READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 4: beacon of hope
After some time, Mahika called out into the darkness, her voice bouncing off the cave walls like a pebble skipping across water. "I need some water," she demanded, her throat dry as a bone. It wasn't long before the masked man returned, carrying a bottle of water. He uncapped it and handed it to her, his gun trained on her like a hawk watching its prey.
Mahika drank slowly, savoring the cool liquid as if it were nectar from the gods, then handed the bottle back. A short while later, she called out again. "I need to use the washroom."
The man let out a sigh heavy enough to move mountains, visibly frustrated, but he unchained her once more. He led her to a corner of the cave where a makeshift latrine had been set up. Mahika seized the opportunity to take stock of her surroundings, her eyes sharper than a needle, noting every nook and cranny, every guard's position like pieces on a chessboard.
When she returned to her spot, Mahika began pestering the man with requests for small favors—more water, a blanket, anything that came to mind. Each time, the man reluctantly unlocked her chains, only to shackle her again, his patience wearing thinner than ice on a sunny day.
Finally, exasperated and at the end of his rope, the man waved a dismissive hand. "Fine, wander around the cave," he snapped, his tone colder than the iron chains that had bound her. "But don't think you can pull the wool over my eyes. There are guards outside, and you won't make it far."
Mahika nodded, keeping her face as blank as a slate, though determination burned in her eyes like a hidden ember. She began to roam the cave, seemingly aimless, but her mind was ticking like a well-wound clock. She memorized the layout, the guards' routines, and every detail that could tip the scales in her favor.
Her golden opportunity came when the guards outside grew lax, their attention snagged by a heated argument. Seizing the chance, Mahika slipped into the shadows, moving as silently as a cat. Her heart pounded like a drum, her instincts sharper than ever.
As she neared the cave's entrance, she noticed a narrow passage hidden behind a curtain of thick vines. Like threading a needle, she ducked into the passage, her breath caught in her throat. Listening intently, she heard nothing but the distant murmur of voices. She pressed on, the air growing fresher with each step—a beacon of hope guiding her way.
Finally, Mahika pushed through the last of the vines and emerged into the forest. She paused only long enough to let her eyes adjust to the dappled light filtering through the trees. Then, like a bird fleeing its cage, she took off running. The sounds of the cave faded into silence as the forest embraced her once more.
Branches clawed at her face and arms like skeletal fingers, but Mahika didn't falter. Her thoughts were fixed on Advait, her only beacon in this storm. She was free, but the forest was as vast as the ocean, and her journey had only begun.
Her reprieve was short-lived. A harsh voice rang out through the forest like a whip crack. It was the leader, his tone like thunderclouds promising a storm. "Find her at any cost!" he roared, his fury spurring his men into action. The forest came alive with the sounds of pursuit, the hunters hot on her trail.
Mahika's heart raced like a runaway horse as she spotted a tethered stallion nearby. Without hesitation, she grabbed the reins, mounting the horse with the swiftness of lightning. Kicking it into a gallop, she plunged into the dense jungle, the pounding hooves of her pursuers like an ominous drumbeat behind her.
The jungle closed in around her, trees whipping past in a blur. Suddenly, the path was blocked by a massive lion, its golden eyes fixed on her like a predator sizing up its prey. The horse reared in terror, its panic a mirror of Mahika's own. The shouts of her pursuers grew louder, and her heart sank. She was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
But Mahika's mind was as quick as a flash. With a burst of courage, she spurred the horse forward, charging directly at the lion. The beast, caught off guard by her audacity, hesitated for a fraction of a second. Her pursuers, seeing her bold move, charged after her without a second thought.
At the last possible moment, Mahika pulled the reins sharply, veering to the side like a leaf caught in the wind. The lion, stunned by her daring, turned its fury on the approaching riders. With a roar that shook the trees, the beast leaped at the nearest man, its claws tearing through the air like scythes.
Chaos erupted behind her as the lion attacked. Horses reared and bolted, their riders thrown like rag dolls. The air filled with panicked shouts and cries, the once-fearsome hunters now prey themselves.
Mahika didn't waste a second looking back. She urged her horse onward, the cacophony fading like a bad dream as she disappeared into the depths of the jungle. The danger was behind her, but she knew her fight was far from over.
Branches clawed at her clothes, vines tried to ensnare her, but Mahika pressed on, her resolve as unshakable as a mountain. The forest seemed endless, but her instincts were sharp, and her love for Advait burned like a torch in the darkness.
Her thoughts raced as fast as the horse beneath her. She had to warn Advait, had to protect him from whatever storm was brewing. The jungle was treacherous, but Mahika had proven she could hold her own. She was free, and no chain, no hunter, no lion would stop her from finding Advait and bringing him to safety.