In midday, Magee had reached the adjacent ridgeline and tried to turn right, heading to the direction where the lieutenant had mentioned. The sun bluntly warmed the tree crowns above her as she took a little rest behind the acacia tree. Suddenly, an unfamiliar sound echoed the entire place along with the woman's noise, struggling. When Magee tried to peep on a slit of leaves covering from where she was hiding, she finally saw the woman, being forcibly thrown on the withered leafy ground whose face and mouth was covered. When these men began to converse with each other, Magee was more shocked upon hearing that they're not typical Japanese soldiers and she even didn't recognize the language used, though, they have almost similar eyes and physical features.
" Oh my...who are they? My God...the pitiful woman, what shall I do." Magee back-off a little shortly after she found herself stumbled on the grassy ground. But she was horribly astounded while seeing those more than ten soldiers, laughing at the poor woman who was pushing her away from their voices. With Magee's trembling nerves and anger, she stood up, deeply breathe, moved forward and just showed her smiling face beside a small leafy vine under the acacia. Then after seconds thinking, she sweetly called the soldiers.
" Good day gentlemen...how are you?" Her heart was palpitating while she did it but it's the easiest way, she flustered. Getting their attention she thought can save the woman from the pangs of disgrace.
The ravenous soldiers' head turned to her direction and saw her smile in agreement, so around half of them drew closer to her. Yet, before these men have to see her, she already ran as fast as she could as they chased her like hungry lions. In her mind, Magee claimed that it's her terrain so she drew nearer to the well filled with water located next to the gazebo. But Magee was wrong, all these five men were laughing yet no one used any guns to shoot her while they chased her at the dead end. Interestingly, the unidentified men were chatting at each other again and continued to laugh and as if knew that there's a well in between them. Their language was still an issue for Magee. It was something that she can't understand.
" Despite nervousness, she quickly readied her dagger. But she pointed her finger at the back of them and pretended that someone was behind. Then the men instinctually turned their back while she rolled down by the edge of the gazebo and fell safely on a log. However, to her surprise, she heard some commotion and moaning in the air and before it was gone, someone was running towards her and quickly carried her on his arms. She closed her eyes with so much nervousness. After seconds she smiled. Indeed, guilty and knew such familiar arms, so she settled like she'd truly collapse though remained her eyes closed. His saviour had kissed him while his sweats of worry almost smashed her pinky face.
" I...I was almost late...thank God!" It's the lieutenant who even embraced her like there's no tomorrow.
" She opened her eyes in half and avoided his look, but he touched her brows and smiled.
" Hmm...I'm here, just look at me Mag. I just wonder if why you're here?" He smiled again and touched her face before he aided her to stand up. Meanwhile, above them where Baldur was left later filled with noise. Men's voice who was screaming to death. So George immediately grabbed her body next to him and they felt around that there were two men above of their location. Good that he grabbed Magee by the edge and low mezanine-like bushy corner. But the men did not leave the place right away. They chatted and seemingly were very angry for losing their comrades. They never knew that one of those who killed their comrades was just below them.
When they left, George whispered.
" They aren't the barracks people, I'm sure." He whispered.
" Yes, definitely. By the way, let me ask about the woman's situation, how is she now?"
" You don't need to worry of her now, she's with officer Orlando's cousin and comrades who rescued her, they're probably heading to the ridgeline, southeast. Do you know that Fr Matias' team was with them? They amazed me.
" Thank God that she's safe now, it's the reason why I made a scene just to distract at least a few soldiers. Hmm...but I wasn't able to trick the soldiers who followed on my way. They almost catch me. Thanks that..." He suddenly covered her mouth with his heavy hand, held her waist so tight and almost lifted her.
" What is that? we're in the edge of a cliff." She calmly looked at him and arranged his hat while her heart pounded like no one.
" Oh, nothing." Then he unwrapped his hands around her even if she never resisted.
She smiled and picked up his gun from the ground and put it on his arms and hugged him.
" I'm sorry..." Then she started to climb up. Baldur has waited on the surface and asked her if why she's alone. She just smiled and walked a little. A minute had passed, George got out and seemed have gone in a funeral.
" What happened?" Baldur curiously queried.
" Ah...haha! nothing. It's nothing," George uttered.
" I see, okay, let's get movin' now. But you seemed lifeless, cheer up boy!" Then Baldur smiled while patting his shoulder as they both quickly followed Magee.
But she saw her hair swinging like strands of diadems.
" Baldur, I'm in trouble. I have to run ahead of her, stay by her side this time. I'm in trouble, please."
" Ha? why?" Baldur asked but later smiled and peered beside her sister.
" Hey Mag, you tie your hair again. Your husband hate it on your back, maybe. Take this hanky." Baldur winked an eye on her as she smiled and jokily slapped his arm.
" Hmm...he's goin' to cry soon I'm sure."
" Haha! no, not that...I mean...hey! shh...just keep quiet,. he's just not feeling well. But he'll be fine. Believe me." It was enough then Magee smiled back to Baldur again.