Chapter 3

Anastasia's POV

            I stopped in my tracks as soon as I heard what Fred stated.

            “What did you say?” I threateningly asked.

            “Hmm?” He also stopped and faced me at a rather far distance than I currently am as he continued to make an innocent face. “What did I said?”

            “Do not play with me Fred”, I said as I walk at a slow pace toward him. “Who is the one chasing me?!”

            “Eh? I do not know”, he defensively said as he looked at me with those ‘innocent’ eyes.

            “Ahh〜. Was it because of what I said?” He looked at me who is now a few steps away from him. “Do not think too much of it, Anastasia. I was merely taking a guess”

            “And you think I would believe that?”

            Fred shrugged his shoulders and continued walking. He then waved his hand, ordering me to follow.

            “You believing me is completely up to you,” he nonchalantly said. “As I said, I merely took a guess. It was quite a large number of soldiers chasing after you which only means that the one who wishes your capture must be a powerful man and with a powerful man ready to make their soldiers move - ” he stopped, looked at me briefly, and continued with a low mocking whisper, “leaving would be a better choice.”

            This bastard…

             Actually, this whole chasing scene wasn’t the first attempt by whoever is behind all of it. I also had someone tail me when I was sixteen years old, something that my grandmother said she already settled. How? I also do not know and I probably would not be able to with her gone.

            She used to tell me that when the time she needs to leave this place forever comes, I must get away from the village. That I must hide and do everything in my power to survive – that my fate may be terrible but that should never hold significance in my end. I was not able to understand it before and I am afraid that I still do not fully understand it now but I do agree with the part that fate should not matter – I will make it so that it would not.

            'But it only has been 3 days since her death and I am already getting chased. They don’t even give me time to mourn for her'

            “Should I just take him down,” I mumbled as I touched the dagger I hid in my thighs.

            I shook my head as I realized how stupid the idea was. This is his territory, a place completely unfamiliar to me. It would be stupid to attack the master of this place when people are literally after me. I should not make the situation any worse.

            ‘Let us not act up with nothing but mere suspicion’

            Haaa…

            I sighed as I composed myself.

            “How long do we still need to walk for?” I asked, annoyed, as soon as I realized how long this passageway truly is.

            “We are near,” he replied.

            True enough, with a few more walks, the light starts to spread and envelop an area quite devoid of mankind.

            ‘Is this place normally this quiet?’

            This is the first time I took a step in this place so I don’t really know how it is on a regular basis but this seems awfully quiet. I looked at Fred demanding an answer.

            “You are in luck! Unlike every other day, this place seems to be free of waiting lines now no?” he said as he scan the area.

            F*cker…

            I am surrounded. I looked around making sure to hide my anxiety as I noticed the number of stares directed at me. My suspicion of getting betrayed by this bastard became more certain as I saw how he signaled a couple of men who seems to be swept in this shit to get out.

            I guess my urgency to get away made my instinct dull.

            ‘How truly stupid of me’

             ‘Stay calm and assess the situation, Ana. This might be an opportunity no?’ I taught to myself as I took deep breaths in an attempt to stay calm.

            “Which car would be my ride?” I asked Fred with the most relaxed look that I can muster.

            Fred looked at me trying to gauze my awareness of his betrayal. I looked back, straight into his eyes and raised an eyebrow.

            “I thought there are no lines? Or do I have to wait for you to make up your mind?”

            “Pfft” he chuckled. “Don’t be too impatient, Ana”

            With a quick scan of the various cars in front of us, he finally guided me to a black, simple, somewhat old car near us.

            “Will this do?” he asked

            I simply nodded after taking a quick inspection of the vehicle.

            “Doesn’t really matter,” I added.

            Fred signaled to a bulk-looking man who immediately come near us as soon as he saw Fred’s signal.

            “This right here is my man, Alfred,” he said as he put his arms on the guy’s shoulders. “He will be your driver and companion in your little escapade”

            The bulk guy bowed a little as a form of greeting. Alfred is a tall fellow. He is probably 6’7’’ with a well-built body. With just the appearance, you can already see that the guy is a great fighter, not to mention the too many to ignore small scars around his body.

            ‘This will be hard’

            Just comparing Alfred’s and mine’s physiques you can already see that I am at a huge disadvantage. I kind of expected how hard the battle, if worse comes to worst, would be but I am not even sure if I can take one down.

            ‘Still, having to fight one is still a lot better than being against multiple’

            “Where are you headed, Miss?” politely asked Alfred.

            “Cirebon,” I briefly answered.

            Cirebon is a rural place furthest away from the main city. It is not as small as this village but it is still a place that would be a great hiding spot. It is close to the port, has access to roadways, and is quite lenient in its security. It is not my main destination though. I am not stupid enough to just reveal where I am truly headed.

            Alfred only nodded after hearing my answer and guided me to the black car. Fred, on the other hand, is already conversing with another person who I presume is his second hand in managing this place.

            After a few goodbyes and one final inspection of what I needed to deal with, we finally drove away.

            My plan in this estimated four hours of drive is simple, to quickly eliminate Alfred and have enough time to secure a new hiding place.

            It did sound easy to do but considering that multiple cars have been tailing ours since we departed from Fred’s secret area, it would be near impossible.

            ‘Still, better try than just let myself get captured no?’

-----

            “Alfred, can you stop a little in that town square,” I requested wherein Alfred simply nodded.

            I took hold of my dagger, getting ready to attack as I saw the car slowing down.

            Truthfully, I was never properly taught how to handle weapons nor have I ever killed anyone so this would definitely be a sloppy job but the situation is to my advantage. I am in the backseat, taking control of Alfred would be easy. I am not confident in killing but stopping the ability of a person to move? That I can manage.

            The cars that were tailing us kept their distance and the sudden change of plan like stopping over the town square would, hopefully, create confusion and give me sufficient time.

            ‘It is doable’

            As soon as the car took a stop and I secured that the car is unlocked, with the dagger in my hand, I quickly stab Alfred’s leg. It was not too deep but it will certainly create a momentary reaction from the man.

            As expected, Alfred’s reaction focused on relieving himself off of the pain. He put pressure on his wound in an attempt to stop its bleeding all the while showing me a vulnerable part of his body, the neck.

            Again, I held the dagger in my hand and used the hilt to hit the neck of Alfred. After making sure that Alfred is completely knocked out, I got out of the car and maintained a relaxed walking pace. I must make the people after me believe that I am merely going to buy something or use the restroom.

            Like I did in the village earlier, I masked my presence and used the crowd to get away from there. The only difference? I don’t know this place! I do not know where to go or what to do from here on out!

            In my panicked state, I saw a somewhat narrow street a little further right from the busy main street and went there.

            ‘This seems to be discreet enough for a temporary hiding place.’

            After a few walks, I met a dead end but a few boxes and carts are available for me to use.

            I decided to continue hiding here for a couple more minutes and get out after making sure that it is safe for me.

            After a bit of contemplation, I stood up, readied myself for what might happen, and decided to leave. With the dagger back in my thighs, I walked towards the direction of the light not knowing that it will lead me to my demise.

            Right outside this alleyway are tens of muscular men with their guns and other weapons waiting for me.

            With my capture certain to happen, I can’t help but chuckle, hold my hand up as a form of surrender, and scanned the faces of my abductors.

            And then…everything went black.