The Fox in the Village

The Nightmare

"Can we go home? Are you really one of them, Sam? Can you tell them to leave us alone? Did you plan all this? Sam..." and without being able to finish her words, an arrow was shot brushing Frolly's arm, leaving a small mark, then came some dripping of blood from it. The old man and a woman whom I heard known as Tara came after and she spoke, "Your friends seem to make it a habit of bypassing our village laws and staining our pure spirit. We saw her last night using another object that's not allowed to be brought here," I tried to cut her words by speaking but she pointed out her sword towards Frolly and continued her statement, "We let that slide. Yet, that morning, he was with Rafic and she seemed to want to get affectionate with him. We don't allow such a marriage for foreigners and visitors unless our almighty fox says so. Death must be thrust upon her." I was dumbfounded by the incident and those words. I wanted to shout but no voice came out of me and then as I opened my mouth, I couldn't feel my tongue as if it was all cut. Then I saw Lucas also with a missing tongue. "Samantha. Samantha woke up." As I heard a man's voice, I woke up and immediately got up. It was Aram. "Why are you here? Where am I?" I asked him while fear, anger and confusion could be seen in my face. "You're in my place," he responded. "And, why is that?" I asked furiously. He immediately replied, "Because you're in danger, Samantha. Master Quino asked me to take you to his quarter after you passed out. He thinks you're his blessing coming from the almighty fox or that's just how he tells the tale to the villagers. He wanted you as his wife and your friends are already dead. I'm sorry that I had to tell this to you this way and I'm sorry I need you to catch onto this really quick." "And you think I would believe you? Where are my friends? Where are they, Aram? Tell me, now!" I demanded with my heart about to burst and my mind full of confusion. After a minute or two while I grasped things out, he spoke again, "The day Lucas was classified as fallen. The reality is his tongue was cut. He was told not to tell this to you two or else your lives won't be spared. Master Quino even promised him that he could be safe outside of the village in no time earlier than the two of you." I can't believe him. I must not believe him. I wanted to shout at him and ran but he continued to speak, "Frolly was promised the same thing. Once, she went out at night to check on Lucas and that's when she learned about Lucas' situation. She grappled every night and day to tell you about this but she was also threatened with her and Lucas' lives. She speaks to me often about this whenever there are no eyes observing us — every night when everyone is already asleep. I was willing to help you all get out, but just like the others , last night they caught her." I can feel numbness in my head and body. I didn't want to believe him. After all, he was one of them, but his explanations were synchronized to the ones I observed. Where are they then? Why didn't he help her if he knew this all too well? Why did he welcome us so eagerly then, instead of warning us? Then, he gave me a letter with a drawn sign that only Lucas, Frolly and I knew. This is the sign we decided to have as a signal if someone is in danger and if speaking isn't allowed, a moth near flames. Aram spoke again, "You can check Lucas' room. It was full of those. And these letters were hand-written letters coming from..." and I did not let him finish. "Give me your archery tools and a sword. You wanted to help, right? Give me your sword and gun. Leave only the knife to you. Lead me out here." I said to him. He immediately responded, "Let's do it tomorrow night. The master might suspect us tonight. We wouldn't even be able to reach the last house in the village near the village gate. I would just tell him the incense wasn't strong enough to let you sleep long if you woke up along the way. He got a habit of staying inside his room the whole day up until dawn after an overnight feast.