The clock's deafening chime made the windows shudder and the floorboards shake. I fell to my knees, watching as the sea foam lace drifted further and further away, descending into the darkness. I pulled myself up, calling after her, the chimes drowning me out. Clasping my hands over my ears, I pursued.

"Are you alright? Excuse me-"

My feet were so fast on the steps that I almost missed them every time. But for once, I did not panic over my safety.

"I apologize if-"

My foot finally slipped, sliding me down the last few steps with a mighty thud. The woman was already gone, fleeing out of the door into the wing. Again, I kept on going, ignoring the winding pain in my lower back and the ache in my legs.

"Wait! Please!"

My voice echoed. She ran as though she didn't hear.

Almost tripping over the wood we had dismantled from the door, I picked my legs up, running as fast as they could go.

"Please wait! I don't even know your name!"

The winding corridors didn't stunt her for a second. She followed the music that echoed through the halls, rising to a crescendo as though it was a symphony to her speed, ever growing the closer I seemed to reach.

"Stop!" I yelled again and again, "please!"

My eyes watered, unblinking, fearing that if I let her out of my sight for even a second, she'd be gone. I stumbled. I pushed myself off the wall, wheezing for the air I'd lost long ago, but my legs refused to stop and rest.

"I'm sorry but I must go!" She finally spoke, gasping for breath. I tried to plead.

"Please! Just tell me your name at least!"

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Her silence made a brutal return. The tide of her dress was drawing out, lit by moonlight as she finally made it to the courtyard. For a moment, I could have sworn she looked to my bedroom window, bars looking back at her. She made a left into the crowds.

Don't lose her now.

While the crowds seemed to disperse in her path, they closed again every time I grew nearer. It was almost coordinated - like every person in the world was using this opportunity to their - or her - advantage. My body was a battering ram against them all, elbows and shoulders being whacked again and again until they felt numb.

"Please! Someone-" my breath was stuck in my throat. The crowds were too heavy now; too overbearing. The blue of the woman's dress was shrinking.

Don't let her get away.

"Somebody stop her!" I choked.

The guards all sharply turned their heads to the fleeing girl. Their faces were determined - almost angered. In their hands, spears.

Oh, what have I done?

"Don't hurt-" The air was knocked out of me once again as an elbow jabbed my kidney. I was being suffocated in every conceivable way - the heat, the crushing horde, the torture in my side. Worst of all was the fear - the fear that squeezed my lungs with a first of steel and weakened every limb in my body as the ability to push my way through grew harder and harder.

Every voice in the world addressed me, making mine lost. The music persisted over it - the noise unbearable to listen to.

If they could just be quiet for a moment. Please.

I grew desperate, resorting to shoving. Eventually, I broke free of the arms grasping out to me like branches, and I clambered up the staircase with everything I could muster.

"Stop!"

The guards were unsuccessful in their chase, lagging far behind enough for me to catch up with them. The stairs and bridge leading up to the palace were already cleared by the woman, and she was climbing into a silvery carriage, slamming the door as the horses began their sprint.

I tried to get a good look at the carriage, all detail shadowed by the castle walls as it shrank from view. I could have sworn the woman turned to look at me as the coach left. Focusing only on her, I tripped up again. My heart pushed on my throat suddenly. I shut my eyes. I embraced the pain.

I was jolted.

My eyes opened hesitantly.

I was floating, only my tiptoes on the corner of a step, angled downwards to the barren moat and dry wooden bridge ahead.

The guard let go of my waistcoat, planting me on my feet and firmly back to dreaded reality.

And with that, the woman had turned to mist, vanishing into the dark.

Hopelessly, I stared ahead at the faded horizon, chest sinking; stomach turning.

"You fell on this, your highness." The guard retrieved a familiar item from the steps. Holding it delicately, as though it would collapse in his hands, he held it out to me.

A heeled shoe, somehow unchipped from the chase, glass-blown with paint embedded in an abstract pattern.

I held it just as cautiously.

That was all I had left of her.