He took a shaky breath, blinking back tears in the moonlight.
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“Please,” I whispered, voice cracking. “Please don’t make this harder.”
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But she wouldn’t move. She stood there, hair tangled from the wind, eyes wet.
91Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6LR4Itnk9
“Why can’t you just run away with me?” she pleaded. “Why can’t we leave them behind?”
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My throat tightened. I could hear distant drums from my tribe’s camp. They’d know I was gone. They’d send trackers.
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“Because they’ll never stop hunting us,” I said. “My father...he’ll kill you. And then he’ll kill me. And the war will only get worse.”
91Please respect copyright.PENANA7R11IbwO38
She grabbed my wrist. “I don’t care.”
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I pulled away like it burned me.
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“I care!” My voice cracked. “I care too much. That’s why you have to go. If you stay...if they see you with me, they’ll call you a spy. They’ll make me watch while they torture you. I’m trying to save you.”
91Please respect copyright.PENANAuc0XDwJALR
She shook her head. “No. No, don’t say that.”
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I stepped back. My whole body trembled.
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“I love you. That’s why I’m begging you: please. Leave tonight. Never look for me again. If you ever cared about me...run.”
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She fell to her knees, sobbing.
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I turned and ran into the trees, heart shattering with every step, praying she would do as I asked and live.
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