DAWN’S POV I heard some noises, it was coming from the high window. The incomer was trying to be discreet, but I could still hear the sound of the approaching footsteps dues to my high sense of hearing as a beta wolf. I wonder who could be at this god-forsaken place at this unholy hour of the day or is it one of the men that is standing patrol outside? It feels amusing to know that they would bother themselves so much about my escaping. I didn’t even plan to and even if I wanted to, I don't even know how or where to begin. Even if I jumped as high as my legs could lift me I would still not get close to the windows and if I do, I would never be able to break through those iron shackles even if I were to do that in my wolf form. And if I should escape from here, where do I go to? I am already proclaimed a traitor by the beta of the Pack and if my innocence is not proved before I run away, I will automatically become a rogue. Not trying to be judgmental though, but I still hold the belief that it was more honourable to die among your people than live as a rogue. If I should get out of here, then my first point of call would be to the packhouse for the alpha to decide on my case. But my fear is what if my father gets hold of me at the packhouse, or what if the alpha allows him to preside on my case which is most probable considering the state of things at the moment? I was so scared, more than I had ever been in my whole life. I was afraid that my father has finally sent someone to kill me. Should that be the case, then I would never forgive him even in death. No offender has ever been treated this way in the Pack. Everyone got a fair hearing before condemnation. And even after condemnation, they are still treated with some magnitude of respect before execution. Why should my own case be different, why has my father decided to turn me into an outcast even without listening to any possible explanation that I may have? “Daw... n...” a very low voice called in a systematic pattern separating the N from the rest of my name I wasn’t sure if that was my name I just heard. Or maybe I was imagining things or it was from the person sent here to kill me. But no, that can only come from one person. It is only Gina that calls me that way and there is no way she would be here by this time. I think that as a result of my anxiety, I am only imagining things. Would I also be imagining those footsteps? By my calculation, it is almost midnight and no one should be around here. This place is deserted and no one knew I was brought here. But I am very sure about those footsteps from outside. I could feel the movement directly behind the window. I could tell that whoever that was had finally stopped by the window. Soon I felt some leaves land on my body. In fear, I drew back and wanted to scream and call out for help from the zombies outside but decided against such an idea. It might actually be that someone is here to help me and I wouldn’t want to put the person in trouble by alerting the zombies. It was when a tiny light shone into my cell from the window that I became certain that someone was truly here for me. So in response, I coughed to announce my presence to whoever it was. “It’s Gina” a tiny voice echoed. Gina? I was right. I knew that call would only come from her. But what is she doing here at this ungodly hour and how did she even get to know that I was brought here? I coughed again without saying anything because if I should say a word, the zombie by my door would definitely hear it and suspect that I was communicating with someone. “Move closer to the wall, I will let down a rope” she instructed. I was reluctant at first and did not move. There is an iron bar at the window, how does she intend to out me out even if I should climb up the window? She should just return to where she came from and not put herself in trouble because of me. When she noticed that I did not move, she pleaded. “Come on, Dawn, please do this for me? I was afraid that she might draw some attention to herself if I do not oblige, and so I did as I was told. I groped around in the dark cell. Trying to avoid stepping on some termites or rats, or even drawing the attention of the zombie. Finally, I located the wall by the window and just as she had said, I found the rope. I held on to the rope tightly and began to climb up. It was not an easy task, especially doing this in the dark. What if I fall down as a result of taking the wrong step or losing my grip on the rope and thereby attracting the attention of the zombie? I hope Gina would be quick enough to escape from here when such happens? When I finally got to the window I inhaled in relief and then I whispered with my mouth pointed outside the window to prevent the sounds from coming into the cell. “Why are you here, Gina? I don’t want you getting in some trouble with my father because of me” “I want to get you out of here. I will find a way to” she whispered too. We both continued to talk in whispers and while at this we made sure that our words were directed away from the cell I was in. “See, just return back and try to alert the alpha. He must know what my father is up to. I think he breeds zombies” I demanded. “I know, and that is the main reason why you must not remain here an extra second” she replied. “And how do you intend to get me out? There is an iron protector on the window, you can see that for yourself” I asked. “This is an old wall and the irons are not too strong anymore. Relax it will be easy to bend the irons a little and I know you will be able to get out then. You should climb down now and go and stay by the door. The zombie must be made to feel your presence. And even after you are gone, it will take a while for him to notice. Make sure you breathe heavily too while at the door” she said. I believed in her plan and so I quietly climbed down and went to stay by the door. I made some sounds through my movements and started breathing loudly too. As she said, this would ensure that the zombies do not suspect anything. “Better remain, quiet in there because no one will attend to you” the zombie yelled. “I...” I coughed. “Isn’t it morning... yet?” I asked. “Whether it is morning or not, whatever time it is is not your business” he yelled. I could feel how irritated he was. “Just that... this will be all over by... by the... morning. Dying is better than this dungeon” I whined. “Not to worry, you will experience the other and you will know which one to choose” he mocked and giggled. I could hear the laughter of his companion too. I yawned and began to stretch my body. “You better sleep now, as being awake would not be taken into account by the morning” he counseled and they both laughed again. Soon I felt the leaves land on my body and I yawned loudly and made my way to the window ready to leave this god-forsaken place.