"Aran! Aran! Wake up!"
The urgency of the voice propels him to awake from his deep slumber. He forcibly tries to open his heavy lid eyes and at the same time rising his body into half sitting half lying. Aran rubbing his eyes to remove the sleepiness that still lingering in his body.
"Quick!"
Aran's eyes snap open. In front of him, grandfather seems busy rummaging his closet and shoves some of his clothes in a satchel that he holding with another hand.
Aran is a smart kid. He moved his body from the bed and changing his clothes before quickly imitate his grandfather by collecting his precious item into a small pouch and tie it on his belt. He looks longingly on his book collection knowing those treasures will be left behind. He closed his eyes and taking a deep breath.
Once it opens the longingness disappear without a trace and replaces with a calm demeanor that normally would not appear on kids at his age. He notices the air seems different from usual. Like a flesh of meat been burned together with the unfamiliar smell that he fails to recognize. Before he managed to run towards the nearest window to take a peek of what happened outside, his body suddenly feels been jerk backward.
Right at the same time, he heard female blood curdling screaming. The chilling sound didn't stop there. More and more screaming coming from outside like it had been pile from one to another. The howling sounds coming from men and women like the owners are currently experiencing excruciating pain entwined with the despair making his small body shuddered.
The floor he currently standing vibrates like it had been thump nonstop by a big group of four leg animal stomping on the ground. And the sound getting louder by seconds like it coming closer.Aran body has tugged again and he turns his body and look up at the pale face of his grandfather.
"Grandpa?"
"Aran, remember the secret passage I told you about?"
Arran nodded. He clearly remembers the dark lonely path since his grandfather took him a couple of during the day and nighttime so he will familiar with the route when the situation arises.
Chief Erim is very satisfied with his grandson answer since it makes his task to save the remaining people easier.
"It a shortcut to the next village. You need to go there and walk until you arrive at the second village. Find the main chief and show him this stone."
"The second village next to us is Asiago Village belong to Chief Gikan. Isn't he our arch enemy?"
"Smart boy. Yes, he is. But his family owe a favor with our family. And this stone is given by his father to our family as a prove the bearer is our family member asking the favor to be returned."
"And at the end of the path, you will find a crossroads. Never take the right path because it will lead to an unsafe place. Take the left road. Wait for me for three days. If I didn't return to take you back. You must follow his order. He will teach you how to survive."
"Promise me Aran, no matter what happens, you must live to the fullest. Despite the hardship, you will face later on, don't turn your back, face it, keep struggling until you die. Even better if you live longer than my age now. Until your head full with white hair. Only that I feel I can meet my daughter with pride."
" I promised you, grandpa."
"Last thing. This belongs to your father. I never met him. But your late mother gives it to me to keep for you until you become an adult. Never show it to anyone. It will never end well. If it was meant to be for both of you to meet, you will recognize him straight away. At that time show him this coin. He will know you are his son."
"Take this satchel. Inside I have put some food, clothes, and money. Use it wisely. Now go. Take the back door. May God be with you."
Aran takes the satchel and starts running towards the back door. Halfway he stops. He turns and running back towards his grandfather. He hugged Shift Erim's waist and with a quivering voice telling his grandfather to make a promise too.
"Grandpa. Come and take me home. I will wait for you."
Chief Erim knows it was a very slim chance for both of them to survive from tonight attack. He bent half his old body to return the last embrace of his precious grandson.
"Don't worry boy, we definitely will reunite again...."
And the remaining sentence he finishes it in his heart.
'...maybe not for this lifetime but surely I will wait with your mother in the afterlife. You are our pride and joy after all.'