The Protector (Part 4)

By Charlotte Lewis

I stood as still as humanly possible, not daring to breath as the heavy sounds of footsteps assailed my ears.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned silently to face Netty. She handed me a bag and pointed to the window.

I looked up at her, understanding in a moment exactly what she wanted me to do, knowing in a second that she had had these packed for days, that she had suspected something might happen.

There were so many things I wanted to say, I'll miss you, I'll never forget you, sorry, and most importantly thank you.

I tried to fit all that and more in a singular look. praying to the spirits that she would understand, hoping she would forgive the trouble we, I caused.

Netty smiled knowingly, still silent she came forward to embrace my sister, then me and I swear I could see tears in her grey eyes.

She gestured again towards the window, more frantic this time as the footsteps had grown louder.

I had the sickening feeling of having been here before as I helped Emalaya out the window. I heard the door begin to creak open.

Panic rose within me and it was only my long years of training that kept my body in soundless stealth as I jumped out the window. Landing like a cat on all fours.

My sister was crouched down beside the window, I joined her listening. We could hear Netty's strong voice from within

"Can I help yer sir?"

"Where is she?"

"Who are ye talkin bout?"

"You know full well who I am talking about."

"'fraid I havn't the slightest."

we heard a slam of a body against the wall, and Emalaya flinched. The man's voice was barely audible from outside the window,

"Tell me where she is or I'll gut ye"

I could imagine Netty up against the wall barely breathing because of the knife the man held close to her neck, and yet she stayed silent.

There was a sound. I knew that sound, indescribable to those who have never heard it, more horrible then words can tell, the sound of a knife going through living flesh, a sound I hadn't been able to get out of my head in days. I shuddered. There was a sickening thud, and I picked up the sent of blood.

"Well I did warn you" the man said chuckling easily

At the sound of Netty's body falling to the ground Emalaya let out a cry, but I had felt it before it became sound and had clamped a hand firmly across her mouth.

She struggled uncontrollably but my arms circled around her and held her there. I could guess what she was thinking.

We have to help her! We have to help her!

Admittedly it was my first instinct as well but my mind went back to my fathers words she is most important. I couldn’t let Emalaya be taken, no matter the cost.

"Come on boys,"

the man called out

"she's not here, but she can’tve gone far. Come on leave it! There's is nothing of worth here. Lets go! Move it!"

My sister's eyes widened and I took her momentary pause in struggling to escape. I took her by the hand and we left at a dead run across the gravely ground toward the trees.

We didn't stop. I don’t know how long we ran, it could've been hours or minutes. Even when we did stop running, we kept moving. Navigating fallen trees and rocks slipping on the uneven ground and tripping on tree roots. Finally we came to a small clearing and I called a halt.

My instincts said to keep going, and I could've, for hours more but one look at Emalaya and I knew she couldn't. She flopped down exhaustedly at the center, while I walked the perimeter checking for signs of danger.

Nothing....

But that didn’t mean it wasn’t coming. I sat uneasily by my sister and began to look through the bag Netty had given us. I pulled out a decent amount of food (I estimated around three days worth), Our old clothes they had been washed and at the very bottom a note.

"Whats that?" Murmured Emalaya who had been watching.

"A note, from Netty I think."

"Read it to me will you?" I nodded and began to read.