Chapter 1

Chapter I

The moon was on her full form as she tries to brighten the darkness that enveloped the city. Harsh wind tried to distract the stillness of the night as the buzzing sound of the fireflies made its ways to the unlit pavement, yet, to no avail, both failed on their insurgence against the tranquility that rests.

Until, it came.

The tranquility was suddenly overwhelmed when little footsteps were gradually heard from the creaking agony of the stairs of the known household in the village. Those steps were later heard on the forest not that far to the mansion. The little footsteps was rapidly turned into rush runs and now with another pair of tensed feet. They both entered and disturbed the darkest corners of the woods with heaving breaths.

"Run faster, Zarra!" Those three words crept through her veins. She tried running faster and faster yet her delicate legs don't match with his masculine ones, making her being left behind few meters away from him. He stops running forward as he noticed their distance and instead runs backwards to her direction.

"Give me your hand; we don't have much time left." He whispered with heavy breaths.

A nod was the only respond he got from her as she doesn't have any energy left to speak. Then again, they continued their long journey as they finally have a glimpse of light from the moon above.

"We are about to reach the lake!" Relief was drawn on the fine man's face as he was still holding the lady's gentle hands.

"When we reach the lake, hop immediately to the boat. Sumail was waiting for us there, come with him unto the other side. Wait for me there as he will row the boat back and fetch me." He explained as they continued running.

"No! We will come together. I won't leave you behind!" She protested as her grip with the man's hand tightened.

"We don't have a choice. The both is small, It won't be able to carry the three of us---" they both caught off guard when sudden gunshots ripped the calmness of the night.

"We need to run faster!" He tried to stay calm but the sound of consecutive gunshots bombard the manliness that still clings to his body. No! He's not afraid of them. He is afraid for her and what might happen after this long night ends.

A loud 'thud' then she fell to the ground. A tree branch seemed to purposely trip the lady making her hurt her foot. "Are you alright?" The worried face of the man that captured her fragile heart shakes the world inside of her. She knows what they're doing is wrong. She's afraid, terrified, petrified even, but this man, oh this beautiful man, seems to suck out all this terrible feelings she carries.

Gunshots became louder and louder. Even the time is surely against them. She could not stand anymore; the pain in her foot is engulfing her making running no longer possible.

"I shall carry you" the man said and hurriedly lift up the lady with his built arm. It seems like he was just carrying a cushion. The lady no longer protested as she was aware that those who were chasing them---her beloved family, were not that far away from where they are.

The man started to run fast until finally they were able to reach the lake. There stood Sumail who hurriedly unloaded the boat. "Quick! I've been waiting for you for so long!"

The man put the lady on the boat and pushed it to the lake. "Row fast Sumail, I shall wait for you until you come back" said the man as he bid his farewell to the two. Zarra can't stop looking at the man as they rowed away from his direction. He was smiling at her, until bit by bit, he's image was no longer in her sight.

"I'll wait for you on the other side!" she shouted hoping to hear the man's voice once again but failed. No response was heard from the man.

The view of the shore was already visible to them, yet she can't avail to feel relieved for her love was still on the other side of lake. She was about to set foot on the shore when ear-breaking gunshots were heard. Later, all she discovered was there is no longer a trace of Zacary, the mate of her soul was gone.