A/N: After years, I finally figured out my password to the wattpad account and finally I'm able to publish these chapters that you guys have been begging for. I'm so sorry, dive right in! Also, I'm back! Yay.

motionless on the mud with a mouth gaping posture. Its sharp teeth and battle scars on its face made my heart race. Its still body was basking in the moonlight. I was two feet away from it and I didn't have any weapon with me. I didn't even have anything with me. A sweat droplet rolled down the side of my face. I gulped, fearing for my life. I have never been more awake than I am now in my entire life. My fear awakened pain, the pain of the past that always haunted me to this day. I whimpered a little.

The reptile predator's tough and scaly skin was glistening with water. It looked like a still statue but suddenly at a flashing speed, it crawled towards me, its kill. Immediately, I screamed in fright and ran into the dark forest, without a second thought. It stopped, not daring to step into the shadows and I was trying to calm down my racing heart.

Crunch.

Grrr.

I stiffened and tears brimmed my eyes at the unfortunate events that are taking place right now. I didn't dare look behind. I couldn't move. I was immobilised with utter fear and all I wanted to do was control my sobs. I couldn't breathe, it felt as if someone was choking me. From my peripheral vision, I could feel something move on my right.

Where are you, Shira? Please come quickly.

I turned around a little. Just a little. And, I froze. There was a large form standing a good thirty feet away from me. It hasn't noticed my presence yet.

My heart was racing and all I wanted to do was curl up into a ball and wait for someone to save me. A drop ran down my cheek. It seemed as if this was the end of the road for me. I wasn't crying due to the fear even though it was there. The pain of the fear that I felt made me cry. The pain reminded me of memories that I have buried deep down in my heart that burned a hole inside.

I don't want to die in an animal attack. Not like them. Anything but an animal attack.

Suddenly, I heard something crawl beside me and looked down to see the alligator from before. The long snouts of it were going to latch onto my leg and I screamed, running away towards the forest. Escaping in seconds from the danger.

Suddenly, a hand came onto my mouth, and circled my waist, muttering sweet words into my ear whose voice I recognised as Auden. He pulled us behind a huge tree and I couldn't feel safer. I turned around and buried my face into his chest, trying to control my sobs and he whispered comforting words to me. Words that I couldn't hear, sounded muffled due to my pain and he held me close. I could hear other voices from the distance. I could highlight one of them as Shira's. But my eyes were closed and I wanted nothing but Auden.

Silence filled the air all of a sudden. "Don't open your eyes, love," Auden whispered into my ear. His body tensed up and I nodded, not wanting to look at anything. He stilled, grabbing me completely flush against his body as both of us stilled.

Immediately, my ears perked up, my sense of hearing heightened by the fear I felt crawling into my bones. Letting Auden hold me close, while we were behind the huge tree, I tried to calm my breathing. I opened my eyes slowly to meet Auden's shirt and looked up. He pulled me towards him protectively, his eyebrows scrunching as he glared at everything he was looking at. He looked almost feral.

The snap of a twig, and an unmistakable crunch of dried leaves, echoed through the forest. Chills ran down my spine.

Grrr.

The sound of the roar was closer than before. Sweat trickled from my forehead, all my senses were on alert, resurfacing memories of the past. The pain of the past. The particular memory where I feared this way. This exact way. I swept an uneasy glance around the thick trees and gulped.

The snap of another twig behind us followed and I glanced a look at Auden who was looking calm and serious. His eyes were widening in fractions as if he was seeing something terrible. His arms were snaking around my waist as he held me close. Another twig snapped and the crunching of leaves followed, I couldn't help myself but hug Auden's waist as he held me close. I turned around, my head still laid on Auden's chest, and I could hear his heartbeat speeding.

My heart froze when I saw the head of a mountain lion, poking out from behind our tree, a branch of thick leaves separating us.

Please tell me he is Aslan.

Panic struck me as I realised that one bite from it on my throat could be fatal. My heart thudded against my rib cage. Its eyes were looking ahead, it hadn't realised that we are here merely a few inches away from it. If I reached out my hand, I would be touching its mane. My lips started whimpering from fear. I looked up slowly to meet Auden's stare, hiding behind a small branch of leaves that was separating us from the lion. His blue eyes held fear for me, and his grip on my waist became tighter as he pressed me onto him. He was afraid something might happen to me.

A bloodcurdling roar came from beside me and I didn't move, trying not to concentrate on the roar from beside me, even though my heart pumped like a high school marching band. Another menacing growl echoed through the forest again, from far away, which made the lion beside me, move forward, its body now visible. It was a beautiful golden colour, glistening under the moonlight, making it such a magnificent creature.

They are fit to be called the king of the jungle. Its confident stance and menacing growl gave off the power and authority it has. How it made every animal or human shiver to their bones. It was huge, its head level to my own. Its beautiful golden mane flew in the wind making it look extraordinary. Its teeth were almost as huge as my thumb was shown whenever it opened its mouth.

A gunshot filled the air surrounded by several voices and the lion started running away, forward without looking behind. It ran into the forest and disappeared among the trees. "Is everyone okay?" A voice called, which I recognised as Mila. Voices filled the air. There were shouts and accusations.

"What is a fucking mountain lion doing here?"

"I thought you said this was a safe campsite."

"I am out of this camp!"

Auden breathed out a sigh.

"All of you, in the boat this instance." I heard a voice from behind. I moved back from Auden only to fall to the ground as my mind faded to blackness.

•••

I woke up in an upright position. My eyes widened as I looked around to see familiar faces and relaxed as I saw Auden's familiar blue eyes.

"Here." A cup of water was given to me by Mila who stroked my head affectionately. There was a campfire in front of me. Just a small one and I saw Mila, Shira, Theo, West and Auden sitting around it. Shira had a blanket around her and she looked a little shaken up as well. I looked down to see a sleeping bag underneath me.

"Yes, a goddamn lion. You told us this was a safe campsite?" I heard West's annoyed and angry voice, talking into a phone. "No, we didn't kill it—no one's fucking hurt. Make sure this doesn't happen again or I am going to sue you."

"Do you feel better?" Mila asked and I looked at her with glassy eyes as my heart constricted in pain. Not due to fear but due to horrible pain. She immediately pulled me into her chest as I sobbed my heart out. Flashes of my memory came into my brain, making me relive the pain. My cry was raw and ugly. I cried and cried into Mila's chest and I could feel Auden's hands rubbing my back comfortingly.

After a few more moments, I wiped my tears away and drank more water. I realised something right at that moment. Just this memory. Just this memory out of my chest and I would be free. Would I be free?

When the past calls, let it go to voicemail, believe me, it has nothing new to say. I remembered Minda, The Maid saying that to me.

So, would I be free? I am not so sure but that's how I felt when I told Auden about my past. I felt lighter. Just this heavy memory out of me would make me feel better. I shouldn't let my present life slip away from my fingers because of my living in the past.

And, you are pretty fucking awesome Katherine. Yes, you are. Keep that shit up and let go of the nasty ass past no matter how painful it is. It's now or never.

I need to say this. They needed an explanation. They needed to hear. I needed relief. I needed it out.

"You don't have to be scared anymore. The animals are not going to come." Shira whispered to me and I almost scoffed as laughter came to me.

A tear rolled down my cheek and I wiped it away before looking at the five curious faces around me. "My parents died in an animal attack." The words came out of my mouth and all of them looked at me, with sympathy. "Sharks... A shark bit my mom. I was young. My father jumped in to save my mom and he did. Both of them were safe but-" I stopped as more tears cascaded down my cheeks.

"You don't have to do this," Mila told me kindly, her voice cracked in the end.

"No, I have to," I said, determined. "I need to get it out of my chest. It haunts me. The memory haunts me. It's suffocating." I said, to make them understand.

"But," I paused. "The boat turned and got away, leaving them in the middle of the ocean to die. They cried out for help. I cried. No-one stopped the boat. I fought for them. I was shouting too much that Randa got angry. When I didn't listen to her, Randa threw me in the water. The sharks. The water. The blood. The bite on my hips." I couldn't breathe as the memories flashed in my mind like photographs. "I don't know what happened but after a few minutes, she rescued me. I don't know why. I don't why she changed her mind. But, in the end, she left my parents there to die. Randa Vilary killed my parents." I finished and sobs filled the air as I cried into my hands, thinking of the evil laughter Randa gave as she waved her hands happily to my dying parents. She was ecstatic like it was the best day of her life. She left them to die. I could hear their last words, last words of desperation for me to be safe.

Please take care of her. Please don't hurt her.

Those were the last words I heard from them.

"They told the news that they got killed by sharks. The captain supported their theory because he was given money." I said as I felt myself relax a little more. I felt a lot lighter already as the memory faded away. The pain faded away and I couldn't be happier. I pulled my shirt up showing them a deep scar along the side of my hips.

"The shark gave me this," I said, and there were a few moments of silence and my tears stopped. That's it. The pain was gone but my heart still twisted at the memory. But, I felt like I have finally moved on. That I have finally moved on from my past. I felt lighter. I felt free and the pain of the past is now gone. It felt like a switch has turned off. The past is now a memory. When I look back now, there is no pain, I feel normal. I have finally moved on. Right now, all I have to worry about is joy and I am choosing joy. All I have ever wanted to be was free, and now I have it.

The feeling was indescribable. I am Katherine De Beaut and this is my life now. I am starting a new chapter of my life-scratch that, it's a whole new book. The feeling of knowing that I fear nothing now made me want to fly. Oh, Katherine, you are pretty damn awesome.

I felt a hand on top of my hand. It was Mila's. She gave me a kind smile.

"Let go. Let go of it. Let go of the painful past or you won't get to see a beautiful future." Mila said kindly with understanding words and I gave her a huge smile. She was right. I touched my cheeks, expecting them to be wet but they were dry. I was elated. I have moved on.

"Oh yes, the past can hurt. But, you can either run from it or learn from it." West said and I scrunched my eyebrows at the familiar sentence. "Did you just pull a lion king on me?" I asked and he winked. The atmosphere shifted and I felt myself laugh. Everyone laughed at West's joke and I felt Auden giving me a loving and tender kiss on my forehead.

"We did meet a lion in the forest," Theo said and I saw Shira shudder at the memory. Now, thinking back on it, the memory didn't seem so bad. It was intriguing. It was just another memory.

Another incredible memory that I can tell my grandkids, who would think I am one cool grandma while I am sitting on a red comfy chair near a fireplace while knitting handkerchieves for Christmas. I can see my bright future already.

I am sure one of my grandkids would write a story about me. Adventures of Katherine De Beaut.

"So that's why you are afraid of the water?" Auden asked me softly. My thoughts blurred away and I looked over at him.

"Was," I answered confidently. "Not anymore." He smiled with pride and gave me a chaste kiss.

"...authorities are looking into it. It's the first time we have encountered a mountain lion. Luckily, no one got hurt though." Mila said to Theo and looked over at me for a short moment, giving me a loving smile. I smiled back, feeling like God had gifted me another Mother. She reminded me of my mother a lot and I was happy about it. West asked her a question and she turned away from me.

"She loves you already." Auden smiled at me and I smiled, elated and laid my head on his shoulder.

"Imagine our kids' faces when they hear this story." Auden teased and I blushed furiously before slapping his arm in embarrassment.

It's funny how we are thinking of the same thing-telling kids this story. Why are we, such show-offs?

I rolled my eyes. He chuckled before placing a hand around my head. "You know it's going to happen." He shrugged like it's a normal thing to even discuss this and I couldn't help but blush more and kiss his cheek.

"I love you," I whispered.

"And I love you too." He whispered back immediately and smiled.

All of us talked for a few more minutes which seemed like hours. We joked around, and Auden continued teasing me and I couldn't be happier for what I have in my life right now. The talk went for another half an hour and I felt like the events of the night happened a long time ago. It had already started to fade away. There was a small gathering where Mila mentioned to the crowd that the remaining activities will no longer take place across the river. Everyone was back to their usual selves, except some scaredy-cats who still look a little shaken up.

"Goddammit, I have to pee!" Shira squealed and I laughed, gesturing for her to calm down. I looked at the Long queue in front of us. "Calm down. You are making a scene." I shushed her and she groaned, struggling to stand straight as she bent forward, crossing her legs as she controlled herself. I laughed at her state.

"Cinderella."

The familiar nickname and voice got me a little frozen. I looked wide-eyed at Shira who was looking behind me with narrowed eyes shining a little with annoyance. I turned around to meet Freya herself. Her long blonde hair similar to mine was shinier and lustrous. Her brown eyes looked at me amusingly as her eyes trailed down my legs.

She was searching for her favourite scar. The scar that she would always remind me of before kicking in my stomach multiple times. Too bad, my legs were covered in sweatpants.

"You are quite the news around here. Everyone's talking about you. My maid. I miss using and abusing you." She said, her eyes shining in victory, folding her arms as she neared me. "I advise you to walk away from here right now. Go somewhere. Be a beggar. That's what you deserve you, stupid little girl." She scolded.

"She's just jealous," Shira whispered behind me.

That's when something snapped inside me. Why am I still afraid of her? Why do I even have to care about her? I have people to protect me now. I have a family of my own. Where's that strong little Katherine Auden was so proud of?

"I don't base my decisions on advice from people who don't have to deal with the results." I made my reply, anger boiling inside of me as I clenched my fists, they wanted to punch her, scar her too. But, I should never stoop to her level. "I am stupid? Are you sure that's right? And what exactly have you accomplished in your life that makes you Einstein?" I replied as I folded my arms.

"Bitch." She neared me once again and I had control of my feet from taking a step backwards out of fear.

She can never hurt me again.

"Being a bitch is a tough job but someone's got to do it." I smiled in sarcasm.

"BURN!" Shira shouted behind me and I wanted to laugh so bad but I controlled myself.

"You are talking to your master Cinderella. You will always be a maid. Remember how you used to whimper and Beg for me to stop? Oh, I miss that. Come back, won't you? You can always be my maid." She was in front of my face now and I was fuming.

She does not control me.

"Are you getting offended by the things I say? Imagine the stuff I hold back." I barked out. The second the words were out, her hand was up as it swung in the air. Seconds before her hand met my cheek, a handheld hers, stopping it.

No, it's not Auden's.

Not Shira's either.

It was mine.

I pushed her away with all my might and she looked at me with shock. I was furious. For the first time in my life, I saw the look of fear in her eyes. I loved it. She was scared of me. She took a step back.

"I was never your maid. I was a fucking queen who your family caged. You can never control my life ever again. And, I know you are jealous of me. I like that you are trying to compete with me, at least you have a goal. An unattainable and unrealistic goal. But, I wish you all the best. And do know that I forgive you if you ever have the heart to feel guilty." I breathed out. "Now, get the fuck out of my life because I never want to see your kind again. And, don't worry, I won't take revenge on you. You will fuck yourself all on your own."

Freya's eyes looked at me before looking behind me at the crowd which had gathered. She moved two steps back before running away into the trees.

"Eenie meenie miny moe, you ain't nothing but a hoe." Shira hollered behind me and I laughed along with the crowd. The tension was gone in the air. Everyone was back to their usual selves again and the redhead Tessa passed by me, giving me a thumbs up. Most of the other girls looked at me with a newfound awe and I felt proud of myself.

"Move, I need to pee or I will pee on your face." I heard Shira shout again behind me and I shook my head amusingly.

"That was awesome. I can tell by your sarcastic undertones and rude comments to your haters that you and I could be Best Friends." The tattoo girl, Archie gave me a wink. I chuckled at her statement before an idea popped up in my mind.

"Can you help me with something?" I asked her.

"Sure, your highness." She winked as I led the way, laughing heartily.

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