Week 462 – As she ran, Sasha knew she had to figure out how she could help Graham

Fuelled by fear and desperation, Sasha ran.

But a voice whispered at the back of her mind.

She wanted to silence it, remind her of the hell she’d survived, and that if it wasn’t for the man who had told her to run she would have already escaped. He sent her back, he deserved to stand in her place this time.

Only …

He’d come back.

Saved her.

As she ran, Sasha knew she had to figure out how she could help Graham. Freezing, chest heaving, body shivering from cold and fear, she stood there for several long seconds, but she already knew what she had to do.

She had to find a way to save Graham. As terrified as she was, she didn’t think she could live with herself if she lived and he didn’t, if he traded himself for her.

So she turned and ran back the way she had just come, didn’t stop until she heard voices. Graham’s voice, Bobby’s too. He was a particularly vicious streak, and as she crept closer she saw he had a weapon in his hand, was probably going to lead Graham back to the others where they’d … do unimaginable things to him.

Scanning the area she noted a broke branch lying at the base of a tree trunk. It could work. When she curled her fingers around it, it was heavier than she’d been expecting. Fear still demanded she turn and run, but she didn’t give into it, instead she moved closer. All she needed was for them to stop for a second and she could act.

Grabbing another stick, a smaller one this time, she tossed it as far in the opposite direction from where she was and watched. When it hit the ground, both Graham and Bobby stopped, spun in its direction.

“Who’s there?” Bobby called out.

“Me,” she said, feigning bravery she didn’t feel as she wielded her branch, swinging it at the man’s head, which it hit with a satisfying thunk, dropping him immediately.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” Graham growled at her.

“Saving you.”