Chapter 108

He ran erratically as his eyes scanned the woods as he tried to find exactly where the cry was coming from.

It rang out again. Softly and broken. It was barely a whimper. He turned through a tree, taking a sharp cut as the sound got nearer. It was a little bit far from Ishara's house.

He felt like a knife had been driven into his chest the moment his eyes fell upon her.

"Ishara…" he whispered as he slowed down. "What happened to you?"

She laid flat under a huge oak tree slumped against its gnarled roots like a doll which a kid had lost interest in. The oak tree was the largest tree around and the strongest. They had spent so many times together under this particular tree. Her gown was torn as though it was slashed with a blade and she was soaked in blood. Deep gashes ran down her arms and legs. Bruises of different colors bloomed like cruel paint across her pale skin. Her head hung forward barely upright.