Chapter 50: Life line…

Mara's feet crunched against the dried leaves as she raced through the darkened path towards the village. Tears blurred her vision, a mix of fear and desperate pity clouding her eyes. Her head swiveled frantically from side to side, searching for any sign of help in the oppressive darkness.

"Why?" she gasped between ragged breaths. "Why is no one out here when I need help so badly?"

Her voice rose in pitch as panic set in. "Please, someone! Anyone! Zafron needs help!"

The weight of time pressed down on her. Every second that passed was another moment Gustavo could be hurting Zafron. The thought spurred her on, even as her lungs burned for air.

"Where is everyone?" she cried out to the empty night.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps behind her cut through her desperate pleas. Mara's heart leapt into her throat as she spun around, her eyes widening in terror as she recognized Gustavo's menacing figure racing towards her.