<b>Chapter </b><b>582 </b>


    On Crescent Ind, Caitlin hadn’t stopped thinking about escape for a single moment. The woman who brought her food, , had a kind heart, and everything Caitlin had eaten from her so far had


    been safe.


    Now that her strength and focus had returned, it was time to put a n into action.


    The sound of a key turning came from the door.  stepped in, carrying a tray. “Caitlin, here’s your dinner. Please enjoy it.”


    “Wait, . What’s all this?”


    Caitlin moved closer, asking casually.


    was always quick to answer her questions. “These are shellfish we gathered from the sea. Very


    fresh.”


    Caitlin nodded, and as  turned to leave, she struck with a precise chop to the neck, knocking her


    out. “Sorry, . Nothing personal.”


    She closed the door, then swapped clothes and hair ornaments with , arranging the unconscious


    woman on the bed so she looked like she was sleeping.


    With the tray in hand and her head lowered, Caitlin stepped outside. The guards didn’t look twice, and she slipped away.


    She walked quickly, scanning for a way off the ind. She might cross paths with ck Wolf Fortress men <i>at </i>any moment, but the disguise, along with the dimming evening light, worked in her favor.


    From , she’d learned that shellfish collectors left through a southwest exit to reach the sea. If Caitlin could find that spot, she could get off the ind.


    She was headed that way when someone grabbed her from behind, a strong arm mping around her waist and dragging her toward a deserted hut.


    She twisted and fought but couldn’t break free–the man was too big.


    Inside the dim hut, his voice was thick with lust. “… I’ve missed you. Come make me feel good.”


    Revulsion hit her, Clearly ’s looks had attracted unwanted attention in this male–dominated ce.


    When his hands groped for her, Caitlin didn’t hesitate. One swift sh, and he staggered back with a choked sound, eyes wide in shock.


    He never had time to realize that the “” he’d cornered wasn’t who he thought she was.


    Wiping the blood from the curved de on his clothes, Caitlin slid it back into its sheath. The knife was ’s tool for harvesting shellfish–now it was her weapon.


    Leaving the body behind, she continued toward the southwest exit.


    She’d barely gone far when an elderly woman grabbed her wrist. “, quick! The missus is inbor.


    We’ve been looking for you!”


    In the poor light, the woman didn’t notice the mistake and pulled Caitlin toward a small courtyard.


    From inside came the sharp, strained cries of a woman.


    “Ahhh…..”


    Someone rushed out. “Go tell the master–she’s having trouble!”


    A difficult birth. No wonder the screams were so raw.


    “Oh no… if it’s a breach, what do we do? ,e help thedy!” The old woman hurried inside.


    Night was falling. Amid the confusion, Caitlin knew this was her best chance to slip away. But hearing theboring woman’s cries weaken, she felt that tug of conscience she could never quite ignore.


    She hesitated for several long seconds–then stepped forward, pushing aside the straw curtain.


    The scene inside was chaos. Two or three women clustered around the bed, while the woman on it


    had no strength left to cry out.


    “Come on, mydy… one more push…”


    But the woman had gone limp.


    “She’s fainted! What do we do?”


    Before Caitlin could act, Sheldon burst through the door,


    She turned her back quickly to avoid being recognized.


    He didn’t notice her at first, going straight to the bedside. “Wife, wake up… please, wake up!”


    When shaking her failed, he asked, “Have you called the doctor?”


    “Sheldon, the only doctor on the ind was beaten to death days ago. There’s no doctor left!”


    0


    “Damn it!” His voice cracked with anger and helplessness. Without help, both mother and child could


    die.


    Caitlin finally spoke. “Let me try. I might be able to save her.”


    Everyone turned to stare. The old woman’s mouth dropped open at the sight of a stranger in ’s


    clothes.


    Sheldon’s eyes went wide. “You…” Recognition shed, but urgency overrode it. “You can help her?”


    “I can try. But no promises.”


    It was enough. He stepped back, letting her through.


    She checked the woman’s eyes–the pupils were starting to dte.


    “I need a needle.”


    Sheldon barked the order, and momentster someone brought a sewing needle. Caitlin held it over a candle me to sterilize it, then began pressing and pricking key points on the woman’s hand and


    arm.


    After a tense minute, the woman stirred.


    “She’s awake!”


    Sheldon’s relief was palpable. “Wife…”


    “Ahhh…” The renewed contractions tore another cry from her.


    “Wait outside,” Caitlin told him, then asked for sugar water. When it arrived, she helped the woman


    drink, restoring some strength.


    With firm, calm guidance, she assisted through the delivery until the air was split by the high, healthy


    wail of a newborn.


    “Waaah-”


    Outside, Sheldon froze at the sound. Emotion crashed over him like a wave.


    “Sheldon! It’s a boy!” the old woman called out.


    “And my wife?”


    “She’s fine–both are fine now.<i>” </i>


    16:01 Wed, 3 Sept @W.


    “Thank God…”


    48% –


    +23


    He was still absorbing the joy when a squad of torch–bearing patrolmen poured into the courtyard, surrounding it.


    “The woman might be inside,” the leader barked. “Search every room!”


    16:01


    Wed, 3 Sept


    ? ?? 48%