On The Run

By Julie Hermansson

You've seen a lot from the perspective of the heros. But here you focus on Lucien Nightcrow, a young man that has spent his life killing and training. One day he saves Jaine, a seven year old girl from Clayton. He trains her up to become the best assassin in Layden.
But when Lucien finds the body of a young man everything changes as he goes to inform the family together with Jaine.
Secrets comes out and the past comes back to haunt forcing Lucien to end it all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: May 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9789174637335

Julie Hermansson

My name is Julie Hermansson, I'm 17 years old and live in Sweden. I've been writing books since I was 10 years old and after years of writing I've decided to take the next step and let the world read my stories.

Book preview

On The Run

Map

1. The Crying Children

2. A Bloody Escape

3. The Forest Protector

4. The Loss of You

5. Freedom

6. The Body In the Woods

7. The Dungeon

8. To Continue Our Quest

9. The Pub

10. The Feathered Friend

11. The Snow Monster

12. Plan In Action

13. The Scent of Home

14. The Origin of Jaine?

15. Revenge of Lucien

16. The Shadow Man

17. Accepted

18. Betrayed

19. The Forgotten

20. Loved

21. The End of The Mission

Copyright

Map

1. The Crying Children

The quiet of the night echoed through the village with only the faint sound of the stray cats running around chasing the rats through the streets. But in the shadows of the alleys were three men dressed from head to toe not showing a hint of skin. Their cloaks hiding any features of who they could be, but more show what they were doing here.

For these three men were out, for one thing, to finish the mission that had been given to them from their leader.

With weapons out, they looked over the alley with hawk-like eyes ready to take down anyone who came in their way.

Two of the men took a left but the third, cloaked in blue and dagger pressed in his hand, he walked forward. Quickly the man pressed himself against a wall as he heard two patrol guards walking passed on the streets.

When they had passed him he quietly looked out over the streets with a small smirk on his face.

Lucien! Come on! We need to go! the leader of the group hissed through his teeth.

Lucien glared over at his group leader and rolled his dark gray eyes in a lazy yet former way showing competition to the leader.

When Lucien couldn’t hear any cries for help he quickly got back to the group with his usual cold face showing no emotion.

What are you doing?! the group leader hissed in anger almost spitting on Lucien.

But with a simple shrug, Lucien continued down the dark alley with the other two soon behind him.

If you’re doing what I think you’re doing then don’t! Last time we were almost caught by the guards! Let it happen again and I swear I’ll murder you!

With another simple and easy shrug as an answer, he smirked back at his group leader who was glaring at him.

Calm down Sarach, this time I have all control I need, Lucien jabbed at Sarach.

But before another word could get exchanged Lucien looked up as he heard the cry of help echo through the village. Cries of pain and suffering coming from young children.

You are impossible, you know that right? Sarach said and grabbed a hold of Lucien’s shoulder.

Lucien slowly put his dagger back into the belt and looked down with a look of anger.

I’ll be back soon, he whispered to the men.

With a deep sigh, Sarach was about to grab a tighter hold of him but was too slow as Lucien quickly jumped away and started climbing the walls of the alley houses and got up onto the roof.

And without another word his two comrades shook their heads and walked off as nothing had happened. Soon after Lucien ran down jumping from roof to roof with ease.

The village was quiet as he ran, the only sound there was, came from his feet as they ran over the clay roofs of the buildings, together with the cries of the children.

Lucien looked over the quiet village giving it a cold smile. Fall was coming but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the warm nights they were still having.

Clayton had always been lucky with the wheater, at least during the spring, summer, and fall. During the winter the whole town would be covered in snow.

Lucien glanced down at the plaza and saw guards patrolling, as quickly as he could he jumped down behind another alley and continued running with no trouble.

Another cry of tears and pain echoed through the alley, he was close. So once again he climbed up on one of the houses and peered over at one of the windows and saw two children standing inside a dark lit room with a single candle that lit it up.

There was a girl who was sitting curled up begging for someone to stop, then the boy who was lifted by the throat. The man who was lifting them screamed and yelled at the children.

The man who was probably their father was big, fat, and drunk. Without even being close Lucien could smell the disgusting odor that was coming from the man.

The girl looked up at her probable father and screamed once more at him to stop before the young boy was thrown right onto the floor hitting his head badly.

The girl screamed in terror, more tears running down her cheeks before her father walked over to her and slapped her across the cheek.

Honey! Leave the children alone! Dinner is finished! a woman from another room called out.

The father turned around and quickly made his way out the room locking the door behind him.

Lucien instantly jumped down and took a closer glance inside the room. The girl was now bent over her brother crying. But the boy wouldn’t move.

One knock on the window and the girl looked up showing her pale face. Not even a second later she got up and ran for the window struggling to open it but managed to do it after a few seconds.

The girl looked up at him, the light coming from the lanterns from other windows reflected onto her face showing her too skinny body which was wrapped around a cloak and under it no more than a too big of a shirt as well as pants.

Who are you…? the girl whispered in fear of her father hearing.

You have two choices, stay here or come with me to a brighter and happier future, Lucien said and reached out his hand.

The girl instantly looked over at her brother who was still lying face up not moving.

Papa will kill me too… she whispered even quieter.

Lucien looked over at her brother who wore the same clothes as her. His face was red and blue from marks and blood.

I will be able to save him, but then you need to come with me this second, Lucien urged one more time.

The girl continued to look at her brother before she took a deep sigh and moved away to let him by.

Lucien nodded his thanks and climbed through the window. And from one horror to another he went. The room stank of alcohol, blood, and sweat.

With the room covered in dirt and blood which looked like it had been there for years together with cobwebs with many flies stuck to them waiting for their death to come.

Lucien quickly scooped the boy up into his arms and held him close to his chest. The young boy was cold in his arms but with a deep breath Lucien rose onto his feet and looked over at the girl who quickly jumped out of the window landing in the alley down below.

Soon after Lucien joined after landing next to the girl who’s tiny body looked like a walking skeleton.

Come on, follow me and be quiet, Lucien said and started to walk down the dark alley.

The girl nodded and continued to follow Lucien like she was his dog. Through the alley, she was quieter than a mouse hiding from a cat. Only the echo of their footsteps was heard as they continued to walk. The stray cats sleeping as the moon was hanging high.

The brief cold air went through the alley and the girl got closer holding onto Lucien’s leg like it was her teddy bear.

Lucien looked down at the girl who was looking around the alley in search of any kind of threat.

When she finally noticed he was looking down at her she instantly looked up with her big eyes filled with fear looking up at him. What’s your name…?

Lucien Nightcrow, Lucien replied and looked over at the boy with his face that had gone pale.

*

Slow minutes went by as they continued to walk no longer talking. The girl continued to hug onto Lucien’s leg not letting it go for anything in the world.

The wind brought some dead leaves from a close-by tree and they landed down in the middle of the alley.

Lucien looked down at the leaves and rolled his eyes looking back up hearing the faint footsteps of someone close by.

With the instincts of a cat, Lucien stopped not a second afterward. He slowly turned around to the girl and handed her the boy who was now going even paler.

The footsteps got closer and the slow motion of someone dragging out their weapons letting it touch the leather belt it had been hanging from before being pulled out.

Reveal yourselves! Lucien screamed out into the dark alley slowly pulling out his dagger.

Not even a second later two dark figures walked out from the shadows. With weapons up high they slowly walked over looking at Lucien with their shadowed eyes.

With a sigh of relief, Lucien put his dagger back into the belt.

You almost gave me a heart attack! he hissed over at the two men.

The leader of the group walked over to him with his dagger in his left hand and punched him right in the chest.

What in the hell do you think you!- the leader snapped but then held in his breath as he saw the two young children. Fuck…

Lucien looked over at the boy who’s blood was now covering the girl's arm.

The group leader sighed deeply and slowly took a step closer towards the girl.

Give me the boy and I’ll heal him, he said and got down on one knee.

The girl looked over at Lucien then back at the group leader slowly taking small steps towards him.

When she stopped she reached her brother over and the group leader grabbed him holding him closely before laying the boy down on his stomach looking at the open wound which was bleeding worse than before.

Within a second the glove on the group leader's hand was off and he reached his scarred hand down towards the boy and hovered both of his hands over the wound.

A light came from his hands and slowly went down towards the wound, dancing around it inspecting the sincerity of the wound.

Minutes walked by slowly as the wound started to close and the blood stopped pouring out of the boy's head.

We’re done… the group leader said when the wound was closed up.

The girl instantly fell onto her knees inspecting what was once a wound but now had become a scar going across his head.

Lucien, you take the boy, Gavin, you take the girl, we’re heading back, the group leader said before getting up onto his feet.

Sarach… Gavin whispered out and looked around the alley.

The group leader, Sarach, instantly looked over at Gavin and then walked off into the shadows’ of the alley, leaving the four of them alone.

Gavin was the first one to rush over to the children and pick up the girl. Only a squeak left the girl but she didn’t fight back as his strong arms held around her in a comforting way.

Lucien came soon after and grabbed the young boy slowly walking after the leader who was already way ahead of them.

Gavin rushed after Lucien with fast steps. You could have messed up the mission!

With a small smirk, Lucien looked down at the boy who was still unconscious in his arms. His light bony body as light as a feather in his arms. I saved a life, and that’s all that matters.

Gavin sighed deeply and looked over at the boy who was still covered in blood. You could have ended us!

The girl who had her face pressed against Gavin’s chest looked up with her big eyes scanning over his brutal serious face. Two big tears formed in her eyes and then once again pressed her face against his chest.

Gavin only sighed and ran his fingers through her dirty hair that was mixed with blood.

Don’t worry kiddo, we’ll take care of you, nothing will happen to you or your brother, he whispered into her hair.

The girl shifted in his arms and looked up with a weak heartbreaking smile of coldness yet comfort. Of trust.

She then closed her eyes and fell asleep. Gavin looked over at Lucien with his eyes wide in surprise and his mouth wide opened like he was supposed to say something. But he only received a small shrug.

*

Tears ran down as Jaine shot up in awake. Her body in worse pain than it had been in for a while.

She looked around rubbing her eyes in shock of the bright light illuminating from outside.

The usual shitty room she had to wake up in for the last 7 years had been changed into a dark green tent with a big lantern beside its pole in the middle.

Jaine looked around more and noticed Daren sleeping beside her. The blood from the evening before had been washed away and he was now peacefully asleep.

His chest rose and sunk in the response of his breath. He was alive.

Jaine slowly sat up and looked around, even more, the tent had many chests in it with bandages, syringes, and other healing like supplies scattered on both chests and floors.

Someone walked into the tent and Jaine looked over at the flaps of the tent to see the light illuminating against a tall man that was standing by the entrance.

As soon as he noticed she was awake he walked inside closing the flaps and walked over to her. He was cloaked in a cloak that went down to his knees and a shirt with cotton dark brown pants. He wasn’t nice looking, with his scars scattered over his body. But his bright smile told another story.

You should be happy Lucien found you, he said in a way of greeting as he got down onto one knee placing his hand on her leg.

Jaine looked down in surprise at his hand which caressed down over to her knee. In a way of disgust and worry, Jaine slowly backed away.

Who are you? Where am I? Jaine asked in tears.

The man chuckled, his low chuckle freezing water and rain.

You’re safe here, there is no need to worry anymore, he said and carefully wiped the tears away from her cheeks.

Even tho she did not have any reason to trust him, she still felt like something sparkled in her. Something warm.

Her tears stopped rolling down her cheeks, her tears stopped forming in her eyes as she looked up at the man.

Why am I here…?

The man nodded and removed his hand from her cheek and grabbed a cloth that was resting on one of the chests. You’re here because of Lucien, he had found you in your home abused by your father.

The man lowered the cloth into a bucket full of water and pressed the water out before gently grabbing Jaine’s hand and slowly pressed it against some old wounds she had received during the many hours of labor the day before.

Who are you? Jaine asked once more and looked up at the man who’s dark hazel eyes were looking down at her wounds.

He slowly looked up locking eyes with her for only a second before looking back down at her wounds. The name is Sarach.

Jaine nodded and looked back down at her wounds which were burning up in pain from the contact of the wet cloth.

Only a second, a memory passed by of the man.

She had seen him the day before, he had taken off his glove showing his tanned hand. Then the light, a bright light had appeared, and then Daren had been healed. Fully.

You’re a magic-user… Jaine breathed out and looked back up at the man who was now smiling.

Healer, the most trusted assassin in our clan, he chuckled out.

In shock and fear, she once again backed away from the man. Her hands shaking worse than ever as the word echoed through her mind. Assassin. A cold-hearted murderer. Here. With her. And he was tending to her wounds.

She had heard so many things from the guards as they had walked past the shack she had been in for so many years. How the assassins kidnapped children and killed them.

But she wasn’t dead.

With a blank stare, she didn’t react to anything before Sarach suddenly turned away throwing the now blood-filled cloth into a bucket which’s water was painted red.

No need to worry, child, we’re not going to hurt you, Sarach smiled and slowly placed her hand down onto her lap not letting go of it.

Jaine looked over at her brother who was peacefully sleeping next to her. His wounds were patched up. He looked new. And he was alive.

Who is Lucien? Jaine asked and looked over at the man who’s eyes carefully inspected her brother.

He’s one of our other assassins, he’s a cruel and cold man but when it comes to children his heart is in the right place.

Jaine looked away over to the flaps that were being dragged back by the calm yet exciting breeze.

Don’t worry, kiddo, you’ll like him, he said and patted her head like she was some kind of animal.

But she didn’t mind it as she gave off a weak smile before crawling over to her brother and grabbed his bony hand.

Silence fell for many minutes inside the tent. Sarach just sat there looking down at them like they were a painting about to move.

Are you close to your brother…? he asked after the many minutes of silence.

Very, he’s the best brother you could ever ask for! Jaine giggled and smiled up at Sarach, who’s seeking eyes looked down at the siblings.

Sarach nodded faintly and looked over at the boy, his now shadowed eyes showing a mystery beyond them.

What powers do your parents have…? he asked with his heavy voice rumbling.

In a look of confusion and surprise, Jaine looked down at her brother once more.

They had never had any kind of powers, not her brother, not her parents, neither anyone in their family.

I guess you don’t know?

Jaine only shook her head as tears formed in her eyes. There wasn’t any chance that her family would have been together with a magic-user. During all generations of her family, they have always hated magic-users since the death of an ancestor who was brutally killed by a fire started from magic-users.

We’re normal humans, nothing else… she murmured looking down.

The laughter of Sarach filled the room, a loud and heavy voice that went through the thin walls of the tent and out to where probably many more assassins were seated.

Girl, you are not human, or at least not him, he said and nodded over at the sleeping Devon.

Like a shot to the chest, the pain went through the body spreading throughout her body in seconds. She looked over at her brother knowing that Sarach was lying. He had to be lying.

Jaine looked back up at Sarach who had now completely changed from the kind and smiling man to an empty-eyed, serious look. His wrinkles clearly showing as he stared down at her. His eyes focusing on just her.

As of you know right now, he said and looked back at Daren, his conscious eyes looking like they were piercing through Daren’s mind searching for answers.

With a small movement, Jaine pulled herself closer to her brother holding his hand firmer than before.

The usually serious face now had a small and warm look to it that he had never given anyone except her.

Sarach slowly got closer to her and reached out to grab her hand but she instantly looked up with a face of hatred and rage.

I’m his sister! And you are just some stupid stranger who thinks you know everything about us! Well you don’t and you NEVER will! she screamed out in tears.

The world went quiet, the tears not stopping as they rolled down her face and onto her lap. Sarach only opened his mouth for a second before closing it again continuing to stare down at her, his hand stretched out but not moving to grab her.

Suddenly, as quiet as the summer breeze, a man walked in. His slender yet muscular arms carefully opening the flaps to the tent. The lantern light shining in his silver long hair. His hawk-like eyes looking down at her like she was his prey.

You’re awake, was all he said as a way of greeting.

A small smile showed on the man’s face. His white fangs showing from the weak smile.

With a small nod, Jaine looked into his dark-gray eyes. Death lurking around him, yet not dead.

Sarach looked over at the man and smiled brightly.

Lucien, I’m glad you’re here.

*

Lucien had already heard the screaming and shouting coming from the tent before he had even walked over there. He had just been waiting for any sign of the girl's awakening when the shouts echoed through the camp.

Walking into the tent he saw the girl was awake, her brother not. And Sarach, sitting with his hand stretched out towards her.

Her wakening eyes looking up at him, down and up for anything. With her eyes widened she looked down in tears towards the ground.

Are you…? she asked but closed her mouth soon after.

Lucien only looked down at her, his seeking eyes looking at how her wounds were holding up. She hadn’t been patched up over the lack of bandages but they’d get them very soon for her. The small cuts around her arms and legs hadn’t been as bad for her as for her brother who had far more and worse wounds than she had.

You’re the man who saved me and my brother… she whispered with tears running down her cheeks.

Only a chuckle left Lucien, a forced one, but the small smile that appeared on the girl’s face was real. He got down onto one knee to her level, the fear in her eyes quickly went away as he tried to smile and seem as kind as he could.

I am, the name’s Lucien, he said and reached out his gloved hand towards her.

After a second of hesitation, she quietly grabbed his hand and for a second didn’t move as she was in a trance. Her eyes widened as her thumb slowly went over his hand and then quickly she pulled it away.

My name… is Jaine… she whispered with small tears forming in her eyes.

Lucien gave a small smile and nodded his head towards her. It’s nice to meet you, Jaine.

With no other words to be spoken Lucien got up onto his feet and opened the flaps of the tent. Jaine only looked out of the opened tent with her eyes wide open as she slowly looked out over the camps.

Come on, food is ready.

Jaine only shook her head and looked down at her shaking, scarred, hands. Slowly she backed away closer to her brother with even more tears running down her cheeks.

Our clan isn’t as bad as you think, no one will hurt you, I promise, Lucien said and reached out his hand with a weak smile.

With a simple shake to the head, Jaine turned away facing her brother. Her tired and scared eyes looking down at his unconscious body.

I’m not leaving his side… she whispered and brought his hand closer to her slowly brushing her thumb over it.

Sarach peered over at Lucien as in questioning but was met with a small shrug before he walked out of the tent and into the campfire where most of the clan were sitting and laughing away their day.

One of the men noticed Lucien and instantly got up waving Lucien over with a bright smile.

Caran, the first child that Lucien had saved in his entire life.

Hey there! Caran chirped and quickly walked over with his food-filled bowl in his hands. How are the new ones?

With a neutral yet cold sigh, Lucien looked back at the tent he had just left. Fine, the boy is still asleep but is patched up, and the girl is up but refuses to leave her brother's side.

Caran peered over Lucien’s shoulder to the tent trying to see the children. With a deep sigh, Caran let his shoulders sloop down and head looking down at the ground instead of his mentor. When will those people understand it’s wrong to hurt others…?

Lucien put his hand on Caran’s shoulder trying to comfort the young man but didn’t have any words to say.

The world was a horrible place where kings and lords executed young adults or even sometimes children for having evil magic, when in fact that it wasn’t the case.

But instead of seeing where the possibilities could lead to with the darker magics they instead execute the gifted people. While the ones with nicer magics like healing or animation magics were allowed to be there and live a safe life.

I don’t know, but when they do the world will become a better place, Lucien managed to murmur out before leaving Caran.

There was now a long line of people waiting for their food. The children who were always allowed to go first before the adults were sitting on the logs and happily eating their stew.

Some of the children were pushing each other around but another, one of the new ones, was quietly sitting with his two friends and sometimes got a chuckle out of him.

Lucien walked over to the chef, Danae who was serving the food was happily talking with the assassins in line with a big smile on his face.

A scar that wrapped around his neck was standing out more than usual on this early day as the sun shined down upon them.

Some of the assassins threw Lucien some curious glares. By this time everyone knew of the siblings who had come the night before.

Lucien, Sarach, and Gavin had arrived late at the camp and few people were still up and going inside the huge camp. The only ones still going were the healers who had been up helping some of the injured assassins.

But as soon as they saw the boy who was limb in Lucien’s arms a group of 5 had come and asked many questions but had been rudely shut off and Sarach had demanded they took a look at him.

So the healers had done just so and taken the child away from Lucien’s arms. Three of them left while the other two stayed for the girl and when they realized the girl didn’t have any life-threatening wounds they started to squeak about how cute she was, even if she had many bruises and wounds that covered her body.

Lucien’s lips tugged for a small smile at recalling how they had reacted but still kept his face neutral.

Did the siblings wake up? Danae asked before grabbing a bowl to fill it with food for Lucien.

Lucien shrugged and grabbed another bowl for Jaine and handed it over to Danae who rolled his eyes.

The girl woke up, her name is Jaine, Lucien replied and was about to grab the other bowl when Danae grabbed it once more and poured more stew into it.

Make sure she gets a lot of food, that poor soul, he said and then handed the bowl full of stew over to Lucien.

With a faint nod, Lucien grabbed the bowl and walked back to the tent, first he noticed the girl who was still sitting by her brother's side holding his hand against her chest, and then that Sarach had somehow managed to sneak out of the tent without Lucien noticing.

Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she just looked at him.

I got food, Lucien tried to encourage her, but she didn’t move an inch.

With a deep sigh, Lucien got down on his knees putting the bowls down on the ground. He pushed over the bowl of stew that Danae had made sure to fill more than needed.

Oh come on, he’s not going anywhere, Lucien encouraged. Jaine looked into his eyes for a few moments.

Lucien was almost shocked as she kept his eye contact more than any adult had ever done since he was a child.

But slowly and surely Jaine continued to scan him, letting her eyes search any hint of a weapon on him. And Lucien let her, taking in how her eyes were moving and how her body reacted.

Even tho she was shy and didn’t have much status he could feel how his body slowly leaned back.

The chef wants you to eat, don’t want to make him sad, do we? Lucien tried once more.

Jaine’s eyes instantly shot up to his and he felt how a drop of sweat was making its way down his forehead and nose. But after a few moments, Jaine nodded and slowly let go of her brother's hand and grabbed the bowl of stew hauling it towards her before slowly eating it.

Her eyes widened a bit as she took her first bite and instantly sped up eating more and more. Stew dropped down her chin and back into the bowl and quickly her spoon picked it up once more and she ate