#chasted

----

"GET HIM!"

No...no...

Daero bursts through the tree line, running as fast as his burning lungs will allow. It took weeks in hiding to finally heal and if they catch him now it will be so much worse -

NO. I won't go back there!

The ledge comes up too quickly.

Daero can't possibly stop in time but he still tries, staggering on the rocky surface, tearing up the soles of his feet. He squeezes his eyes shut as he topples heavily over the edge.

The human voices fade away, all sound is gone but the rush of wind.

He braces for a long fall and a swift impact. It is a horrible surprise when, only seconds after falling, he crashes against a lower ledge. His shoulder erupts with pain and Daero tumbles in the air, his cry stolen from his lungs.

Daero collides with several more juts and ridges of the uneven cliffside on his way down. Then he reaches the trees, plummeting through thick pine branches that tear up his skin and just barely slow his fall. Birds squawk and scatter around him.

He lands with a thwump on the forest floor.