Pearl of his Heart

The silence of the dark night was disturbed by the rustling of leaves. A long, winding road cut through the forest with the large trees surrounding the area. While the large moon shone brightly in the sky, its light was blocked by the trees which threw dark shadows over the road. There was no other sound, not even the cries of cicadas. Not a soul was in sight at the desolated road since it was past midnight. The world slept on, unaware of what was about to happen at that lonely road.

Through the darkness, a pair of headlights lit up as a car sped through the forest. Inside the car were three people. A middle aged couple were at the front seat while a small hooded figure was sitting at the back. The bespectacled man in his forties looked worried as sweat glistened on his forehead. His wife, a dark haired beauty with blue eyes, was glancing at the rearview mirror every minute to ensure they were not being followed. The hooded figure sat in silence but the fear emitting from her was eminent. 

As if sensing her fear, the older woman said in a gentle tone, “Don’t worry! We won’t let them find you!”

She turned to her husband and added, “Charles, how much further?”

“We’re almost there!” Charles exclaimed. “As soon as we get there, we can set her free Sheila!”

Sheila bit her lip, unsure of what was going to happen. They had made it this far but her heart was unsettled. If they failed that night, then calamity would befall the country and it would be impossible to stop it.

A cold hand touched her cheek. Startled, she turned around to see the hooded figure was now trying to console her. Sheila’s was aching. They had done so much wrong to her and yet she was assuring them that everything would be alright. 

“I’m so sorry,” Sheila whispered. “We were so unjust to you and yet, you’re being so kind.”

She saw the hint of a smile from beneath the hood as if the girl was trying to tell her that it was okay. It astounded Sheila of how benevolent the girl was and she only felt guiltier for the things the poor girl was put through.

“We will get you home,” Sheila promised. Then she pursed her lips as if anticipating that something might go wrong. The girl had been greatly weakened by what happened earlier and had no strength to fight. They would have to protect her at all costs. 

Even if their lives were snatched from them.

Sheila reached out for her bag and took out an envelope. It had an address written on it.

“If by any chance, we can’t make it tonight,” Sheila said. “Go to this address and give this letter to Jason Cho.”

She handed the letter to the girl who examined it with great curiosity.

“J-Jason Cho?” she stammered in an innocent, childlike tone. Sheila nodded.

“He’s the only one you can trust,” Sheila said with great urgency.

“Sheila, will he even accept your letter?” Charles asked. “We haven’t talked to him in years! He didn’t even come to visit during Alina’s birth!”

“He will,” Sheila stated with confidence. “I know he will. Jason might be angry but-”

The rest of her words were cut off by a blinding light which came crashing at them from nowhere. A large truck hit them from the intersection, toppling their car. Charles lost control of the car and it swirled around the road almost unstoppable. On instinct, Sheila reached out to unlock the backdoor and before the hooded girl could comprehend anything, she was pushed outside.

The girl fell off the car, tumbling down into the forest. She hurt her head and fell momentarily unconscious.

Meanwhile, the car crashed into a tree. The couple inside were knocked out by the force. Charles hit his head on the steering wheel, dying instantly while Sheila was barely moving. Blood gushed out of her forehead and there was immense pain in her chest; she had broken several ribs. 

The truck which hit them came to a stop and two dark figures came out of it. One of the men wore a blue jacket with black pants. He was in his mid thirties with blonde hair and skinny build. There was a large gash on his face while a tattoo of a tiger peeped from his neck. His partner was a short, stubby man in his late thirties with dirty blonde hair and several rings on his fingers.

“Are they dead, Kim?” the shorter of the two asked. 

“Dunno,” Kim replied. “Han, go and check the backseat. The girl should be there! The boss said not to hurt her!”

Han nodded and checked the backseat. It was empty.

“She’s not here!” Han shouted. “The girl is missing!”

Kim let out a string of curses. The boss was not going to be happy if anything happened to the girl!

“We have to bring her alive!” he hissed. “Find her!”

By that time, the girl stirred. Her eyes fluttered open and she touched her forehead. It was wet and sticky with blood but the wound had healed. Her wounds always healed on their own. Always.

Silently, she crept up to see what was going on. To her horror, the car carrying the couple had crashed and two men were standing there, furiously glancing around.

“She must have run into the forest!” Kim stated. “Let’s find her-”

To his surprise, something grabbed his leg. He looked down to see Sheila was holding his leg. She was gravely injured but still alive. Somehow crawling out of the broken window, she held on to his leg, unwilling to let him go.

“I...I won’t let y-y-you!” she gasped. Even though her body was broken, her willpower was intact. She would not let them succeed and was ready to fight till death to help the girl survive.

Kim glanced at Han, who nodded. Han ran towards the truck and brought out a large rod. He handed the rod to Kim. He raised it over his head and brought it crashing down on Sheila’s head, hitting her with all his might.

Sheila’s head bashed open and the last ounce of her soul left her body. She lay there, dead but Kim kept on hitting her corpse until it was completely unrecognizable.

From her hiding place, the girl held in her screams. Tears stinged her eyes upon seeing the horrific sight and she knew it was all her fault. The only people whom she had cared for were dead. And it was all her fault.

I’m so sorry! She thought tearfully. I’m so sorry...I’m…

The Wang’s had given their lives to protect her from something. She could not understand their urgency and fear but she honored their sacrifice. She could never let them find her.

Still clutching the letter, she slowly backed away from the scene. Her heart was wrenched with sadness but she must run away before they could get to her. She did not know where she was heading to as long as it was away from the bad people hunting her.

Dimly hearing the two men’s footsteps behind her, the girl kept on running. She was faster than them but the grief in her heart was slowing her down. The sight of her beloved ones being murdered like that was etched into her memory which was going to haunt her for eternity. 

But she must survive. She had to.

I must reach Jason Cho! She thought with fierce determination. I must!

.....