Chapter 5 - The Runaway

PART 1

[The Next Day]

"Ugh.."

The sun is brightly beautiful today, huh. I look at my both side, Caiti and Kenshin were not there already. I fixed the beddings and stored them back in the storage box.

After doing so, I went outside the room and found that kid eating on the dining table; I scanned the surroundings, and Caiti was not there either

*MURMUR! MURMUR!*

After hearing some voices, I look outside the window and found Caiti there. Everyone's gathered outside the trailer; they must be prepared for everything so that we can set out soon to the next city. I went out of the room and stand beside Caiti.

"I thought we would take area 51 to the next city."

My spine stings after hearing area 51

"!"

"No, I don't think we should take area 51...."

I rebutted after hearing the suggestion. Honestly, area 51 is no good

"What do you think, Kazee?" Caiti's father asked

I entered into their discussion and held out a map. I put the map on the table and suggested while pointing my finger at the other available route.

"Hm..... A band of larcenists has their hideout on area 51... Or so I've heard. It is more secure to bring a diversion down route 66."

"..."

Ohh? Kenshin followed me here. He sat beside the horse while holding unto its rein. Beside me is Caiti's father and behind him is Caiti. The other merchants are in front of us listening, and the others are preparing the horse for the trailers.

"Father, if that's what Kazee thinks..."

"Kazee knows the routes well and is always guiding us."

"Ohh...That's amazing..." Kenshin praised me while caressing the hair of the horse

"But taking area 51 would be much shorter."

"The thieves hideout might not actually be there."

"NO!!" I shouted suddenly

"...?"

Everyone got shocked after hearing me and Kenshin stood up in surprise; he's looking at me with a confused face. Do I look odd in that attitude?

"What is it, Kazee?" Caiti's father asked

"..." I have a bad feeling about this.

"Hey!"

PART 2

"Kazee!"

O_O

Someone behind me called out. Tsk! This is bad! I knew those voices! But! How!? I sneakily tilted my head and took a peek behind me.

"You...!"

I was startled seeing the faces of the two persons who called me out. My eyes widened after seeing them. My face turned pale, and my lips were open in shock. There's cold sweat forming on my forehead.

Tsk! This two! Why in the world this has to happen!? Are they tailing me all this time!?

"You're Kazee, right?"

『Devorl』

Disgusting fat man, he's wearing his common voyager's uniform. His face is covered in facial hair.

"So you survived."

『Jingo』

He's slim and taller than Devorl. His beard is short yet bonded by a rubber band.

"You've grown up!!" They both laugh at her

"..."

They move towards me. I slowly turned my face away and tried to ignore those two. TSK! My body is trembling

"What band are you with now?"

"Who are those dirty guys...?" Kenshin asked

I look at him, and he was pinpointing his finger behind me. He's trying to mention those two.

"Shh!!"

But one of the merchants covers his mouth. I guess it's the end of my goodness era. But, see, I escaped from them! I ceased doing nasty things! Caiti accepted me; she opened the door for me and even gave me food and bathed me, not knowing my true nature or where I came from! And— that's so warm. I have chosen to change my method of living after meeting her! But this f*cking fate truly hunts me! This D*MN fate! I cursed you!

Devorl patted my head. Tsk! That just how it looks, but it hurts! He was just pulling my hair. Jingo took my right arm with a tight grip and acted like he's shaking my hand, but he's pulling it too.

Tsk! I can't move my own body. My feet don't want to react. Tsk! WH— WHYY!?

"They're larcenists that were in the black market..."

"It looks like they know Kazee..." Sh*t! Now they are talking about it!

"These ill-bred men... What's going on...?" Caiti's father asked

I took a short gaze at everyone. They're all anxious and confused about what is going on here. Kenshin is the only one showing a neutral face. He doesn't care, huh? Tsk!

"Really?"

*GULP*

"You don't know..?"

The two made a grinning face while looking at each other with their devilish eyes. Disgusting smile! Their evil horns with a lot of turnings because of their deeds are getting visible to me. It is more significant than a bull's horn! Scary!

My throat is getting dry, and tension is building up in my chest. My feet are trembling visibly after seeing those grins. My whole body is sweating in fear, damnit!

"....."

Now, I can't face them anymore. I don't have any strength to do it.

"SHE'S A LARCENIST!!"

They both shouted and laugh.

PART 3

--FLASHBACK--

"I am so sorry," I said in a shaking voice, and I prostrate before his eyes

"Shut up!" Devorl shouted and kicked me off

*THUD! THUD!*

*THUMP! THUMP!*

He's kicking my head down to the ground

"You're going to pay me back for those! Every single one! You'll work for me without pay until you do!"

"Don't you even think about getting away!"

Damn you! Devorl! You always! Get into my nerves! A time will come! You'll see!

"Or I'll just make you my sex slave!"

O_o WH---WHAT!? He grins while stretching his neck left and right.

"!"

Huh!? An icy sting ran down my spine after hearing those words, I can't stand it! Tsk!

"I'll make you my breeding pig and sold all of the kids to the slave market!"

"WAHAHAHA!"

*GULP!*

I retreated hastily, but I struggled to push my body backward because the wall is just against my back.

Tsk! My legs are losing their strength to stand

"NO! Please, I'll get pa—"

Daamn! He got me at my neck. My tears are starting to form

Tsk! I forcefully swing my right fist, which is holding a knife I got earlier

"Arggghh!"

But it wasn't deep enough. Devorl noticed my movement quickly and avoided it; I can only graze his left eye.

"Ackkkk!"

Tsk! He pulled my hair up and slap me, then gave me a stiff jab at my stomach

*CROAAK!*

"Saying something?"

*COUGH! COUGH!*

I glared at him with an intent to kill. He took the knife and grapple my two wrists, and pushed me against the wall. He vigorously rips my clothing using the blade and his hand.

No! Tsk!

"P—please... Le—t me—"

I was putting forth a legitimate attempt to get off of him. But I can only struggle

*THUD! THUD!*

Devorl kick me and push me to the other side. He started to strip himself while walking towards me. Tsk! Why am I so weak!? I can't move my body.

"Acck!"

I think my left ribs got broken. I can't raise my body

"NO! PLEASE! STOP DOING THIS!"

I begged him while throwing things at him

"STO—Ummm... Ummm!"

He covers my mouth with his hand. He brings his mouth to my ear and whispered while licking my ear,

"Shh! Be quiet! Just Relax and let me do the work!"

NO!

*SOBBING!*

STOP!

PLEASE!

--

PART 4

I ran faster just out of the blue while sweeping off my useless tears using my bare hands

*SOB! SOB! SOB!*

Run! Kazee! Run! Run! Run! As fast as you can! I— Sh*t! Why the f*** I am crying? D*MN! It hurts! Tsk!

*SOB! SNIFF! SNIFF!*

I shouldn't be. Caiti and others were just other victims in my life. They were nothing but a puppet to me! I went to my place

*CREEK! THUD!*

yeah! Old, before I met Caiti, this was my place; a treehouse at the border of Akhara and Crisch City. I went to my #1 spot at the old cold matt and propelled myself down. Hays, I guess, that ends there.

*SOBBING*

"Damn that, Devorl! This sucks!"

Tsk!