Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Occasionally, a sliver of light penetrated the otherwise impenetrable darkness, streaming through a narrow opening in the stone wall. The thin beam offered a fleeting connection to the outside world, ushering in a breath of fresh, chilled air. The spring nights stubbornly clung to the vestiges of winter, a reminder of the unpredictable Highland weather that could defy seasonal expectations.
Would she ever see the beauty of the forest again and visit with the animals? That she even questioned such a thing felt like a surrender to her dire circumstances. She needed to remain strong and believe that rescue would come soon. Her thoughts shifted to her sisters. She missed them. Elsie, the oldest, had escaped first with promises to return as soon as she could to free Leora and her. After what seemed like endless time had gone by but probably had barely been a few days, Leora grew worried that something had happened to Elsie that prevented her from returning with help. Leora’s deep concern had her planning her own escape, though she was upset she could not take Sky with her. The shackles and chains made that impossible. Sky had encouraged her to go even though the thought of being alone, her sisters not there offering comfort and support, frightened her terribly.
She had no qualms that either sister would abandon her. Since she could recall, they always protected her, defended her, and prevented anyone from harming her due to her affliction. Lately, she worried that their escapes had failed and something terrible had happened to them.
Her head shot up when she thought she heard shouts. The monks were either arguing again or another poor soul had been left at Dundren Abbey in hopes that the monks could cure the person’s madness. If a person did not suffer from madness when brought here, they did so after being here for a brief time. She could not imagine spending years here locked away, never to feel the frosty winter air nip at her face, feel the spring rain kiss her cheeks, or revel in the intoxicating scent of the forest any time of the year.
It had been a shock to her and her sisters upon arriving here to find out they were to be prisoners locked away in cells. Her da would have never sent his daughters here if he knew of the horrors suffered. So why had he sent them there? Her only thought that made sense was that he did not know what he was sending them into.
She had prayed often for her sisters’ safety and that one of them or both would soon return and free her. She had been growing more frightened with every passing day that something may have happened to them. She missed her family, her da, her home, and she missed her mum more every day since her passing five years ago. Her family did not see her and judge her because of her affliction as others did. With family, she was safe. She did not feel safe here. She felt terrified.
Her heart ached terribly, and she tried to conjure the scent of the forest, a place that always brought peace to her heart and mind. With spring soon to take hold, the forest would have a subtle yet persistent scent that chased away the decay of winter and welcomed the onset of new birth. And the morning dew would kiss the leaves and grass with freshness. She breathed heavily as if she could truly smell the welcoming scent.
Then there were the forest animals. She had discovered when she was a young bairn that she had a remarkable bond with animals and birds, an infinity of sorts with nature’s creatures. The squirrels and rabbits would come feed from her hand. The red tail deer would join her and nibble at the berries at the same bush as she did. Birds would perch on her shoulder and twitter as if talking with her. She made endless friends with cats and dogs and there was not a horse that was not calm around her. The animals did not judge her as people did, and she loved spending time with them.
She hated being away from all that was familiar and safe to her.
A single tear rolled down her cheek. She desperately wanted to go home, the memories tearing at her heart.
Angry shouts startled her out of her musings and fear mixed with a smattering of hope ran through her. Hope that her sisters had come for her with men from their clan demanding her release or fearful the abbey could be under attack. But from whom?
“Move your arse, monk!”
Upon hearing the harsh command, Sky scurried along on her bottom to tuck herself into a shadowy corner as if the darkness could shield her. Stumbling footfalls followed the shout. Was the monk being pushed or were the rushing footfalls hurrying to obey the demand?