"Don't tell me we're going to hide there? They will definitely find us there soon. We should keep moving."
"We're not going to hide. Were going to escape."
"What? How?"
"Are you still not aware of your power?"
"I only got my power three days ago. I dont even know how to use it."
"This will be the first time you will use it then."
"What should I do?" Kai asked
"Just open the door. But first you need to think of a place that you've been before, somewhere far. Make it as vivid as possible."
Kai breath deeply trying to concentrate. "Okay I already thought of a place." He said.
"Then open the door." The teen commanded.
"Hurry up im sure they havent gone far. They are probably hiding somewhere." they heard the soldiers steps. They're already getting closer.
Kai immediately opened the door and was shocked by what he saw. It's a green field. It's exactly what he pictured in his mind.
"Go in." his saviour directed him.
He tentatively step inside the door while the other guy followed. After they both enter he immediately closes the door.
"Where is this place?" His savior asked.
"This is my father's field. We go here everyday to work."
"How far is this place from your house?"
"An hour way."
"This isnt far enough. They could still follow us here."
"Wait who are you? And why are you helping me?" Kai finally asked.
"I'm Zion. I'm helping you because you need help. Simple as that. "
"How do you know about my power?"
"I know someone who has the same power as you. He's also a key holder like you. And I want to bring you to him."
"No i need to go back. My siblings and my mother are still there. I need to rescue them."
"It's too risky. The soldiers are probably everywhere. They will be able to capture you if you go back there. This isn't the time. What you need to do is find a safer place to hide.
" I can't take that chance.The council might murder them." Kai was terrified at the thought of losing his whole family.
"Those soldiers wont hurt them. Because they still need you. They will use them as bait to lure you back. What you need to do is plan first. So that you can return safely and rescue them."
"What if they put them in prison?"
"You're a key holder. Once you get control of your power you can open any doors, including a prison cell. Now do you know of a place where we can hide and be safe?" Zion asked
"I have a relative who lives two towns away from here. I was supposed to go there to escape."
"How far is this place?"
"Eight hours on foot. But it's in the foot of the mountains and nobody knows where this place is. Not even my mother or siblings. It's only me and my father who knows of the place. They haven't been there."
"Good. We just need to find a door somewhere."
"Theres a nipa hut somewhere near. The door aint exactly solid though."
"Any door will do." He said. "Wheres the nipa hut."
"15 minutes away from here. Its hidden in the valley."
"Can you still walk? He asked as he saw Kai's wounded feet. It got injured when the guards were literally dragging him. "Here use my slippers. Your feet got blisters."
"Im fine."
"Stop pretending you're fine. Just use it. My feet are strong I actually dont need those slippers. Or maybe you want me to carry you again?"
"Okay i'll use the slippers." He doesn't want to be carried. He's wondering why this guy is so determined to save him. He's very fast and can save his own behind if he wants to. But here he was giving him hope to survive this dire fate.
He then again remember his father. He had not yet lost faith that maybe he's still alive. His father is strong he wouldnt die so easily. But without any medical attention he knows he won't last long. But he can't do anything for now.
Zion is right the minute he came back the guards will be aware and he will be captured. His father didnt risked his life for nothing. He needs to escape first and then survive. After that he would save his mother and siblings from the council.
"Here we are. Do your thing, Kai. It's already dawn. Those soldiers can easily find us now. Zion reminded him.
He again breath deeply and imagine his relatives front porch. "Okay i'm ready." He said to himself and then open the door.
"You're getting better at this. You're a fast learner." Zion said approvingly as he followed him towards the door.
The relative he is talking about is his father's older sister who lives alone after her husband passes away. She doesn't have any children that's why his father visits her once in a while. Good thing he brought him along one time or he wouldnt have a safe place to go.
His aunt didnt notice the door or the visitors that suddenly appeared. Shes busy feeding the chickens in the front porch. Kai was actually thankful that she didnt saw him coming. He doesnt want to explain things to her. The less she knows the better.
"Aunt isabel." He called her. Shes a little hearing impaired so he called her again this time in a louder voice. "Aunt Isabel." finally she turned around and saw him.
"Kai what are you doing here very early in the morning? And where is your father? Why did you come here all by yourself?" She asked.
He just hugged her immediately. Hes hesitating if hes going to tell her the truth about his father. But he got no choice. She has the right to know. He would just leave out some of the details.
Aunt i think father is in dire situation. Soldiers came to our house yesterday and they were planning to take me away. So i escaped."
"But why?"
"They want to make me a slave. Father dont want it to happen so he asked me to go here."
"I'm glad you escaped. But who are you with?" she asked.
"This is zion. He helped me escape. He's a friend."
"Good morning ma'am. Sorry to have disturbed your peace."
"It's alright. Have you eaten? I'm sure you're both hungry. I prepared breakfast. Come inside." she invited them in and prepare them more food.
He didn't know how hungry he was until he smelled the newly cooked bread. He took one and ate it. Zion followed suit and even asked for extra serving.
After they have eaten zion went outside. He got curious so he followed him. He saw him picking some herbs.
"We need to put medicines on your wounds." He said.
"How long will you be staying here?" Kai asked.
"I'm not really sure. The truth is i want you to come with me. I know a place where you can hide from the council. Its a bit far but you'll be safe there."
"I don't know i still need to go back to my parents and siblings. I can't leave them behind."
"It 's still to early to go back."
"I know but i wont go anywhere too far without my family."
"Lets talk about it later. Let me first treat those blisters." He walk towards Kai and direct him to sit down on a stool. He then sit down on the ground and put some leaves on his feet. He winced a little in pain.
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"I have a brother probably same age as you. He reminds me of you."
"Where is he now?"
"He's dead. The council killed him."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"No worry its been years anyway. And miftah helped me get back on my feet."
"Who is miftah?"
"My mentor. Hes also a key holder like you. And hes the one who instructed me to help you escape."
"How did he know where I live."
"I dont know. He just happens to know a lot of things. Thats why i have to bring you to him."
"I have to think about it first." Kai said hesitantly.
"No pressure." he then stood up. "Wear your slippers." He reminded me.
As he was about to stand up a door suddenly appeared not too far away from them. Zion saw his scared face and turned around.
Soldiers start walking out of the door. They were able to follow them so soon.
"Run and dont look back." Zion shouted.
So Kai run as fast as he can.