Chapter 12: Walking the Fire

It takes me nearly three weeks to get myself back in shape and enough weight back on my frame that Kuya quits fussing over me and Joban stops watching me like a hawk. Joban's been searching for Raph's owner and also Nel's owner.

I settle into a pattern, get up, search through files, walk the slave markets, go to sleep.

Joa has been officially adopted by Joban and Kuya and he loves it here.

I sit back and think, its been nearly four years since I left home, four years.

"Leh'yadar!" Joban calls.

I scramble to my feet and rush to his study, one of the few nicer rooms in this cramped home. As I dash in he stands up and hands me a piece of paper.

"That's were they're keeping her," he tells me as he points to a spot on the roughly sketched map, "you should be able to get in through here. This is where your brother is, same entrance should work."

I nod and look at him sadly.

"Thank-you," I say softly, "for everything."

He nods and places a hand on my shoulder.

"I'll keep an eye out. If I see them, I'll figure out a way to free them. Take care of yourself," he tells me softly.

I realize suddenly that I've gotten taller, I'm approaching six foot now, just about to Joban's collar bone.

"I will," I tell him as I take the map and turn, "thank-you again Joban, if we ever get a chance to meet under better circumstances I would like to get to know you better."

"As would I my friend. There is food in the bag by the door and water as well. I believe Kuya put a few sets of new clothing for you. Remember to get to shelter before winter hits, winter is harsh here," he tells me.

"I will," I promise him as I pull on my jacket and hoist my bag onto my shoulders, as I turn to leave he says one more thing that makes me smile.

"You are welcome to take shelter here before heading home. I will do my best to aide you in returning home," he tells me.

I nod my thanks and jog down the stairs and toward the compound, I see him as I round a corner, watching me.

I have never had any real friend besides Usagi and even he followed my father's example in dealing with me. Usagi was definitely more of a friend than my father wanted him to be though. Usagi gave me hope, told me I was strong and well skilled in Ninjitsu while my father praised me only when my brothers were around and made me train until my body gave out. He seemed to want them to hate me, all I wanted was them to at least respect me, if not love me for me. But why chase vain hopes? They only see me as a nag and a nuisance.

Days pass as I work toward the compound that has my family. I walk slowly around the guarded areas. I hear them, the guards, talking about the new slaves and the people that buy the rock here. Apparently slaves live underground and mine the heavy marble-like stone that most people around here use as building material. I shutter at the thought of Raph hauling rock, of Nel trying to work in spaces that could collapse and kill her.

I shutter as I creep forward and manage to creep toward the entrance.

How am I going to bust them out?

They're underground and I'd have to get past the guards, down to where they are, break both of them free, and somehow get back up and out.

I'm…not sure this will go according to plan, but I have to try…I have to try.

I slip past the guards and start toward the hall that leads downward. I take a deep breath and start that way.

Shouts alert me that I've been seen and I bolt down the hall, scrambling to remember the way out, I turn on a dime and sprint toward the chamber that has the elevator down. Shouts alert me and I jump of the platform and hit the edge of the opposite wall and squeeze through the broken grate.

I'm in.

I keep crawling, eventually I find a water filled tunnel and start running, I can't get caught.

It seems like hours as I run, slowly I begin realizing that the ground is steadily going downward. I slip and come crashing down, the water is faster now and I have to fight to remain upright. Then it empties out into a huge pool of moving water. I'm shoved down toward the bottom and I scramble to get up, lungs screaming for air as I struggle upward.

I break surface and fight the fast current toward he distant bank that is barely visible.

I strain forward, the current dragging me down stream, then my hand hits rock and I lash out again, my knuckles hurt and I know that I have cut through the skin. Then I find a grip and manage to pull myself further forward, seconds later after my feet and hands have been sliced apart I manage to get onto the bank and collapse there, panting as I fight to get my breath.

I'm here, I'm in here.

Now I just have to figure out how to find my family and get them out of here. It's dark, I can barely see anything at all, but I was trained to fight in the dark.

I can find them.

I can do this.

I move slowly as I push myself upward, gasping when my ribs scream protest. I'm more battered than I first thought.

I push myself up slowly, fighting to prevent myself from crying out. Slowly I manage to stand and stagger down the narrow, pitch black hall, trying to find a place to rest before I push on.

I need to be strong enough to fight back if I have to.

I find a place to curl up and settle into the crevice and close my eyes.

I'm coming my love, my angel.

I won't fail you Raph, I'll find a way to free you too.

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