Chapter 13:The way forward

Alphi finally decided that it was time to leave the house. She wasn't going to achieve anything by just sitting around the house. If she was going to find out the truth, she had to go into the world. She didn't know where to, and she didn't have a plan, but she knew this was the only way forward. I have to do this. It's going to be dangerous staying around people, but I have to do it. It's the only way, she said to herself.

Alphi's mind was set—a new journey ahead, a new path to follow. She went to the room and lay on the bed, as she was to leave early in the morning. But sleep was hard to come. After all that had happened today, her mind couldn't rest.

She could only think about tomorrow—how she was going to disguise herself, where she was going to stay, or what she was going to do. She remembered the small secret hideout her dad and Stephen built. It was so close to the town, and it had been there for so long that it wouldn't raise suspicion.

At least the house problem is taken care of. I don't even deserve to be near their hideout, she said to herself. Even in death, he still gives me solutions to my problems. I'll never be able to forgive myself.

It was a long night—it felt like eternity before morning arrived. She got little or no sleep because she was too busy with her thoughts.

As sunlight peeped through the windows and shone on her face, Alphi opened her eyes almost instantly, as if she had been waiting. She wasn't feeling energized, nor was she feeling weak, but anyone could tell at first glance that she hadn't gotten much sleep. After all, how could she?

She got up, ready for whatever life might throw at her. It couldn't possibly get worse, she said to herself.

She didn't want to stand out, wherever she was going. She looked for the most normal clothes she could find, since most of the clothes were long royal gowns—not suitable for a journey. She found a few jackets, tops, skirts, and jeans.

They weren't much, but they would have to do. She quickly took out one of the bags lying in the wardrobe—the smallest of them all, since there wasn't much to pack. She put in the clothes, a few food supplies, some shoes, and a lot of scarves. She needed to hide her hair and her mark.

She got dressed for her journey: a blue jacket matched with a pair of blue jeans and black shoes. She tied a black scarf on her head, hiding her hair as best as she could. She hung the bag on her arm, her necklace tucked securely beneath her jacket, and the ring still remained on her finger.

She was set to go. She went around the house, turning off the lights and taking one final glance. As she was about to leave, she felt a wave of sadness. After all, this was the house that had given her comfort in her time of need—the house that had taught her all she had learned so far. It was sad that she had to go, but she wasn't changing her mind.

She closed the doors and headed out.

Alphi paid a visit to her father's house, which was now destroyed. Dried blood remained, along with the broken wood. The smell of blood was etched in her mind. She took out a matchstick, lit it, and set fire to the place. She threw the bloodied dress she had worn that day into the flames.

Alphi stood, emotionless, as she watched the fire. A gentle breeze blew at her, and tiny particles from the burnt wood filled the air as she walked away.

Alphi decided to pay one final visit to her father. She walked slowly to his grave and stood there, staring at it for a few minutes. Then she spoke:

"Father, I am leaving you now. I know you said I should just live a happy life, but I can't do that—not now, at least. I need to know what the truth is. I need to discover who I am. I need to know for what cause you had to live such a life and die such a death. You deserved a better life, and I'm sorry I couldn't give it to you. Rather, I took the one you had.

I know I might sound selfish, but I still want you to watch over me and guide me toward the truth. There were, and still are, so many unanswered questions. I know you probably had a lot of questions, too—and I will find all those answers.

Someday, I will return to you with the truth. But for now... I guess this is goodbye."

She said as she clenched her fist—a new determination was born inside her. All her fear was now dead. She was prepared, ready for whatever she might encounter. She knew it was risky, but there was no turning back.

She bowed her head to the grave. For once, she didn't cry.

Deep down, she wanted to hear his voice again. She wished she could hug him and tell him all her problems. She wished she had learned about his past sooner and that they had worked out all their problems together. But these were mere wishes—wishes that would never come to pass. The deed had been done.

The smell of smoke still filled the air. Particles of burnt wood got into her eyes and made them itch, and the strong scent irritated her throat— but Alphi didn't mind. She took one final look at the lonely, abandoned forest—the very place she had spent her childhood.She could still smell faint traces of blood in the air.

She walked away slowly. Her adventure had just begun. Where it would take her, she didn't know. But one thing was certain: it wasn't going to be an easy road.