A savior ?

Zia's eyes fluttered open, relief flooding her senses as she realized the absence of the suffocating grip that had seemed to tighten around her. As she scanned the scene, her gaze settled upon a figure with a strong, muscular arm intercepting the hand that had threatened her moments ago.

Her eyes traced the breadth of his shoulders and caught sight of a distinct scar marking the back of his left hand, a subtle yet visible detail beneath the fabric of his black vest. The protector's imposing presence stood as a shield between Zia and the aggressor, a silent yet forceful barrier against harm.

"If you have even a bit of shame, you wouldn't be raising your hands on a child," his voice reverberated with a firm reprimand, confronting the individual with an unwavering sense of righteousness and protection for Zia. This intervention revealed a guardian, someone standing up to shield her from harm and imparting a strong sense of safeguarding her well-being.

"it's expected that this village is filled with selfish and dumbass bastards anyway" he said as he pushed away the lady's hand with a little force ...

The lady caught her hand in pain.

Amidst the charged atmosphere, Mr. Harper's booming voice shattered the tension. "Will, what are you doing?" he demanded, a hint of concern tinging his tone.

However, Will's response was swift and filled with palpable anger. "I should ask you the same," he retorted, his gaze locked in a steely glare directed squarely at his father, Mr. Harper.

Will, a man of thirty years, had distanced himself from the village a decade ago, forging a solitary existence in the mountainous terrain near the village, shrouded by the dense forest. His solitary abode lay in close proximity to the enigmatic "Wall of Death," a foreboding moniker that held a haunting mystique within the local folklore.

The sudden return of Will, coupled with the evident animosity in his confrontation with Mr. Harper, hinted at unresolved tensions or undisclosed history between father and son. The proximity of Will's isolated dwelling to the notorious "Wall of Death" suggested a deeper significance, perhaps harboring secrets or mysteries yet to be unveiled. This confrontation between them held the potential to unravel buried truths and unearth long-hidden narratives within the tale.

The strained relationship between Will and his father, Mr. Harper, seemed rooted in a troubling revelation about Mr. Harper's misconduct towards women, an unsettling truth that had shattered their familial bond.

Despite his estrangement from the village, Will was no stranger to its folklore. His enigmatic aura was shrouded in fear and awe, born from a legendary encounter where he single-handedly battled a tiger, a tale whispered in hushed tones among villagers. The physical evidence of his daring feat lay etched on his face—a three-paw scar, a visceral testament to his resilience and strength.

This history and the discovery of his father's unsavory behavior cast a stark contrast between Will's valor and his father's alleged transgressions. The narrative of their discord hinted at a deeper, tangled web of familial complexities intertwined with the village's folklore, shaping the tumultuous dynamics between father and son.

Amid the tension-laden silence, he pivoted towards Zia, his expression a blend of concern and inquiry. "What happened?" he inquired, his voice threaded with soft concern.

Without a spoken response, Zia hastened back into her home, swiftly retrieving a book before returning. In a gesture filled with both urgency and trepidation, she conveyed her turmoil through the written word. "He touched me last night," the words adorned the page, carrying the weight of a harrowing revelation, and he grasped the gravity of her disclosure.

However, before the gravity of the situation could be absorbed, a disruptive outcry fractured the air. "How dare you accuse him!" The heated accusation, flung from the midst of the onlookers, reverberated through the charged atmosphere, adding a turbulent layer to the unfolding moment.

"Accuse?" Will, pronounced angrily and glared at her enough for her to take a step back in fear

"Do you think a child will have a reason to say something like that to just accuse him? how low can you all fall?" he yelled furiously.

"You will never change," he said, looking at Mr. Harper with a look of disgust.

"I have never done something like that," Mr. Harper protested, attempting to dispel the accusation.

Ignoring the protestations, Will redirected his attention towards Zia, determination etched into his features. "Pack everything you need. We're leaving this village. You'll stay with me from now on," he stated firmly, his words carrying a sense of decisive action.

Zia, caught in the whirlwind of the unfolding events, stood there, visibly unsettled, fidgeting with uncertainty. Will noticed her hesitation, understanding the weight of the moment and the impact of his sudden decision on her.

"Don't worry I am not like that bastard. I will protect you" he said with a smile, and she knew at that moment that she can trust him.

She went inside her home to pack

(Meanwhile)

"How dare you address your father with name "Harper shouted angrily

"I knew you are a bastard and a womanizer and why did my mom leave you too, but honestly laying your hands on a child?

How more disgusting can you be?"

"Respect!!!, you are talking with your father and the village head" Harper yelled.

"No... not at all, I am talking to a bastard who molested a child just after her mom's death, and you still expect me to respect you?" he asked with a chuckle

The sequence of events unfolded swiftly as Zia emerged, clutching a bag in her hand. Without a word, Will took the bag from her grasp, an unspoken assurance that he would carry her burdens from then on. "Come, let's go," he urged, setting a resolute pace.

With a glance backward at Mr. Harper, Will settled the dispute over the owed money for firewood, tossing coins onto the ground before fixing a chilling glare at the villagers, a silent warning reverberating in his intense gaze. The villagers, shaken by the encounter, were left with a singular impression—Will was an intimidating figure.

The mountain where Will chose to settle was at the very boundary of human civilization. He established his dwelling there, crafting a solitary abode amidst nature's embrace. His powerful physique bore the testament of his rigorous morning workouts, sculpting a broad, muscular frame. His piercing black eyes seemed to hold an unspoken depth, capable of unraveling the secrets of one's soul with a mere glance.

With a purposeful stride, Will forged ahead, his pace swift and determined. Zia, trailing behind, struggled to keep up, the disparity in their strides revealing the vast difference in their sizes. It was a journey marked by his unwavering pace, and he never once turned to acknowledge the smaller figure hurrying to keep pace behind him.

The day's overwhelming events clouded Zia's mind as she walked, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. Unbeknownst to her, Will, caught up in his own reverie, inadvertently drifted ahead, lost in a daze of his own.

Suddenly, a trip disrupted her train of thought, sending her crashing down. Pain seared through her as she landed on her face, the right side of her forehead starting to bleed. Ankle throbbing and knee grazed, she winced, feeling isolated and vulnerable as she raised her head, searching for Will, only to find herself alone in the forest's eerie quietness.

Fear gripped her. She was deep within the woods, unfamiliar with this part of the forest and its winding paths. The solitude, coupled with her injuries, intensified her sense of helplessness. Tremors ran through her as the cold forest breeze prickled her skin, heightening her anxiety in the desolate surroundings.

Will pushed the branches of trees and saw the mountain

"We can see the house from the---" as he turned back, he didn't find Zia

"Ahh, fuck"

---------

In a state of distress, Zia sought solace against a tree, her back pressed against its sturdy trunk. The forest's rustling underbrush sent shivers down her spine, triggering memories of a past encounter with a tiger, intensifying her fear.

A sudden movement in the bushes jolted her further, her heart racing at the thought of an impending threat. Yet, to her relief, a harmless rabbit darted out, startling her momentarily before it vanished into another thicket.

Relieved, Zia sighed, realizing the harmless nature of the forest visitor. Despite the fleeting respite, her predicament remained unchanged—alone, injured, and lost in the unfamiliar expanse of the woods.

Will's frustrated voice echoed through the forest as he trudged deeper into the woods. His irritation was evident as he lamented the apparent inability of the child, his tone veering from frustration to a hint of regret.

"Hey kid!" His voice boomed through the trees, the echoes bouncing off the woodland walls. His annoyance grew with every unanswered call. "Why couldn't she follow me properly?" he grumbled to himself, blaming the child for what he perceived as an inconvenience.

Perhaps realizing his own responsibility in the situation, he pondered aloud, "Maybe I should've taken the lead, made her walk in front. Kids are such a hassle." His grumbling persisted as he continued his search.

The rustling of bushes prompted a swift reaction. With lightning speed, Will drew his dagger, ready to face an unknown threat. Each movement was cautious, each step deliberate as he cautiously approached the source of the disturbance.

But to his dismay, it was merely a rabbit that darted out. "Just a rabbit," he sighed, his tension easing as quickly as it had risen. The abrupt shift in his demeanor from defense to disappointment was evident.

His disappointment quickly transformed into a hint of excitement, "Wait, a meal!" he exclaimed, preparing to use the rabbit for sustenance. With a swift throw, his dagger flew through the air, aiming to secure his dinner. However, luck was not on his side as the nimble rabbit eluded his grasp and dashed away.

"Fate isn't on my side today," he muttered, his frustration evident in his tone as he begrudgingly continued his trek. "Kid, where are you?" he called out once more, his voice echoing amidst the trees, hoping for a response that didn't seem to come.

Zia's solitude in the forest engulfed her, a sudden wave of isolation washing over her. Tears welled up in her eyes, a silent manifestation of her overwhelming emotions.

"Why does this always happen to me?" Her thoughts echoed amidst the quiet, her heart heavy with despair.

Before the weight of her emotions could fully consume her, a familiar voice pierced the desolate atmosphere. "Found you," came the reassuring declaration from Will, a beacon of hope breaking through the shadows of her loneliness.