Chapter 6 The Escape

The two continued their journey to Adoran, unaware of the danger they soon be facing. It was almost morning but the ambience of the road they are taking was errie.

They knew something was wrong but they could not tell what is.

From a far they saw a town. Radley did not now what town it is nor have an idea that it exist. When they were about to pass by the town, sudden heat immerge out of nowhere. From the eerie and cold atmosphere to a scorching heat. The heat almost hurt their skin and make them thirsty. Even their horse felt the heat. It was reluctant to continue.

Radley does not have a good feeling about the town but when he saw Manara having difficulty continuing due to the sudden change of the weather, he decided to take a rest for a while inside that city. On the young man's mind, they might also find something useful on their way to Adoran.

Manara, on the other hand, was not also aware of the danger they will be facing. She also have this weird feeling that she cannot figure out. 

"Hey, do you want to get inside that city so we can take a rest for a while? The heat is too much." Radley pointed out the place and asked Manara who is also looking in the city.

"Yes, it was not a bad idea, I think. Beside, we are running out of food too. We might be able to get some from there." Manara answered.

The two went to the city. They notice that the horse seems reluctant to enter. When they arrived on the entrance, they saw busy people on the street. Crowded. Their horse always stumble into a thing or sometimes a person, which they both find weird. Because of this, they decided to tjust walk. Radley was holding the horse rope while walking in front of it. 

Manara was busy looking around. There is something on these people, but Manara cannot figure it out. All of a sudden, a lady greeted them with a wide smile on theface.

She has this innocent, twinking eyes. Reddish lips and shoulder length black shiny hair. She was wearing a beautiful blue dress with a white flower on the left waist part. The dress was knee length.

"Hi, you seem new here." she greeted with a soft voice.

Radley look at the lady with an eagle-eye. He seems doubtful on the ladie's intention.

Amara rolled her eyes to Radley. 

She walk near Radley and whispered.

"She was just trying to be nice. Do not be rude."

Radley looked at Manara and shake his head. This princess never really learned her lesson. Radly thought but did not voice it out as he doesnt want Manara to be offended. She is just naturally kind which sometimes lead her to danger. Radley slightly laugh at the tought.

"I am the daughter of the city council leader here." The lady continued. "May I know why you two lovely couple entered our city?

Manara nad Radley looked at each other. Radley just shrugged his shoulder, while Manara was thinking what to answer.

She decided to just use the excuse of Radley to his friend before, Gabrielle, who planned to kill her.

"We are a couple travelling to the north" Amara answered with a slight smile on her face.

"To Adoran?!" the lady shockingly said. A worried expression suddenly become visible to the beutiful face of the lady.

"But that is avery dangerous place." she continued.

"We are well aware of that." Radley said sarcastically.

Radley do not understand why he feel animosity towards this sweet lady. She seems nice and accomodating, however he feels that there is something wrong, not only to this one specific person but also to the people surrounding her, as well as the city itself. It gives him a feeling of unreal.

"Do you know a place where we can stay temporarily?" Radley heard Manara asked the lady.

"Oh I do know a place!" the lady suddenly change from worried to a delighted expression.

"Come folow me." she said and then smiled sweetly which made Radley rolled his eyes again.

MAnara looked at Radley with amusement. It is the first timehe see Radley making this face gestures and she find it funny and cute. 

"Stop it Manara!" She silently condemn herself. "You still do not kow if he is really a friend!Behave yourself!" she continued thinking. "But Radley helped me a lot! He also saved me twice!" 

The silent argument of Manara to herself made her shake her head.

"Is everything alright?" Radley said, interrupting Manara's silent battle to herself

"Uh..Ahh..yes..yes.." Manara exclaimed.

Radley looked at Manara with confuse eyes.

"I am okay, do ot worry." Manara explained further. Giving assurance to Radley.

"Well I am just making sure that I am not travelling with a crazy woman." Radley teased to Manara.

This time it was Manara who rolled her eyes. 

"Urgh!. I thought you were genuinely concern if I am well or not." Manara snob at Radley after saying those words.

"Well I am." Radley whispered thinking Manara will not hear what he said.

Manara's heart beat fast after hearing what Radley said. She was touched but kept it all byherself. She does not understand why she is feeling this way. However, she tried her best not to be emotional since she promised herself not to be same as before. She needs to be a new Manara. A princess who is strong and emotionless.

The two notice that they walk a little longer, meaning that the entrance of the city is far from them now. They suddenly stop on a wide, big tent. The lady told them to enter first.

When they entered, they see a castle-like interior. Manara suddenly become so emotional. She promise herself not to, but seeing the inside of the tent reminded her of her home. It is so much alike. From the people's clothes up to the placement of things. She was astound.

Radley on the other hand, havce a blank expression. He sense and confirmed that somethig is really wrong. Specially when he saw Manara's expression after seeing the inside.

The lady gestured them into a room.

"A room on a tent? It's impossible" Radley silently said.

Radley looked at Manara who seems not aware of the odd things around. She lookes like she is too occupied by the thought that the place was same like her city and castle.

Radley alerted himself when they entered the room. It was a copy of Manara's room! A very weird well copied room.

Radley looked at Manara with worried face.

Meanwhile, Manara was now in a very much shock state. A tear fell from her cheek but she wipe it quickly.  The room was her room on her town before. Same. It lookes like they just transferred here. The people outside wore the same clothes as my lady-in waiting. Manara was so confuse. In her mind she knows that it is too impossible to happen and that she also know that there is something wrong. 

Manara knows that they needed to get away from there, but her heart was wishing to stay there. She misses her home a lot. She decided to let her emotion win this time.

"Let's stay here for a while" Manara said to Radley.

"You mean for the night." Radley said, correcting Manara.

"Oh yes, I mean for the ight." Manara said in a soft sad voice.

"Well my lady, you can stay here for as long as you want. Even for a lifetime!" the lady said excitedly.

"Thank you." Manara replied.

The lady left them and the two inspected the place.

Manara suddenly went to Radley and whispered.

"Radley, there is osmething wrong in here!' She said trying not say it too loud.

Radley was shock that Manara notice all the strange things. He really thought she did not. 

"I though you did not notice. I am impressed." Radley said.

"Well, first of all Mr. do not underestimate me. Second, all the stuff and things here are weird."

Manara look around her. From the ceiling to the bed, the vases and window. The window!

She walk to the window and to her surprise she saw what exactly what she saw when she was in her room from the window of her castle. 

"Come, quickly!" Manara looked at Radley "Looked!"

Radley walk to the window, he stand on the other side of the window facing Manara. He looked outside as well.

"This is what exactly what I always saw outside my home!." Manara explained.  

She momentarily forget the weirdness of the place. Manara realizes that she miss her home.

The two were disturb by a sudden knock on the door. Then an old man opened the door.

"My lady, Sire, Dinner is ready.  Please follow me." The old man said without looking into their eyes.

Radley and Manara lookat each other. Then they followed the old man. 

Radley was still astound to the fact that this place was huge in the inside however, when you are outside, it just looks like a small tent. Manara was walking ahead, infront of Radley. She was looking at the old man's back. Soon they reach another room. 

When they entered, they saw a huge long twelve seater table. In the middle was a clear vase with only one red rose in it. Red as a blood. It was so beautiful yet scary. The room was huge as well but there is no single window in it. Only dark brown colored wall. 

The old man asked the two to have a sit and then he go outside again.  Radley and Manara sit at the end of the table, facing each other. A minute of silence has pass before they heard some footstep. Soon the door opened again. There were five maiden bringing trays of deliciously looking food. The two suddenly felt the hunger.

They watch the maidens setting up the table. The aroma of the freshly looking food was hard to resist.

"Forgive us for the delay, Sire, milady" one of the maiden said. "Hope you will enjoy the food." She added.

Manara look at the maiden and smied. "Thank you. We really appreciate it."

Radley cannot help himself but to ask the maiden where is the lady who help them and brought them in that place.

The maiden, even though they heard what Radley asked, did not answer. Instead they bow down and walk out of the room.

Manara and Radley again looked at each other with confusion. They were also hesitating if they'll eat however, the food was really difficult to resist.

"I have to investigate Manara." Radley said. "But we need to eat first. We need to have enerygy and proper rest." He added.

"I totally agree." Manara said.

The two ate peacefully. The food was amazing indeed. 

They decided to have a walk after eating. They are secretly investigating the odd things they observe on the place. 

Inside the mind of Manara, the place really looks like home, but she keep having the feeling of danger. Instead of feeling the warmth, she feels uneasy. There is a part of her saying that she only feels that because of what she have been through. 

When they reach the entrance Radley whispered to Manara.

"I will go outside the tent to check our horse." Radley told Manara.

Manara looked at the entrance, where a child pass by. Then she looked at Radley.

"Okay." she replied. "I will go back to the room." She added.

When Radley was about to walk out of the tent, Manara hold his arm and looked itensely to Radley who is now confusely looking at Manara's hand holding his arm.

"Please take care and come back safely" Manara said using her soft shy voice.

Radley then looked at Manara in the eyes. He was confused but did not ask anything.

"I will. Be safe too and just stay inside the room." Radley replied.

Manara started walking. As she walk through the alley, she notices the child from the entrance again. The child was walking fast continuesly and endlessly which is weird, considering that the child has a little body.

Does he not get tired? Manara ask herself with confusion.

She continued walking till she pass a narrow staircase going down. She did not notice this yesterday.

Manara got curious and finds herself taking the steps down. She make sure no one is following her. Then she turn left again. There she found a door. It is a little dark there but Manara can still clearly see. She feels that it is somehow forbidden to enter that room, however, due to her curiosity, she slowly open the door. There are web everywhere, proof that no one has been there for a long time. 

Manara felt the coldness inside the room. 

Upon entering, Manara continued walking and was shock when the door automatically close as if someoe slammed it. She immediately run to the door to open it but it was locked. Setting aside her fear, she continued walking until she felt like she was not stepping on the floor anymore.

She look down and to her horror, she was floating in the air, beneath her were dead bodies. Blood everywher. The scene was very familliar to her. She close her eyes and wanted to scream. She bent down and felt like she cannot breath.

And then there was darkness...