The couple and their promise

An hour later I could see the riverbank from a far distance. I saw the couple in a dire situation. I had only thought about curing the cubs, to let them have a happy family time and to pacify the animals.

The couple was in this situation because of their own carelessness and greed. They had a smell that could increase anger and blood thirst in animals. Why not notice anything on the body and why walk toward the cubs causing a disturbance in the animal territory? Maybe they had other reasons or were curious about the cubs as I have now.

If this situation was under my control I would have taken the cubs quietly with me but I can't separate the cub from its parent. I had a choice either to save those people or not. It depends on my mood.

But now seeing the situation I feel pity for them. I don't want the creatures to be slayer covered with human blood, not the other way. And life matters too as I can't see them being killed, in my presence. I had to rescue them but how?

As the cubs were still asleep in my arms and the queen silently following me, I reached the riverbank. When the panther was about to attack humans I kept the cubs down as they are alive now. The queen loudly growled and the attention of all the animals shifted towards the queen and cubs.

Using the distraction I went forward to the couple and threw both of them into the river. The river current carried them along the river. My speed was really fast.

Do you think I am cruel to treat them this way? Or do you think me, a weak girl to carry both of them and to flee? Doing so, not only are they in danger, I will put myself too. Ok fine,... I could carry the woman but the man, I don't wish to.

I, myself jumped on the river too and three humans vanished from the riverbank. As the animals turned around they couldn't find us or smell. I had another reason to throw them into the river.

The water of the river and weather was very cold so I have to bring them back to shore and make sure to make them warm. Plus their injuries could be affected by contact with cold water. I can't let the people I rescue risking my life: die. If they are dead then my rescue won't be worth it.

I reached the shore first as I was swimming and pulled them out of the river water. We reached a safe location far away from that place. The water washed out the toxic smell of their body.

I brought them to an open space, lit a fire to keep them warm, and started to apply some wild herbs to their body. I won't pull out their clothes.

So problematic to help others but I had already acted so I have to continue till they are safe. If I didn't want the innocent cubs to not see the human blood, I may have not helped them. Why affect the newly born innocent mind and heart?

But the surroundings were turning cold and the fire will not be sufficient to keep them warm.

Leaving them there in the same position I returned back in 10 minutes. I carried the woman toward a pile of dry leaves which I have collected and laid her there and for the man, I won't carry as I pulled him toward the same pile with their bodies very close to each other and covered both of them with a pile from head to toe. What's next?

Burned the fire nearby but cautiously so that the leaves won't get burned. Again returned to the open place and carried the warm ash and sprinkled it over the pile and used every method to keep them warm.

I could have used another method but I needed some tools and equipment which I didn't have and don't talk about those two strangers, wearing the torn clothes intact was sufficient for them, where to find their backpack?

You can't think about the luxury in such a situation as surviving anyways will be enough.

I sat under a tree, closed my eyes, and rested. For me being in the forest in the dark felt much safer than the cruelty of humans. Hearing the sound of the river flowing leaves rustling, the wind blowing, fire cracking and sounds were in sync merging with nature. It was peaceful and adventurous.

The next day, finding something edible in the morning, I returned to the pile and saw some movement. Someone was waking. The middle-aged lady was awake and surveying around carefully. As I reached she looked at me and stared at me for a long time. I ignored her staring and sat under the tree.

"Who are you, why are we here, how is my husband, and what happened to us? "

"Mam, don't you remember anything?"

"I just know we were running far from the crazy animals and when reaching the shore I blacked out after that, not anything."

"Oh." and I was quiet but threw some wild fruit I had brought towards her. She picked it up and ate. After that was silence.

During the afternoon the man woke up too but was feeling weak, he laid back. Both couples started to talk about the situation so I went toward the river. I could do some fishing here as I had to give both of them something to eat. If they can't have the energy to walk then how am I gonna leave them and continue my journey?

Bringing the cleaned fish l put them on fire and tossed for a while and distributed them among us. The taste was fine at least for me.

"Sir and mam I think both of you should leave from here, walk towards the northeast and you may reach a nearby village before dark. Both of your wounds need to be treated as soon as possible. I will take my leave and oh yeah! Be careful about the people around you or you may not know who killed you. The animals are innocent as something on you turned them crazy."

I don't want to engage with these people as they don't seem dangerous but problematic. When I was about to take my steps forward the lady stopped me.

"I know you don't want to engage with us but can you help for the last time? As my husband is weak, we will have some problems reaching the village, if you could guide us it will be easy so please help us."

"I don't think I will mam, because I am in search of making a living to fend for myself. I can't waste my time."

After a few seconds of silence the man spoke slowly, "And if I can give you a way to make a living, shelter, and luxury then will you help us?"

"Umm…about that I don't need luxury but if you can provide me shelter and bread I can help. And also I should have my personal freedom and choice for what I want to do. If it's possible for you to arrange, I will help you."

"Then, I promise to fulfill it. You got both of our words." both replied after looking at each other.

I escort them to the village and helped with their accommodations. The lady gave me the contact number of someone and asked to meet the person a week after at the Weery City train station.

After that, I don't know what happened to them as I traveled toward Weery City.

*****

As a week passed I met a young man at the station. He didn't tell me where I was going to go or about my work. He told me I have to act as a grandchild of someone as I will be kept under him only in name but I could do whatever I want as I will have my own choices.

The couple kept their promise. As a result, I entered Wega. I was assigned under vice leader Del under the disguise of being his grandchild and had the privilege of having the choice. I could be a part of the mission or just relax and do whatever I want. Except for the vice leader, no one had such a privilege before.

I worked in the intelligence department as I was good with it. I worked behind the scenes and most people in Wega knew my existence but hadn't seen my appearance. Other members had to do their mission out of Wega. Only a handful of times did I, depart from Wega.

Once during those departures from Wega, I visited the underground arena with Rit.

Everyone thought Del was using his authority, misusing his power as he used to be one of the subordinates of the head leader of Virtue Group. But Del denied saying it was the order from higher management but who will listen.?

So in such a dramatic way, I became a part of Wega.

Flashback ends***