Chapter 9

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SAM

I woke up after having a wonderful dream that Alex slept over at my house. I went downstairs to get a glass of water, and as I passed through the couch, I saw someone lying there. I thought I was just hallucinating—it was 6 in the morning. But as I got back from getting the water, I saw the same figure again.

So I went in and took a closer look. I was both shocked and somewhat happy that Alex was in front of me. So I wasn't dreaming after all. I glanced at his face and smiled. He looks even cuter when he's asleep. He's mine, and I'm his. Forever. I smiled at the thought.

I went back to my room, but on my way there, I checked on my parents and found only my dad on the bed. I was surprised. I thought my mom was in the bathroom, but I heard no noise from there.

As I was about to leave, I saw footprints on the floor. I followed them all the way to the door. When I opened it, I saw a piece of my mom's gown lying on the floor. At that moment, it dawned on me—my mother was kidnapped.

My dad often told stories about bandits who nab young girls and women, take them to their hideout, and have their way with them. I always thought it was nothing but a tale—until today.

For a moment, I was happy that I wasn't the one who was taken because I didn't want anyone other than Alex to be with me. But on the other hand, my mind went blank, thinking of all the things they could do to my mom.

I quickly went to Alex.

"Alex, please wake up," I said, panicking as I shook him.

He jolted awake and was about to hit me but stopped when he saw it was me.

"Sam? What's wrong?" he asked, his face filled with worry.

"Mum... she's been... taken," I said between sobs.

He hugged me and asked, "Does your dad know?"

I nodded. "He's still asleep. I don't want to wake him up. That's why I told you."

He looked towards the stairs and then back at me. Then, he nodded.

"My dad always told me about bandits that kidnap young girls and women to have their way with them. I thought it was just a tale, but the footprints and my mother's gown piece made me think otherwise," I said as I showed him the evidence.

"Do you know their lair?" he asked, his voice a little tense now.

"No, I don't."

He stood up and went to take Spirit.

"Wait, I'll come with you," I said as I held onto him.

"No, I can't let you go. It's too dangerous. I don't think I will forgive myself if anything were to happen to you," he said.

My heart did a backflip at his words, but still—

"I too can't see myself without you if something were to happen to you."

He sighed and then faced me, his hands on my face.

"I want to go home and get some things, and then I'll come back for you," he said, smiling.

"Promise?" I asked.

"I promise," he replied.

He leaned in and placed his lips on mine. I closed my eyes, and my heart skipped a beat. He broke the kiss and rode off to his house, leaving me outside.

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ALEX

After what Sam told me about her mom being kidnapped, my blood started to boil. Sam's mom was like a mother to me. I won't let those bandits have their way with her, I thought to myself as I went home.

I got off Spirit and hurried to the stable. I grabbed my bow and arrows, hung them on my back, and also took a small knife, placing it at my side. I went back to Sam's house to pick her up, like I promised.

Besides the fact that she didn't want me to go alone, I couldn't just leave her there after the information she gave me.

When I got there, I saw her sitting on the staircase with her head bowed. I tapped her, and she flinched.

"It's okay, it's me," I assured her.

She hugged me and started crying. I hugged her back and rubbed her hair. Then, I got on the horse, and she sat behind me. I gave Spirit Sam's mom's piece of gown, and he sniffed it before racing toward the direction of the scent.

Sam held onto me tightly, and I smiled.

"Everything will be fine," I assured her.

"Thank you," she simply said.

But my heart was jumping like it wanted to break free from its chains.

We got to the destination, and I told Sam. She got off Spirit quietly. I gave her the little knife and told her to take care.

"Be careful," she said, kissing me.

I smiled. "I will."

With that, I sneakily moved toward the lair. It was a cave, and I was directed to the end by the laughter of men. So the tale was actually true, I said to myself.

I was almost at the end when I met two men standing where a bright light illuminated the cave. They were both facing the light, so I hid in a corner and made a silent whistle.

It caught their attention, and they both walked toward me.

When they reached me, I got up and punched one in the face while choking the other. They both fell to the floor. I dragged them to a corner and took their weapons—a sword and a pocket knife—before heading deeper into the cave.

There, I saw a lot of men dressed in black robes, their faces painted black. I took out my arrows and aimed at those standing above. I shot about six of them.

Then, I spotted Sam's mother in the middle, her hands and legs tied up. Her facial features were still in perfect condition, and I was relieved she was safe and unharmed.

She was surrounded by a few men with lustful grins on their faces.

I instantly lost it.

I stepped out from the cave, drew three arrows, aimed at the three men, and fired. The arrows struck one in the head, one in the back, and one on the arm—right as he was about to lay a hand on Sam's mother.

With painful groans, they all dropped to the floor.

I aimed at the ones above me that I hadn't hit yet, and they fell down.

I looked around for a few seconds to catch my breath and noticed their boss watching from above. I could tell he wasn't happy with what he saw.

"Hey, who are you, and what are you doing here?" one of the men asked.

"Guess I'm in the wrong party," I said.

The boss motioned to his lackeys, and they all moved toward me.

I took out the sword and got into position. Thankfully, my dad gave me sword-fighting lessons when I was young.

One by one, they launched at me.

Swords clashed. Bodies fell.

I looked behind me and saw Sam's mother still unconscious. I fended off another man and ran toward her, cutting the ropes that bound her.

I tapped her cheeks, calling out to her. She was unresponsive for a while, but I kept trying.

When she woke up, her face went from shocked to terrified.

I had a bad feeling about that expression.

I turned around—and saw their boss approaching with a massive axe.

I quickly looked back at Sam's mother and smiled.

"Go. Get out of here. Sam's outside. I'll cover you."

She looked at me with pleading eyes, as if begging me not to stay.

For a second, I swear I saw a reflection of Sam in those eyes.

"GO!!!" I yelled.

I pushed her aside, and as she ran, the boss slowly walked toward me while some of his men chased after her.

I ran after them, taking them down one by one.

Sam's mother made it to the entrance of the cave. I whistled, and within minutes, Spirit arrived.

"Take her home, bud."

He neighed.

Sam's mother got on, and Spirit raced off with her on his back.

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