Ava

1 - A Deadly Encounter

That morning, Ava swallowed for the twentieth time or even more as she might have lost her count. Dawn came so fast, like death, slowly turning the darkness into day. She then cursed inside her head. Her mouth was so dry that her tongue felt like the sand in the driest desert. Or if not, then it felt like cotton, goring to the top of her dehydrated mouth. Her lips were now withered to crinkled versions of what they should be. The corners of her mouth ache when she made a swallowing yawn, the skin around it made less flexible by dryness. Even so, the thirst on her throat remained. Whatever happened last night has taken every ounce of fluid her body could spare.

Remembering that the sun had started to rise, Ava shifted from the place where she’s hiding. She’s currently inside a small and empty barrel. It’s old and smelly and broken. Nevertheless, it still saved her life. And given the holes, she was able to see the sky and her surroundings.

Are they gone? She thought as her heart raced.

Her hand instinctively found its way to the pendant hanging around her neck.

They must have gone already. She thought, answering her own query. AND so she finally decided to come out, careful not to make a sound. Looking around, the winter sun surely has brought out the purity of the heaven-given snow, like it was an empty page alluring the feet to play and the soul to laugh. But, alas, she wasn’t born for that experience. Ever since she woke up that day, she knew she had to strive to live and survive. And there was no time to play, no time for laughter and no time to dwell in those thoughts. All she knew is that, she should live, no matter what.

The cold weather wasn’t of any help as it made her mouth drier when she hurriedly moved her way towards the forest, hoping that no one would notice her. She ran as fast as she could while making sure that no shadows are following her. She ran like there’s no tomorrow.

It’s the early months of winter and frost, the cold wind seeped through her clothing which made her shudder. Reaching a deeper part of the forest, she immediately hid behind a huge tree and sat out of exhaustion. Panting, her eyes fell on the snow she’s currently seated on. She swallowed once more before finally grabbing a handful of snow, devouring it like her life depended on it. Sure it wasn’t water, but it will be as soon as it melts inside her mouth. Sure it wasn't food, but somehow it will make her feel full for the time being. The heavens knew how much she hated the cold, the winter and the snow. But if it quenches her thirst and fills her hunger, it doesn’t matter anymore.

After getting satisfied with her snow meal, Ava laid flatly on the ground. She knew it was really a mistake to go with Eli last night. However, what he planned seemed promising. But then his plan failed and they were caught. She closed her eyes firmly, blinking several times, wanting to cry.

Even my tears have gone dry. Just like my hope. She thought sadly, covering her eyes with the back of her arm, she sniffed.

“Swoosh!”

Blood. Bright red color automatically splashed across the white snow. And behind the splash of blood stood the Peace Keepers, holding their blazing sharp swords in their hands. They just stared coldly at their slain enemies, the ones they had slaughtered a few minutes back. No emotion could be sensed from their pale and blank eyes. Silence enveloped the whole place as if the sounds of bones and flesh being chopped apart weren’t just heard earlier in the very same place. Ironic how they were called the “Peace Keepers” while all they do is kill innocent people’s lives and spread lies and hypocrisy.

Ava’s eyes were wide open but she kept her mouth shut. She didn’t even breathe for minutes, something she’d practiced over and over again whenever she encounters the Peace Keepers, not wanting them to find her too. She knows her place and having to fight twenty of them would be the death of her. And so she watched how they moved her all of her friends’ body parts over to a cart, stacking them like trash. Then with a chant, they collected all the blood that splashed across the snow into a huge bottle, making it seemed like nothing devastating ever happened to that particular place. Looking at the sight of her friends’ remains, Ava can’t help but feel the pain of their lost.

I will make sure to honor your deaths. Be at peace. She thought while looking at the cart being dragged away.

Ava then straightened her body slightly and that was the only time she breathes out. She didn’t even realize that she was holding her breath while recalling the event last night. She must get out of there as soon as she can. Ava stood up and sighed. She tilted her head and blinked her pain away. Her boots then carefully stepped on top of the soft snow, allowing it to be buried upon carrying her weight. Moving as fast as she could, she then accidentally tripped and she used her hand to grab the branch of a tree nearby. Ava sighed in relief as she managed to stop her fall but her eyes widen when she saw a drop of her flaming blood in the snow. Her eyes immediately darted on her hand and saw a cut on it caused by the branch she used to support herself.

Damn it! She cursed inwardly before quenching the flame and covering it with a pile of snow. Then she took out her handkerchief and tied it around the cut ever so tightly. Looking around, she raised her dagger all of a sudden.

Her blood has a very strong and distinct smell which will reach the Peace Keepers who are up to a mile away. Not noticing any shadow yet, she hurriedly run once more, going deeper into the forest. After a few minutes, she felt eyes watching her. She’s seeing shadows everywhere but she kept running. In a distance, she saw a cliff and so she hurriedly ran towards it.

Please. Let me escape. I can’t die. I have to live. She thought whilst running for her life.

The Peace Keepers are now everywhere. She can hear them laughing and murmuring things. Their whispers crowded her ears.

“Stop running, woman. I’m sure the master will be very happy to take you in.” One of them said as he appeared right in front of Ava, causing her to bump into him and fall over to the ground.

Standing up right away, Ava made her stance and readied her dagger. She was counting them and her heart raced all the more as their number grows higher, increasing as minutes passed by.

“Don’t kill her. The master needs her alive or else her flaming blood will be useless.” Another one of them declared.

Ava looked at them, her eyes were full of disdain. To them, she was just an ant struggling for survival, one who did not even qualify to fight with powerful beings like themselves. And so one of the Peace Keepers went to grab her hand but she ducked to her side and used her dagger to slash the side of the Peace Keeper. Then he laughed.

“A small cut won’t kill me.” He said afterwards.

“Really?” Ava dared as she smirked when the cut on his side began to smoke. “We’ll see about that. Fool.”

And just like how she knew, the smoke started to melt him like an acid as he let out a painful howl.

You deserve it. She thought as he completely melted and vanished through thin air.

“Don’t make this any harder for any of us, woman. You know too well that we’re too many for your dagger to kill.” Another one said, looking a bit bored. “Let’s just go, shall we?”

“Over my dead body.” Ava declared before she heard another batch of laughter.

“Don’t ever think that just because you killed one of us then you can kill all of us.” Another one said as they all began to walk towards her. They started to crowd around her.

“Let’s go, woman. You’ll be in good hands.” A Peace Keeper said.

Ava knew that they were right. Even if she fights and kill some of them, she would still end up being caught by them. And so she did what she thought is right. If she’d end up getting caught, then better be dead than having their master use her flaming blood for his evil deeds.

“Step back!” She blatantly declared before putting the dagger on the side of her neck, threatening to kill herself.

“That’s not a good idea.” The biggest of the Peace Keepers commented.

“I’d die after my blood has been drained anyway. So why not now.” Ava answered and gave him a smirk.

“Fiesty.” He replied and made an evil laugh.

“I know too well that all of you haven’t brought your master a flaming blood for many months’ now. How do you think would he react when he finds out that you found a living Zmeu with a flaming blood but was not able to retrieve her alive?” Ava boldly said which made almost all of them to halt.

“That’s why we’re talking nicely so we can safely offer you to our master.” Another one responded.

“Let me go now and you will still get the chance to hunt me next time.” She bravely presented as she looked around, mastering all her courage and bringing it all out. “Or take one more step and I will slit my throat, waste my precious blood, and you all end up punished for failing to retrieve me.”

Ava heard murmurings as the Peace Keepers discussed among themselves while others stared at her coldly with their blank eyes.

“Stay back.” She said once more as she began to move. The crowd of Peace Keepers began moving away as she continued to step back. Slowly, she took many more steps before finally feeling a gush of cold wind from the open space. Now, she’s standing at the edge of the cliff.

Behind her was an open space that one could not even see the end of it. The snow was falling heavily at the light of the day and that part down below was covered with fog. In front of her was the besiege of stupid Peace Keepers. However, Ava’s face showed no trace of fear or awe. She just stood there, firmly holding on the dagger placed at the side of her own neck.

Now, falling down is her only way to escape and she knew if she did she’s taking a risk and a minimal chance to survive the fall. But then for her life, ever since that day, a lot of people were murdered. All of them saying her life is precious and that she should live. Even Eli that night sacrificed his life for her. What a waste for all their lives if she dies today.

Ava closed her eyes slowly. Looking back through her life, she recalled countless things and circumstances. Never once she remembered living peacefully, never once did she have a deep sleep in a peaceful night, and never once did she have what they call a family. All she remembers was a life full of constant running, and hiding and sneaking, stealing food, struggling to make the ends meet and surviving. Yes, she made friends but all of the people who loved her had already passed away. Now she thinks that all of them are wrong for considering this so called ‘life’ as something precious, when all it caused her is the pain of losing. However, a promise is a promise. And she promised to live. With her enemy in front of her, she would not allow them to get what they wanted.

I’m sorry to break my promise. She thought as she made her decision. If I fail to live after today, forgive me.

Then she took another step back, and before she could even step further, there was a sudden explosion right in front of her.

BOOM!

***