No Time To Think, Only Run!

The cricket sounding in the cool night was the only sound I could hear. Their rhythmic calls chirped into the stillness of the night as I took carefully measured steps into the den I was trying to sneak into. I moved quietly and stealthily, blending into the night thanks to the black clothing I wore. Each breathe was deliberate, every breath controlled as if even the faintest sound would shatter the balance of silence.

Carefully, I walked across the roofs, silently counting down how many guards I had seen and now, I've seen like four of them. Two leaned casually against the entrance, sipping wine from a bottle of flask while the other two I saw were busy playing a game of cards under the dim glow of a lantern.

I passed on top of them unseen, my eyes sharp and alert as I searched for the one thing I actually came here to do. I rounded the corner of the roof and froze. There was a solitary house and in front of it were two men who were stationed at the front. Unlike the other guards I saw, these ones looked alert, their hands casually resting on the hilt of their weapons as their eyes scanned around the compound.

So this must be it then? I muse a slow smile creeping on my face as I decided to get ready. I carefully removed the bow behind me and reached for my arrow inside the quiver strapped behind me. With practiced ease, I nock my arrow, pulling the string back smoothly. My breathing slowed as I lined up my shot with each inhale and exhale and then without hesitation, I released the arrow, letting it fly.

Time seemed to come to a standstill, the chirping of the crickets fading into background as the only sound became that of the arrow slicing through the air in a soft whisper, twisting and turning till it found the target.

The arrow hit one of the guard straight in the head, taking him down immediately. The other guard watched in shock and he turned to glare into the night looking for the attacker, but it was too late. I had already released another arrow and that one hit him straight in the throat. He staggered backwards, choking on his own blood before he fell down to his knees, dead.

Wasting no time, I immediately got down from the roof. I grabbed the body of one of the man to a nearby bush and I did the same with the other. Satisfied with my work, I immediately entered the house. At first it was dark and I heard muffled scared whispers. Drawing a deep breath, I grabbed the lantern on the wall and high the brightness.

"Oh gods!" I breathed out as I took in the sight in front of me.

Children! Not just two like I initially thought it would be, or even three or four! There had to be like thirty to fifty children in this room. All of them with dirt caked faces, their small eyes wide with terror as they held on to each other as if to protect themselves from whatever horrors they've been facing. The stench of urine and also fecal matter also hung heavy in the air and I felt my heart breaking at that.

This was going on in my kingdom and I didn't know about it? I asked as I stared at the children, their eyes were hollow but held a bit of defiance in them. Not just boys, but girls too and some were even toddlers. They all held on to each other as if their lives depended on it.

"We haven't done anything wrong." A boy said glaring at me.

He looked to be eight years of age but his expression was hardened beyond years, his shoulders stiffened with the kind of strength no child should have to carry.

"I'm not here to hurt you!" I said, my voice trembling with a bit of emotion.

The boy didn't respond, instead his gaze fell to the bow I was holding. I immediately hid it behind me and bent down so I could stare into his face, "I am not here to hurt you!" I repeated firmly, "I actually came here to help you all get out of here."

"But we are not supposed to get out." A small voice that belonged to a girl with chubby cheeks says.

"Yes, the master says so." Another voice chirped in, this one filled with uncertainty.

My teeth clenched at what these children have already been though but I knew I had to keep my anger in check. I didn't need to scare these children any more than they already need to be.

I offered them a smile even though I knew they couldn't see it because of the veil I wore to protect my identity, I shuffled closer to them. "Actually that's not true." I assured them, "I am here to take you home."

"To go see mama and dada?" A small voice asked.

Tears clouded my eyes but I nodded my head in agreement. "Yeah, to go see mama and dada!"

"I wanna see mama and dada!"

"Yeah me too!"

"I miss my mummy!"

A bunch of chorused answers rang out in response and I knew I had to do something to shut them up or we would risk getting an exposure. I placed a finger to my lips, while hissing softly at them and the children did the same, mimicking my gesture.

Smiling at them, I whispered softly. "Alright now, I'm going to get you to your families but I need you to be quiet, so the bad men won't be able to catch us. Think you will be able to do that?" I asked.

A variety of small nods and hushed murmurs of agreement followed my question, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and hope. Some still held on to each other trembling, but there was no denying the determination in their gazes.

"Okay good." I whispered, "Stay close to me and hold on to each other and do not make a sound, not one, is that understood?"

A wave of silent nods answered me, seeming satisfied with their answer, I stood up and opened the door checking outside. Everything seemed to be still, nothing unusual which means they do not suspect what's going on, yet.

So, we needed to get out of here fast! I thought to myself as I turned back to look at the children.

Originally, I never planned for them to be this much but I'll be damned if I leave a single one of them behind. "Okay, let's go and remember what I said, stay close to me." I reminded them before I opened the door taking the lead.

I stepped outside and the children followed after, my senses automatically became heightened. I scanned the compound for any shadow, listening to every sound as the children followed me in a careful line.

Their tiny footsteps made a sound as they tried to move close to me and though I wished they could be quiet but they were children, besides the continuous chirping of the crickets helped to mask our movement as we moved deeper to the trees were my horse and a wagon was waiting.

Each step we took brought us closer to freedom but also to danger. As I rounded the corner, I met a group of guards standing right outside. I immediately moved backwards, turning to look at the children and signaled for them to the same. They listened, their eyes wide with fear as they pressed themselves against the wall.

I leaned forward and checked again just to see how many they were and I immediately released a curse when I saw Finch step forward while stretching.

Fuck! I cursed again as I pressed myself back against the wall, turning to stare back at the children as if their small eyes held the answers. What the hell do we do now?

"I think it's time to check on those brats." I heard Finch's gruff voice cut through the night, and my heart plummeted.

Shit! I cursed again mentally, my mind racing as panic clawed at the edges of my thoughts. There wasn't enough time to move. Not without them seeing or hearing us, I turned to look back at the children who stared back at me with expectant looks in their faces, silently waiting for my next move.

A loud sneeze suddenly echoed from one of the men outside

"Bless you!"

The words hung in the air like a death sentence, followed by complete and utter silence. No one said or anything or dared to breathe. I turned to look at the little girl who had spoken and as if realizing she shouldn't have said anything, she slapped a hand to her mouth but it was too late.

"Who said that?" Finch's voice cut through the stillness, his voice sharp like a blade.

I turned to look at the children and there was no mistaking the look of fear on their faces.

"Go see who it is!" He ordered.

The sound of boots crunching on the gravel sent chills down my spine, they were heading towards us, coming closer.

I moved to the dagger around my waist and unsheathe it There was no time to waste, there was only time to act! A man suddenly appeared in the corner but before he could speak his first and final words, I lunged forward, sliced his throat cleaning with the dagger. Warm blood splurge from his throat and onto my hands as he crumpled down to the ground, twitching and choking on his own blood.

Turning to the children, I gave them a single order, "Run!"