Chapter 9 - The Rescue
I hit the thick bushes directly next to the concrete patio, feeling sharp branches tear into my skin.
The severe impact knocked the wind completely out of me, leaving me gasping frantically for air.
I rolled heavily onto the wet grass, my entire body screaming in absolute, blinding agony.
Harper rushed to my side immediately, wrapping her tiny arms securely around my neck.
She cried softly, telling me how incredibly scared she was that I was not going to make it.
I held her tightly, ignoring the immense pain in my broken ribs, and thanked God we were both alive.
The blazing house illuminated the entire neighborhood, painting the dark sky in horrific shades of orange and red.
Loud sirens wailed rapidly in the distance as multiple fire trucks and police cars rushed to the massive scene.
I knew I was still a highly wanted fugitive, and the police would arrest me the second they saw me.
I slowly forced myself to stand up, grabbing Harper's hand and dragging her toward the dark tree line.
We had to completely disappear before the authorities secured the dangerous perimeter.
We ran blindly through the dense woods, guided only by the bright light of the burning house behind us.
I led us to a small, abandoned hunting cabin a few miles completely outside the city limits.
We collapsed entirely onto the dusty floor, completely exhausted, freezing, and terrified.
I used my basic medical knowledge to tightly bandage the deep knife wound on my arm using torn clothing.
I held Harper closely to keep her warm as the freezing winter night settled aggressively around us.
I told her we were going to be entirely safe and that I would never, ever leave her side.
The next morning, I woke up to the loud, terrifying sound of heavy boots crunching on the snow outside.
I quickly grabbed a heavy piece of firewood and stood aggressively in front of the cabin door.
The heavy wooden door was violently kicked open, revealing a team of heavily armed federal agents.
They aimed their laser sights directly at my chest and aggressively ordered me to drop the weapon.
I threw the wood entirely away and raised my trembling hands high in the air in surrender.
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A tall man in a dark suit walked slowly into the cabin and lowered his sunglasses.
He calmly told me to lower my hands, stating they were absolutely not there to arrest me.
