An acrid stench hit her, burning her eyes and causing her stomach to roll. Fire filled the sky, its harsh light much too bright for this time of night. Crouching beside what used to be the inn, she covered her ears to shut out the screaming.
When she felt the hands begin to wrap around her arms, she screamed. Throwing herself back into the wall, she twisted violently away. As the fingers slipped over her mouth and around her neck, she began to cry.
She could feel herself being drawn in towards his heat, his lips resting near her ear. She could hear his steady breathing.
"Hush, now. I'm going to take you somewhere safe."
His voice was deep and calming, and it slipped over her and surrounded her. She let her body relax in his arms.
"Do you trust me?"
She nodded, which let her lips travel the length of his palm. His hand was soft but worn, as though many lives had passed through its grip.
"I am going to let go now," he whispered, "but you will have to promise to be very quiet."
She nodded again, more slowly this time, letting her lips part slightly as they caressed his lingering hand.
"Very good."
He released his hold on her and stepped back. She felt the loss of his warmth against her skin and it was a moment before she could turn and face him.
"It's not safe here," he offered her his hand, "come with me."
Looking at his outstretched hand, she wondered who he was.
But the sound of cannon fire echoing across the water, the crash and cries as it connected ashore convinced her that she didn't care. Anywhere was better than here.
She stretched her fingers out timidly to meet his.
Grinning, he grasped her wrist tightly.
"Right, lass, here we go."
He took off running into the night, sometimes too quickly for her to stay on her feet. But each time she stumbled, he paused and picked her up. Several times he glanced back to her, breathing heavily with her skirt hiked well above her ankles, and she could almost swear he winked at her.
Then she fell and could not continue. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, trying to contain her harried heart. Her hair lay strewn about her shoulders, plucked free from its confines. She spread her fingers in the cool, wet grass and listened to the surrounding silence.
She looked up at him, "Surely we are safe here?"
He paused, thoughtfully taking her in before laughing.
"Yes, of course. We can stop here."
The sun filtered through the lowest branches of the trees, as though still trying to hide from the day. He surveyed her prone form where she had curled into the ground.
"You must be hungry. You should eat before you rest."
She sat up, brushing the earth from her hands, "Yes, please."
She was quiet while he shrugged out of his coat and searched through the pockets. He sat down heavily beside her and handed over an apple.
"Thank you."
The sound of her teeth in the crisp flesh resounded in the morning silence.
