I felt fear.
Before my eyes, I knew I had less than minutes to stop Max.
"You!" I shouted once my foot stepped on the hard rocky ground, the wind picked up and the sun dimmed beyond the Horizon. I saw Max hesitate as Jessie turned around, with a confused look.
"Why are you here?" I heard Jesse question as Max broadened his grin, standing right in front of Jessie. He blocked my view as he pulled out the syringe, facing Jessie who was completely confused.
"Max?? What's wrong?"
I was running, not minding about any tactical approaches, I had to stop Max who held Jessie in my arm, syringe inches away from her skin.
"Max?" Jessie began freezing in fear as I made for my target, pouncing high with my fist hard like Superman.
This was a moment between death as a loud bang resonated before I had the chance to hit Max. I saw the syringe dropping slowly, as Max turned from evil to shocked.
'What had just happened ?'
"Max... " Jessie clung to me as Max fell to his knee, I saw a patch of blood on his chest growing wider. Hugh had just shot him.
"Deliver the last blow boy." Hugh who had sneaked up behind us made me jump out of my skin as he handed a knife to me. I couldn't stop trembling as I was forced to slice his neck. Jessie screamed as blood spurted, dying me red.
"Well done,"
The voice congratulating me was mean, not in the slightest disturbed by the sight. Max had died so simply, pride comes before a fall. "Is time we head back before anyone comes around." Hugh who had snatched his knife back, from my trembling hand said as he wiped the glossy blood with a piece of clothing.
It was growing dark.
*****
Sitting in the back seat next to Jessie, my thoughts trailed off into the darkness. I feared the thought of being haunted. This was my second kill, my hands were guilty and cursed.
There was not much I could say, as Jessie moved closer to me, thanking me for saving her life. This was also the second time I had risked my life for her. She was my proposed wife after all.
*****
Upon arrival, back at the Mayers, Boar made everything sound as easy as 123. He threw a small feast in honor of the victory, applauding me as he engaged me to his daughter.
"Do you like him?" I heard Christiana ask Jesse who nodded, saying she loved me and she was willing to spend her life with me. She was too young to be called a wife. But I didn't mind since most cultures engaged children at birth, I was just happy and soon the terror and doubts that had been haunting me faded with the melee.
It was late, around eleven minutes past midnight.
I finally remembered Sarah.
She had been calling all day long, I felt sorry for her.
"Max, I'm pregnant... Please call me back." I read the message that I had missed earlier. A sense of shock grasped me as I wondered how possibly could she be pregnant for me.
"I have to leave." I excused myself.
"What's up?" Jessie asked.
"Sarah is sick."
I could read the pity in her eyes as she escorted me out ordering a servant to see me safe.
My wish at the moment was to leave the Mayers, after the feast, they had seriously warned me never to have an affair with anyone else, I was Jessie's future husband and leader of the Oldark. I knew Sarah's life would end up in danger if they found out about our relationship.
*****
Sarah sat alone in the living room, her face ash and her mood despair.
I knew I had wronged her, I shouldn't have had sex with her. I knew I should have avoided the temptation. What will happen to her if the Mayers discover the truth?
I had to tell her the truth, that I was officially engaged to Jessie. And that we had to break up. She has to live on her own and grow independent. "I love you August." Sarah's words hit my heart softly, I did love her more than words but this was about her life. I couldn't risk getting her known, I had clear knowledge about the Oldark. Sooner or later they will find out about her. I was sure I was falling with my cousin.
"I'm going to the leader of Oldark, you have to leave the country." I tried ringing some sense into Sarah who had sworn not to abort her child. "I'm going to transfer the money I received into your account, please promise that you will leave for Mali."
I begged but Sarah was deaf.
Tears condensed in her eyes as she showed me a letter from a news company. She had miraculously won a chance to work for KKC News, her monthly salary pay was even way above $200,000 a month.
"I can't leave, August. You have to cut associations with that family for me and your child."
She wanted me to remain with her, but my hands were covered in blood, and my soul was cursed.
"I will come for you one day," I promised. We had a business running in town, we were going to leave it to Lisa, our business partner. My heart was cold as I listened to Sarah's wishes, I regretted every step I had made.
This was the end of my Playboy season, I had agreed to be with Jessie out of lust. But Sarah was my cousin, how were we ever going to be wife and husband?
"I won't leave you, I love you too." I hugged Sarah from the back as she opted to sleep on the couch.
"I want you to break up with Jessie. I hate her!" Her voice was low yet full of loathing. I knew this was just the beginning of a nightmare, we had been falling from the start.