- Chapter 3 -

The huntsman tightened his grip on the knife, ignoring his numbing hands. He followed close behind Snow White, watching her every step, every move, every breath. Snow walked through the woods as she realized that the tree’s seemed to shift and grab out at her, like they were ready to attack at any moment. Then, Snow tripped and fell to the icy ground, blood starting to stream from her injured arm. The huntsmen took his chance and lunged at her, stabbing her in the back of her leg. She screamed. The huntsman removed the knife, blood turning the snow a bright crimson red. Snow White took her chance to run, and even though she was injured, she ran fast, not daring to look back. The huntsman ran after her angrily, knife clenched between a coldhearted fist. She tried to ignore the branches snagging against her dress, and the rocks cutting into her ankles. If she slowed down she would be caught, she would be killed. That wasn't an option. The salty taste of tears lingered in her mouth as well as the sting of betrayal. Her stepmother had planned this, she knew. She was so lost in thoughts and self pity that she didn’t hear him coming, barely even processed it when his hand grabbed her and spun her around to face him. She breathed shakily as she stared into his deep brown eyes, her wrist straining from his grip and the way his fingernails dug deep into her once perfect skin. Blood dripped from her arm and leg, soaking the snow. The huntsmen looked her deep in the eye, and just for a second, Snow swore she saw an ounce of regret. The huntsmen raised the knife above his head, ready to strike again, Snow closed her eyes shut, not wanting to see her last few seconds alive. Not like this. Then, she felt his grip loosen on her arm. Snow opened her eyes to see the huntsman lying in the snow, unconscious. She looked around, who had done this? Would she be next? She couldn’t think straight, her vision was growing blurry, the world felt like it was spinning. She tried to run but only got so far before collapsing to the ground, scrapping her knees on the sharp ice. Spots danced in her vision and her eyes shut.