Lucius's POV

I was running.

The blood was murky on the floor. The moon was low and red, nearly like glare. I could hear a cry in front, so low, interrupted, full of agony.

"Lucius..."

My chest pounded with my ribs.

I turned about and peered through the woods. "Who's there?"

The voice was repeated, all the more distinctly. "Help me..."

I made a thrust, branches lacerated my flesh, thorns tore my arms. Then I saw her.

She was on her knees in the mud, with torn clothes and blood on them. She screamed, and her hair clung to her face; her shoulders trembled. Her fingers were clasped about her...