My breath was stuck in my throat. I wanted to scream but somehow I couldn't find my voice.
The sight before me was horrendous and revolting. I could hardly believe my eyes. My father, a respected figure, is being treated like an inanimate thing.
I struggled to keep my eyes open and not barf. I felt like I could pass out anytime. My insides ached and swirled as if someone was twisting and crushing them.
Meanwhile, the kidnapper got into his cart in the distance and started talking to someone else inside. With my heightened sense of hearing, I managed to eavesdrop on them.
"Bro, mission accomplished. We can head out now," the man said proudly while checking his surroundings - looking at me in the process.
When my eyes met his, I felt as if all my energy was drained away from me. His stare didn't feel like a stare of a human, it felt more like the glare of a wolf. Or more aptly, a devil.
"I thought I've told you to keep your emotions to yourself!" scoffed his accomplice, who I suppose isn't human either.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't bear that scum...like, how can one tolerate those filthy humans?! Especially that girl...she not only questioned me but tried to kill me! How daring of her to revolt against us!"
They actually addressed us as scum...Just what the heck are they?
"But still, that was a terrible mistake! Now you've inadvertently exposed us and our secrets!"
"It's fine, don't make a fuss of it. I've taken care of her."
"Fine, whatever. I guess you've...?"
"Yeah. Kicked her in the guts and cast a spell. The deadly one, to be precise. She should be dead within minutes, if not, under half an hour, like the other hundreds of my victims. And if that doesn't work...she'll suffer the long, hard way, at her own hands."
What the...?! I'm...dying?? This can't be true...I can't-
"Okay, stop rambling about that cool invention of yours, and drive! We're late!"
What? He cast a deadly spell on me...? And...they're leaving?!
No. For god's sake, I am not letting them go just like this! I can't let them continue harming more innocent people. I must expose them so they can be brought to justice. Even if I die from the spell.
In a fit of rage, I planted my hands on the ground and tried to prop myself up. But my efforts were totally in vain as the throbbing pain paralysed me. I collapsed like a puppet with its strings severed.
Meanwhile, the criminals hopped onto their horses, ready to drive off, chortling heartily at me.
Impossible. I can't be this weak! I must do something about this!
I tried to flip around and get up, but the more I tried, the more it hurt. It seemed that there was some sort of power stopping my body from obeying my mind.
Enough. Just give up. It's useless. No matter what you do, you will lose to them. I didn't know why, but my mind had those thoughts all of a sudden. Negativity flooded me.
I slumped. Tears flowed from my eyes as I realised how weak I was. Compared to them, my powers were nothing. I decided to just let it be.
Suddenly, Father's voice echoed in my ears.
"Sayaka, you must remember that this power we share - The Way of the Wind- is only between us. Never show or use your powers in public. But if one day your powers are needed in emergencies...it's up to you."
'Sayaka, if one day something happens to me, you must stay strong and do what is needed."
No. I don't have any time to be depressed now. I must act immediately. I can't afford to lose another family member.
I held my breath. Ignoring my pain, I willed myself to be positive as I slowly stood up. As my shock faded slightly, my confidence returned, and my limbs didn't feel as stiff. Although my insides still hurt like hell, I didn't feel any fatal effects of the spell, at least not for now, so I sheathed my sword and held out my hands.
Do it, I said to myself. It's now or never. Once the spell kicks in, it'll be over for you. You'd better do what you can in the limited time you have left.
" Winds of the North, South, East and West, converge," I chanted. The wind around me turned into a swirling mass between my hands. I dropped the swirling wind and stepped onto it. Concentrating, I said, "Rise and propel."
Riding on the wind, I chased the cart down the narrow dirt road ahead. When I got close enough, I trailed it closely, looking for an opportunity to slip in. I waited for the cart to travel until the end of the steep dirt road where it would be safer for me to enter it.
I inhaled deeply and focused on the floorboard of the cart. I took some time to make sure I would land in the right spot. Then, I mustered my strength and jumped onto the cart while flinging the cloth covering the end of the cart open.
As my heart slowed down a little, relieved, I lost my balance and my feet suddenly slipped. Before I could comprehend what was happening, I fell backwards and landed on my backside with a loud thud.
I missed...?
The cart rumbled away into the distance. Apparently, I wasn't concentrating enough. Stupid me.
I panicked. No, there's no way I can give up after coming this far. If I give up here, the truth about all this might never be discovered. I must go all out, even if it means something horrible might happen to me.
I forced myself to stand up and sprint towards the cart. There was no time for me to cast the flying spell anymore. My legs were numb, and with every step, I limped, my hips feeling like they would shatter. I shuddered with every breath, my lungs on the verge of giving out.
After what seemed like an eternity of huffing and panting, I managed to keep up with the cart.
I closed my eyes and concentrated. Be lighter. As light as the wind, I said to myself. Slowly, I felt the weight leave my body.
I opened my eyes and jumped, aiming towards the centre of the cart, and tried my best to land softly.
I kneeled as the cloth fell behind me.
My hands were still trembling from fright. I couldn't believe myself. I had made it, and they didn't notice me at all!
As I returned to my senses, the disgusting, pungent odour of mould and dirt filled my nose, making me cringe. Bear with it, I thought. You have to investigate this cart first. Then, get your father out of here, and at the very least, he'll be safe.
When I tried to straighten myself, I ended up feeling sicker than ever. My head throbbed and ached, and nausea took over my thoughts. To alleviate the pain, I crouched into a ball and rubbed the meridian on the inside of my forearm, but despite my efforts, I still felt queasy.
Wincing in pain, I started to do what I could. From the light that filtered in from the gaps between the planks, I saw at least a dozen identical wooden boxes. And when the road smoothed out slightly, the familiar, faint sound of breathing reached my ears.
But there wasn't just one person breathing. There were more. Which meant.....
People were in the boxes. All kidnapped, just like Father.
I clasped my mouth shut, suppressing my screams of fear and disbelief. No way. This can't be true. I had just thought that things weren't that bad, but I was proven wrong.
No, I mustn't let my emotions stop me now. I can't waste time moping around.
I focused on the boxes before me. I have to find a way to save the captives without alerting the kidnappers. But the boxes are all stacked high against each other, so I can't possibly get all of them down - I'm not strong enough. Even if I do, I can't guarantee that I won't make any noise.
I leaned against the wall, conjuring up a plan. But then I noticed something weird.
The breathing sounds subsided once I leaned. I wondered why and shuffled to the left side of the cart, and the sounds became louder. Wait a second, I thought. I understood that the boxes were intentionally divided to the left and right, and there was something different between them.
There were people in the boxes on the left, and no one in the ones on the right.
Realising this, I quickly checked the boxes on both sides of the cart. Opening the ones on the right were easy - they didn't even have a latch on them, but as for the ones on the left, the lid wouldn't budge at all, even when I used my sword to pry it. But the loud snoring sounds proved that people were in those boxes.
The empty boxes were not locked, while the boxes that had people in them were. Confused, I scrutinised the locked boxes, but there was nothing unusual on them. No latches, no knots.
This is terrible. How the heck am I going to save them when I can't even open the boxes?
As a last resort, I attempted to wake the captives. But I was quickly disappointed when absolutely none of them woke, even when I banged the boxes and whispered to them. They didn't even stir.
My heart itched with frustration and anxiety. For the first time in my life, I felt powerless. I couldn't believe that all my attempts were futile, that my wits were completely useless here. For once, I realised how weak I really am.
I understood everything now. The kidnappers used some magic to seal the boxes once the captives are stuffed inside. That way, they can't get out, nor can anyone open the boxes except them. Also, they somehow drugged them to the extent where they are completely unresponsive. Those kidnappers were much stronger than I thought.
But at the same time, I realised that there was actually something positive about the situation I was in. When I checked the time, an hour had passed: I had miraculously survived the spell, despite the pain still gripping onto me. That being said, I would face the second part of the curse, but that wouldn't be important for the time being. What I had to do was to cherish my life and see what I can do next to save the captives.
I sheathed my sword, settled down and thought long and hard. Were there any more possibilities? Is there anything else that I can do? Do I have enough time? When and where will the driver stop? Can anyone help me?
After some time, I came to a lightbulb moment. There could be some people outside. Since we've been travelling this long, we might have reached a village or something. Maybe they could help, I thought, my heart brimming with newfound hope. I immediately scrambled to my feet and parted open the curtains.
But the second I did so, my heart plummeted, and my hopes completely diminished.
The open fields, shrubs and woods that stood before me showed that I had a grave problem - nobody was around. I loosened my grip on the curtains in disappointment. If I waved, no one would see me; if I moved the boxes onto the ground, it would be useless since no one would notice them, and they can't get out on their own either.
I slumped against the wall, discouraged.
I could no longer stop my tears from streaming down my face. I'm a failure. I survived, identified the kidnappers, got in the cart, and found the captives, yet failed to save them. Why? Why do I fail at the last, yet most important step? I couldn't understand. Why do I get so close to them only to look at them helplessly?
Suddenly, an alarming, sinister voice broke the silence.