Chapter 7: CHAPTER SEVEN
The voice in the woods
Chief Cody’s office…
Chief Cody summoned the butler, Williams, to his study. "Williams, we need to talk," he said with a stern expression.
Williams bowed slightly. "Of course, Chief Cody. How may I assist you?"
Chief Cody leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "Nina's departure is not enough. I need to ensure she doesn't come back, especially not with a baby."
Williams nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. "What do you propose we do, sir? What else do you want?"
Chief Cody considered Williams's question for a moment before shaking his head. “What can you do? What do you think we should do? Do you have any suggestions?”
"Hmmm," Williams exclaimed, "Sir, we could hire someone to track Nina down, kidnap her and make sure she never returns. Or perhaps we could spread rumors about her in the town, tarnishing her reputation so she won't be welcomed back. Another option might be to offer her a sum of money to disappear and never contact Chris again."
Chief Cody listened to Williams's suggestions carefully, but his expression remained unchanged. "None of those options are foolproof," he mused. "I need something more... definitive."
Williams nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll keep thinking, sir. There must be a solution."
With determination in his eyes, Chief Cody begins to brainstorm, knowing that he needs to find a solution quickly before Nina's return causes further complications for their family.
"I need a foolproof plan to ensure Nina never returns, and my son doesn't get entangled further." Chief Cody thought to himself.
Chief Cody's mind raced with possibilities He couldn't let anything jeopardize his family's reputation or his plans for Chris's future. With a determined look in his eyes, Chief Cody began to brainstorm, determined to find a solution to his problem.
Fifteen minutes later...
"Yes!" Chief Cody exclaimed triumphantly. "I have a plan. Zoa will go after Nina. He’s trained to do a clean job. Yes! That's the plan. Nina will never see the face of this earth again. Call Zoa for me," he ordered firmly.
Williams nodded in agreement with the plan. With a respectful bow, he left the study to carry out Chief Cody's orders.
As Williams departed, Chief Cody's anxiety grew. He paced back and forth, his mind consumed with thoughts of ensuring Nina's permanent absence. "Nina must not become the Luna of this clan. She's too weak and not of our class," he declared to himself, reinforcing his determination.
Just as Chief Cody settled back into his seat, Williams returned, accompanied by the assassin, Zoa. Chief Cody let out a satisfied sigh, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
As Zoa entered the room, Chief Cody's demeanor shifted to one of authority. "Zoa, you have a crucial task to do," he began, his voice stern and commanding. “Nina, my son’s friend. I need you to go after her. And eliminate her without a trace. She must not come back to life let alone visit this clan. Do you understand me?”
Zoa nodded, standing tall, ready to do the instructions given to her. "Yes, Chief Cody. I understand your instructions, and I’ll make sure it's done according to your wish," she replied with uncompromising determination.
Chief Cody fixed her with a penetrating gaze. "You must not allow sentiment to cloud your judgment. Nina's elimination is imperative for the preservation of my family's reputation and legacy. Bring me the evidence discreetly, and ensure there are no loose ends."
Zoa nodded solemnly, fully grasping the seriousness of his mission. "I will execute your orders with precision and discretion, Chief Cody," she affirmed with a sense of duty.
With a final nod from Chief Cody, Zoa turned on his heels and set out to carry out her instructions, his resolve unwavering as she ventured on her mission to eliminate Nina.
In the dense forest…
Nina, who had never been to the Yoma clan, struggled to find her way in Ava's dense forest.
The forest of Ava was a dense and mysterious spectrum, where towering trees loomed overhead, their branches entwined like gnarled fingers reaching for the sky. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the thick top, tossing dappled patterns on the forest floor below.
The aura was thick with the earthy scent of moss and decaying leaves, mingled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers that bloomed in patches of sunlight. Vines and creepers snaked their way around tree trunks, forming intricate lattices that obscured the narrow road.
Strange sounds echoed through the forest – the haunting call of unseen birds, the rustle of unseen creatures moving through the underbrush. Every shadow seemed to hold a secret, every rustle a potential threat.
Steering through the tangled maze of trees and foliage was a daunting mission for Nina, who was unfamiliar with the environment. Every step she took was met with uncertainty, as she stamped her way through the tangled jungle, hoping to find her way out before it was too late.
She spent weeks trying to fend for herself. Being pregnant, she had depleted her meager food supplies, leaving her hungry and thirsty.
Encountering strange creatures became a part of her daily struggle. Some would attack her, while others would simply ignore her presence.
One day, Nina stumbled upon a lake and felt a surge of relief. Desperate for water, she hurried towards it, only to hear a voice warning her not to drink from the lake if she wanted to protect her baby.
"Who's there?" Nina called out, her voice trembling with fear, but there was no response. She scanned her surroundings, searching for the source of the voice, but found no one.
As fear gripped her heart, she demanded, "Show yourself!"
Instead of a reply, the voice erupted into hysterical laughter, sending shivers down Nina's spine. With a sense of impending danger, she bolted away from the lake, running for her life, haunted by the chilling laughter echoing through the forest.