Chapter 22

Chapter 23 – The Door to the Past

Ariana’s footsteps echoed through the thickening trees. The air around her felt damp and cold, as if it carried secrets buried long ago. Beside her, Richard walked with steady steps, as if he knew every path in this forest by heart.

She pulled her jacket tighter, her eyes scanning the surroundings with caution. Her mind kept questioning where Richard was taking her.

"You still haven’t answered my question," Ariana finally spoke, her voice sharp. "Who are we meeting?"

Richard glanced at her briefly before continuing his stride. "Someone who knows all the answers you're looking for."

Ariana frowned. "I’m tired of vague answers, Richard. If you really want to help me, just tell me the truth."

Richard stopped walking and looked at her with a more serious gaze. "Alright. The person we’re meeting is a man who should have died years ago. He has a deep connection to your family."

Ariana stiffened. "My family?"

Richard nodded. "And he’s the reason why you’re always in danger."

Ariana was even more confused. Her father had passed away when she was young, and her mother…

Suddenly, the rustling of leaves broke the silence. Ariana tensed and grabbed Richard’s arm. "What was that?" she whispered cautiously.

Richard sharpened his hearing, then swiftly pulled Ariana behind a large tree.

"Stay quiet," he whispered.

Two men dressed in dark clothing emerged from the bushes, their expressions alert. They held small flashlights and whispered to each other.

"They should be around here."

"We can’t let them meet that man."

Ariana’s heartbeat quickened. "Are they looking for you or me?" she asked in a barely audible voice.

Richard shook his head slightly. "Both of us."

Ariana clenched her fingers. There was no place to hide for long. If they stayed silent, they would be found sooner or later.

Richard seemed to think the same. He leaned forward slightly and whispered, "I’ll distract them. When I give the signal, run to the right and don’t stop until you find the wooden house at the end of the path."

Ariana swallowed hard. "Alone?"

Richard met her gaze with certainty. "I’ll catch up to you."

Before she could argue, Richard swiftly grabbed a small stone from the ground and threw it toward the bushes on the other side.

Crash!

The sound immediately caught the attention of the two men. Without hesitation, they ran toward the noise, giving Ariana the chance to escape.

"Now!" Richard whispered firmly.

Ariana didn’t wait. She ran as fast as she could in the direction Richard had pointed, her heart pounding, her breath quickening.

Every step felt like a gamble with fate.

But after only a few meters, heavy footsteps sounded behind her.

"Hey! Stop!" a man’s voice bellowed.

Ariana ignored the shout and ran faster, pushing through sharp branches that scraped her arms.

"Ariana, watch out!" Richard’s voice rang out from the distance.

Too late. Before she could react, someone grabbed her arm and yanked her back roughly.

"Let me go!" Ariana struggled, trying to break free from the grip of a large man holding her.

The man chuckled. "Not so fast, miss."

With quick reflexes, Ariana lifted her knee high and struck his stomach with all her strength.

"Shit!" The man groaned in pain, his grip loosening.

Ariana took the chance to escape. She sprinted as fast as she could, weaving through the darkening trees and bushes.

Minutes later, she finally saw it—a wooden house that looked abandoned. A faint light glowed from inside.

Without hesitation, Ariana knocked frantically. "Whoever’s inside, please open up! It’s urgent!"

The door didn’t open immediately. Panic rose in her chest. If those men caught up, she’d be trapped.

Just as she was about to try opening the door herself, the sound of creaking wood filled the air.

The door slowly opened.

Ariana held her breath as she took in the figure before her.

An old man with a white beard and piercing eyes stared at her with quiet calculation.

"So, you’ve finally come."

Ariana was startled. "You know me?"

The man gave a faint smile and opened the door wider. "Come in, Ariana. It’s time for you to learn the truth."

A chill ran down her spine.

She knew that once she stepped inside, her life would never be the same.

Before she could decide, footsteps rapidly approached from the forest.

"Ariana! Get inside now!" Richard’s urgent voice rang out.

Ariana turned and saw Richard running toward her, his face tense. Behind him, the large man from before was closing in—this time with a knife in hand.

"Watch out!" Ariana screamed in panic.

Richard spun around just in time, dodging the man’s attack. With swift movements, he blocked the next strike with his bare hands before landing a powerful kick to the man’s stomach, sending him staggering backward.

Ariana couldn’t breathe. This was too dangerous!

Without thinking, she grabbed Richard and pulled him into the house, slamming the door shut behind them.

Bang!

Loud pounding immediately followed.

"Come out! We’re not done yet!"

Ariana stepped back, her heart pounding, while Richard stood guard in front of the door, his breaths ragged.

The old man simply smiled.

"Don’t worry," he said in a deep voice. "They won’t be able to get in. This house has stronger protection than you think."

Ariana turned to him in confusion. "Who are you?"

The man studied her for a long moment before speaking, his words sending a shiver down her spine.

"I am someone who was supposed to be dead twenty years ago. And I know the truth about who you really are, Ariana."

Ariana felt her entire body freeze.

Who was this man?

And what had really happened in her past?