CHAPTER 71

Little Jack rose with an effort when he heard Allien's anguished call. His body was immersed in a stabbing agony, every muscle seemed to scream with pain, and a strange, almost alien sensation enveloped him completely. The traumas of the kidnapping echoed in his mind, like sinister shadows that refused to disappear.

During those endless hours of horror, he was tossed around like a disposable piece in a sadistic game. Each impact, each jolt, tore at his childlike innocence and left deep scars on his fragile soul.

Allien's voice was a beacon of hope in the midst of despair, but even so, Jack struggled to get up, as if carrying the weight of the world on his childish shoulders. Fear still consumed him, like a sinister shadow hanging over him, threatening to engulf him at any moment.

Allien struggled to remain calm as he explained to Jack how to untie the rope that bound them. Her heart was pounding, carrying not only the weight of her own fear, but also the responsibility of protecting her younger brother from that living nightmare. She encouraged him with soft words, trying to convey courage through the trembling of her voice.

Little Jack, despite his tender age, showed impressive determination. With trembling hands and still sore fingers, he struggled to undo the knots that held Allien and himself captive. Every movement was a battle against physical pain and growing despair, but he persisted, driven by the burning desire to free his sister and himself from that unbearable torment.

Finally, with a sigh of relief muffled by fear, Jack managed to release Allien's hands. A fragile smile lit up his face, even in the face of the cruel mark of a punch and the slaps that already marked his sister's skin. He knew they had to act quickly, before the villain returned to inflict more pain and terror.

With a gesture of affection, Allien kissed Jack's cheek, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and determination. She whispered words of encouragement, reaffirming the importance of escaping and leaving that hell behind.

Jack's determined gaze met Allien's, a silent exchange of unspoken but deeply understood promises. He would not allow his sister to suffer another moment under the yoke of other people's cruelty, he might be small but he would bite the hand of anyone who touched her.

Together, they threw themselves out of the low window of that hellish captivity, their hearts pounding in their throats as they ran towards the freedom that could be glimpsed in the dense vegetation of the forest. Fear drove them, but also hope for a future where safety and love would prevail over the terror of the past.

Allien had become disoriented, lost in the darkness of the black sack that covered her head, but she was sure that they were still in Hope Valle, so she had to walk and hope that her father would find them... Even during the short journey on horseback, she calculated that not even an hour had passed since they had been kidnapped. With a heart heavy with worry and the burden of carrying his brother, whose small, slow steps slowed his desperate escape, Allien felt every muscle in his body protest.

Although he was only a boy, he seemed to weigh a ton at that moment, as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his frail shoulders. Allien couldn't help thinking about his brother's diet, wondering what his parents were feeding him to make him so chubby. At that moment, he looked more robust than Opall's pet pig, which made her smile briefly, despite the terrible situation they were in.

They were starving; since breakfast at his house before the kidnapping, they hadn't had anything else to eat. Allien felt a surge of desperation as she ran, knowing that she had to try to save little Jack, whose moans of hunger echoed in her ears.

Finally, they arrived at a stunning spot. A tranquil lake reflected the sunlight, with a majestic waterfall pouring down with crystal-clear water. Behind the veil of the waterfall, a hidden entrance was revealed, as if it were a passage to another world. Surrounding the lake were several mulberry trees laden with ripe fruit, offering a glimpse of hope in the midst of despair.

Allien entered the cave with difficulty, carrying little Jack in her tired arms. Every step was a challenge, but she was determined to protect her brother at all costs. With care and determination, she hid him in the safety of the cave, protecting him from the dangers that surrounded them.

Soon after, Allien instructed her brother to stay there and went in search of food. With skill and determination, she picked several blackberries and stored them in her coat, improvising a bag with the available fabric.

With the improvised "bag" in hand, Allien entered the hidden passage behind the waterfall, taking little Jack with her. Together, they enjoyed the fruit, satisfying their hunger.

Later, Allien returned to the lake and, with the large leaves she had collected, improvised a cone to collect fresh water. Carefully, she filled the cone and offered them water to quench their thirst.

Finally, exhausted by the journey and comforted by the food and water, Allien and Jack snuggled down on the floor of the cave. Embraced, they found a moment of peace and gradually fell asleep, protected by the safe haven they had found.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was desperately counting her steps. Lucky for her, Nathan had once taught her how to locate herself, so she knew which direction was northwest...

- 178

-182

- 199

- 200 Steps.

And so, looking far to the northwest, she saw the lilac oak, and there where the view disappeared, at the beginning of the hill, a cabin falling apart...And so Elizabeth walked there.