CHAPTER 77 - SMALL VILLAGE OF FEAR

“It’s getting late. Let’s stay here for tonight. I’ll pay for your expenses so don’t worry.” Siel uttered without looking at the driver who looked at her in the rearview. 

“Do you know where to stay in a place like this?” Siel added while looking outside the window, trying to hide the disappointment on her face. She completely remembers how lively this village was before Edom revolted. 

It saddened her to hear and see with her own eyes how the joyful village became the small village of fear. 

Everytime they pass by a broken house or building with marks of blood, it breaks her heart. Siel bit her lower lip. After she successfully executes Ashriel’ plan, she knows this place will never be the same again. Many look forward to that peace but not everyone is able to fight. So the able ones must fight.

“You’re a member, right? I know an inn not far away from here. They give priorities to the official members of the Quislings, ma’am. But don’t worry, official Quislings are rare in this village since all of them are in the capital.” The driver explained. “Shall we go there?”

“Yes.” Siel responded briefly.

Every person born and raised in Seiron or Sephtis Kingdom were all called Quislings, but not everyone are official members. Official members are those who were registered and trained. But since the Quislings are now lacking forces, everyone who was capable of fighting was forced to be an official Quislings. It was Luis’ suggestion that was approved by Edom. 

Like what the driver said, it was not a long trip before they reached the inn. Siel glanced at the surroundings, never letting her guard down. She was new here so she needs to familiarize the place. 

“Welcome!” The young boy greeted them with a huge smile. A smile that shows no fear. Siel smiled despite her mask and bent down to meet the boy’s eyes. It’s rare to see someone like him in place like this.

“Are you staying here for the night, ma’am?” He asked joyfully with a matching clapping of hands.

“Yes. Two rooms please.” She said and patted his head. “How old are you, boy?”

“Five, ma’am.” He answered, still with a huge grin plastered on his lips. Siel stood up and the boy hurriedly ran inside the inn and grabbed his mother’s uniform. 

“Mommy! We finally have two guests! Faster, faster!” He leaped in joy and pulled his mother’s uniform. His mother quickly looked towards Siel’s direction and covered her mouth in shock. She quickly dropped what she was doing and ran towards them.

“Oh my, welcome, our ladies. Please come and enter our humble inn.” She said with a small bow and smile. “Pardon our not so grand inn, ma’am.” She added. 

“It’s okay. Are you the manager?” Siel asked.

“Yes.” The manager answered politely. “Let me check you in.”

It was a two-story building with a small parking space, semi-clean surroundings, cracked and bullet-marked walls, and poor lighting. The place was not as grand as Siel was used to but it’s not the big deal here. The problem was before they can even check-in, 

“Hide! They’re here!” The inn’s manager shouted in horror, greatly panicking. Siel frowned. 

“What?”

“Faster! The children, hide them!” 

“Go to the undergro-”

Siel pulled the driver down and they crawled under the counter when loud gunshots were heard and bullets started to break the window and their surroundings. A bullet passed before the driver’s eyes but luckily, Siel managed to pull her.

“Ahhh!”

“Get down!” Siel shouted and fished for her gun but the driver stopped her. 

“Don’t. This is normal here. I bet it’s the twins.” She whispered, still laying flat on the floor. 

“The hell-” Siel stopped when a broken vase landed in front of them. She grinned her teeth. Normal? What kind of normal is this?! What a piece of trash!

Few more loads of magazines were shot before the fire finally ceased.

“Nooo!” An ear-shattering shout echoed throughout the whole hallway as soon as the gunshot stopped. “My son!” The manager shouted in agony. 

Siel and her driver crawled out of the counter carefully since broken things and shattered glasses covered the entire floor. They gained a few bruises because of the broken things but that’s not what bothered Siel. She looked at the scenario with wide eyes. 

The jolly boy that greeted her a while ago was now covered in thick blood and gunshots. Something that a young child must never experience. 

“Nooo!” The manager shouted again as she started to be demented. She held her child in her arms and racked back and forth on the floor like a madwoman. 

“Shut up!” 

Siel’s attention was transferred from the manager to the man that shouted outside the inn. Despite the flying dust everywhere, Siel can clearly see the shiny black car outside and she had a hunch on who those are. She crumpled her fists, wanting to kill them but she couldn't. She must not.

The inn became silent and Siel can sense mixed emotions. Fear was evident on every people and children’s faces, and it hurts her to see them panic in terror when Luis and Elias got out of the car. 

Seeing Luis’ face, Siel’s blood started to boil. “Pathetic chihuahua.” Siel whispered underneath her breath.

“Kneel!” One of the twin’s men shouted and pointed his gun at the people inside the inn, causing them to tremble as they kneel. Elias frowned. He hated it when his twin did this kind of thing. 

Siel’s driver looked at her with wide eyes and slightly pulled her jacket, silently telling her to kneel upon seeing everyone kneel. Siel’s eyes darkened and signaled her driver to kneel, which she quickly obeyed. 

Siel looked at them with blazing eyes, as if her eyes were fire that was about to consume them. It’s something that Elias felt. He knew that familiar feeling. Bothered, his eyes searched the whole place and at the corner of the hallway, he saw the familiar woman. 

Sharp black eyes, long black hair, and lightly freckled. 

“Hey, you! I said ``kneel!” The man fumed and pointed his gun to Siel but she was not moved at all. “How dare-”

The man stopped when Elias grabbed his hand aggressively. “Don’t you dare.” He warned coldly, making the man freeze. 

Luis looked at him with a face he could not believe. He looked at Siel and back at Elias.

“What the hell are you doing?” He asked Elias sardonically. “If you’re going to-” Luis stopped when Elias totally ignored him and started to walk towards Siel who glanced at him sharply. 

Elias grinned as his eyes flickered. He stopped a few inches away from Siel. “We’ve met again.” He whispered. Siel cursed in the wind.

~ Many people wanted peace but not everyone can fight. Therefore, those who are able must move. ~