Chapter 1: The Price of Fear
In the impoverished and devastated country of Nadira, war had left deep scars. Ayana, a beautiful 15-year-old girl, was in a tense family meeting with her father, mother, and older brother, Adi. Their survival depended on a bold plan.
“Adi and I will take care of the eastern part,” her father said firmly. “Your mother will stay at home to protect the house in case the enemy army reaches here. Ayana, your task is to go to the center of the country and look for food or any resources to survive. That is the plan.”
Ayana’s heart raced. She frowned, concern evident in her eyes. “Father, isn’t the eastern part the most dominated by the enemies? How can you and Adi go there alone? Are you crazy?”
“Trust your brother and me, daughter,” her father replied, trying to convey confidence. Ayana took a deep breath, trying to contain the fear that tightened her chest.
“So, you both promise me that you won’t die,” she asked, her voice trembling and her eyes teary.
Her father approached and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Daughter, I would never leave you alone. Who else would give you advice about life and support your dreams?” he said softly, but with deep emotion.
Adi leaned over and ruffled Ayana’s hair with a sad smile. “And who else would defend you when times get tough?” he added. “We promise not to die,” they said together, trying to comfort her.
Ayana’s mother held her hands, looking deeply into her eyes. “Don’t worry, daughter. They are strong and smart. They know how important their lives are to us,” her mother said, her soft voice trying to mask her anxiety.
Ayana felt a slight surge of security with her mother’s words, but the fear was still present. She picked up a pocket knife, feeling the cold metal in her trembling hands. The family hugged each other, their embrace filled with fear and hope.
“We can't waste time. Let's get started!” her father said with determination. The riskiest plan of their lives was about to begin. Each one set out to fulfill their mission, knowing the fate of their lives was at stake.
Before leaving, Ayana took one last look around the house. Every corner, every object held a memory, a story. She felt a deep pain in her chest at the thought that she might never return.
“Goodbye, home,” Ayana murmured, her voice choked. “Thank you for sheltering our joys and sorrows. Please protect my mother while we are away.”
Ayana walked towards the central city, Valdara. Each step was heavy with the responsibility she carried. She knew Valdara had been devastated a week ago. Once one of the richest cities in Nadira, it was now a crucial target for the invaders from Vorynia. Most enemy soldiers were concentrated in the east, trying to hold onto the conquered territories. This made the chances of encountering enemies in Valdara almost nil. Even so, Ayana never let her guard down. She walked with extra attention, carefully analyzing every sound and shadow. The wind carried the smell of smoke and destruction, constantly reminding her of the danger that surrounded her. The path was littered with rubble and reminders of what the central city had once been.
Once-bustling streets were now deserted. Destroyed buildings created a sad and desolate landscape. Ayana felt the weight of the silence, knowing that at any moment she could encounter an enemy or unexpected danger. Her determination pushed her forward, aware that her family's survival depended on her courage and perseverance.
She searched the entire city carefully. Ayana spent four hours looking for supplies but found only three items: a pistol, five bullets, and an old bandage. With a heavy heart and feeling useless, she began the journey back home.
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The exhaustive search and the lack of food weighed heavily on her. Her hunger grew more acute, and thoughts of Adi, her father, and her mother worried her even more. She quickened her pace, anxious to return.
When Ayana arrived home, she felt a momentary relief upon seeing that nothing seemed to have happened. However, something was clearly wrong. Her mother appeared visibly shaken. The sight of the table full of meat caught Ayana’s attention, as she was desperately hungry.
“Mommy, where did you find so much meat?” Ayana asked, surprised and relieved at the same time as she helped herself. Her mother turned slowly, her expression somber, and her eyes red from crying.
“Just eat the meat, dear. This is no time for questions,” her mother said, her voice heavy with an immense weight. Ayana noticed the sudden change in her mother’s behavior and, after satisfying her hunger, asked the question that had been on her mind.
“Mommy, where are Adi and Daddy?” she asked, her voice trembling with growing fear.
Her mother’s eyes filled with tears. She hesitated, looking down at the table as if searching for courage. “Daughter…” her mother began, her voice breaking. “They… They’re not here anymore.”
These words hit Ayana like a ton of bricks. Her heart seemed to shatter with each passing second. “What are you saying?” she tried to understand, her voice barely audible. “Where are they?”
Her mother fought back tears and finally, with palpable desperation, revealed the truth. “Daughter, they… They got the meat for you. Your father and your brother… they sacrificed themselves to bring it to you.”
The pain in Ayana’s eyes was evident, and the weight of her mother’s words hit her like a physical blow. Shock overtook her as tears welled up, and memories of her family flashed before her. “No, it can’t be true!” Ayana cried out, her voice trembling. “They promised they would never die. They said they would come back for me!” Her mother sobbed uncontrollably, making the scene increasingly unbearable.
“A soldier—an acquaintance of theirs—came here with the news and this... flesh,” her mother stuttered, breaking down. “Mother, this flesh isn’t…” Ayana started to protest, but was cut off by her mother’s devastating reply. “Yes, Ayana. The flesh is from your brother and father.”
The revelation hit Ayana with such force that it felt like her world was collapsing. Her face went blank, her eyes wide with horror, and she crumpled to the floor, overwhelmed by the crushing weight of the truth. When she regained consciousness, she found herself hiding in the closet. Disoriented, she tried to piece together how she had ended up there. As she slowly opened the closet door, she saw a foreign soldier standing in the room and her mother lying lifeless on the floor.
“MOMMY!” Ayana’s scream echoed through the house, filled with deep terror and crushing sadness.
Before Ayana could process what had just happened, the soldier stared at her intently. Their eyes met. A tense silence followed, filled with uncertainty and fear about what might come next. With a cold, merciless expression, the soldier aimed his gun at Ayana's head.
“Take off your clothes,” he ordered, his voice emotionless and detached. The command was brutal and degrading, sending a wave of shock and helplessness through Ayana. Disbelief and despair were evident in her gaze.
“What is this?” Ayana asked, her voice trembling with incredulity.
“It’s my job,” the soldier replied, a slight blush creeping onto his face. “The boss wants me to take pictures of the most beautiful girls in the enemy country. They’ll become your slaves.”
Ayana knew she had to act fast. She began to undress, hoping her beauty might distract him. Simultaneously, she stayed alert, observing his every move. As the soldier became distracted, Ayana saw her chance.
“Why just take pictures? Don’t you want something more... interesting? Come closer,” she said, trying to lure him in.
The soldier, momentarily thrown off by the provocation, approached, lowering his guard. Ayana's heart raced. In a swift, agile move, she kicked the soldier’s hand, sending the gun flying toward her. She grabbed it and fired without hesitation, the bullet hitting the soldier. He collapsed, but Ayana didn’t stop there.
She continued to shoot, the gunfire reverberating through the house. Each shot was a burst of pain and anger, a violent reminder of her loss. The soldier was struck by 37 bullets, his body left in a scene of relentless destruction.
Breathing heavily, Ayana felt the weight of her emotions and the profound loss that still lingered in her heart. With the immediate threat gone, she stood up, resolved to face the ruthless world alone. She prepared for a new phase in Nadira, bearing the burden of loss but also the strength and courage to continue. The meager food she had found was a small “blessing” amidst the chaos. The real struggle was just beginning.