Chapter 42. Facing the Rival

I ran in circles for hours and hoped frantically that I wouldn’t get caught. At some point, I wasn’t sure I was in Elvira Falls anymore until I came to a familiar creak. I knew exactly where I was. I couldn’t hear the men anymore so quietly followed the soothing water rushing to meet an end.

When I came to a clearing I nearly collapsed in front of the log cabin. Tears filled my eyes as I rushed to barricade myself inside.

It was dark and murky but this was my home. A home I cleaned and rebuilt.

Even in the dark, I knew the corners of this house. I let my swollen and wounded feet guide my tired mind to my old bedroom. The mattress had been stripped bare but it was enough for my aching muscles.

    ***

I woke to the sun trying to cook my legs. I smiled at my old bedroom.

I wish some of my clothes had been left behind. I couldn’t continue wearing this ridiculous costume. The bottom half was torn and my sleeves wer