Chapter 2: Adellah Akello Ashborn

We kept running deep into the forest to lose our trail, mother magic is almost out if we have a frontal confrontation with anyone now we will be severely mismatched. My legs are starting to hurt from all the running and the snow is too deep to run fast. "We should find a place to hide mother, they might catch up to us". "We are near our safe house Edwin, just a couple more minutes and we will be there. We can use the flu network from there and go to your uncles' place". This gave me some hope that we can get out of this alive, my uncle stays overseas and recently got married. We can travel to his place and they won't be able to find us there.

A sudden rustling brought me back to my senses, I looked and saw that mom also heard the sound. She quickly used 'notice me not charm' on both of us. We hid behind a tree just in case something happens and observed the situation. Six men on brooms were flying just a few meters from us. I prayed that they leave this place soon. Mother was anxious, I could see the look in her eyes, she was keeping her calm for my sake. She was muttering something about the order betraying us. Seems like my prays were answered and the six men quickly left in a different direction from where we are supposed to go.

The charm has started to were off, we still have ways to go before we reach the safe house. Mom's condition is bad, she couldn't recover from the explosion and had to travel for a long time. " Mom we should stop somewhere and rest. We can start once we have recovered our stamina". I requested her to rest in a place for some time but she wouldn't listen to me. Her magic power has run out we won't be able to hide the next time they come. Her wounds are opening ever so slightly. I can see her clothes slightly getting drenched in blood. I was also bleeding from my left leg, it seems it got wounded during the explosion.

We are going to be safe, we are going to make it, we are going to be safe, we are going to make it..... I told myself every time my leg hurt or we were in a predicament. I just wish whoever is up there to look after my mom and keep her safe. I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to her.

It's dark, I can hardly see anything. It's getting more difficult to move, I am slowly losing the feeling in my leg. I am facing difficulties just to keep my consciousness, but the sound of brooms flying nearby made my senses razor sharp. We could hear people getting our way on their brooms. Mom swiftly picked me up and ran at a fast pace in the opposite direction. The cloaked men seemed to have been alerted of our presence as they changed direction and started to follow us. Mom ran as fast as she could enchanting her body, but suddenly she stopped. I was startled at the abrupt halt and looked backed to see we were in front of a cliff. I have lost all hope of survival at this point, all I wish is for my mom to be safe somehow. I know it's wishful and childish thinking but I still want her to survive.

She put me down and faced the incoming foes, she had regret and sadness in her eyes. I just wished I could help in some way, I felt pathetic, weak miserable. Mom suddenly grabbed me and put a chain on my neck. "I love you, Edwin. Both I and your father love you from the bottom of our hearts. We are so proud to have a son like you". "Mom why are you saying things like that, we are going to get out of this alive". "Remember Edwin, we are an ancient noble family, we put friend above foe, pride above surrender, and love above hate. Do not forget what I told you today. I and your father will always be looking after you... I am sorry Edwin". Right after she said that she threw me from the cliff. "Moooom, noooo...". The last thing I heard was the sounds of a fight before I drifted off to sleep on this cold snowy night.

I blinked a few times before I could properly open my eyes. It looked like I was in a hospital, I tried to move but my body won't even listen to me. I could hear bits of conversation of people conversing a bit away from my bed. I tried to call the nurse, or whoever was near me at that time. A woman wearing a white uniform with red sleeves and nursing cap came to me. " It seems you have woken up, took your time lad. My name is Devyn, how are ya feeling. Any pain or headache that I should know about?". I tried to speak but all that came out of my mouth were weak squeaky sounds. Ignoring the weak sound that I was letting out, I asked her the question that I wanted to ask her. "Mum.....where..she?". The expression she showed told me everything, she had sadness and grief in her eyes. I started crying even before she could answer me. She quickly came towards me and hugged me in. It was like she could feel the pain and suffering I was going through. " There, there lad cry yar heart out. You did great, there was nothing you could have done to stop it. Your parents wouldn't want their brave son to cry now, would they?". I tried to compose myself after hearing madam Devyn.

"Your uncle is here, they came a few days ago. He went to talk to the officials, he should be here soon". Hearing 'few days ago' made me question how long I was asleep. Seeing the look on my face she answered that I was asleep for four days. " You are lucky they brought you on time, you had severe injuries. You have few cuts that are going to leave mark on your body, your left leg is severely damaged. You are going to have trouble running or doing heavy stuff". That answered most of my questions except for the important ones. She told me to rest with a stern but warmth in her eyes and left me to myself.

I was crying in pain, agony over the loss of my parents. I felt pathetic and weak that I couldn't do anything to keep them safe when I suddenly felt a presence beside me. I looked in that direction and saw my aunt, Adellah. She is a beautiful woman, she has long dark hair and crystal green eyes, her face has soft features and a mole under her left eye.

I lost all restraint after I saw her, I couldn't stop crying, she embraced me but didn't say anything. I kept on crying for long time until I finally fell asleep in her arms. I opened my eyes and saw the clear white sealing of the hospital. I looked around and saw my aunt was sitting beside my bed. She looked at me with love and care overflowing her eyes and asked, "How are you feeling Edwin. Does you body hurt, do you have a headache, are you hungry...?". I almost forgot that my aunt was a huge worrywart. She barraged me with questions with a look of concern in her eyes. " Honey stop, you are scaring Edwin". I saw my uncle come towards us while holding a bag, which I think is filled with fruits. My uncle was just as beautiful as my aunt, he had his hair groomed that suited his face. He had chestnut coloured hair with striking blue eyes, he looked at me and I could see a hint of sadness in his eyes. "No, love I am not scaring Eddy. I am just asking to see if he's alright. You are not scared Eddy, right?". I nodded my head and she gave a 'told you ' look to my uncle. " I think we have bothered you long enough, you should get some sleep, Edwin. We have a lot to talk about so get some sleep". He left while pulling aunt with him, who was reluctant to leave, but gave in after she thought I needed to rest. I drifted off to sleep thinking about what I could have done to save them, are they happy up there. With all this train of thoughts, I slowly drifted off to sleep.