continued from here with @moonlitwhiims
there was nothing but the thundering of his heartbeat raging in his ears, pulsing against his temples as he ran. how careless he had gotten, with all of her trips upstairs and outside for walks... how careless to have shown her this place before she was ready to accept her home, because now she was gone.
and josiah wasn't sure he could get her back.
darkness closed in around him like a weighted pressure, choking his lungs as he ripped through the underbrush with reckless abandon. only sick, cold dread sat in his stomach, and with burning limbs, he continued deeper past the tree line. it wasn't until he took a stumble, falling hard on his shoulder to the ground, did josiah see the blood droplets. relief was like a soothing balm against a burn, his limbs aching and screaming for a rest after running back and forth between the trees.
he'd found her. josiah almost scooped up the snow and kissed it, held it close in joy - until it began to wane enough for him to realize that it was blood. enough of it to make a trail, and while he was grateful for the simple access to her poorly planned hiding spot, something else in him was reacting violently.
remy was hurt. it was maddening. his footsteps quickened, despite their tired protests, until he found her shivering there in the snow. stomach churning at the sight of the blood, smeared across her white dress and a fleck on her cheek, coating her hands and rivulets of it ran down her leg. for a long moment, all josiah could do was stare in abject horror. was this his fault?
then he was all action. sinking down to his knees among the gnarled tree roots, josiah quickly slid his jacket off to wrap around her shoulders. it was large, and puffy, and warm, and far too big for her small frame, so it enveloped her like a blanket. " you're hurt... " he mumbled, reaching out but stopping before he touched her. what could he do before they got back to the compound, to his house, or better yet - the medical building. " oh, remy... " pale eyes were filled with sadness, crystal solemn hues of remorse playing pitifully across his usually morose expression. " you have to let me help you. please. don't fight me. "
with that, josiah adjusted, leaning back against his heels, and reached around her quickly to swipe her legs out from where she leaned, catching her against his shoulder, and sliding his other around her so she was cradled against him. catching his balance, josiah exhaled, and began to walk back through the forest towards the compound, jaw set and the frown rounded, smooth, soft against the harsh lines and jagged shadows over his face.