Chapter 2: Just Mortals
Halona did not look back. She sprinted rapidly, clutching the stone tighter. She was truly determined to reach Abey.
Kwahu and Akecheta will never abandon Halona, they would order everyone to look for her. She have faith in her family. They will surely find her. "Everything would be peaceful sooner or later," she assured herself.
The cave was now visible to her eyes, she is gonna be safe. It's so near already.
"At last," she muttered.
Turning her eyes around the area, the men who were chasing her was out of sight. She went to the cave silently, tucking the loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Her honey almond eyes travelled the insides of the cave. It was spacious and cool. It was perfect for hiding. Only the Solecs knew the cave exist.
On the deeper side of the cave, her eyes caught something. She moved her feet closer, the image was getting clearer and clearer.
"Who's there?" The voice asked.
She did not speak, words got stuck in her throat. She was too startled. The voice, it was from her lover, Aranck. She froze on the spot for like a millisecond before absorbing everything.
"Aranck!" She yelped while running.
"Halona! You're here, why? What happened? You are not supposed to be here."
Her feet stopped. A huge bamboo cage that was locked with a tight rope separated them. Halona gripped his hands from the outside. Feeling its warmth, she felt safer.
"Your tribe, the-they burned our village. What happened to you? Why are you here? Wh-who imprisoned you?" She cried.
Aranck placed his hand on her left cheek, "Father must have sought revenge."
"But why? Who would to such cruel thing? How long have you been trapped here?"
"This is the third day." Aranck answered tiredly.
"I will get you out of here," Halona assured, grabbing the stone she placed beside her. She rapidly rubbed it with all her might against the rope. The only good thing about it was its thinness.
Petrichor entered their sense of smell as they heard droplets of liquid hitting the ground outside.
"There, it is now broken," she mumbled happily.
The lovers clasped their arms together and felt each other's warmth. It was like they have never seen each other for a long time though it was just three days.
"My family, they will find us here. Th-they are going to save us. You c-can talk to your father," she stammered.
"Well that is not going to happen anymore," the voice thundered.
On the entrance of the cave stood a tall muscular man. He possessed a dangerous aura. Just from a single glance you would know he holds a title. It was Makya, the chief of Alga.
"Father?" Asked Aranck.
"Take them," ordered Makya to his men.
Halona clasped her hands into Aranck's. She feared his father, and on that moment she felt a sensation that everything would never go as planned.
The rain slowly fell on their bodies. Their clothes are slowly turning wet. The cold wind sent shivers through their skin.
"What did you do to my father?!" Exclaimed Halona while trying to resist the grip of an enemy. "Father!"
The tough tribal chief was not seen on him anymore. Kneeling on the cool wet soil, Kwahu was silent. Halona thought that it was not like him. The chief of the Solec would never surrender.
Aranck stared at Halona with helpless eyes. He knew that this would happen.
"Halona," he whispered.
"Do you see now dear child how weak your father is?" Makya laughed.
"Let go of him!" She yelled.
"Oh no, absolutely not. You should be thanking me for doing this." He mused, pointing a finger on his chest.
"Father! Please get up," she pleaded desperately.
"Tell her Aranck, tell your darling how cruel her father is."
Her tears were simultaneously flowing with the rain as she stared at Aranck.
"Your father, he was the one who locked me up," he silently whispered and looked below.
Halona refused to believe the words she just heard. She shook her head aggressively. "No, no, that is not true! He can never do that! Father please, that is not the truth right?"
Her father stared at her, his eyes mirrored guilt but regret was definitely not there.
"No! You can never do that! I kn-know you can't."
"Dear child, things are not always as it seems," uttered Makya.
"I am protecting you. An Alga will never be good for you Halona. I am your father, I know that the boy you think you love is not for you. He's just manipulating you!"
"I c-cant believe this. How did you know that father? Do you feel what I do? I trusted you!"
"And I trusted you too! You know from the very beginning that they are our enemy, yet you and Akecheta betrayed your poor father. Even after finding out the reason for your sudden disappearance every other night, I could not abandon you still."
Halona's heart throbbed. She could not take it. She never wanted this to happen. Her knees gave up and caused her to fall on the ground.
"Take the prisoners away and hunt the other members of Solec in every corners of the forest. You two, do not let go of my son yet." Makya ordered.
"No! Don't involve the innocent people!" Pleaded Aranck while looking back at Halona.
The men holding his arms gripped tighter. They tailed Makya who just ignored his son.
Six men were guarding Halona and Kwahu. They did not have the energy to resist anymore and neither of them talked the whole time they were dragged to the enemy's lair.
The rain stopped already. The night sky has shown stars unlike the other night. When they arrived, the two were instantly caged separately in a large prison cottage. The father and daughter were left alone.
Halona prayed to the gods that night to give her strength, to be able to face everything she's going through. She prayed for the safety of her people, especially her and her father's safety. She pleaded for peace.
Kwahu was already asleep, and as her eyes were slowly drifting close, a familiar voice called her.
"Halona, I will take you away from here," Aranck stood infront of her wooden cell holding a knife on his left hand.
"I c-cannot leave my father he-"
"Go on my child, do not worry about me," her father croaked.
"But father, I will never leave you!" Halona retorted misty-eyed.
"I have lived a beautiful life with you and your brother. I am already old Halona. It is time to repay all of my sins, and I cannot drag you down with me. Never."
"No father! Please let us run away together, Akecheta is waiting for us!"
"Please remember that I love you. Even though I am sinful, I love you perfectly." Kwahu stifled a smile,it was very warm and sincere.
"Just as long as I know that you are alive and well, I will accept death happily. Now go and find our family. Live."
"No! Come with us please! I love you father please come with us!" She pleaded desperately.
"Forgive me for being blind by anger. Aranck, I have faith that you will take good care of my child. Now go," tears were uncontrollably flowing through their cheeks.
"I will," Aranck said, determined. He grabbed Halona's hands rapidly and sneaked out of the cottage.
There were no guards around the cottage yet, so they were able ran smoothly. The moonlight guided their path together with the glittering stars.
Halona was in a messy state while running. She could not handle losing her father or anyone dear to her. So Aranck decided they would stay near the cliff for the moment, and at dawn they would travel to the hill on the east.
He would do anything to protect Halona, even if it means opposing his father. He ought to keep his promise to Kwahu, even though the old man did not understand them truly before, even after locking him up.
Halona's tears were now all dried up. Then the salty air hit their faces. The sea was definitely near them.
Aranck collected different leaves where they would sleep on. "Hold this, please,"
he said while arranging the bigger ones.
"I'm so tired Aranck,"she whispered.
Aranck stood up and embraced her, "I know darling, please hold on. We can do this, together."
"I know."
They stayed like that for a moment, feeling each other in the cold breezy night. Every burden in their chest was suddenly gone, and all that's left was affection.
But the rustling sound of bushes broke their embrace. Rapid footsteps were also heard, it was becoming louder and louder every second.
"What's that?" Halona panicked. Aranck gripped her hands and ran. The sound seems to be following them.
They sprinted until there was nowhere else to go. They reached the slippery edge. Makya was one step ahead from them even before. The prison cottage was out of guards because of his instructions. They both fell into his trap, and now Aranck and Halona are cornered in a deadly spot.
"Father, just let us be!" Aranck yelled.
"Never, your little lover must perish together with her weak father. That should be the ending."
Makya's men pointed a spear at them, closer and closer.
"This is pointless father!"
"No! I am going to give you a chance Aranck. Come with us and I will forgive your betrayal or die with her."
Halona clung on to him tighter, while he was shaking his head, "I can't believe you're making me decide."
"Well we all have choices to make, so choose wisely." The chief said while signaling his men to move closer.
"Aahhh!" Halona yelped after tripping on the rock. Aranck tried to pull her left hand up on the ground. The other was gripping on the cool soil.
"Hold on, hold on."
Makya laughed evilly, "Oh your dear darling will fall sooner, let go of her."
"Never! If it means dying just to be with her, then I will gladly face it!" Aranck hissed, jumping on the edge, never letting go of Halona.
The gravity pulled them, uncertainty and tragedy caused their eyes to moist. Everything was truly ephemeral.
"I love you Aranck."
"Let us see each other again, I will find you in another life."
The cold body of water embraced their bodies, then darkness consumed them.
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