??LEFT BEHIND ??
Meenah writes ✍️
Episode 19
#Amazon
Harriet’s POV
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Just as the scream made it’s way out of my throat, I muffled it, but it was too late.
I’m sure it was loud enough for everyone to hear.
My legs loos£ned it’s grip around Ewan’s w@!st, and I leaned weakly against the wall.
He looked at me with inquisitive eyes, which I refused to meet. Then slowly, he pu-ll-ed his hand from behind my back and stared at his f!ngers.
Even in the darkness of the room I could make out the dark stains of blood on his f!ngerti-ps and his palm with the help of a three quarter moon.
He stared disbelievingly at his f!ngerstoo.
“Har…..what’s this?” he asked slowly.
I shook my head.
He frowned.
“Come.”
“Ewan it’s nothing, jeez, where did you get those stuff on your f!nger from?”
It was stupid of me to act the ignorant p@rt, but I didn’t know what else tou do. I remember Ewan telling me that he’d un-dergone torture from the Master a year back. If he saw the marks on my b©dy, he’d know for sure where it c@m£ from.
And then…. he’ll know that I tricked, no, used him.
I couldn’t bear that.
“St©p kidding around and—” his tone was so serious, like he booked no room for argument. But he cut himself off, reached out, and pu-ll-ed my pu-llover up just below my brea-sts.
“Ewan!” I accused, but it was too late.
Instinctively, he reached behind me and switched on the light, and I saw his eyes wi-den, the only reaction.
My heart was beating loudly in my che-st as he looked me over for seconds of unbearable silence that were the worst of my life.
“Where did you get this?” he finally asked in a lethal voice that told me he alre-ady knew, but was clueless as to the ‘whys’.
“Ewan you—”
He pu-ll-ed me from my position at the door and turned me around to inspect my back.
“These are the Master’s torture marks,” he said more to himself. “And they’re fresh. Still bleeding. Obtained recently.”
He turned me back to face him as he waited for me to say something, to deny it, to offer an explanation.
When I didn’t, his eyes ha-rd ened;
“What the hell did that guy do to you!? I swear I’m gonna kill him with my ba-re hands!”
“Ewan he didn’t…at least he didn’t l@ya f!nger on me.”
“Then who did, and why didn’t you tell me?”
I swallowed as I thought of what to say.
Then I felt him stiffened, and I looked up into ha-rd eyes I haven’t looked into since the first day I arrived here. He stood rigidly, gazing down at me with eyes that were so different from earlier on when he’d k!$$£d me.
“The Horn,” he said in a ba-rely audible voice. “plea-se tell me you didn’t.”
He’d alre-ady put two and two together.
“Ewan I–”
“Tell me you didn’t.” he repeated again, and this time, it sounded more like a warning.
I’ll have to tell him the truth. I was risking him either way.
“Ewan he was going to kill you and everyone else if I didn’t! I just had to do it to keep you safe Ewan, believe m–”
“Damn it all to hell!” he raised his voice, and ran a hand r0ûghly throu-gh his thick black hair.
“I can’t believe this!”
“Just listen to me, plea-se. He promised to take the Horn and leave Amazon. He swore.”
“And you believed him! I can’t believe you were so gullible, Harriet. The Master doesn’t swear to anything, neither does he keep promises,” he spat out. “And I was so foolish to have trusted you!”
That was like a dart piercing my che-st.
“Ewan don’t say that pl–”
“This!” he snapped, pu-lling up his tee-shi-t to show me ba-rely healing scars on his skin, “I got this just to protect that Horn. My parents died, just to protect that Horn. And what do you do? You obtain wounds, to give it away!”
I heard creaking noise and the door opened and Juliante entered, followed by Jean and Zoe.
“What in the Spirits name is going on here?” he asked with obvious displea-sure at being disturbe-d that late at night.
Jean had a sly smile on her face, probably thinking that the ‘d@t£’ had led somewhere.
While Zoe had pure malice spla-yed across hers.
But I didn’t care about their faces, I cared that Ewan was close to despising me.
“Ewan you gotta believe me!” I yelled.
“I don’t,” he said to me.
I was close to tears now.
“Juliante was right about you all along.”
“What was I right about? Can you two st©p this drama and tell me what’s going on?” he seemed wi-de awake now.
“She pried the Horn’s location out of me, un-der the Master’s commands. He’s going for the Horn as we speak. I have to st©p him.”
Ewan made for the door.
“No, he’ll kill you!” I tried to st©p him with a hand on his shoulder.
He shrugged it off.
“There are worse things,” he replied and ran out.
I slumped to the floor, and I cried. Louder and louder.
Jean squ-atted beside me with a sympathetic face.
“Harry what happened?”
“Tell me,” Juliante added.
And so I narrated everything to them, leaving no details out.
“And now he hates me, he doesn’t even want to listen to me,” I cried.
Jean hvgged me, careful not to hurt my wounds, and she cried with me too.
Juliante looked thoughtful.
“If Ewan can b!ow the Horn before the Master gets it, the spirits will be re-leased, and the Master conquered. But if the Master gets it first…. all will be lost. I have to go. And Harriet, I believe you.”
I gave him an appreciative smile.
Then Zoe said, “It’s all my fault Harriet.”
Adnairax
Jean and I looked at her. She had remorse on her face now.
“What do you mean?” Jean asked, and I sniffed.
“I–I helped Rex that–that night. But I swear I didn’t know they were going to hurt you. I just wanted you out of the way for Ewan to notice me. I didn’t know he was the young master, I’m so sorry I let my jealousy get the best of me. plea-se forgive me.”
Jean and I had surprised looks on her face.
“Zoe you…” I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“That was bad,” Jean added.
“I know, and I’m regretting it, especially after Harriet got hurt in the process. plea-se—”
“Harriet!” Juliante’s voice boomed, interrupting Zoe. “I have to go and cast a protec-tion spell on Ewan. He’s vulnerable, and the Master is closing in on the Horn. And he might nee-d your help too.”
I immediately jumped to my feet. “I’m coming.”
He nodded and walked ahead.
I turned to Zoe. “You and Jean plea-se be safe. And pray for us too. I’ve forgiven you.”
Zoe smiled a little, and I nodded, before scrambling off to Juliante.
Praying that we’d get there in time.
And that Ewan should be safe.
Because it wasn’t just the bond that connected us now.
I’d fallen in love with him. I loved him, and even if it meant he wouldn’t forgive me for betraying him, his safety alone will be enough for me.
I swallowed back tears.
My heart ached. Because he will never love me back.
I chocked a little, shook my head, and ran alongside Juliante.
Hope we aren’t too late.
Hope that somehow…. he’ll be safe. For my piece of mind.
?? Left behind??
Meenah writes ✍️
Episode 20
Ewan’s POV
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As I slowed my sprint down to a jog, I couldn’t believe what just happened a few minutes ago.
To think that I was so dumb to foolishly trust someone like her. I don’t know why I did, I’ve never sli-pped up about the location of the Horn before.
Was it because of that bond sh*t Juliante kept pushing into our head? Or because I was distracted by thoughts of k!ss!ngher?
Whatever it was, I messed up big time, and I’m going to clean it up. The Master isn’t going to get the Horn, even if it’s the last thing I did.
I walked noiselessly into the entrance of Zenbow which was shaped/carved like a cave. If you didn’t know the place, you could fall in without seeing the stony steps by the corner.
I took these steps, two and three at a time, taking light steps so as not to alert anyone of my pres£nce.
Harriet.
I should never have trusted her.
At first I was wary. What would she be doing in the forest during one of the rarest earthquakes, with the Master running amock? Why did she come here? What crazy bond do I have with her, that each time we mind talk it always ends up bad for me, and creates a pas-sage for the Master to come into my mind, to search for the Horn’s locale, and to torture me continuously?
I wanted to be angry with her, and I was. I wanted to hate her, and I did. I hated her for lying to me, for being the Master’s accomplice, for ma-king me break the oath I swore on my parents grave in the name of the Spirits.
But somewhere, de-ep inside, there was this feeling, that kept telling me she was telling the truth, and that I should trust her.
The wounds on her b©dy were evidence, but what if it was all a plan? Juliante was right when he said I shouldn’t go along with her. My mind is so messed up right now and I don’t know what to believe.
I should be focused on getting the Horn before the Master.
“Too late.”
My feet was alre-ady on the cave floor when I realized that I shouldn’t be distracted.
And that the voice that spoke wasn’t mine.
“Well well well Hornkeeper, ñíçê of you to join us. You’re just in time to see your beloved City perish.” Then he made an evil cackle.
The Master..
The Band of Evillings.
Rex.
They all stood in a semicircle around the rock pedestal where the Horn was placed, shinning in all its harmonic glory.
I was far away from the Horn. Even if I wanted to hurriedly gr-ab it, the Master, or any of them will beat me to it.
I had to think.
“It’s great to see you again, Ewan. And you’re looking good by the way. After the beatings last time, I expected you to look a little… rou-gh.”
They broke out into another fit of laughs, except Rex, who had an unre-adable look on his face.
“I’m not a weakling,” I said calmly. “And I’m not going to watch Amazon get destroyed. I’m going to st©p you.”
Another laugh.
“And how do you presume to do that? The Horn is here, an inch from my reach. And you’re….. waaaaay over there.”
He grinned evilly, showing those sharp canines that had pierced countless of women’s n£¢k skin svçkblood.
“And hey…how’s your girlfriend by the way? I’d have loved to thank her in person, but I haven’t seen her…so, my regards to her.”
I was right.
She pla-yed me.
I’ll think of that later.
Now, I’ll have to get the Horn.
I angled closer a bit.
“So what do you plan on doing with the Horn after you get it? b!ow it, break it?”
I alre-ady knew what he planned, but I nee-ded to keep him talking so as to get closer to the Horn.
“I was thinking more along the lines of destroying. Change the damned place into my kingdom. Get rid of anyone who goes against me. I WILL BE GOD!” he said it so loud that the cave shook, and the minions chattered in reverence.
Two more steps closer.
“The Amazonians will never worsh!pyou.” I said.
“Their loss. I’ll do it the ha-rd way. Who wouldn’t want to be p@rt of my great and glorious reign?”
By now I was within reach.
“Those who believe in Goodness!”
And with that, I lunged at the Horn, almost feeling it in my grasp, but it was frozen midair, unable to move an inch.
“Ñíçê try, Hornkeeper,” the Master said in an all serious tone with his hands stretched to me.
Black magic.
“But I’ve come too far to let you stand in the way of me and ultimate power. I might like your courage, but I like being a god more.”
He flung me away, and before I hit the wall, the minions jumped on me and bounded me up.
The Master reached for the Horn.
“No!” I yelled and struggled with all my might. “Don’t do it!”
He cackled.
“Oh I will. And I’ll make sure you’re there the see your beloved city crumble un-der my feet. And after that,” he shrugged like it was a little thing, “I’ll destroy you.”
I turned to look at Rex again. His eyes were lowered, and his expression still unre-adable.
“Rex tell him this is crazy,” I tried talking to him.
He lifted his gaze to me and fixed me with a look that said, “I wish I could.”
And from my position at the corner, heavily guarded by the Master’s minions, I watched as he lifted the Horn upward, and made sacred incantations.
Then, he joined the mouth of the Horn to something around his head, and with his eyes closed, he repeated the words.
Then we all watched in wonder as he grew bigger…. bigger….bigger…..until the cave roof broke above us to accommod@t£ his mas-sive size and strength.
His skin bec@m£ black, and scaly.
Horns on his back from his head to his tail, whose ti-p was a sharp arrow.
Powerful hind lim-bs and sharp claws.
Great bat like wings with paws at the elbow turned inwardly.
He roared, and the forked ton-gue and razor sharp teeth were visible.
And on it’s forehead, the golden Harmony Horn.
It was too late.
I failed.
I broke my promise.
Amazon was doomed.
Thanks Harriet.
___
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Ewan’s POV
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As the Master, that deceitful dragon fl@pped its mas-sive wings and took off leaving a cloud of dust and debris in his wake, I lowered my head, struggling weakly with the chains.
Then I felt a pres£nce and looked up to see Rex watching me, leaning on the pedestal.
“What do you want?” I asked with a frown.
He leaned against the pedestal and walked slowly towards me with that strange expression on his face that seemed like a cross between remorse, guilt and bad things.
I eyed him warily.
“You love her.”
I knew he was referring to Harriet, but What did he mean by that?
“Who?”
He chuckled.
“Don’t pl@ydumb with me, OK. You know of whom I speak.”
“I don’t. She betrayed me.”
“Hmm. So what of when she didn’t? Did you love her then?”
Why was he asking all these?
I thought about it.
Did I? I don’t think so. I’ve always known that she had something up her sleeves. I might have been attra-cted, yes.
But not in love.
I think.
“I didn’t,” I replied. But why am I even telling him these? Maybe because all hope is lost, and Amazon will be no more.
Or maybe because I just wanted to talk about it to someone?
I shook my head. I was wasting my time. He was stalling me, distracting me so that the dragon will have enough time to reduce Amazon to ash.
I struggled against the chains.
“It’s no use. Why do you still fight? You’re still holding on to that thre-ad of hope? When the Master said he’ll be taking you along to watch him destroy your city.”
“The Master doesn’t keep promises.”
He chuckled again, and stood with his hands at his back, staring into the distance as he recalled something.
“I wish she knew that. Maybe she wouldn’t have gone along with the Master’s deal.”
“What are you talking about? You keep speaking of love as if you know anything about it.”
Rex returned his gaze back to me.
“I’m not the emotionless monsters people think I am. Love is a feeling. People feel. I’m a person. I feel. I feel emotions. Sadness, hate, joy, dejection. Love.” He paused and sighed. “I loved her. Against every thing I was trained to believe, I somehow fell in love with her. And I didn’t know it. But when I did, I knew it was of no use. Harriet loved someb©dy else.”
The thought of another guy looking at Harriet out of the ordinary way got my blood boiling.
But worse, the thought that Harriet loved someb©dy else was shattering. Who was he? Was he someone from where she c@m£ from, her fancy and modern world? Did she ever think of him? Those k!sses we shared….
A familiar wave of feeling which I knew was jealousy but refused to acknowledge washed over me as I tried not to think of her imagining those k!sses with another guy.
It’ll break me.
Rex’s laugh broke my thought.
“You shouldn’t think that far, Ewan. You say that Harriet betrayed you.”
”She pried the Horn’s location from me just to rat it out to the Master! ” Each time I thought of how foolish I was to trust her, I always felt so angry. With her, myself. I don’t know why.
For trusting her?
“She didn’t.”
“Didn’t what?”
“Betray you. Ewan I’d think you of all people would believe her.” Rex spat, ad if he was disappointed in me.
“I made that mistake once.”
He squ-atted in front of me and gave me a punch on the face.
“Hey! What was that for!?” I yelled, rolling my chin to ease the pain.
“A wake up call. Harriet didn’t betray you. Do you know how much she went throu-gh in the Master’s hands? He beat her up Tortured her. Threatened her parents and everyone she holds dear. But she wouldn’t budge. Until he threatened to take your soul, your ess£nce of living. That’s what loos£ned her. She agreed to get the Horn, in exchange for your life!”
She did what!?
“The Master used her. He deceived her. You. Me. Were all pawns on the Master’s chessboard. He uses people at will, he calls the sh0ts. Because at the end, he’s always the winner. But will you let him?”
I stared off as Rex’s reasonable ramblings sank de-ep into my head.
I’m a monster.
A crazy sonofavillain.
How could I have not listened to her explanations!?
“God I’m terrible,” I muttered.
Just then, I felt a sharp and painful contract in my head, and I gro-an ed from the pain.
Harriet!!
I immediately began to struggle furiously with the chains that bound me.
“I have to go. I gotta leave this dammed place!”
“Hold still,” Rex said. He got out a sword from his sheath and with one swipe the chains c@m£ off.
I immediately jumped up.
“Thanks.”
“I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for Harriet, me, and my mother’s city.”
I was thinking; what the hell!?
But I nodded.
He I picked my sword from the pedestal, and together, we ran out, mounted horses and rode off.
I prayed for Harriet’s safety.
If anything happened to her…. if she died, I’ll never forgive myself.
I won’t even live to forgive myself because I can’t live without her.
I’ve just realized what had been ever since I met her:
That I love her.
She’s me, and I’m her.
“Hiya!” I kicked the horse to go fas-ter.
I love you, and I’m not letting you go.
To be continued