Chapter 32: Escapede

After my encounter with Kira, I made up my mind to stand strong, face my fears, and go ahead with it. If I can't stand still with it, then maybe the option of another country is the next option. I stayed at home for three days; I haven't heard from Sarah in days, and I was really getting worried as I tried to figure out where she was.

There was a knock on the door as I stood and went to open it. I stood still as I saw who stood before me. She hugged me as I looked at her. There stood Sarah, like nothing had ever happened. I pulled her away as I looked at her.

"Sarah! Where were you? What happened? You left without informing me, and I had to look around for you".

Sarah burst into tears as I hugged her. I knew something had happened to her. I brought her a bottle of water as she drank and calmed herself down. And that was when I noticed her; she looked unkempt and rough, as her face was full of eyebags. She cleared her eyes as she spoke.

Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Lola, it was the rogues. They kidnapped me and held me captive in an abandoned warehouse."

My eyes widened in shock. "Oh my god, Sarah. How did you manage to escape?". I could not believe what I had feared was happening to my close friend; this is really getting out of hand.

Her words rushed out as she spoke. "I was allowed to go on a one-day visit to see my mother; her home resides in the far pack, and all I knew was that I was bundled and I saw myself in a dark space. We were many, Lola; we were all tied up without food for days. I saw an opportunity, and I waited, watching for a moment of weakness. One night, the guard fell asleep, and I saw my chance. I ran, Lola. I went through bushes and thorns. I ran without leaving back. Lola and I couldn't go home. Lola, I had to come back here. My heart was pounding so hard, I was sure they could hear it."

My smile waned as I looked at her across the room. "You're so brave, Sarah. I can't believe you managed to do that."

Tears shimmered in her eyes. "It was the thought of seeing my mother again that kept me going, Lola. I knew I had to get back to her, I'm all she has in this world."

I went closer to her as I embraced her. Our embrace was a lifeline, our shared emotions surrounding us in the quiet room. After some moments, we pulled back, and I looked at her with concern. "We need to get you checked out, make sure you're okay."

Sarah nodded, stress settling deep into her bones. "I could use a hot bath and some real food, that's for sure." I took her as I led her to my room where she took a bath and I went into the kitchen to fix her something to eat. Thinking about Sarah, I was relieved she found her way back home, I'm surrounded with strong women and I'm proud to be among them. 

As Sarah came outside, I served her her food as I asked her a question.

"Do you think we should go to the king to tell him what happened so he can find a solution to rescue the others".

Sarah's face was pale suddenly as she stopped eating. "Lola, No, I overheard the rogues speaking about the deal with the king", she looks around as she comes closer to me. 

"The king knows what they want yet he isn't releasing it to them, they spoke about a mine or something"

How will the king know what they want yet leaves the citizens to be threatened, why is he like this? I knew the king is a secretive person but doing this at the risk of the citizens is a big No for me.

Looking at Sarah's face, I decided to keep quiet and look on. She does not need that kind of stress now.

She settled into the armchair as she looked with a faraway sight in her eyes. I sat across from her as silence engulfed the room until she spoke.

"You know, Lola," she began, her voice soft, "my mother was my rock. After we left my father's place, it was just the two of us against the world; it was hard at my father's place, Lola; he disrespected her, and I was nothing in his eyes."

A gentle smile tugged at her lips as she retraced the memories. "She worked long hours, always with a determined glint in her eye. I would sit in the kitchen, watching her, in awe of the strength she shows."

I leaned forward, hanging on to every word. "She sounds amazing, Sarah."

"She was," Sarah replied, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. "She never let our struggles define us. Instead, she turned them into stepping stones, teaching me the value of resilience."

She closed her eyes, letting the images flood my mind. "Nights were my favorite. After she came home, tired but still with a smile, we'd share our day's stories over a simple meal. Those moments, Lola, were my sanctuary."

Tears glistened in my eyes as I listened to her remembering moments with her mother. "She made sure I never felt alone or like a burden. She was my confidante, my protector, and my best friend."

My gaze softened, understanding the depth of my words. "You two had a special bond, didn't you?"

She nodded, her heart swelling with emotion. "We did. She was the only person I had, and she filled every void with unwavering love. No matter how tough things got, she never wavered."

I could feel the weight of those years—the struggles and triumphs, the quiet moments of comfort and laughter. "She showed me the power of kindness and the importance of standing up for what's right. She was my guiding light, my beacon of hope."

As Sarah spoke, I could see her eyes shining with a mix of empathy and admiration. "Lola, your mother sounds like an incredible woman. I'm sure she's so proud of you."

A tender smile graced my lips. "I hope so, Lola. She's the reason I am who I am today. She gave me the strength to face the world head-on and to never back down."

We sat in silence, the weight of her mother's legacy filling the room. I went closer to her, and we hugged ourselves as she sobbed, and I cried with her. I cried for the moments I missed with my mother and how Sarah's mother was the one who kept her going. I knew I had to see my family also; although it isn't now, I have to fight hard and keep on going for them.