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Chained to old wounds 6

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Morgan

I stumbled through the cavern, gasping for air. The harsh scent of burned flesh still lingered in the air and made my throat dry. I shuddered, scrambling up the stairs toward the sound of rain and thunder. My feet pounded against the uneven ground. I didn’t look back or slow down. The further I got, the better chance I had.

Finally, I burst from the cave entrance and into the open air. Rain lashed down on me. I looked up

at the sky, stunned for a moment. It was almost like stepping back in time days ago to when my

father died.

The caravans were gone. I didn’t see any trails either. My stomach turned. Had they cleaned up

the bodies that quickly? More importantly, how was I going to get away from here? My heart pounded in my ears. Thunder rumbled, and I rushed towards the bank of trees nearby. The guards would be just behind me, I was sure, Distance, I needed distance and time. Without a second thought, I plunged into the dense forest. The rain seemed thicker in the darkness of the forest. Thorny branches tore at the gown that only grew heavier the longer it was wet, but I kept going.

trying to listen for anyone coming behind me while running.

Eventually, I stopped, heaving for breath and shaking. I pulled at the complicated knots around my waist that held it all together. I let the heavy layers fall off and gathered the fabric and the cord. I shivered, standing in the rain in little more than a slip. Every snap of a twig and every rustle of leaves sent my head whipping around, searching for a sign of the guards. But there was nothing. Just the relentless rain and the endless green maze of the forest.

Had I outrun them? I flinched at the sound of footsteps on the ground and went still, hoping they

would hear or see me.

Then, a creature stepped through the underbrush. It was a horse unlike any I’d ever seen

seen. Its

s coat

shimmered with an otherworldly sheen, the color shifting between silver and moonlight blue. Its eyes, intelligent and knowing, met mine. Then, in a movement that defied logic, the creature bowed its head low, almost regally, as if offering a ride.

I hesitated. This horse was definitely not normal. And if it took me back, I’d have no way off, but I couldn’t stay in the forest, in the rain. I’d die of exposure in days and the nearest town was more than just a few miles away.

With a trembling hand, I reached out and touched the horse’s cool, sleek flank. It didn’t flinch,

only nudged its head closer in a silent invitation.

CHO

“Will you… Will you take me home?“.

wet robes with me. I held on to its mane as it took off It neighed, and I climbed on, dragging the away from the cave. The world blurred as the horse sped through the forest. Finally, it came to at halt, whickering softly, at the familiar outskirts of my hometown.

My heart pounded a different rhythm now, a frantic mix of trepidation and hope. The trip had felt like mere minutes. I slipped off the horse’s back.

“Thank you.” I turned to it and found it gone..

Alright. Magical horses. Great.

I staggered forward to slip between two buildings, lugging the robes and chords with me. Taking a deep breath, I ventured forward toward the marketplace. It seemed clear until I heard voices.

“Three weeks, can you believe it?” a woman said, her voice laced with concern. “Poor Buvama boy, still clinging to life at the hospital.”

Hope filled me. Goro had at least upheld his end of the bargain. Then, I frowned. Three weeks? It

had only been a day!

Another voice, gruff and dismissive, replied, “Shame about that. Seems the family’s about to hit rock bottom anyway. Goro got himself tangled with some serious debt collectors.”

Debt? That wasn’t like Goro. He was more greedy than willful. But Mizuki… That was something different. I could see her racking up debt in anticipation of being the family’s heir. I bit my lip. Goro would have done anything to save his daughter. He’d probably used all the liquid funds the family had to get her out of debt if it was necessary. That meant, whatever was in the bank for the family and for the business. He was a sentimental idiot. Ryuyama Silks and Tailoring couldn’t function without liquid capital, and he damn sure couldn’t pay for an extended hospital bill if drained everything.

fhe’d

How much longer would he have in the hospital? had to find out. I had money separate from the family. Since I hadn’t come back as a crisp, the bank wouldn’t have released it to Adele or Goro. Dad had set up an account for my brother, too, but Adele would have emptied it out.

I gripped my fist. I had to get to the hospital and get a sense of the situation. Steeling my nerves,

I slipped between the buildings, letting my mind turn everything over.

“No, and the Ryuyamas haven’t said a word about it.”

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“You think it’s true?”

The ntains changed like in the old stories. What do you think?”

like anyone really

“What do you think happens next?” The woman’s voice shook. “It’s not like anyone remembers what it was like to be under the Dragon King, let alone his Queen.”

1 sneered at that and hurried on.

“I’m the heir of the Ryu-

“Save it, Mizuki. Everyone knows that Morgan is alive, and until her body shows up, you’re not

even a replacement.”

I shuddered, hurrying past the area. I recognized it as a shop that Mizuki loved to go to for sweets. She was turned away from me, but I recognized her from the way she dressed. Goro had always made sure she had new clothes from the family’s shop, probably hoping to snag her a wealthy husband. I almost laughed.

As I turned the main corner, the hospital came into view. I drew one of the less expensive–looking robes back on, used the thinnest layer as a veil and hood, and bundled up the rest of the heavy fabric before entering. The hospital’s entryway was silent. I went to the front desk after ringing out my clothes as best I could.

A young man with kind eyes and a weary smile looked up. “Can I help you?” he asked politely.

Relief washed over me as he didn’t seem suspicious at all, but there was something in his eyes

that set me on edge.

“I’m here to see Hiro Ryuyama,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

He flipped through his book. “Ah, yes. Family?”

“Yes.”

He nodded and stopped on the page..

“Room 207, down the hall. Visiting hours are almost over, though.“.

“That’s okay. Thank you.”

I hurried down the corridor. Anxiety gnawed at me. Every creak of the floorboards sounded like approaching footsteps, my mind a tangled mess of worry and anticipation. Finally, I reached room 207 and pushed open the door, bracing myself for the sight that awaited me. But the first thing

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that registered wasn’t my brother, but the man standing beside his bed, his back to me. He turned,

and my

heart leaped into my throat. I recognized him as one of the guards who had been in