The day after my mother's burial, I found myself still brooding. Still unsure what I was supposed to do. I could barely last a single night out there on my own. Where would I go?

The compound was abuzz with activity as the tribe prepared for war. Spears sharpened, clubs rebalanced, wood-slat chest armor mended. I felt bad for making the Kembari tribe the target of a pointless war party, but if they were anything like this tribe or the Zurbos, maybe they deserved it.

Guilt or no guilt, though, I still had no idea where I was supposed to go if I wanted to leave here. I needed to start collecting supplies, so I could at least go somewhere without freezing or starving.

I thought about asking Rinnic. He'd helped more than once. Maybe he could get a few things for me.

Then I remembered what he'd said to me. You have to be smart. He probably wouldn't think running away was smart. Might even laugh at me.

I decided against asking him for help. I'd prove to him—and myself—that I could do this on my own.

Over the next two days, I skulked like a snake in the grass. I snatched food from plates. Grabbed a waterskin that a careless child had left behind. Stole a length of rope from a woman who used to snub my mother. With no small amount of glee, I even nabbed Pode's own travel pack. All this I kept tucked under my bed, out of sight. When the time was right, I would flee this place. And I would be prepared.

I didn't have to wait long.

The warriors marched off at dawn the next day. With them gone, it would be easier for me to sneak away. I dragged the travel pack out from under my bed and began stuffing it with my ill-gotten supplies. My heart grew lighter with each item I stowed. I would escape today. These awful people would no longer be able to give me dirty looks or force me to scout for them. They wouldn't make me feel like a lesser human being anymore. Today, I would be free.

"I thought as much."

Pode's hateful voice pumped dread throughout my body, causing me to freeze.

"I had my suspicions, but I didn't think you would be this predictable."

I slowly raised my eyes to him. He stood in the doorway, arms akimbo and an ugly smirk on his face.

"Don't look so surprised. You're not as subtle as you think."

My hand, which was still inside the pack, curled around the nearest object. An empty waterskin. My heart sank. I wasn't sure what I was expecting to grab. I had no weapons in here. I let go of the waterskin.

Pode chuckled. "You look like an owl about to wet itself."

I scowled, tired of his never-ending insults.

Carefully, I got to my feet, pack gripped tightly in one hand.

His eyes dropped to it. "Is that my pack?"

I couldn't help smiling at the surprise on his face.

It was his turn to scowl. "Death to thieving Aberrations," he said in a low, menacing voice.

My stomach dropped, and the sense of satisfaction I'd had evaporated instantly. The intense look in his eyes matched his words.

He meant to kill me.

A slow grin spread across his face when he saw my terror. "You know the rules. Aberrations who steal are executed." He took a step forward. "Those aren't just pretty words."

If I could just get past him...

He took another step toward me.

I hurled myself at the doorway.

I had every intention of side-stepping his girth and dashing out the entrance, but he easily grabbed the pack in my hand. I held fast, and my momentum nearly yanked my arm out of its socket. I couldn't tug it out of his meaty grasp.

Before I realized my error, his other hand shot out and nabbed my arm.

I couldn't let him catch me. Ensnarement meant death.

I shoved the pack at him, hoping to distract him enough to pull free and run away.

The man didn't even stumble. My meager strength was no match for his solid build. His blunt fingers bit into my arm and he bared his teeth. "You'll not escape me, weasel!"

In a fit of panic, I lunged for the closest thing my free hand could reach. Grabbing a length of hide draped on my mother's bed, I whipped it at Pode's face with all my might.

"Gah!" he wailed when the corner of it stung his bulging eye. He let go of my arm and cupped his eye, grunting with pain.

Pure instinct launched me outside, and I ran like death was on my heels.

Because he was.

OMG run, Remi, run! And vote, reader, vote!