark green forest around me. Perhaps the snow would help with that.

As the clicking of the horses’ feet on the cobblestone street got closer, they slowed...then stopped. I couldn’t be more than 10 feet back!

I had to hold my breath. I could not let them hear me breathe. I squinted my eyes shut, as I knew I was turning blue from lack of oxygen. I didn’t want to fight them or get hurt.

I heard some movement, but to my relief, I heard the horses’ hooves start to move on as I observed muffled voices.

My chest exhaled all my air at last. My body instinctively inhaled a large breath of cool fresh oxygen. I slowly slid down the tree and put my face into my hands. I knew they could probably still hear me.

Abilities were keener in this...place. Without the hum of streetlights, car traffic, and smog...most people who had lived here a while had sharpened their senses. I had even developed that too.

I slowly got up and looked around the large tree trunk. I peered around my environment. Should I go farther into the forest or go back toward the road? If I went back toward the road, I could follow the carriage, hanging back out of view.

It would be wise if I could view their progress from behind. If they turned around and gave up, I could slip back into the woods and hide again as they passed. Then I’d be free to continue. But continue where?

Enjoy a new series put out by Susie Harrison. It begins with The Cult in the Purgatory series. It will most likely land in sci-fi-/fantasy fiction. There's a bit of romance between the two main characters and gets pretty saucy in book II.