"Mom…" I felt one last tear trickled from my eyes. ah, this kind of pain, I wish I could wipe them all.
Then I felt a hand that wiped my cheek. It's warm and gentle. I didn't notice that a curved was formed on my lip. Is that you, mom? If it is you and if this is a dream, then I don't want to wake up. But the texture of the hand is not that of a woman, wait! it's a man's hand!
I weakly lifted my eyelid then I gazed at the person's shadow. I saw a tender curve formed on his face. I suddenly felt safe and protected.
"Shhh… go back to sleep." He lulled me back to sleep as he caresses my hair. I dozed off again. Was it you, dad, visiting me in my dreams? I wish I could see his face, but my eyelids were too heavy, wanting to go back to dreamland.
Unknowingly, my mind went back to the last memory that I had earlier.
Raindrops started to fall as the last tear dripped from my eyes.
Mom, I think we won't be seeing each other for a long time. I decided to fulfill your last wish. I will visit every country there is and I will let the whole world know about my journey. Please watch over me and if possible, guide me to where dad is. But if he is already with you in heaven, then let him know that I'm still grateful that he gave me life.
Before the rain entirely pours out, I run towards my car and drove home. As soon as I reached my house, I started to packed my things especially my camera and laptop. I'll have my flight early in the morning. But for now, I need to rest first. I laid down my worn-out body and immediately went to slumber.
***
Liam took the staircase after making sure that the woman is doing good as she rests peacefully. According to the doctor, she's out of danger now. she only needs to rest since her body must have been strained by the strong waves.
"Brother Liam, how is the young miss?" Rika came out from somewhere. He jolted in surprise.
"How many times do I have to tell you Rika not to show up so sudden. You startled me" Liam spoked.
"Sorry big brother, but how is our young miss?" her eyes were hopeful.
"Don't worry, she'll live." He smiled half-baked then went to the kitchen. He suddenly felt hungry.
"Where are the others?" Liam asked Rika who was following him.
"Uhm, they're cleaning the storage room." Rika was now preparing Liam's meal.
"Why are they cleaning that? who's going to stay there?" Liam creased a brow.
"Y-you?" Rika's tongue slipped. "ah oh." She covered her mouth.
"Rika?" he looked at her seriously. Looks like he knew what they are up to. "Call the others at once!" he ordered.
Rika run as fast as he can. Brother Liam is really scary when he gets mad. She sighed.
After a few minutes, the primary seven men where already standing in front of Liam along with the twins, Rika and Sheena.
"What do you think you're doing?" Liam was sitting on his chair, staring at them grimly. "Asher, you might want to tell me what's happening?"
"L-Liam, we just thought of cleaning the storage room." Asher quivered in fear. They can't possibly offend Liam because they know what will happen next.
"Why bother to do that? Are you going to occupy that room?"
"No, it's not that. I, we… we thought that you might be needing a new room for tonight…" Asher lowered his head. "And on the coming nights." He playfully smirked.
Blaggg! Liam smacked the table and everyone jolted in shocked. "Stop your nonsense at once! that woman will leave the camp as soon as she wakes up. Understand?!"
"But brother Liam, she might be in danger if she roams around the area alone." Sheena disputed.
"I agree with sister, brother Liam. Young miss is pretty enough to get in trouble here." Rika rowed while the primary seven men nodded in agreement.
"We just can't keep a stranger here in the camp, you know that. besides, we don't know where she came from. it's too dangerous not just for you but for everyone in the camp." Liam explained. "We can't afford to risk the team; you understand that right?"
Everyone lowered their heads in defeat. Their leader is right. they can't risk the whole team's safety.
"But what will happen to young Miss then? She looks so innocent. I even thought of her as a fallen angel. Haven't you consider that she might be a missing princess?" Rika emphasized with a glimmering eyes.
"What if she is a princess from our neighboring country?" Sheena backed her sister's statement.
"No she's not. She's from another country that's a fact, but she is not a princess." Liam cleared. "So as soon as she wakes up, she'll leave the camp. Don't worry cause I'm not a heartless man. I'll surely help her look for a temporary shelter tomorrow."
***
Meanwhile, a hooded man holding a sword appeared in front of an old man standing in a balcony.
"What's the news about him?" the old man asked while gazing at the starry sky.
"Master, Nothing unusual as of now. But they took a lady at their camp just now." The spy reported.
"A lady?" the old man was a bit surprise. "Who is that lady? From where is she?"
"I don't have any information about her yet. but it looks like she's from another country."
"A foreigner you said?" the old man traces his jaw. "hmm, keep an eye on that lady as well, we might be able to use her to our advantage." the old man smirked while the shadow disappeared without trace.