Janessa’s voice shook but she said, “As long as I am breathing, I will not.”
Adrenaline surged. She veered toward the maintenance gate near the stables. The path narrowed. Branches clawed at her sleeves. Dirt replaced stone, slowing the wheels. The wheel barrow hit a root and jerked violently. She nearly lost her grip. Cody tumbled to the side, laughing again, the wildness of it mingling with the chaos, making the world feel surreal.
At the gate, Janessa found it cracked open. She wedged the wheel barrow through with a grunt. The wood scraped her arms. She heard guards shouting behind her, but the distance had widened. For now.
Once outside, the world changed. The polished perfection of wealth ended. Trees crowded in. The air felt real, cool and earthy. The path was uneven, but it felt like freedom. Janessa’s breath came in sharp bursts. Her legs trembled. She pushed until she felt she would collapse.
Cody looked up at her. “You are shaking.”
“I am scared,” she admitted. “But I am more scared of leaving you in there.”
His hand found hers again. He held it like an anchor. Like a lifeline.