Chapter 25: Unexpected Realities

I walked in the shadows to avoid being detected by the guards.

I saw a boat that was left on the bank of the river and I hastily entered it. Without wasting much time, I took the paddles and started my journey to where it all started, to where my world crumbled, to where all my hopes were shattered.

I could still remember the right route to follow, all thanks to my mother who taught me these things years back telling me it will be handy one day, of which I found it useful.

"No knowledge is a waste," I told myself.

As I sat lonely in the boat, looking at the waves that crashes against the rock, my mind drifted back to where I was running from. That place was very horrible, I don't think I would be able to step my foot there again.

I miss Giselle and Carina. If there is any other person I should be very grateful to, it should be the both of them. There were just like a family to me.

Assuming there weren't there all this while I don't know where I would be by now. All thanks to them.

I also recollect every single day I spent there. All the pains, the torture, beatings, starvation and sufferings made me shiver in fear.

I could perceive the smell of fragrant flowers that filled my nostrils, and it reminded me that home was near. I couldn't contain my joy at the thought of it.

My eyes first meet the little house that was located on the outskirts of the island. I thought that there was no longer inhabitable since the island was burned down, but my guess was wrong.

Ever since the island was burned, some of my tribe escaped that day the war broke out only to find out that all their houses, their properties have been engulfed by the blazing inferno that was set up by the werewolves.

What did they do then?

They came together and built some houses and started reconstructing the island back to its former glory.

When I reached the bank of the rivers, I got down from the boat and stormed into the island.

To my uttermost surprise, It looks as if only a few people lived there. Well, that wasn't my main aim of coming there.

I sited the palace which was just a few distances away from me, I smiled, but my smile turned to grief when I saw the palace was in ruins.

I strode into the palace, only to find a lot of burnt items there. I couldn't even recognize anything in there at all.

I was praying in my chest as I walked to the grotto, the last place I hugged my mother before she died.

When I got there, I couldn't believe that it still looked the way it was back in those days. The images that were drawn on the wall was still clear and visible and the pond was still fresh as ever.

I walked slowly to where the pond was, and I put my hand inside it to check if the water was cool, and it was.

I loved bathing in that pond because of the sudden sensation I get whenever am inside there.

"Mother, I know you can hear me"

" Don't worry I will get stronger, and I will avenge your death sometimes someday".

I walked out of the grotto and headed to one of those houses.

When I got there, I couldn't see anyone, so I decided to go inside.

When I got inside, I saw an old woman holding her child in her bosom.

"Hello," I whispered.

I walked slowly to where she was sitting, holding her son.

I bent down and touched her, only for me to see what I did not expect.

"What do you want?

" Did you come back here to kill us the way you did years ago?

"I hope you didn't come here to spy on us and get us slaughtered the way you did to your parents?

At that moment, my throat went dry, I could not even say a word, I was dumbfounded.

"Has my generosity caused me this?

Now I learned a lesson, now the realization is very clear.

" I don't live in a world where Kindness is adored, but a place where charity is an abomination.

"Why did she teach me how to be kind, yet it was the same compassion that landed me into an eternal nightmare.

" Am sorry, but that's not the actual story" I tried to be polite.

"Then what? She yelled.

" Do you want to lie to me the way you did to your father? Do you?

Her words were heavy, filled with so much pain, I couldn't help. I was helpless.

It took me time to console her. When I was done pacifying her, I told her the whole story of what happened.

"Do you think I will believe your made-up story to cover your sins?

" I will never!

"Just go, you don't deserve to be here, you could have died when those werewolves captured you, at least to help revenge my dead son".

" What!

"This child you are carrying is dead?

" You don't know how many Lives you have wasted, how many homes you have destroyed, I wish I had the opportunity, I could have killed you to prevent this doom you have brought on us all".

"You are a disgrace to Humanity!

The word that just came out of her mouth got registered in my brain. I could not withhold the fountains of tears that were in my eyes, I just let loose, allowing them to flow without hindrance.

" If only your unfortunate tears could solve the problems," but it can't!

"Stop these crocodile tears of yours, you are making me uncomfortable"

"Just get out of here before I call the others"

"Am Just being a bit generous because how your mother was very kind to me, if not, I could have dealt with you.

" Leave now you have the opportunity to do so before it's too late for you".

Not wanting to cause more crises, I stood up and left.

The cool breeze from the surroundings hit my face, causing me to shudder. The island looked deserted, but people still live there.

I strolled a few distances when I saw eyes in the dark staring at me.

I knew that they were aware of my presence. I began to walk hastily when suddenly I heard a voice behind my back;

"It's her catch her...