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CHAPTER 268
~Valerie's POV~
Branches scraped my arms and face again. I wasn't even sure if my legs were still moving out of adrenaline or sheer desperation, but I kept going.
I could barely breathe. Mud splattered my face and chest. My chest ached. My hands were trembling from the fight. But I didn't stop.
I broke through the last line of trees just as my foot landed on something soft.
Too soft.
The ground gave way beneath me before I could react.
I crashed down a short but steep slope, landing hard on my side. The wind rushed out of my lungs and for a second, all I could hear was my own heartbeat pounding in my ears followed by a sharp ringing sound.
When I finally looked up, I saw it.
A larger stream cut through the clearing ahead, wide and glittering faintly under the moonlight.
The water rushed gently over smooth stones, surrounded by tall wild reeds and moss-covered rocks.
