Chapter 2

Anastasia's POV

            “There are a group of men asking about your whereabouts just yesterday, Ana,” said Uncle Teddy, a fish vendor who used to look out for me.

            “Of course I never said anything. You know that everyone in this village honors everyone’s bond, no?” he added.

            “Of course, Uncle Teddy. Thank you for that”

            For nineteen years, I have lived with my grandmother in this small village on the outskirts of the town. It was so small that every single inhabitant of this place knows each other by heart. We lived comfortably and peacefully with everyone’s support and given comfort. It surely would’ve been great to continue living here.

            As I was getting ready to get the fish I bought, Uncle Ben, another vendor, voiced out his thoughts.  

            “I suggest you make haste, Anastasia” he stated while continuing to arrange his vegetable stand. “No matter how much the people in this village would risk to hide you, with how small this place is? It would take no more than 3 days for them to rake this place and discover your whereabouts.”

            “I know, Uncle Ben. I guess…see you when I see you again?”

            The two of them looked at me sadly. Their eyes show that they wish for me to have a safe journey, however, it also shows quite a certainty that this will be the last time that they would see me. I know that face. It is certainly a frequent occurrence in this small village. I once saw it when I was in a stroll together with my grandma as we watch a girl being dragged by a large man, another time is when I first run on an errand with only myself as one small boy was being dragged by two men. With both occurrences, the faces of the villagers were of farewell and as if assuring them of their sharp wit, the people getting dragged indeed were not seen in the village anymore.

             People surely come and go in this place but for someone who makes sure to not get entangled in any situation or person that may cause me harm, no place is safer than this village – probably not anymore.  

             I was pulled back out of my daydreaming with Uncle Ben calling my attention.

             “Ana, I am afraid that those people are near. You must leave! Hurry!” He sternly stated as he urge me forward.

             I hurriedly, with no looking back, found myself a rather populated place and swiftly used it to get away from there. I may not be that knowledgeable about the world outside the village but if I am most confident in one thing, that would definitely be surviving.

             As I reached home, I simply took the bag I readied for cases like this as well as the savings that I shall use for living, changed my clothes then took off.

             I took a quick look at the maze-like streets in front of me and sighed with relief.

             “This village is truly designed to house people who have a lot of hiding to do ha?”

             I took the narrow street in the corner of a newspaper shop. This street is often used for the very purpose of my soon-to-be journey. I walked straight until I reached a dead end, or rather, what is supposed to be the dead end – a location I heard from the village kids. I searched the wall trying to look for some small embossed brick.

             “Found it,” I quietly mumbled as I saw a small brick embossed at the far right corner of the wall.

             I pushed the brick with gentle yet firm force and then uttered “Strong Password” – the supposed password of this street.

             “HAHAHAHA,” an annoying laugh could be heard as the wall slowly lifted.

             “I never even imagined that I would hear you say that, Ana,” gleefully said the man.

             “Stop being annoying, Fred.” I glared at the middle-aged man who continued snickering at me. “You and your sh*tty passwords really”

             “Well〜, that is what makes it unpredictable no?” He cheekily stated. “So? What can I do for you?”

             Fred is a notorious mechanic around this village. He is very knowledgeable and skilled in building and repairing different types of machines. This hidden space beyond the supposed wall is just one of his many famous works. I actually wonder why he is still settling in this small village when he definitely could’ve made it big in the city, not that I care much though.

             “I need a ride,” I answered.

             “Finally out of this village?” He looked at me briefly before guiding me deep within this secret passage.

             “Seems like it,” I simply answered. I do not wish to converse much with guys like Fred. He is actually a friendly fellow but he is not someone I can trust. No one knows his full name, his permanent whereabouts, his reason for staying, nor his real age. People like him are the most dangerous to play with in the game of trust.

             “With who is behind your chase, leaving would definitely be the best choice,” he mockingly blurted.