Aghan was the son of the Chief of seven tribes who had influence everywhere. Trained to become the next Chief, he was ruthless and powerful. Feared by all and kills anyone who comes his way. He had seen every crime and learned how it is dealt.
Betrayal
He remembered clearly his father ruled with iron methods. A young man once disclosed some trivial matter to a stranger. His father dug his grave first and then shot him into it.
Betrayal no matter how small can cost thousands of lives and years of reputation.
"Prepare the cars"
After a long silence, he ordered. His aura shifting completely. The dark energy emanating from him forced everyone to stop and hold their breath. The shadow guard took the order and was about to leave when he heard him say again :
" No one is to touch my wife. Protect her from distance."
He stood up straightened his cufflinks and said in dark eerie voice :
" If a single hair is missing from her body, I'll have your head."
The guards lowered her head and left with the order. Everyone remembered how Aghan used to be before that woman came around. Unyielding and Ruthless. He swung his shawl and left. Each step foreboding doom.
Ayla ran with all her might. The clear sky with moon shining atop it reflected her disheveled self. The mansion was located on a cliff. The descending path way was more dangerous. She ran with all her might in fear of getting caught but the pressure was too much and she lost her balance and rolled all the way down. The path scratched her arms and legs. Her head hitting the small rocks was dizzy and it took all her might to stand up again.
She held her head and mindlessly ran again. Her eyesight was blurry from the fall and head spinning. But she had to leave. There was no way she could turn back now.
The towering mountains were standing in their majesty and they increased the chill of the night. She was shivering. The summer night and breeze was biting cold. The roads were rocky and she had slipped countless times now. She had lost the track of time. Maybe it's been an hour now since she left.
" Did I truly escaped ? Why doesn't it feel like then ? How come no one is chasing me ?"
Exhausted she sat on a stone nearby a stream. She panted and scooped some water to splash on her face. The cold water stung the cut on her hand but it cleared her mind. She cupped her hand and took another scoop of water to drink.
Ayla took in her surroundings. The lush thick forests, the mighty mountains in distance, streams flowing beneath her which leads to that lake. The sounds of running water, some birds cackling and crickets singing was eerie in the dead of night. It felt she was the only one in this vast scenery. An insignificant nothing.
'Am I truly not followed ? Did they not realise I am missing ? And that guard ? I am sure he saw me"
She folded her trousers to see many scratches on her ankles and foot. She took some water and washed them one by one.
She had heard the dark forest had many wild animals especially wolves who roam at night. She had no sense of direction. Where is forward ? Where should I go next. The adrenaline she had before running was replaced with fear now.
She stood up and started walking clutching the little bad close to her. The rocky path was unbearable to walk into. The pain of bruises on her foot was stinging.
There was nothing in her sight. She didn't encounter a single soul. But it felt like she's been watched. A predator toying with her before catching her.
She walked and walked for hours. Sometimes on small cliffs, on rocky pathways,on shallow streams and in dark forest. But it was never ending. In a maze, an open loop. She felt like she has been circling the same place again and again.
Her clothes were tattered. Countless small scratches on her arms and legs. The blood had dried and stuck to her shirt.
" Helpp !!!! Is anyone there? Please !!"
She started screaming now. No one was in sight. No one she could ask help. She felt all alone in the vast array of nature. Cold, hurt and Tired.
" Anyone ? I need helppp !!! Help me Please !"
The dawn was breaking. Streaks of purple and orange adorned the horizon. The light spread bit by bit in the sky and her vision brightened.
She looked at small huts on the far mountains. There was blowing smoke. Someone was there. People. Maybe they can help me.
The path was through the forest. She dragged her injured and tired body into the forest. Climbed up the hill, she slipped scraping her knee and falling right back at the start.
The thick vines and lush green forest was afresh with dew. She could see small insects of different kinds. She stood up again and went on and on until she couldn't anymore and finally collapsed.
Tears steaming down her face which was already covered in mud. Before losing consciousness she lost her hope for life.
" Is this how I'll die?"
"Alone while animals eat my body"
" What a painful way to die"
" Did he really not care I was gone?"
As her last thought struck she lost all her consciousness and blacked out.
After it felt like ages she felt like floating in the air. Someone warm holding her in this cold. She wanted to be near that warmth but she couldn't. She tried again but still there was a hiatus in between.
She was tired. She had failed. Tears flowing from her eyes. She started sobbing in her sleep.
I just want to go home.
Do I even have a home ?