(01. Scary Night)
The BLUE SAPPHIRE
(01. Scary Night)
Southern Section of Sky Blue City. The village is occupied by approximately 50 households and its territory includes forests and rivers. Tonight the wind is blowing quite hard than usual.
"Fire!!!"
"Help!!!"
The screams of the grown men and women made those who were still asleep in their dreams immediately scatter out of the house. Including the two boys where Leon and Zero.
All the dwellings there have been engulfed by the red flames. The flames soared high. The collection of smoke makes the night sky even darker and there is panic everywhere.
DOOR ...
DOOR ...
Apart from the fire, there was also the sound of gunshots, which added to the panic of all residents.
"Come on, Sis, we have to go!" asked Zero to force Leon who was sitting listlessly beside the bodies of his parents.
Leon was deaf. The loud sound of triggers and people's screams didn't necessarily make the ten-year-old boy move from his place.
Her tiny body was covered in blood. Leon saw firsthand how his parents were killed right before his eyes, tragically.
"Brother Leon, we have to go! At least we have to stay alive for them!"
Zero's scream, again, didn't make Leon move from his position. The situation in the village was chaotic. Those who were still breathing ran towards the forest, regardless of their possessions and brotherhood, the most important thing was that they survived this disaster. While those who are not lucky, must die in vain there.
A group of people carrying firearms in their hands continued to shoot at the remaining residents. Their laughter echoed amidst the flames, like a dance under a full moon. The screams of the villagers in pain, seemed to be a beautiful song in their ears.
Zero couldn't just stay there. It would be foolish to give up his precious life. Without saying much more, Zero pulled Leon's hand. Invited him to run as far as possible from the village that had been destroyed.
Leon didn't rebel, but it was still hard to just let it all go. The two of them ran into the forest which was located west of the village. If from his position, the distance is only five meters. Remember, his house is located on the edge of the forest.
Almost reaching the middle of the forest, Leon let go of his sister's hand. The ten-year-old boy's breath was panting, along with how far he ran.
"Brother can't take it anymore, Zero," complained Leon, breathless.
"But... we have to keep running, sis. Those tall people, must be chasing us now."
No matter how loud Zero's voice is, it doesn't necessarily raise Leon's spirit, whose mind has been overcome by despair. "You better go, Zero. Let big brother be here, blocking them. At least you have to be safe. You can avenge us, Zero!"
"But, Sis..." Zero wasn't sure about the plan.
"There's no more time to think, Zero! You must get as far away from this place as possible. You must stay alive, Zero!"
DOOR ...
Leon's loud voice was accompanied by gunshots from the big people. In other words, they weren't far from where Leon and Zero were right now.
"Hurry, Zeros!" Leon shouted again.
Left with no other choice, Zero decides to leave. Even with Leon, but the two directions are opposite.
Even though the distance was far away, Leon kept shouting for Zero to leave this forest area immediately. At least to the end of the forest, there is another village, which can be asked for help.
Finally, Zero came running. He had completely disappeared among the tall trees there.
Before long, the sound of a woodpecker echoed through the forest. Zero stopped in his tracks. His body shook violently and his eyes widened. His thoughts immediately went to his older brother there. Could it be, the gunshot hit his brother or not?
Many questions nested in his mind, until he unconsciously shed tears. His hands clenched tightly and clenched his teeth together, making a clicking sound. Zero stares blankly at the object in front of him, steeling himself to stay strong.
'Brother Leon. I promise to avenge the death of everyone in our village. I will grow strong, until this land falls under my feet. This is my promise, to you, Sis!'
After that, Zero ran. Just as Leon said earlier. 'There is no more time to think.' Leon's words finally spurred Zero to get out of this forest at any cost.
Growing up near the forest, Zero memorized the ins and outs of the forest. What's more, his father was a hunter, which required him to go out of the forest to get game.
Whenever his father went hunting, Zero would whine, wanting to join in on the hunt. From there, the mental form. Even though he is still very young, his courage is no less than that of an adult.
The sound of the trigger that he kept hearing earlier did not make Zero feel afraid. Since the age of five, he has known what firearms are and the consequences of using them. His father had introduced him. The hunter's blood was flowing in Zero's body.
Zero ran towards the North from where he was standing now. If his guess was correct, then about five hundred meters from here, there was a small flowing stream. On the other side of the river, there is a village that can be asked for help.
At his current age, Zero has a sharp memory and instincts, more than anyone his age. What's more, he had been in and out of this forest more than ten times. It's not impossible, he will find the village, even though in the dark it only glows with the moon.
On the way, the sound of thunder rumbled. Creates lightning that strikes one of the tree branches. The light from the lightning illuminates the road, and at the same time makes Zero gasp uncontrollably.
He fell and his body shook violently, his eyes widened, as a large figure stood right in front of him.
The muzzle of the gun was pointed right at Zero's head. The seven-year-old boy was nervous and increasingly haunted by fear.
DOOR ...
"Aaaaa!!!"
Gunshots rang out simultaneously, but the tall figure let out a loud scream at the same time and grabbed the upper hand. His firearm even fell to the ground as he lost control of himself.
Without thinking, Zero immediately took the opportunity that would not come a second time.
He ran as fast as he could, away from the figure hit by the shot. There was a big question on his mind. Who had pulled the trigger, causing the large figure to cut its hand?
"Ah, none of my business. I better get out of this forest quickly!" He increased his running speed. Short legs continue to be driven, to the limit.
Meanwhile, even though his hand had been injured, it didn't necessarily make the man just let Zero go. Immediately he picked up his gun and ran after Zero who was already far away.
He thought, the boy was not far from this forest if he was fast he would be chased. Occasionally he fired shots into the air. The sound of the eruption awakens the animals from sleep. Birds fly away from the nest.
Zero looked towards the sky. Birds and other winged animals fly aimlessly. Zero can hear the roar of the other animals.
He cursed and spurred his little legs faster and faster. There was nothing Zero could think about, other than getting out of this forest as fast as possible.
After running continuously, finally Zero saw the flow of the river too. His feelings are mixed. Between happy, sad and emotion.
Without resting, Zero ran towards the river there. However, a second later.
DOOR ...
"Aaaaa!!!"
His right leg was hit by a shot, which made Zero fall on the gravel bed by the river.
He looked back, it was the one who had shot him, the figure he saw earlier. It turned out that the wound on his hand did not deter him.
Zero stares across the river. There is a house not far away. Thus, he must immediately cross the river if he wants to continue to live.
DOOORRRR ...
One more shot and Zero fell into the river. While the man holding the gun also fell down in his place.
***
What happened next, to Zero and how will Leon be?