After several hours of driving on the open highway, stopping only for refuel, her friend turned the vehicle on a small dirt road that was barely visible, almost covered with bushes.
She did not even notice that there was a road. However, she did not particularly care where her friend was taking her. She only wanted to be as far away from those people who would be looking for her.
"Are you ready to tell me what is going on?" Her friend asked, slight concern hinting in her voice, but she still looked pissed at her, judging from the pout on her lips and accusing eyes.
Her friend had finally parked the car in a secluded place, far away from possible passersby, miles away from civilization. Her eyes scanned the area, and all she witnessed was greenery as far as her eyes could see.
Her eyes turned to her right, landing at the majestic mountains that formed the beautiful landscape outside her window, creating a picture she only saw on the geographic and nature channels.
"Where are we?" She asked, ignoring her friend's question as her eyes continued to bask in the beauty of her surrounding while her mind continued to debate her reasoning.
She held her hand just an inch above her eyes, covering them from the glare as her eyes stared at the sun setting on her left. Judging from the majestic king of the sky, it was mid-afternoon.
"This place is the Lion Cave Mountain Range. My family used to come here when I was young." Her friend answered with a dreamy look in her eyes when she finally glanced at her.
"Oh!" She responded in surprise, not picturing this place as a tourist attraction or a safe place to visit for family bonding, remembering the barren road they had passed by and the high bushes and tall grasses surrounding the entire area.
"It was good camping sight, but nobody came here anymore." Her friend quickly added, probably seeing the questions in her eyes. "That used to be our spot."
Her friend pointed to a location near a big tree where its crown sheltered a large area of the land around it. She could see the appeal, picturing the ground cleared of the tall grasses that swarmed the place.
"It certainly looks beautiful." She admitted, returning her eyes to the lush greeneries that covered the mountains and the rest of the land. While the sky was shaded blue with some tinge of clouds, brightening the place.
She had never been to this place before, never heard of its name. But why would she? When she was more interested in a spreadsheet written on a white paper.
The only nature interaction she had was when she touched the woods that made up most of their furniture around the house or the occasional times she walked around their garden.
"Yes, Avana. It is." Her friend mumbled, then turned, facing her. "What is wrong? I believe you should be at a party." She continued, her sassy attitude toned down as she waited for her answer. "Your party. What happened?"
"I was." She finally nodded her head, acknowledging that she should be. But she was not anymore. "Ivrea, what have I done?"
She closed her eyes, hearing her friend voicing her confusion. But just like Ivrea, she also never thought she could do it. She had just run away from her party, her engagement.
Her heart kept telling her that she had done the right thing, but her mind had questioned her judgment. Suddenly, cold sweats ran through her nape, feeling herself shudder.
"Did you run away from your engagement party?" As realization dawned on her friend, her hands suddenly covered her mouth then a big gasp escaped her lips.
Her big eyes told her that she could not believe it. But her hands moving toward her to grip her tightly indicated that she was there to support her.
"Yes, Ivrea." She finally confirmed her assumption, unbuckling herself and quickly exiting the car. "I just could not marry him."
She leaned on the door as she closed it behind her, holding on to her chest as if she could not breathe.
She had never felt like this before. Guilt was gripping her body, making her tremble as anxiety set in. She had never been selfish throughout her life until now, thinking of her interest before others.
"Hey, Avana. Calm down." Ivrea immediately followed her outside and held her close to her body.
Her arms immediately wrapped around her slim frame, letting her head rest on her shoulders, muttering soothing words to calm her down.
"How? When I just placed my entire family and clan in jeopardy." She buried her head deeper into her embrace, letting her body draw strength from her warmth.
Suddenly, the thought that she had put her parents in harm's way frightened her, realizing that her action created a grave consequence she had not considered.
"Hey!" Ivrea uttered in a slightly angry tone. "Don't be like that. None of this is your fault." She shook her a bit, forcing her to look up to stare into her eyes. "Stop blaming yourself."
Her friend once again hugged her tight, assuring her that she would always be there for her. Her hands moved up and down on her back to ease her worries.
"Look at the bright side. You did not marry that awful beast." Ivrea smiled with satisfaction in her eyes. Then, finally letting her go, moving a step away from her, giving her some space to accept what she had already decided.
Suddenly, she could not help the smile from displaying on her lips. "Yes, that is the bright side." She had to acknowledge that her friend was right. She quickly lifted her hand toward her face, using her finger to wipe the few tears that flowed down her cheeks.
"Besides, your people have survived these centuries against the Cromwell of this world. I am sure they still can fend for themselves while we search for answers." Ivrea kicked a stone at her feet, making it move down the hill.
Her eyes followed it as it continued to bump on the dirt, leaves, and other stones on its path, but it still rolled, stopping for nothing. Maybe it would only stop when it finally had reached its destination.
"I guess you are right. I should not concentrate on my guilt. Instead, focus on finding some answers." She could either wallow in things she had no control of or search for her elusive answers. But where could she find it?