Chapter 62 Chapter 62
ADRIANA'S POV
I've been walking around the deserted looking pack. A few objects were strewn out in the streets, being the only thing apart from me that was outside. It made me feel a little better but I was also scared because I was alone. If I knew Xander's pack members wouldn't hurt me, I wouldn't be so sure about these ones.
I had managed to climb out of the window without breaking my neck or falling to my death. Turns out there was a railing and a ladder outside, it all seemed too easy but when I saw the tub of paint outside, it made more sense and I was less suspicious of it.
The usually alive and busy streets of the pack were more than quiet now, proving that what happened had to have been bad. I considered just finding my way back to the house and succumbing to my fate, because there wasn't an escape in sight for me. I didn't let that thought live for more than a second before killing it.
Somehow, my coming out to help Daciana turned into my own escape plan. That advice definitely came from the devil on my shoulder. She was right, there was no better time for me to get out of here than now. Everyone was busy and even if they were to see me, they wouldn't pay any mind to me, so I would more or less slip between their fingertips.
Daciana would be fine. The voice had said and I stupidly believed it, but I had to be selfish even if it was this once. She wouldn't be that angry about it, and she would understand why I did what I had to do, or at least I hoped for that.
I've been walking for more than fifteen minutes, the adrenaline pumping through my blood made me forget my hurting feet, my back was even less noticed and not at the forefront of my mind. When I got to where I was going, I would deal with other measly things like that. Even with the lack of healing abilities, I healed faster than a human.
I had to be close to the pack borders now, I was leaving the houses behind in my vision. There were a few run down buildings on both sides of the road here, broken lampposts and ruined doors. Some of the houses were even wide open and some had broken windows or both. It was like the bad side of town and I suddenly started feeling scared. I didn't like how it looked.
Feeling on edge now, I turned to my left, straining my eyes as far as they could go to see if I would catch sight of anyone. The place was positively empty. I didn't feel entirely comfortable still so I hurried my footsteps until I was breaking out in a short run.
The few books I read before had certain landmarks that people used to locate their surroundings and other pack members without the help of technology. The one for each pack was different, some things were common but everyone had their layout. I knew the one at my father's pack was a grape tree. They left messages and everything there. If you were ever in danger and needed help getting in or out, as long as you were close to that, you would have something that would help you locate the rest or take you to the pack house.
I couldn't tell the one for Xander's pack and seeing as I wanted to get out and not go in, I couldn't rely on them. I just needed to get the water and other edible things that were kept there.
My blood pumped in my ears when I saw just how close I was to the border. I've passed by the rundown side of the town, I've passed a few more sketchy looking places and I could see a single building in the far end of the trail I was on. It was on a hill and didn't take a genius to figure out it was the security post for this side of the border. Which also meant, border patrol would be close by, if I was lucky and they were called into the pack because of the intruders, then I could slip in and out easily. I needed directions and the patrol houses have that. A map of some sort.
If I was unlucky and they were close by, then I knew Xander would be called and well, easy to say death would be better for me in that case. I was taking a risk by trying to run. I didn't know what I was escaping, between fate and Xander, or maybe even both. I just knew that I didn't want keep living this life and I wanted something different, I was going to find it.
With renewed determination, I pushed my legs further up. The exhaustion was starting to catch up with me. I pleaded with my body to just hold on for a little while longer, until I got to somewhere safe.
I could run in with some humans who come by this side for hiking and they would help me, thinking I just got lucky. And if they were hunters, that would be an entirely different story for me. So, I hoped the latter didn't happen.
I didn't feel any movements from inside of the guard post, if there was anyone in there, surely he would have come out to see what was happening. I kept walking up the little hill that the cottage was located on, I stopped when I was a few feet away from the door and focused all my attention trying to hear if there was a sign of life.
When I didn't hear anything for a minute or two, I took that as a green light and, ignoring my tired thighs and calves that were protesting every little movement, I ran up and stopped when I reached the door. I closed my eyes with a silent prayer on my lips before I turned the knob, hoping it was open. I was lucky and it turned right, I pushed it open and stepped in, taking in the place with one swift move to make sure there was no one inside. I knew I couldn't fully rely on my senses.
It was weird that they left the door open but after I took in some of the things, I could gather that whoever was there must have left in a rush because I could see shoes scattered around, one was by the door and the other was inside where the rest were moved around. Like the person was rushing to get their shoes on and they kicked the others but didn't have time to put them back.
The place had the most minimal décor, a single sofa, a coffee table and a TV on the wall. Wooden floorboards and cream colored paint. There weren't any decoratives on the wall, giving the place a rather cold and impersonal feel. I noticed a shotgun by the side and the hairs on the back of my hands rose, there was a pack of bullets on the side, a box that I didn't want know what it contained. Probably wolfsbane.
My mind urged me to get what I wanted and leave the place. I looked up, thanking God it had an open kitchen and I could see the stainless steel refrigerator from here. I tiptoed around the house and headed to the kitchen, not wanting to touch any more stuff than I had to. If the person got back, they could easily sniff out another scent and then if they checked all the places I touched, it wouldn't take long before Xander was informed and that would be the end for me
I shut those thoughts off for now and opened the fridge which was thankfully stocked. I only pulled out a bottle of water and a few granola bars. That would keep me alive long enough to get out here. When I got what I needed, I walked out of the house and entered through another door that led to a smaller building. I sighed in relief when I saw the lever I was looking for.
I didn't stop to think, I just pulled it before running out