She scrambled down the rock face, slipping on the patches of damp moss and grass. In her panic she tumbled over the over-hang that covered the entrance to her hideout – a small opening in the hillside, hidden by the natural landscape and fauna. She landed with a thump on the hard ground and for a moment sat dazed. Then she came to her senses and threw herself inside the cave, letting the darkness wrap itself around her, hiding her from her pursuers.

She listened. In the distance she could hear voices and the barks of the hound. She held her breath and tried to determine if they were heading in her direction. Gradually she began to relax as the sounds faded into the distance. She had evaded them again.

It had been a foolish notion, irrational and without reason, but she was in love, and the man she loved was locked away. She had just wanted a glimpse of him, that was all. He had committed heresy. So had she. They both admitted as much. Was it so wrong to question God’s existence or his plan for his children when there was so much suffering in the country? That was all they had done.

He had managed to warn her in time. She had fled. He had been caught. The guilt was too much for her. Part of her wanted to be caught so that she could join him in the jail. They would be together. Days had turned to weeks. There had been no word from the village. She still had friends there who helped protect her. They had heard nothing about him. They only knew that he was still alive, but sentenced to be burned to death.

A sob caught in her throat. A rustle from outside. A shadow passed over the entrance to the cave. She had been discovered.

She sat motionless, waiting to see if it was by a friend or a foe.

This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt: Entrance curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.

This is the other half to a story I submitted for #writephoto last week, although it should make sense on its own. If you want to read the first part, you can find it here: THE HERETIC.

To find out more about my novels by following the links below:
A JUSTIFIED STATE:  U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM      UNITED KINGDOM     AUSTRALIA    CANADA    INDIA
STATE OF DENIAL:  U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM      UNITED KINGDOM     AUSTRALIA      CANADA   INDIA