I quickly stood up from my seat. I ran towards the door. I descended the stairs and sprinted towards the outside. The cold night wind greeted me.
I panted heavily. I couldn’t control the shaking of my hands as I scanned the darkness outside. Where? Where did the gunshot come from?
“Azora!” It was Simmy. She ran down the stairs and stood next to me. “What chaos is happening? And how did you get out? You went back inside your room!” she exclaimed.
I glared at her, and she gasped in shock. Right. She wasn’t her usual self that night, so she seemed softer to me. But I didn’t have time for her tantrums.
I walked ahead, exiting through the main entrance. Before I could take another step, Simmy’s hand grabbed my arm.
“You can’t leave the mansion!” she insisted.
I shoved her hand away and glared at her again. “Don’t stop me!” I yelled at her.
Before she could say another word, I heard Anya’s desperate call. She was shouting my name as she hurried towards me.
I turned to face Anya as she stopped in front of me, gasping for air. “What happened?” I asked, frantic.
Tears streamed down her face as her whole body shook in terror. “M-Miss, it’s J-Japen…”
My eyes widened at the mention of his name. “Why? W-What happened to him?”
“Gunshot…” Anya gulped hard, tears running down both cheeks. She was struggling to catch her breath, clearly terrified.
“Anya,” I said, gripping both her shoulders with my cold and trembling hands. “W-What happened?”
“M-Miss…” She couldn’t continue, breaking down into sobs.
“Anya, speak to me! What happened to Japen?!” I yelled, shaking her by the shoulders.
She whimpered and cried harder. I let go of her and bit my nails. Sweat dripped down the side of my face to my cheek. My eyes scanned the vast night again as the cold wind chilled me. I panted heavily. My heart raced. I clutched my chest as my breathing grew labored.
“Anya. Where is Japen?” I asked her again, much calmer than before. My voice was steady, but inside, anxiety was tearing me apart.
Anya looked up at me, tears staining her face. “H-He’s on the side of the garden, Miss.”
Despite my trembling knees, I managed to take a step forward. Slowly, bit by bit. The wind blew harshly against me, almost knocking me onto the cold, dry grass.
“M-Miss!” Anya exclaimed, helping me to stand again.
Using my hand for support, I struggled to stand. I had to find Japen. I had to find him!
“W-We didn’t know, Miss…” Anya whispered, barely audible over the night’s silence. “We thought we could reach the gate, but suddenly there was a gunshot, and I realized Japen had fallen beside me. When I looked at him, he was bleeding.”
Any hope drained from my throat at her words. Had I miscalculated? Did I lead Japen into a trap? Did my mistake hurt him?
I glared into every corner of the yard. I knew eyes were watching us as Anya and I moved forward. They were Dad’s men, hidden in the darkness.
I should have known they would really shoot him!
My insides turned cold with sudden realization. If only I had let him stay…
I bit my lip hard. Dad was now aware of what had happened and that I had ventured outside. The moment I stepped out of that supposedly locked room, I challenged his authority. And he would do everything to punish whoever defied him.
I shuddered at the thought and glanced at Anya. She was still silently crying, her eyes cast down. I swallowed hard and looked away.
If I wanted her to be safe, she had to escape from this mansion too. But if she ran, Dad would chase her. I didn’t know how long Anya could evade him.
My fist clenched tightly as the wind gusted. I knew it!
Before, I worried Anya wouldn’t withstand Simmy’s dominance. But I never imagined we’d come to this point, where she’d endure Dad’s cruelty. I thought I could protect her from Simmy, so I didn’t hesitate to convince her to help me seek revenge. But now… now…
“I’m sorry,” I whispered to Anya. “You’re going through this because of me.”
She shook her head. “No, Miss. Serving you has brought me joy.”
I managed a slight smile as we entered a cluster of bushes, moving forward.
“You should escape too,” I said to her in a low voice. “Escape with Japen.”
Anya stopped walking and looked at me with wide eyes. “What are you saying, Miss?”
A bitter smile touched my lips. “You’ve helped me so much these past few days, Anya. I convinced you to work for me for selfish reasons. Now, I want you to be free. You’re no longer my servant.”
“M-Miss…”
I let go of her shoulder and walked ahead. She said Japen’s body was in the bushes. He must be nearby.
“M-Miss,” Anya called from behind.
My breath caught when I saw Japen’s body at the edge of the bushes. I ran towards him and knelt by his side.
“J-Japen,” I called, holding his cheeks. His eyes were closed. “Japen, wake up.” I shook him gently.
But there was no response. My heart raced wildly again. How could he be unconscious?
“He fell five minutes ago, Miss,” Anya said from a meter away, her voice trembling.
I glanced ahead and saw the massive gate not far from us.