The forest was silent. I could not hear a single thing except my ragged breath and the occasional hoot of an owl in the distance. Did I outrun them? My ankle is throbbing. I must have twisted it during the past few minutes but that went by unnoticed.  I spot a huge fir tree to my left. It should be strong enough to hold my weight for a while. Luckily the snow is falling quickly enough to cover the tracks I left. At least I’m not bleeding, that would have been a dead giveaway to my whereabouts. And I know they will be coming. Hopefully, they will not look up but lose my trail in the snow. I struggle up the trunk and find a branch where I can lie down on my stomach. Exhaustion kicks in as the adrenaline wears off and I can’t seem to keep my eyes open. My hands and feet are freezing but I can’t run anymore. Before I drift off to sleep, the moment I met my husband for the first time flashes before me. What have they done to him? 

Louis and I met in person on a sunny afternoon in January five years before. We found each other online and chatted for a few weeks before he asked me out for lunch. I was early as usual and sat at a table by myself, pretending to work on my laptop because I didn’t want to look as nervous as I felt. I looked up as he walked in and his smile told me that this was it. He was a keeper. Unlike my ex. He and I started to drift apart as soon as the relationship began. Before Louis even greeted me, I knew I was falling for him. He gave me a warm hug and pointed out that it was a smart idea to bring a laptop to lunch. He winked. He sees right through me.  From that moment on we hit it off. We could not stop talking and enjoying each other’s company. Lunch turned into afternoon beers and the hours faded away. I could tell he was nervous as well since he hit on me a few times. Unsuccessfully I might add. After each attempt, I just rolled my eyes and we laughed until we cried. It was hard saying goodbye that afternoon in January. But that was the start of something amazing and we have never been happier. It didn’t take us long to settle down. We moved in together after a few weeks and it did not feel strange at all. We were definitely meant to be together. 

The weeks turned into years. We have traveled the world, experienced a typhoon and a couple of earthquakes in Asia. Did we have rough patches? Sure, just like any other couple. But break up? No way, Jose. We have always tried to be as honest with each other as possible. We don’t lead each other on. He has tried his best to understand and support me with my daddy issues. I have made it crystal clear that if he were to cheat on me, he would never see me again. In return, I try my best to make him happy and we both constantly work on ourselves to better our relationship. We hardly ever argue, so making up is a breeze.

I wake up with a start. Gunfire in the distance. I almost lose my balance on the branch but manage to stay where I am. How long have I been asleep? I listen intently. A twig snaps underfoot. Someone is close to the fir. I can feel it. Don’t look up, whoever you are! Then I hear a familiar cough, but it was suppressed as to not attract attention. I almost fall out of the tree a second time in less than 30 seconds. 

“Mom?” I whisper.

No one answered. 

TO BE CONTINUED