Odessa

Once I stormed off, I thought no one would disturb me and I would be left alone. I was so wrong.

As soon as I remove my makeup, I am caught off guard as Father comes intruding in, furious as a pit bull terrier.

"How dare you insult your family!"

He snatches my right hand and pulls me upwards.
"I demand you to be respectful and tolerant to this family. By your looks if you weren't born into this family, you would be a shoddy prostitute, you should be grateful!"

I want to slap him but I can't. Instead, he slaps me.
I can only stammer after the force of his hit flares my cheeks.

"Father that was uncalled for-"

His hand cracks across my face, snapping it back with the force of his blow and causing my head to reel sickeningly as it slams into the wall behind me.
When black dots quit covering my vision, I am standing in the middle of the room with Father holding my arms tightly behind my back, the pain of his hold causing me to let out a startled little gasp of pain

"I swear" he grips my arms so hard the pain soars through my whole body.
"If you carry on like this I will excommunicate you from this family and you will see the dangerous side of Erivale first hand"

He slowly lets go and his right hand squeezes both sides of my cheeks. I don't make eye contact as his finger tips stimulate my body.
"Your looks define you my dear, but your attitude leaves a lot to be desired..."

"The same for you" I wish to snap back. He stares coldly into my eyes for a few more seconds until he lets go. "I'll deal with you later, but If you had any sense you would come down for the Report..."

He slams the door so hard I am left quivering.

I can't handle him. He is a monster. A man I wish I never knew.

It takes me a whole ten minutes to get out of my blasted dress. My cheek are still red from his forceful slap. I couldn't stop the pain in my right arm after his forceful grip.

When I rushed upstairs, I did some damage to legs. It did show I could actually walk by myself, but now I regret it immensely.

Even if my legs do throb furiously, it is nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

Though my legs throb with pain, I have to get out of here, especially before the Report is over.
Stark naked, I round up my options until I decide to go to the one place I felt safe, the Forest.

Should I risk my well being just to be safe? At this point, whatever I decide, I would face swerve consequences. But eh, who cares?

I put on the most basic clothes I have, a Tennis polo shirt, green leggings and white sneakers along with my horse riding blazer.
I wish I had better clothes for hunting but seamstresses never imagine a princess participating in such a thing like this.

Outside the daylight has drawn to a close. The moon glistens with all its beauty and the stars shimmer.
If only I could be as free as the stars.

I must decide quickly how to get away. The guards are positioned everywhere, especially since of the rebels looming near. I need to find a way out of here without getting caught.

I stare down my balcony to see guards patrolling beneath me.
Damn, this looks impossible.

My plan A would be to climb down. Plan B is to use my curtain drapes to swing myself down.
Looks like I have to go to plan Z.

Now don't get me wrong but we all do like a good hiding place.
My favourite place is on the sixth floor behind a painting of our great grandfather.
I only found it out of pure luck when I was younger. It leads to a tiny staircase up to the roof top.

Getting up to the roof is easy, but coming down would be the hard part.

Bringing along my green cape, I hurry along, hoping to avoid the guards.
I tiptoe along the corridors to reach the multiple staircases.
To even get to the sixth floor is a long trek. I keep on moving forward, keeping myself to myself, until I hear footsteps approaching me.

Hiding, I try to keep my breathing low. To my sheer luck, it is only Xavier.

I'm surprised to see him here as all the staff would be having dinner now.
I haven't spoken to him a lot since the accident but all I know is his James's Butler.

With combed ink black hair, he looks fierce in his dark uniform, although he is a quite timid person who can easily be afraid of his own shadow.
I question his presence but am disturbed when he shines his torch in every direction. Even if I crouch down, he will see me.
I appear not to frighten him, but of course, I still do.

"Odessa?!" He takes in a short intake of breath in shock, "What are you doing up here? Isn't the report on?"

"Oh that thing, well I didn't feel up to it. I said I'd get a book for History"

"Oh you're already back into the learning? I knew you were strong."
I blush with his compliment.
He eyes my attire. "So wearing a cape then? Is this tying in with the History lesson?" I just shrug.
"Mother says I should engage more with class..."

This is distracting me. I need to get out quickly.
"Look Xavier, it's been great to see you again but I need to go now..."

I'm about to run off when I shout
"If Alexander asks, tell him I'm feeling poorly and for no one to disturb me..." I don't hear his response as I hurry off.

It seems like forever when I finally reach the rooftop.
I forgot my watch so I can only judge time by the night.
Now for mission impossible. How do I get down from here?

I walked towards the edge. Guards are everywhere. Crap. This seemed impossible, unless...

With their fearless hounds, surely I could make a distraction. But what would be big enough, or loud enough to divert men and hounds as far away as possible. I am too preoccupied by the harsh wind to think properly.
A bird would even find this forceful wind hard to fly in..

Suddenly it hits me. I place my hands over my lips and started making bird sounds. I look down.
Nothing. They didn't even notice.
I curse. Even an earthquake wouldn't disturb these guards.

With frustration I kick gravel, which flies off the roof with the wind. A few guards notice. It gives me an idea.

I turn to the left and make my way towards the other side of this lengthy roof. With such force I kick gravel and throw garden pots to the ground.

Once the dogs start barking with frenzy, I run.

Nothing could hold me back now.

I have to make it down and away from here soon, or else I will be caught.

Before I can think, I catch my breath and I push myself off the ledge.
Slowly I rest my foot on the first window ledge.
As I breathe slowly, I try to bring my leg down but I slip. Holding on to ivy for dear life I try to hold myself together.

I arch myself downwards and try once again to place my foot on the other ledge. I don't dare to look down.

At first I have no luck but soon I come up with a concept. Left foot first, right foot steady and surely then I wouldn't fall.

I don't dare embark near windows where light shines through the curtains. Anyone could see my shadow and that would give it all away.

Having to be awkward, I arch sideways like a crab and turn left.
I only have two windows to go. I could make it.

It seems easy once I had a tactic. I smile with relief once I reach flat ground. But soon my relief would be gone. Lanterns luminate close by at both sides. The guards are coming.

Without thinking, I run as fast as I can. My legs, still recovering from coming down need rest but there is no time. I have to get away.

My heart rattles inside my rib cage as I push the memento. I kick my legs forward with every stride to run. I am like one of those extinct animals...oh yes, a cheetah as I rush forward.

Not daring to look back, I keep on moving. I am half way there when I can hear screams. "You! Stop!"
I can hear them running, picking up the pace. But the worst part is the noise of the hounds. Once they are let go from their leashes, they start running towards me.

Swearing, I know I have no chance.
I am doomed. Father will kill me.
I would rather the hounds kill me first then him to touch me again.

The guards are pacing behind me and I could hear the hounds howling close by. I am almost there...almost....

Next thing I knew, I hear bullets fire towards my direction.

I feel something funny in my arm.
I ignore it as the hounds keep on running. Abruptly, a hound pounces on me, tearing at my body, it's snarls right up to my ear

I must break free. No matter what, I need to get away. With all my strength I push the hound away and rush again. I am only inches from the forest clearing. I could smell the mystical woodland beauty. I could make it.

With bullets and hounds heading towards me, I run left and right to confuse them all. Once I step on broken fragments of moss, I turn right. I needed to get away. Out of chance, I noticed a low tree branch.

I grab on and start climbing with all my strength. My limbs scream with agony but I keep on climbing. No matter what, I have to get away.

As soon as I can stand on a sturdy branch, I crouch down low and wait.

Lanterns shine and a few guards stand close by, panting and swearing. "I can't believe that bastard got away! We were so close...I hope they didn't steal anything..." It takes a few seconds for the other guard to catch his breath.
"Ya....I just...wish...we...shot....him"

"Ya, that would have pleased the King. For once"

"Come on let's get the dog. They'll be hyped up all night now after that"

I wait until I can't hear anything, only my stifled breathing. I can't believe I just did that.

As I celebrate my minor victory, my legs are a constant reminder of how dead they are with their ferocious throbbing. I really did ruin them.

It takes me a few minutes of heavy breathing and watery tears for my legs to move again. I swing down to the ground and sit down to catch my breath. As I sit against the tree, I notice a funny feeling. I rub my hand against my back to find deep claw marks.

I still couldn't fathom in my head that I could even get away. I notice the funny feeling in my arm is starting to burn.
Pulling off my blazer I notice under the moonlight something wet trickling down my arm. Then it hits me, I've been shot.

I've been shot.

There were guns and I was there, but It didn't seem real. I didn't think the guards would actually shot me. Still the searing pain is growing furiously. I cup my hand over the wound, which make it worse.

I rub my fingers slowly to note how swerve it was. Letting out an exasperated breath, I stand up and make a plan.
I would go to the lake and clean up my wound and then go hunting. Then I would conjure up a plan to get back inside the palace.

To make sure I wouldn't be harmed more, I turn right and walk closer and closer to the centre of the forest. A sturdy old log rests near some wild mushrooms. I crouch down and uncover mud, leaves and moss to reveal a shook looking bow.
My arrows are still there too. Phew.

I have to crawl inside to retrieve my belt of knives. Technically, they are Gerard's but he wouldn't mind if I used them. Someone had to revive the sibling relationship, even if it is just by myself now.

One knife is missing, oh well. No harm in that.

Even though my arm is in agony, just gripping the bow makes me feel superior. I miss moment like this, moments of feeling special.
No kingdom worries. Just Gerard, myself and my bow.

Slinging my belt around me, I motion forward, my bow posed to the lake.
I hope to have caught something before I made it but I don't think that will happen now.
My instinct tells me that the animals have gone away hiding in fear...but of what?

Carrying on, I kept an eye out for predators but in the bleak night, I see nothing.

Finally I make it to a small waterfall that scintillates under the night sky.
I can breathe a huge sigh of relief.
It is great to see nature at its truest form. I have missed it so dearly.

Taking off my tattered blazer and polo shirt, I place a hand into the boreal water. The sharp pain rouses through my body as I splash the water on my arm. It isn't enough for my arm and I haven't helped my back in anyways but it will do.
I am not going into the water and that is final.

God the burning. I didn't think it would be this bad. It looks like my plan of midnight hunting is to be robbed after this incident.

I sit on a boulder to retrieve my thought. A cool breeze softens the humidity as I try to think of a new plan.

What will Alexander think of me when I come back with a throbbing arm and bloody back? Surely he'll ask questions. And James will want to know too. I don't want to think about Father's reaction now...

Just bending my back and slightly moving my arm to retrieve my bow makes me want to scream.
This agony is infuriating. I bit my lips to keep the sound from escaping but even with that my muffled whimpers escaped into the cold night.

This was a terrible idea. Why did I even bother to sneak off? I am a fool. James is right. I am selfish.

Just when I am about to wallow in my own sorrows, I hear a crack of a twig.

I jerk my head up to find the source.

Cautiously I pick up my bow. My body is throbbing and I am making it worse as I pose my bow.
Birds dart from behind and sweep over me. I just stand, petrified.

Maybe it's a wolf. Are there wolves in Erivale? Do they prey on humans?

Too many thoughts race against my mind, my heartbeat is trying to catch up. Trying to stay calm, I still stand engaging with nature, waiting for something to appear.

Another twig snaps. Trying to keep my breathing silent, I step forward towards the trees on the other side.
Once again, another twig snaps.

This time I can't stop my breathing. Flustered I can't stop breathing heavily. Adrenaline pulses throughout my body as my arm jitters. With a shaky voice I speak.
"W-Who goes there?"

To humiliate me even more, a giant rodent scurries past me. I jump back in surprise, which makes me fall backwards.

Screw the rodent. Screw the guards. Screw the hounds. Screw everything.

A tear runs down my face as I let out a sharp sigh. This isn't my night.

In case anything else happens, I decide to rush away and put back my weapons. This was a complete disaster. I came out to have a good time and honestly, I feel so attacked right now.

With despair I rush back and place my weapons underneath the foliage. My handmade bow is at its last end, the wood is about to crack.

I am in a complete dismay with myself, I totally forgot about my blazer.

Should I go back? I panic, but in the end, the damn blazer doesn't matter. I just need to get back to the palace.

Shivering, I recall my steps. My arm ached as I cradle it and a pang of remorse comes over me.
My back isn't helping too, stupid bitch for ripping me apart.

The moon is hidden amongst caliginous clouds. It is hard for my eyes to adjust to the murkiness.

But no matter what, I need to get back.

So I hope you enjoy this chapter, I know it's long but thank you for reading!
I finally found the perfect Odessa, basically it's Holland Roden ❤
Whenever I write I just see her and I love it! I feel like whenever I think of Odessa I think of 'she's beauty, she's grace, she'll punch you in the face'
So enjoy!! ✨