She questioned her.

Shaking her for a response.

Aya looked helpless as she looked at the sky, her hair bounced off hitting her back as the water from the rain flung around. The sound of Ussu's questions dampened as she listened to the sound of the rain droplets as they trickled down the rooftops.

She then heard Ussu's voices and Quine urge her back and forth for an answer, she looked to the side and saw Shassii unaware and saw the bright happy smile on her face. The tears that dressed her young face as well as Chainik who held tightly to Shassii's hands. The two kept faith in the ordeal.

"Guys we got to go, we got soldiers returning" yelled Kairui.

The atmosphere changed again as everyone felt grim inside.

"No, no, no we can't leave them. Chainik we'll get you out, don't worry" Shassii pleaded as she nodded her head to encourage her.

Chainik smiled and said "Shassii it's ok. You all did your best".

Shassii wiped her tears and swiped the pick from Sannu's hand and rushed to the lock. Trying desperately to pry it open.

The lock clicked as she panicked trying to free it.

"COME ON, COME ON, COME ON!!!" she cried out as she went into a near frenzy trying to force it open.

"It's,... it's okay shassii" Chainik whispered to her.

Shassii ignoring her kept picking the lock. Yannu saw but kept quiet, guilt and frustration plagued his mind.

"NOT one more, not one more... I won't lose anyone else not when I've found you all" she told herself.

Aya stared at them aimlessly and spoke softly to Ussu and Quine.

"Please respect and understand why. It's not that I don't want to, it's just, it's just".

"Your father" Quine responded with a smile.

Ussu let go of Aya defeated and looked at Quine.

"I can't stop you but ill take care of everyone here. Don't worry" Quine reassured Aya as she rubbed Ussu's hair.

Ussu's head fell and she was suddenly filled with sorrow and pain.

"Hmph, hmph"

"Don't cry Ussu, I love you all. I wish there was another way. Please if I don't make it be the sister, Shassii needs in my place. All of you please be her family...".

"She might.... no, She lost one already she might lose another".

They all huddled together. Yannu approached them, hesitating to interrupt the touching moment in front. Although dull in most instances his eyes met with Quine as he rubbed Ussu's back and even he could read the situation and guessed what was going on.

All their heads were leaned in. Aya looked up finally to greet Yannu.

"You leaving," Yannu asked.

Aya remained silent. Yannu came in and hugged the group.

"Take care of Ussu, Yannu. Marry her like you said you would," Aya let out in a broken voice.

"Tell him…." Quine chimed in as she laughed wiping her tears.

Ussu turned quickly latched onto Yannu and wept. Pouring in her heart out onto him.

"Come on let's go, the soldiers are coming. They might have more men with them" Yannu consoled the group.

"He's right... Happy faces everyone!!" Aya said suggestively with the brightest smile.

Ussu looked at her but felt deep pain. She was unsure of everything in these last few hours, first her parents and two now her friend who she thought would continue on with them. Aya's suicide mission didn't make sense but she tucked in fear and worry. All for Shassii' sake.

Quine looked at Aya surprised. In the face of death, she was brave and unfazed. Like she had accepted fate and was prepared to die. The two never saw eye to eye, Aya being welcoming and friendly and Quine being seen as the uptight parental figure but today she had set their rivalry aside. Now she wondered if her friend would make it, in all the odds. But she respected her decision.

Quine nodded to Aya patting her shoulder. They all rubbed their faces and prepared to take off.

Shassii was desperately clinging to the lock.

The lock kept clicking as it jammed.

"We've got to go," Kairui said in frustration.

"There's around twenty-five of them steamrolling there way here!!" Rachid yelled out as she stood up from the reins.

Sannu rushed back to the carriage.

"Am sorry, he said to the villagers" sorrowfully as he spun his head back around.

The villagers had given in to death and urged them to leave. Chasing them away. Even in their precarious condition they didn't want the youngins captured or tortured. The selfless act was almost admirable.

Yannu ran back to Shassii.

"Let me take over. Get to the carriage" he commanded.

Shassii refused and stood up firmly holding Chainik's hands. Yannu tried pushing her to the side so he could take control but she fought back adamantly.

Sannu man'd the reins and compelled the group to board and leave.

Kairui jumped in the wagon, made her way to the reins stood beside Sannu hanging off the side. She looked at Aya and saw a look of conviction. She nodded at her and called the others to leave.

Ussu and Quine took the initiative forcibly pulling Shassii away from the locks.

"Urrrrrrrr, Grrrrrrrr"

"Let me gooooooo!!! Nooo, we can't leave" Shassii cried out.

In the back, the unit was gaining closer and closer to them.

"We've got to go Shassii, we can't help them. They'll live and we'll come back for them" Quine replied.

Shassii held on tight to the bars.

"Shassii you have to go, you have to let me go. I'll be fine, I promise please.." Chainik advised tears rushing down her face.

"I can't, nooooo your.... one of ....my closest friends".

Chainik pleaded and pleaded Shassii to let go.

Aya saw the commotion and the soldiers drawing near.

She stole Quine's short sword turned it round to the hinge and hit Shassii on the head.

Shassii fell to the ground dazed out for an instant, her vision went blurry and she could hear voices screaming and shouting.

She found herself dragged onto the carriage. Shassii reached out and moaned "Sis, sis. Get on".

Aya looked at Shassii grabbed her face and kissed her forehead.

"Forgive me" she sorrowfully wept out as she disembarked.

"ARRHHHHHHH!!!"

Shassii flew into a frenzy, tugging and frolicking around but Quine and Ussu held her back firmly. Breaking free she rushed forward with Yannu blocking her.

Kairui anticipating it pulled the carriage doors up as Yannu embraced her holding her back.

"GO, GO, GO" Yannu ordered Sannu. The cart darted off with each second they distanced themselves from her. Shassii looked and saw Aya on the edge of the bridge staring at her before breaking off into tears yet again.

She lost her words as her lips mimed to her.

Aya read her lips and knew what she said. It was greater than, "Why?? Or No".

Shassii's words burrowed deep into Aya's soul.

The carriage was now away from Aya as it turned the corner.

Aya made her way to the cage where Chainik was and stared at her. Chainik looked helpless. The two finally spoke to each other.

"Why'd you stay?? You can't save us" a villager asked peering out the side of the bars.

Chainik wiped her tears once again and peeked back at Aya "Thank you Aya again. Thank you for stopping her from before and now. I know how much it must have hurt to do such a thing. But are you sure this is what you want to do?" she interrogated. Her hands-on the bars as she waited for an answer. Her head dropped down in silence as Aya remained Quiet for a moment.

Aya looked at the ground and then at her feet, then back at the slave cart.

"What happened to Jasi and the rest? Chainik".

Chainik shot back up. Looked at the soldiers in the distance and then took a second to compose herself before responding.

"They made it out. They'll be in the desert by now, soon on their way home".

"That's good".

"Tjja Tjja stayed though".

"What??".

"Yeah, she stayed. She said she wants to be an herbalist after all. She went to the capital with her brother. Don't worry". Aya sighed in relief.

"My fath…"

"He's safe for now. Hurry home and do what you need to do" Chainik reminded her.

Aya shrieked covering her mouth but felt happy. The grief that burrowed deep in her heart eased a bit.

The soldiers were now a minute away with them yelling and shouting out the bridge.

"I'll be honest. Aya, we'll be slaves. I won't downplay it... Your father won't!…. can't live like that. You know what am hinting to don't you".

Aya fired back with her fists clenched "I know but I can't abandon him" she expounded.

"Even if it's one day, just one day!! It's enough".

Chainik closed her eyes and blessed her.

"Śeingtt be with, but go now".

"Go, Aya, run! No sin bears on you for leaving us here. Save your father and live. Live free for us". "All of us". Those were Chainik's last words. They hit her more than they hit Aya. In her heart, she felt defeated.

Aya wailed "I never brought him the water today…. He might be dea….".

"Child, his not dead. I know you and your family. I'll never forget what you all did here. The soldiers never reached your house. But run now before they catch you please" an old woman spoke out.

Her body moved on its own. Her mind was still running through a thousand thoughts of what was to come but she knew she had to move now. Time was up.

Aya turned and saw the soldiers gaining momentum. She dashed to the edge of the bridge, looked back at the carriage, bowed to the elders, then scorned at the soldiers, and dived into the water.

A large splash of water flew up as her body descended down below.

Swimming deep, striking each wave of water. Stroke after stroke she kept up the pace.

The carriage prayed blessings upon her.