Flashback

A YEAR AGO

I opened my eyes and saw the clear blue sky...Oh no! I fell asleep... I quickly pulled up my body from the hard rock and looked around me. I should be more careful. I place my hands on the pocket knife, checking whether it's still there. I am not sure if this is enough to protect myself from any danger. I sighed and stared at the sky.

I was the only survivor of my family, my entire home town was destroyed in the war. It's not a happy thing to survive from a mass destruction, it's never good. The thought of you being the only survivor, will make it so hard for you to live. You will come to a point where you think about why you survived. It is the worst feeling ever! I've been on the run for a month, wandering all alone in woods and rocks. Not knowing why I am still alive. I've lost everything and I need not live for anything anymore, but I am too scared to die.

It took me a month to reach this country, but finally I made it. My Countrymen said that it would be peaceful here, as long as they don't find out I am a refugee. I have always lived my life in a place called my home, but now I have become a nomad. I have to live my life hiding and running though I only have myself. I wish I could have saved my family. My eyes started to tear up, but I quickly wiped it away. I need to pull myself together, I need to stay alive for my family.

I got up and walked towards the river for some water. I knelt down to the ground and placed my hands in the water to let my skin feel the cold refreshing water. I had never seen such clear water before, so beautiful. Everything in here seemed so wealthy and totally opposite to my country, it's like a paradise here! The beauty of this country made me miss my hometown...everything here seemed perfectly flawless that it made me crave for flaws...I put my face close to the river and took little sips of water. Wow! I never knew water tastes this good! I splashed some on my face. It was what I needed, maybe this life isn't that bad.

Solitude...sometimes we need it, to really feel our existence in life, in this world as it is. To feel the flow of time... I had to accept it...I'd never get back my old life...This had now become my life, my new life. Solitude was all I had. The sky has become my new friend, it is so soothing because it will be there for me forever. No matter what happens, when I turn my face you will always be there for me right there and you'd never leave. I sat down on the rock, as I stared at the sky. You ease my solitude!

As I closed my eyes to listen to the sound of nature, I heard something. It sounded like footsteps. I slowly placed my hands inside the pocket gripping the knife as my heart started to beat like a drum. I waited for the footsteps to come closer.

Then I heard a voice, "Are you lost, young lady?"

I pulled out the knife and I swiftly turned around to point the knife at the man who asked the question.

"Don't come closer to me, I will stab you!", I shouted at him.

For a moment I lost my focus as I saw the handsome man looking at me. He..He looked like some Royal Person. He stood still for a second, then started to walk closer to me while his eyes were fixed on me.

"I...I...I said stay back!", I yelled again at him as my heart was racing out in fear.

He had a sword. He could easily hurt me. He was so calm and he didn't hesitate for a second even though I was pointing my knife at him. I was in trouble. He suddenly grabbed me and held me in his grip, I lost the hold of my knife and it fell making a noise in the silent surrounding.

"Was that all you got? I expected a little bit more", he whispered as I was clamped in his arms.

"Just don't hurt me". But he put the sword close to my neck.

My inner voice screaming, He's gonna kill me....He's going to slit my throat...all the hardships I had to go through to survive the war...to reach this place...it was all for nothing.

"Just do it fast", I said and I closed my eyes.

He chuckled, "Giving up so easily huh? You must really resent your life".

I slowly opened my eyes. "It's not like I have a choice, you overpowered me".

He loosened his grip and turned me around,facing me..."It's not like your legs were tied, you know you could use them too", He said and he put down his sword.

What? Is he not going to kill me?

"I appreciate the advice, but did you really have to pull the sword on me to prove a point?", I said as I slowly pulled away from him. I looked at him...somehow I couldn't look away...what a gorgeous man!

He laughed, "I was a little stunned...why would someone feel so threatened, it's not like we are in a war or something...". His eyes constantly looked into mine.

"I can only come to one conclusion...you're not from here, are you? Which means you have entered a forbidden territory.", he concluded.

Oh no!"You've got it all wrong! Of course I am from here. I just got lost in the woods and felt scared.", I lied.

"Don't worry your secret's safe with me. Just another piece of advice, stop attacking strangers with knives, it's only making you look more suspicious. Pretend like you're one of us and you will be safe.", he advised and turned around, walking away.

Even though he gave some useful tips, for some reason I couldn't trust the handsome dreamy guy.

I started walking behind him and voiced, "Hey, wait! Stranger!".

He stopped and turned around to listen to me.

"I find it difficult to understand. why a wealthy looking guy like you wandering in woods like this? I mean ...just looking at you makes me wonder. Do you work for the monarchy? Are you from the higher ups?" I shoot out all my questions at once.

He chuckled as his eyes were still staring at me. I could see some kind of arrogance in his expression...he definitely didn't look like just a resident.

"That's a lot of curiosity. But whoever I am, is none of your business!", he replied with grit.

"Now you know about my secret. If by any chance you really do have a connection with the monarchy, then I am in serious trouble.", I blurted.

He started to walk closer to me, why are his eyes keep looking at me like that? I feel intimidated by him!

He stopped just right in front of me, he stood so close to me."You see, just like you, I'm also on the run, that's why I am here", he replied.

My eyes widened. "Does that mean you're also a refugee? Are you not from here?"

"No, I am not running away from my country. I am running away from my family", he said.

I frowned as I looked at him. "Your family? You know once you lose them you start to realize how much they mean to you...so my advice is just go back and solve whatever the problem is", I said with concern.

He smiled and walked back, "No thank you, I don't take advice from strangers. And besides it's not something that can be solved, you won't get it".

I again started to walk after him. "Then enlighten me..."

"You must be very lonely ....I am sorry young lady, but I must go now", he abruptly cut the conversation and left.

I stopped walking and looked at him as he slowly disappeared. Why did he give me a strange feeling?

It almost felt comforting...Maybe it was because it meant I wasn't alone in the woods....

It still seemed strange...he didn't seem ordinary to me...

Well I guess this place is full of wealthy people...no wonder it's known for being a paradise...

It was always a dream for me to come here one day to meet the great royal family who rules this kingdom. But, I never imagined that I would end up here like this...Losing everything and everyone.

I sighed and took my knife which was on the ground. I guess he was right. Living in fear like this will only bring me danger, I should pretend like I belong here.

I wonder if I will meet that handsome guy ever again...