The forest remained eerily quiet as Hazel and Christoper struggled to keep moving, Christoper's strength fading fast. Just as Hazel was about to lose hope, the rustle of leaves caught her attention. Panic surged in her chest, fearing Alexander had found them. But instead, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows-Father Benjamin Benedict.
"Father!" Hazel cried out, relief flooding through her.
"Quick, come with me!" Father Benjamin's voice was calm but urgent. Without hesitation, he slipped Christoper's arm over his shoulder, supporting his weight. They hurried deeper into the forest until they reached an abandoned chapel, hidden beneath thick vines and overgrown trees.
Inside, the air was musty, but it offered safety from their pursuers. Father Benjamin gently laid Christoper down on a worn-out bench, inspecting his wound. "You're lucky I found you in time," hemurmured, tearing strips of cloth to bind Christoper's chest. He turned to Hazel, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "There's much you need to know, child."
Hazel's eyes were still wide with fear and confusion. "Father, Christoper said... he said that I'm the rightful heir of the Garden family, that Mr. Garden killed my parents. Is it true?"
Father Benjamin's expression darkened as he nodded. "Yes, Hazel. Your parents were noble and kind, but they were betrayed by those they trusted most-Mr. Garden and Alexander. They conspired together to seize your family's wealth and influence."
Hazel trembled, tears brimming in her eyes. "But why? Why would they do that?"
"It wasn't the right time," Christoper rasped, his voice laced with guilt. "We were waiting for the right moment to strike against them. But when you got involved, everything became more complicated."
Father Benjamin placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "There's still hope, Hazel. Your parents' legacy isn't lost yet. We have evidence that can expose Mr. Garden and Alexander, but we need to act carefully. For now, this place will keep you safe."
Hazel's mind spun as she processed the weight of the revelations. Everything she had known was a lie, but the truth brought more fear than comfort. Despite the uncertainty ahead, one thing was clear- she wasn't alone in this fight.
Hazel stood alone under the old oak tree, the shadows of night thick around her as she stared at the chapel in the distance. Her thoughts were a storm—her parents, the betrayal, the lies. Trusting Christopher seemed impossible, yet Father Benjamin had never misled her. The choices weighed heavily: flee from it all or stay and fight for the truth.
"Run away, or seek justice. What will it be?" she whispered to herself.
"Fight," Christopher's voice cut through the silence, resolute. "We must take revenge for your parents."
She turned to face him, uncertainty in her eyes. "But why? Why are you helping me? Why do you care?"
His expression darkened. "This isn't just for you. I'm doing this for my mother. Her death deserves justice too. If you stand strong with me, we can bring them all down—make sure they pay for what they've done. Will you fight with me?"
Hazel took a deep breath, the resolve settling in her heart. Hazel nodded in agreement, her decision now firmly set. Christopher's lips curled into a smirk as he whispered under his breath, "I'm coming, Alexander. My dear father, you've no idea what's waiting for you. I'll show you who Christopher truly is."
Hazel's voice broke the tension as she approached. "What are you doing out here, Christopher? It's freezing, and you're still injured."
Christopher quickly composed himself. "I was just talking to my lawyer."
"Come inside," Hazel urged. "You must be hungry."
Christopher hesitated before following her back inside the chapel. Despite the warmth within, an eerie stillness clung to the air. Hazel led him to the small wooden table where she had set out some food. His stomach churned with hunger, but the deeper turmoil within him made it hard to eat.
Seeing his reluctance, Hazel took a deep breath and gently scooped some soup into a spoon. "Let me help you. You're hurt, and you need your strength."
Christopher stiffened at first, unaccustomed to such tenderness. But as Hazel patiently waited, he eventually opened his mouth, letting her feed him. Each spoonful seemed to soften the icy wall between them, creating a fragile connection, though neither was fully aware of how dangerous that bond might become.
After they finished eating, Father Benjamin returned with a solemn expression. "There's only one room here," he informed them. "It's the safest place you can be right now. Both of you will have to stay there tonight."
Hazel nodded gratefully. "It's fine, Father. We'll manage."
The old priest sighed, his eyes filled with concern. "I'll be leaving now, but I'll return tomorrow. Be cautious. The enemies you're dealing with are powerful and ruthless. Take care of your wounds, Christopher."
"We will, Father," Hazel and Christopher assured him in unison.
After Father Benjamin left, silence filled the chapel. Christopher and Hazel exchanged glances, tension simmering between them, though now there was an undertone of shared purpose.
"I need to tell you many things, Hazel," Christopher finally spoke, his voice heavy with the weight of hidden truths.
Hazel looked at him, her eyes searching his. "Yes," she said quietly, nodding. "I can sense there's a lot you're holding back."
Christopher opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed stuck in his throat. How could he tell her that the very mission she had committed herself to might end in betrayal? That while their paths were aligned, their goals couldn't be more different?
Instead, he simply said, "There are people out there who will do anything to keep us from finding the truth. But together, we can expose them, Hazel. We just have to stay focused."
Hazel frowned, sensing that he was withholding something, but she didn't push. For now, they needed to trust each other—at least on the surface. Whatever Christopher's secrets were, they could wait until the time was right.
The single room they had to share was cold and sparsely furnished, with just a single bed, a small table, and a dim oil lamp. As night settled in, they prepared to rest, but sleep was far from either of their minds.
Christopher lay on the bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling as thoughts of revenge swirled in his mind. "Soon,he thought, Soon, everything will fall into place.
Hazel, sitting in a chair nearby, kept her gaze on him. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Christopher was helping her, but his reasons remained unclear. What was he hiding? And more importantly, could she really trust him?
The night dragged on, heavy with unspoken words and unacknowledged doubts. As the lamp flickered, casting long shadows on the walls, both of them remained lost in their thoughts, each hiding secrets that could shatter everything if revealed.
"Goodnight, Hazel," Christopher said finally, breaking the silence.
"Goodnight, Christopher," she replied softly, her mind still racing.
As sleep finally claimed them, it wasn't peace that followed, but the dark promise of what was to come—a battle where trust was as fragile as glass and betrayal lurked just beneath the surface.