Big Brother Alibaba pt.2: Nigh One: On The Run

Although it had only been six months since they met, the trio of friends felt as if they had always been together. Aladdin and Alibaba especially. It was as if it was destiny. Maybe it was? Maybe the three of them were meant to be together during this time of era? Of course, things never start out the way as it seems.

Alibaba had found Aladdin six months ago on a dark street on his way back home. He didn't know the child, but he had a gut feeling to take him home that night and watch over him until his parents came looking for him. However, there was still no sign of Aladdin's parents. Could something bad had happened to them? All Alibaba knew was that he had to protect Aladdin from the boy's aunt. He had never met her, but Alibaba assumed she lived within the country of Kou. There have been a few attempts on Aladdin's life by magicians who were sent by his aunt. However, why she wanted Aladdin dead, Alibaba didn't know.

It wasn't just the Kou Empire or Aladdin's aunt. King Ahbmad of Balbadd was after the three of them, as well. The three of them were on the run, hiding from anyone who looked suspicious.

It had been a few days since the trio left Balbadd, and they were able to find a village to rest for the night. They were welcomed into the inn/restaurant without question and were seated at a table. There were musicians preforming and Aladdin couldn't resist the urge to get up and dance along to the music. Soon, Alibaba stood up and dragged Morgiana into the dance. She was embarrassed at first, but she got over the stage freight and began dancing as well.

After a few dances, the trio sat down at their table to eat. They were all starving. When they had finished their meals, Alibaba spread out a map on the table and they discussed where they should go next. Alibaba didn't want to be constantly on the move with fear of one day being caught by Kou or King Ahbmad. He wanted to live somewhere where they could live in peace and not living in fear.

After a while Alibaba noticed Aladdin was getting sleepy, and he was feeling tired himself. He folded up the map and ruffled Aladdin's hair.

"Ready for bed, buddy?"

"Uh-huh," Aladdin nodded and yawned. But before they could go to their rooms to retire for the night, the doors to the inn/restaurant flew open and everyone in the room became deathly quiet.

Soldiers walked in, followed by a magician. Judging by their uniforms, they were from the Kou Empire. The three friends ducked underneath the table, although they knew they would not be safe there forever. Alibaba noticed the back door and gestured for his friends to follow.

"No need to be afraid," the magician said above the silence. "I have not come to cause trouble. I merely want to ask a simple question." He wore similar robes to Ithan, but his face was different. He had a large mustache and one eye was bigger than the other. "I am the magician Markkio. We are here to ask if you have seen a boy with blue hair stop by this village." He reached into a bag hanging on his shoulder and took out a paper with Aladdin's image.

"Anyone seen this boy? No? No one?"

Everyone in the room was too startled by the sudden appearance of them and remained quiet. They all trembled as Markkio walked around the room and showing the picture of Aladdin to everyone.

"Think. One of you must have seen him. He's with a Fanalis girl and a young blond man." His gaze turned to the innkeeper. "What about you, surely you have seen them?"

The innkeeper didn't speak, but he nodded. He pointed to the table where the trio of friends once sat with a trembling hand. However, the friends were not sitting there now. They had disappeared.

"Search the village," Markkio ordered. "They could not have gone far."

The trio made a quick exit through the back door of the inn/restaurant after Markkio and the Kou soldiers appeared. They found refuge in an abandoned building, but they were not sure how long they would be safe. They knew the soldiers would be looking for them.

Alibaba kept a lookout as the soldiers began searching the village and breaking into homes uninvited. Aladdin held Morgiana close. He would not be able to sleep now, not with the soldiers making so much noise.

"I'm sacred...," he whimpered. Morgiana smiled down at the six year old and tried to give him encouragement. "It'll be okay. As long as we keep quiet, they won't find us."

Alibaba wasn't so sure what Morgiana said was true, but he didn't want to worry the boy either. He figured Morgiana was trying to be brave for him.

"Morgiana's right. They won't think to look in here, Aladdin. We'll be okay." He knelt down beside the child and pulled him close.

"Try to get some sleep. It's going to be a long night."

"I can't sleep. What if they find us?"

"Don't worry. Morgiana and I are here with you. Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise," Alibaba told him.

"Okay," Aladdin hesitated before nodding. He lied his head down on Alibaba's lap and soon fell asleep.

Alibaba gently rubbed Aladdin's hair as he slept. His body began to tremble and he hated the fact that he had to lie to the boy to get him to sleep. Truth be told, neither him nor Morgiana knew how long until the soldiers would find them. They couldn't run away because the soldiers might see them, and they couldn't stay in there forever either.

"My, my," came a voice behind them. "A lot of excitement tonight, it seems."

Startled, Morgiana and Alibaba turned their heads and prepared to attack. However, it was not a soldier, but an old woman. She smiled kindly at them.

"Do not be alarmed. I am not with those soldiers. I was in the neighborhood doing some shopping, but then my bad back gave in and I had to stop and rest."

"Who are you?" Morgiana asked her. The woman was carrying a staff, or perhaps using it as a walking stick.

"My name is Baba," she told them. "I'm a shaman from a traveling clan known as the Kougas." She stood up and eyed the three of them. "The clan is not far. Why don't you three stay the night with us?"

Morgiana and Alibaba exchanged glances. They were not sure if this old woman could be trusted. She seemed trustworthy enough.

"We don't want to trouble you, Ma'am," Alibaba said. Baba shook her head.

"It is no trouble. Besides, I doubt you want to get caught by those ruffians outside. I know a way out of this village."

Alibaba and Morgiana flinched when the heard a soldier break down a door a few houses down. They turned to Baba and nodded.

"You're right. But we're not criminals, we haven't done anything wrong. They are chancing us for no reason," Alibaba told her. Baba smiled and chuckled a little.

"I know that, young man."

"How?"

"Let's just say I have my ways of knowing when someone is good or bad. You three are on the good side."

Alibaba had Morgiana help Aladdin onto Alibaba's back in the best, possible way without waking him. They followed Baba out of the village and to the safety of the Kouga Clan.