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nNora had never been the one to receive her father’s scolding and this being one of the rare occasions she now had tears filled till the brim of her eyes. Heidi placed a comforting hand over her sister’s shoulder but Nora dashed straight to her room without another word. Going back to her own room, Heidi changed her clothes and got into bed. As she laid in the bed she couldn’t stop thinking about the witch intrusion that took place a few hours ago. She had closed her windows as well as draped the curtains back in place out of caution.

nThough she had heard many rumors about the witches existence that troubled the humans she had never seen one so close. She felt herself shiver at the memory of the witch in the forest. Surely tomorrow there would be news about the witches and the people who had been taken by the witches. It was the first time for the witches to attack their town; their priest had prayed and preached with the holy water but she doubted if it worked. Bringing her blanket up to her neck she curled lightly in the bed and handed herself to sleep.

nA week passed by and the town had been nothing but wary and alert about the witches. The building of lookout towers was in construction near the forest to keep an eye on any unusual activity. It was said that two women and a man had been taken by the witches who were now on the missing list. The plea of the search was sent to the Lord which was then set into motion to find the missing people and the witches hideout.

nOne afternoon Heidi found her father and brother speaking to each other in a quiet voice in her father’s room.

n“...packing’s will need to be done by then.”

n“You mean to say next week?” Daniel asked.

n“Hmm,” her father nodded his head, “The Lord has requested to send her there to get accustomed to their lifestyles for now. I believe it is the Duke’s doing.”

n“What about Nora’s picture? Did he get the chance to talk to the Lord on it?”

n“He has. Apparently, our Lord didn’t send her picture to the other Lord and has only spoken about her in words. He said it shouldn’t matter much as Heidi is Nora’s sibling. That spoken, I want....”

nHeidi walked away from there hearing them near the door, getting back to the kitchen like she hadn’t heard their conversation. She felt herself clutching the edge of the slab tightly with both her hands. Uncle Raymond had said it would take a few weeks before she would visit the east empire but with what she heard, it looked like the plans were changed. If what she heard was right she didn’t have much time.

nThat evening, her father announced that a carriage would be sent to fetch Heidi to travel to the Bonelake empire. Heidi had begun packing her clothes, not to go to Bonelake but to run away from the house before the carriage would arrive. She packed all the necessary things she would require for her journey. Finally, after three nights that had passed, Heidi decided to leave the house in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, though, her father had been awake working on something the whole night in the main hall, therefore, she could do nothing but wait for him to return back to his room which he never did until dawn.

nOn the fifth night, she stepped out of her room in the dark, the living room had its lights extinguished. To check, she went to the kitchen to drink water and then came back to her room. Taking a deep breath she took looked at the room for one last time she came out this time with the bag in her hand. Walking towards the door, she unlocked it without making a sound and then walked out of the door, locking and throwing the key through the window which fell on the carpet. Quickly walking towards the gate she opened it feeling her exhale to only take a sharp intake of breath when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

nTurning around she found it was none other than Howard their house worker.

n“Howard!” she placed a hand on her thundering chest, “You scared me,” she whispered.

n“Where are you going Ms. Heidi?” he asked her with a frown on his face.

n“I...” What was she supposed to say? That she was running away from this house and town? But before she could reply anything something seemed to have dawned on his face and he nodded his head to himself.

n“So it is time already,” he murmured and then smiled looking at her, “I hope we see each other again.”

nHeidi who was facing the house saw the window curtain in the hall move even though it was dark. She could already feel her heart beginning to thunder in her chest so much that she could hear her eardrums beat loudly making her dizzy with the thought of being caught. Following her gaze, Howard asked her,

n“What is it?”

n“I-I think someone saw us now,” her voice shivered with cold as she continued to look at the window and finally tore away her eyes to place it back on the man,

n“Go then!” he ushered her out of the gate.

n“But what about you?” She asked him worried. Whoever was standing behind the curtain had seen them and if she left she didn’t know what would happen to the old man.

n“I will manage everything here. You needn’t worry about me. Go on,” he assured her, “Stay safe Ms. Heidi.”

n“You too, Howard,” Heidi replied before running away from her house.

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