Run!
The men saw us from a distance when the girl untangled the ropes in me, so we run for our lives. My will to escape from those filthy men made me forget about my sore ankle. We must escape at all cost.
"Faster! Follow me… I know a way." The girl went ahead of me, but dang! the men are drawing nearer and nearer!
I could hear them shouting but I chose not to look behind me. I can't let my fear overwhelms me right now. I must save myself and this little girl.
I'm not familiar with this place but looks like the lady ahead of me knows this hill very well. Tall trees are everywhere as well as thistles on the ground and thorny bushes were all over the place. It hurts since I could feel cuts on my feet, but who cares about pain right now? all I want is to escape from those ugly goons.
Though I can die right now but not an ugly death! what if they sexually harass me? No, I might take my own life if that happens. We then reached a crossroad and I thought she'll choose a path but I was mistaken.
"Let's hide for the meantime!" she knelt on her knees and quickly crawled down the bushes on the side. Wait! what if we fall down the cliff? I thought for a few second but followed the lady as soon as I heard the men's voices nearing our location.
Ah! Come what may! I wailed within.
"Damn it! Where did they go?" We heard the boss cursed aloud.
"I think they went this way." someone suggested, though I couldn't see which way he pointed out.
"What if they went on the other way?" another blurted.
"Damnit!" their boss cussed again. "You and you, go to this side and the rest will go with me on the opposite side. Send a signal as soon as you found them. Is that clear?"
"Yes Boss!" they all exclaimed. The next thing we heard were footsteps rushing forwards.
"Are we safe now?" I mumbled softly as I lean my back on the hedge.
"I think so." The lady beside me heaved a sigh of relief.
"Thank you for saving me." I am sincerely grateful. "My name is Diana, what's yours?"
"Sarah."
"I owe you my life and I will surely repay you someday."
"You don't have to." she looked at me with earnestness. "I just happened to be in the area." her smile lit me up a little.
We let some time passed by before we came out from our hiding place. We need to make sure that they won't come back. And it's almost late afternoon when she offered a place for us to rest.
Sarah led me to another path instead of the main road. Though it's the longer path to the old man's house but it's safer.
However, we stopped walking when we saw a group of soldiers down the highway. Though we are above the highway but one can still see what's happening below.
"What are they?" I curiously asked.
"Soldiers!" Sarah exclaimed. "I'm sure of it."
"Soldiers? But what are they doing here?" I didn't hear any response from her. however, her eyes were glued at the prison cell. More likely scrutinizing it carefully.
"An old woman?" I blurted out when I saw an old woman imprisoned in a wooden cell. what could be her offense? I thought.
"No!!! Grandmother!!!" I heard Sarah bellowed then rushes to a path leading down the hill.
"Sarah! Wait!" Dang it! I finally found time to rest my foot but here comes another, therefore, I chased the wailing lady.
We followed the soldiers discreetly until they halted in a plain hill. I thought they wanted to rest but we saw another group of soldiers camping in the area, with a royal palanquin this time. At that point, we hid in a corner waiting for a chance to approach the cell.
After a few minutes, we saw one of the soldiers approached the covered tent. Too bad we cannot see who's inside. But judging at the guards, I'm sure he is a well-esteemed person in the kingdom.
Thirty minutes had passed but the soldier hadn't come out yet. Also, the night is near and still, we're in the woods. Isn't it dangerous?
Ah, I could feel my sore foot along with my body twinge. I'm cold and hungry as well! Huhu! I suddenly remember the team… Cole, Leon and the others. Grace too... I hope she's alive. I'm definitely lying if I deny thinking of Liam, but I should start forgetting him… and everyone else. I can't go back to them, not with Liam having an evil intention against me.
My heart aches as I recall the bitter truth --- someone wants me dead. Liam. he will surely get mad once he finds out that I escaped. I must be careful not to run into any of the team.
"Someone came out." Sarah whispered. Then our eyes landed on the manly figure who just came out of the tent, followed by the soldier who went inside a while ago. They were heading to where the cell was. I couldn't see the man's face clearly since it was already dark. But his stance---- the way he walks emits a person with a high status.
The man stood in front of the cell. The old woman must have sense the man's presence so she lifted her head only to scowl at the man. However, we couldn't hear what they are talking about. It looks serious tho.
"Grandmother…" Sarah shed a tear.
After a few more minutes, the man cynically laughed and went back to the tent. Surely, they will be spending the night in the area.
"Grandmother… grandma….'' The old woman heard a familiar voice and tried to find where it came from. then her granddaughter came into view.
"S-Sarah? What are you doing here? Didn't I told you stay with that old man?!" the old woman's angry tone made the young lady pouted.
"Grandma, why are you here? where are they taking you?" the lad cried.
"Sarah…" The old herald was about to say something but halted when she heard another voice. As soon as the foreigner woman showed up, Milcah held her breath, not believing her eyes.
"You… how come?" she muttered. "How did they end up together?" the old herald was confused.
"Grandma, do you know her?" Sarah ask when she saw her grandmother's reaction.
"You… you're the foreigner woman I saw in Ikarai… how did you end up here?" the old woman was sizing the her from head to toe. Diana was about to talk but some guards were doing their rounds. They need to be extra careful.
In a swift moment, the old woman held the woman's hands, her eyes were pleading. "Please take my granddaughter with you and take good care of her. No one must know that she is my granddaughter."
"But grandma… what will happen to you now?" Sarah sobs. With pity in her eyes, Milcah lifted her hand to wipe her cheeks.
"Sarah, you must be strong. Whatever happens, just know that I love you and I will always do."
"But grandma… please... let me go with yo---"
"Sarah!" the old woman squealed. "You must go and make sure not to tell anyone that I am your grandmother" she pleaded.
"Who's there?!" they both heard some guards nearing the cell.
"Now go!" she motioned Diana to take the child away. "I'm sorry child." The old woman tears up.
But then, how come that the heavens seemed moving sooner than expected? She thought while watching their fading shadows.