The Mountain's best kept Secret

11. Captured

(Travis's POV)

It was dark and quiet around the three friends. Still unconscious from the blow to his head, Travis looked placid lying in the room's corner. At the other end, laid Penny and Grace holding each other. Last night they came close to escaping from the dark-tanned men, but failed.  The cracks in the wooden walls let through enough light to highlight the small made-up bed and chair. It seems the men didn’t even bother to lay the girls on the bed. There was no floor or windows, only the door bolted shut.

“Ubavuse!” A voice ordered from outside, followed by footsteps, then the door swung open. Two men came walking in with wooden buckets, water spilling from it. “Phakama Uqaqambe!” One yelled and without warning, they emptied the buckets over Travis and the girls. Startled, the girls screamed and backed into the corner. Their eyes became those of trapped animals awaiting their death. Travis, on the other side of the room closest to the bed, stayed calm. He stood up, revealing the rope bound around his ankle confined him to the small bed. Happy with the terror they inflicted, one man pointed to him before they turned around and left. A faint metallic sound came from the door as they locked it.

The girls held each other, while Grace comforted her shaking friend. “What are we going to do! They going to kill us!” Penny cried. “Shh, don’t talk like that.” Grace leaned her head on Penny’s. “She’s right, those men have it in for me after I let Bella escape. I’m sure my actions challenged them and they’ll get even. We need to find a way out.” Travis said. “You are right, they do see you as a threat, but underestimates the two of us.” Grace pointed to Penny and herself. “They only tied you, but not us. Obviously, they think us weak, so that’s our advantage.”

“Do you think Bella got away?” Penny asked. “I truly hope so, but with that injured foot of hers, she couldn’t get far without help.” Grace admitted. “So, let’s hope she found help.” Penny smiled with uncertainty. “Let’s hope.”

“I envy you, Grace.” Penny snorted through the tears. “Why would you say that? Earlier you wanted my head.” Grace grinned. “You seem so calm, while I’m shaking like a leaf! How do you do it?” “I’m as afraid as you are, just better at hiding it.” She patted Penny’s back. “So, Grace, what’s your plan to break us out of here? They made sure none of you could untie this rope.” Travis tugged at his restraint. A wave of helplessness washed over him when he realised; he won’t be able to save them this time around. “Distract and surprise.” Grace interrupted his brooding.

“Knock… Knock-knock-knock… Knock…”

“Did you hear that?” Suddenly, on high alert, Travis searched for what made the sound. Again, “Knock… Knock-knock-knock… Knock…”

“Wait! I know that knock… Bella? Isabella?” She whispered and quickly made herself to the wall where the knock originated from. “Bella, is that you?” Penny placed her ear to the wall. “Penny? O Penny, we found you!” Isabella answered with relief. “I’m so happy to hear your voice… Guys, it’s Bella.” Penny tried keeping her voice down.

“It can’t be!” Grace rushed over and pressed her ear against the wall. “Bella, is that really you?” “O Grace! Yes, it’s me! How are you doing? Anyone hurt?” Bella whispered through the cracks. “We’re all well, except Travis’s head needs to be looked at. They tied him to the bed.” She whispered. “I’ve found someone prepared to help free you, but there’re still too many guards outside. We must wait until it’s dark out.”

“What are you talking about? Is she ok?” Travis nervously stood by the bed, not able to hear their conversation clearly. Realising Bella came back for them, he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. He could breathe again after learning she’s unharmed. He also felt anger because she risked her freedom by coming back for them. Still, his anger was no match for the joy bubbling up because her return meant she deeply cared.

“Distract and surprise.” Grace repeated. “If we can create a distraction to lure away most of the guards, it should be easy to get past only a few. Then we don’t have to wait.” She continued revealing her plan. “Ok, then I will create a distraction out here and you get ready to ‘surprise’ whoever comes in to check on you.” Bella agreed. “Just one problem… We won’t be able to free me without a knife or something to cut through the rope.” He reminded Grace. “Don’t worry, we’ll improvise.”

After Bella agreed to Grace’s plan and left, she turned to him. “Get ready, Bella will create a distraction and then we need to overwhelm the men checking on us.” She pointed at Penny and herself. “Travis, hide under the bed.” Frown lines showed on his forehead, “Hide? And tell me how Bella will manage a distraction on her own?” Grace answered with agitation in her voice, “You’re not the hero of this story. And, evidently she found someone to help us. Proving not all of them are bad. In fact, I think they’re only hostile because they think us to be a threat.”

“A threat to them? Ha! Look at us.” Penny snorted while pointing out their bruised half-naked bodies. “Not our physical strength, but because of some other reason…” Grace got interrupted by a loud commotion outside. “She did it!” Travis’s eyes gleamed, looking at them. “Ok, get ready!”

A loud explosion nearby shook the wooden walls. The guards shouted and gravel crunched beneath their feet as they ran from the door. Many voices and commands flew around outside, but one stood out. It seemed as if he stood immediately behind the door. “Galli, jonga kwezi sizithathileyo!” Another man’s command resonated through the small room. As expected, the lock on the door then screeched. Suddenly, it swung open and a tall burly man walked in.

Travis hid under the bed and pressed himself against the wall, as it was barely large enough to cover his body. He laid on his back, because his broad shoulders didn’t allow another way. ‘It’s now up to the girls.’ He groaned at his uselessness. If the enemy got close to the bed he could attack, but the short restraint would prevent him from inflicting serious harm. He turned his head sideways for a better view of the man that just entered. His heart threatened to jump from his chest and sweat appeared on his forehead, staring at the enormous man standing by the door. How would the girls ever be able to overpower him?

Unexpectedly, Grace jumped from behind the door onto the man’s back, so he lost his stability. She grabbed a hold of his face and then forced her nails into his cheeks. She aimed for his eyes, but he moved around viciously to toss her. “Penny! Now!” She yelled short of breath. Struggling to grab her, Grace dug her nails deeper, so he exclaimed out in pain. Penny came from hiding and hesitantly snatched the man’s knife from his belt. She ran over to the bed and started cutting the rope with much difficulty. “Come on, come on!” She pleaded with the tough rope.

Behind them, the man got his hands on Grace and threw her against the wall. She fell to the ground, gasping because of the harsh impact and dust emerging from it. Travis shifted his gaze between the rope and Grace. “Faster! Grace needs our help!” He exclaimed. “I’m trying!” She cried, frantically sawing at it. The man wiped the blood from his cheeks as he stumbled towards Grace, panting on the ground. With one giant move, he grabbed her by the neck and scooped her up against the wall. With one hand, he held her up from the ground, “P l e a s e… P l e a s e…” Grace muttered as she scratched at his arm in desperation.

“Galli!” An old sounding voice rang from the door, making him jump. He immediately let go of Grace and turned to the grey-haired woman waddling closer. “Sesa, wenzantoni apha?” He demanded and stepped away from Grace. “Bella!” Penny exclaimed and ran to her friend standing behind the old figure. Travis saw their tears as the two united. “Bella…” Before he could call out, the old woman turned to face her. “Ndithe kuwe linda!” Her anger also revealed a hint of fear. “I… I… Wanted to help.” Isabella bravely faced the old woman.

“Bella, what’s going on? How did you understand what’s she just said?” Penny stared at her. The grey-haired woman rolled her eyes impatiently, then swooped her hand in a circle. “There! Now we can all understand each other.” She walked over to the dark-tanned man, “You almost killed that poor girl. Have I not taught you better than hurting a woman?” As she scolded him, he pulled back his shoulders and gave her a questioning look. “They are not our enemy, but friends of Leo.” Galli opened his mouth to object, but she silenced him with her raised hand. “Not now, just listen; we don’t have time.”

“Free that young man and pick her up. Hurry! The others will return soon.” She ordered, and he followed her orders without hesitation. The man bent down, picked up his knife and cut the rope around Travis’s wrists, revealing the bruising it left behind. Once freed, Travis rushed over to Grace lying on the ground. “Shh, you’re ok. Where does it hurt?” He lifted her head to look at the bruising around her neck. “Um, red and a little swollen, otherwise you’ll be fine.”

“No!” He suddenly shouted as the man came to pick her up. “I will do it.” Galli glanced at Sesa before he scoffed, “Suit yourself.” “Hurry, I hear someone coming!” Bella’s words created new life within him. He picked her up and strained his already weakened body, but dared not to show his agony. After he made his way over to the others, they all ran into the forest and hid behind the trees. “What now?” Grace asked, still in Travis’s arms. He could sense her worries, but she still seemed calm enough. ‘Maybe she’s in shock after almost being killed and reality hasn’t set in yet.’ He thought. “Galli, go back and send the others on a wild goose-chase. Tell them they went in the opposite direction.” Sesa interrupted his thoughts.

Quickly, he hurried off to inform the others. “Sesa, you must take us back there, I don’t know the way.” Sesa gave Bella a nod. “Take us back where?” Penny whispered, still clinging on her arm. “To the cave—that’s our way home.” Penny frowned for a second before asking, “Is she a witch?” Penny’s question caught Bella off guard. “No! Why would you say that?” She replied, amused. “She’s got a point; suddenly we can understand each other like one big happy family?” Travis interrupted them after listening in. “I bend the surrounding elements - that’s not magic.” Sesa glared at Travis, making him uncomfortable.

“That doesn’t even make sense.” He murmured under his breath. “What is sound? Mere vibrations in the air, is it not? Well, I can bend those vibrations for you to understand me without actually speaking your language.” Travis sensed hostility in her voice and realised she doesn’t like him very much. “That actually makes sense.” Bella agreed with her.

Sesa lead the group through the forest, as fast as they could manage. Bella mentioned that the cave was more than an hour away, so they had to find some means of transport to get there. They were too weak to make the journey by foot. After Grace repeatedly assured Travis she’s able to walk, he let her down. Honestly, he couldn’t have carried her for much longer. He squeezed his biceps to calm his trembling muscles. “You are amazing. Thank u for taking such good care of me.” Grace thanked him from behind. “It’s no trouble at all.” He smiled without looking back. “Bella, we need to find…” Before Travis completed his sentence, they heard horses and loud yelling in the distance.

“They found us!” Penny cried. “Calm down, everything will be fine.” Travis saw Bella didn’t believe her own words. “Sesa, get them to the cave. Please, you promised!” She grabbed the old woman’s hand. “I intent to keep my promise, but do you remember what I told you?” Sasa tilted her head with regret in her eyes. “Yes… Magic always comes at a price.” She dropped her head. Travis stared confused at the two secretly whispering and yelled, “I thought you’re not a witch?!”

“Now’s not the time! Travis, we have to get out of here!” Grace pleaded while pulling on his arm. “This way!” Sesa instructed while pointing to a rocky hill nearby. They made their way to it and hid behind a large bolder. The racing horses come closer with no time to spare. There’s no escaping their fate once again… Trapped in a nightmare since they fell through the cave floor. ‘Where’s Bella?’ The memory of the moment he realised something was amiss, echoed in his mind. He picked up his head and glanced at his Bella. She stared back at him with an apology. ‘I’m sorry.’ He saw her lips spoke without a sound.

“It’s time…” Bella told Sesa as the tension started to build. They had nowhere to hide with the riders only minutes away. The old woman agreed and stepped from their hiding spot. “We are going home now. Sesa can bend the element to create a portal that will take us to the cave.” Bella said in a shaky voice. Something wasn’t right, he could tell. She seemed nervous and hugged them as if saying goodbye. “What’s going on? You’re not telling us the entire truth.” He lightly took her hands in his.

“I… I’m so sorry for all the hurt that I’ve caused you. You are my dearest friend and I only want you to be happy.” She grabbed his waist and hugged him. “I don’t regret one second of our time together. I have and will always love you, my Bella.” He held her, still confused by her goodbye.

“I will open the portal, but it can only stay open for a few seconds. We must all hold hands and step into it together. If you let go, it will leave you behind.” Sesa explained. The friends came together and took hands; Penny at one end, Travis and Grace in the middle with Bella on the opposite end. Sesa waived her cane as if calling up the wind. Suddenly, wind rushed over them and swirled dust and leaves around. As she continued, a heavy feeling filled his heart. Something was amiss, but Bella trusted her, and he trusted Bella. Before long, an oval-shaped portal of wind, dust, and leaves appeared in front of them.

“Quickly! Sesa yelled over the loud gushing wind and grabbed Penny’s hand. As a unit, they rushed over, but as Sesa stepped into the portal, Bella let go of Grace’s hand…