There is a saying that when one hits their all-time low, when there are no roads of survival left and they are in their bleakest hour, there is only one place they can move from that moment onwards, up. Such is the nature of those we call human, for it is that aspect of mankind that allows them to overcome calamity and sadness, and to keep trudging on, even when all hope is lost and they are at the end of their rope. In fact it is said, the fire burns the brightest just before it goes out. Those were some wise words once whispered to me by a wise friend.

I woke up again to the sound of rain and sensation of of water splashing on me. I groggily open my eyes seeing only blackness. At first I panicked, thinking I had gone blind or maybe already moved on to hell, but then I realised it was just the night sky. The water revitalised me to an extent, soothing my parched throat, while also irritating and reminding me about my broken left leg. Yes, it was broken. Yes it throbbed. Yes it hurt. A lot.

I decided to get moving. I had to move, even if I had to crawl. I was already quite close to one of my emergency stashes. I had kept an emergency stashe nearby as insurance, and now it may pay off. Being in my line of work does things to you that are unimaginable.

Somehow or other, I hadn't passed out yet from the blood loss or pain. My right leg resembled a red swollen sausage with all the blood splattered over it, but that was nothing compared to the pain from my left leg. Resilience is inbred to any orphan who survives the first twelve months of independence. In fact, even to just live through the first month by themselves requires willpower unimaginable to those who haven't gone through this studious style. However when one gains, one will also suffer. Most suffer from the emotional scars, like fear, anxiety, anger and even in extreme cases madness. What anchors them to this world also serves as nail struck into their hearts. To derive the strength to stand up again, they take energy generated from their emotions. There are the lucky few who cling onto hope and use that as their source of motivation, however they are a rare few. I have never seen one before. And I for one, confess that I get my energy from hatred. Hatred of my villages destruction. Though there is no fairness in life, just why, WHY?!- did it have to be my village. Revenge motivates me like no other and so my soul, just like many others are tainted by dark secrets.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

After what I assumed was a few hours, dawn broke. The castle was coming alive, and if I didn't get a hurry on, I would be caught. I had already managed to crawl into the bush twelve or so meters in. The pain from my legs had already numbed to a minor throb that I didn't feel anymore. I knew this was a bad sign, rather than a good one. I would soon hit a critical stage.

My eyesight suddenly grew dim. I squinted and willfully pushed at my eyelids, but they were already beginning to go numb and unresponsive. A black haze covered my vision, almost as if a cloth had been draped over my head. My brain was jarred by an intense wave. Looks like my perception has already been affected and I've misjudged myself. I desperately suppressed the urge to regurgitate as I felt the bile rising up from my empty stomach. The darkness continued to envelope me as even the rising sun looked dim. I felt my conscience slipping away from me just as I noticed a dim minute blurry figure approaching me. I'm dead for sure.