Ch 20: Endless Search, Plan

**

"The most information we obtained is from her personal servant, Xiu Ying. They were out to purchase items but they parted for a period of time as their commodities differed. The Elder Miss' servant said that her Miss told her she will be purchasing some sweets."

"I got it. Report to me if you find any other clue."

"Sir, we went to ask Scholar Li about Miss Yuan's whereabouts. He said she did not report to him what she was doing, but a few days prior, she asked him.."

Wu Lan Jun halts and glances at Co-Commander Xu.

Xu Kai beckons him to continue, "Asked him what?"

Wu Lan Jun continues, "..What you enjoy to eat. Scholar Li told her you have a sweet tooth for sugar paintings. He insinuates that she might have gone to purchase them."

Xu Kai exhales his weariness and sorrow, "Okay. Proceed to investigate. Return to me when there is new information."

Wu Lan Jun obeys the request again. Before he departs, his eyes trace his Co-Commander's wounds, which have begun to bleed through the gauze. The sun is beginning to set, with the night overtaking the day.

Xu Kai contemplates to himself, "How reckless can you be, Yuan Zi Yan?"

**

I open my eyes and examine the old, banished room.

What is this?

Lying on the stack of hay, I appeal to my five senses. I taste an old, dirty cloth stuffed up my mouth to prevent me from yelling. The smell of dust swarms around me.

I remember now; I got kidnapped.

Spider webs in the corners, broken chairs on the side. My hands and legs are tied behind me with ropes that seem to have several knots. It is not too tight; perhaps I can wiggle out.

"She must be awake now.." I hear a vacant voice that belongs to a male outside of the room. Footsteps are coming nearer.

I immediately close my eyes and rest on the stack of hay again, pretending to be asleep. The door creaks, signaling it has open up. I now can feel the presence of someone's shadow over me. "That's strange. Boss said she'd be up already. Oh well," he exits the room and locks it up.

Dense. He doesn't seem like he is an army soldier. Perchance a low leveled clan member.

I rotate my wrists back and forth, forcing the rope to loosen. Pushing myself down the floor, I slide my body closer to one of the legs of the chair. I rest the knot of the ropes on my hand on the edge of the chair's leg. For five minutes, I keep loosening and relieving the stress between the turns of the rope.

Aha! Thank god for online videos about instructions to untie a knot. I thought they would have no use in my life.

I untie the ropes on my legs and wander near the wooden door, listening to the external noises. I peek my eyes outside the gaps of the wood wall. Night had overtaken the sky. From the obscurity and the chirping of the crickets, I can foretell several hours have passed since I was abducted.

I cannot possibly escape at this state. I don't know where I am nor how to escape. Returning to where the haystack is, I ponder and ponder, until a plan arises in my head.

I only see that guy outside; perhaps I do have a chance..

And thus I waited until morning. Of course, I almost fell asleep several times; yet, the idea of being held hostage and the potential of my life being at risk is enough to keep me sober and awake.

Occasionally, I hear noises outside. I believe the men have different shifts. One person at a time to guard the room. I don't know the intelligence of the new guard but the older one is easier to trick.

If I act now, my chances may be lower than I think. But if I don't act soon, my chances of escaping is even lower because daylight will engulf the darkness.

I sigh silently and ruffle my hair in frustration. I take the ropes and loosely tie them on my leg, then wrists, just enough to appear as if I am tied up.

No choice but to continue waiting for a bit.

"Is she up?" Woke me up. Voices outside. They must be rotating again.

OH CRAP! I fell asleep!

"No, I didn't see her awake." The man scoffs, "Who knows if she is faking it or not."

A snicker echoes through the air, "Well, her time is almost up. Boss will enjoy this appetizing meal." A quick bark of laughter follows, "How lucky."

Enjoy this appetizing meal? My skin tingles as profuse sweat overwhelms my palms. I need to act upon the departure of the rotating guard.

When I only hear the breathing of the current guard, I peek out the lining of the wood again.

The sun has already arisen; I exhale to calm myself and prevent peeing myself in fear. No more time to waste. I snatch one of the chair's legs and hide next to the door.

Yelping "Ah!" I firmly grasp the stick, reading to brawl.

The man bursts in the room, "Woman!" I send a blow to his head, aiming for his vestibular system.

Ouch. I'm sorry. It's your fault for kidnapping me!

He collapses on the floor, losing his consciousness. I slap the man across his face, then pinch and punch him, no response.

Good!