Chapter 20

**Acacia Point of View**

The next morning was the same as usual; except for the newly added course of dream that started to appear every night.

I felt satisfied though. Just the thought of rejecting that man for anything felt greatly pleasing.

I don't know why reading the script on wooden plate is so important and I don't believe it is just a blessing prayer for a pregnant woman. I'm not a fool. But since he is so adamant about using drugs and hypnosis to appear in my dreams and demand I read that prayer, then I will definitely not.

Heck, he isn't even showing his face.

Alright, be all secretive and tacky, I will not read that prayer do what may. Appear in my dreams every night, even though I couldn't move in those dreams, I can still annoy you and kill you with words.

That mysterious man doesn't expect me to docile and scared just because he is keeping me here against my will. Months of living here, I was now brave and clever enough to know I am an important person right now.

"Your previous master thinks he can get what he wants if he scares me in my drug induced dreams. Well, those days are gone." I casually said to Azar as a part of a casual conversation I have been having with my pet these days.

When he continued to blink his black beaded eyes at me, I shrugged as I ignored the knowing look that passed in his eyes.

For a bird to give those emotions is senseless; even though that bird is a pet and well trained. His expressions are too human like and so to keep my sanity intact with myself, I started to ignore them.

I know if I think about everything deeply and analyze them, I will definitely go crazy with fear. It's better I ignore a few things.

For an over-thinker like me, it's an opportunity to practice restrain in thinking too much.

"So you know who this mysterious man is who planted a baby in my tummy, yes?" I asked, putting the croissant that I was eating aside and rubbed my hands as I turned my attention towards Azar.

"Is there a way that I can know who he is and what he looks like?" I asked a little expectantly.

But like I already know, this damned bird is still blindingly loyal to his ex-master. He did not make a move, did not even look at me.

Why come to me when that jerk of a mysterious person is still his top priority?

"Fine, keep kissing that jerk's ass."

As days passed by, the baby growing in my belly has become closely attached to me. He or she became 'the baby' to 'my baby'. My baby has been quite active these days.

He has been kicking a lot and I can feel him moving in my belly. Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night when I feel ache in my stomach due to his movements.

The lack of good proper sleep was making me cranky and during day time, I could hardly have a nap all thanks to the very active baby.

One good thing is that my baby accepts all the food I eat. I do have some cravings every now and then but my baby has been quite accepting anyways.

Azar, despite his loyalty towards his previous master, was being a better company. I realized it was better to have him around than being all alone.

I've been feeling less lonely these days. But the thoughts about my family and friends never left my mind at all.

I wonder what they are doing now. Did they think I was dead? Or merely missing? Are they still searching for me?

What about my friends? Are they still alive or something bad happened to them in the shipwreck?

The pregnancy hormones have been making me more concerned about things than I usual. Will I ever be able to meet my family again?

Rubbing my belly with my hand, my mind filled with the ideas of escaping from this island nonetheless of being heavily pregnant.

Nodding to myself for the sudden idea, I walked out of the fort into the lawn and then gradually out of the castle premises to walk around and see if there is another way to go downhill.

A safer and a convenient way!

I strolled around carefully over the rocky path and made sure I don't walk in hasty pace. Although the castle was sitting on the topmost part of the hill, there are still places around the establishment that might possibly have some kind of passage.

I turned around the huge totem and took path behind it which I haven't ventured yet. The totem has always been there but why it is there of all the places is what I always wondered.

There's else nothing around the totem as the figure is standing alone. The past few days, I did take strolls around but never with the intention of finding a way out of here.

The narrow rocky path behind the totem, I did not explore the place yet. On either side of the very narrow path are thorns and weeds grown wildly. The thorns pricked me as I walked down the path and there are small branches leaning over in my path which I had to bend and put them away.

"Are you not tired of following me?" I asked without turning back to the damned bird.

Azar has always followed me and has been following me from the moment I stepped out of my room. Even when I took strolls on the other days; he followed me like a dog and watched me like a hawk.

Ignoring his nosy nature, I continued to walk down the path which seemed to be too long. Everything I saw was jungle and jungle only. After walking for nearly ten minutes, I almost decided to give up on continuing to go on this pathway, if not, if not for something I saw that looked a little far away.

The jungle was not that thick and the trees and plants are not that high as they were a few meters ago. A few more steps forward, I could see what was in front of me and around me clearly and my view is not blocked by the woods.

There, ahead of me, several meters far, is another hill which is made of blackish grey rock. Unlike the other one, this is just a rock hill and there is no vegetation on it.

On a curious spree, I continued to go towards the rock hill. As I got closer, the view got better and clear. It was only when I was just a few steps away from it did I notice something that both interested and cogitated me.

At the foot of the hillock is a medium size opening in it.

"A cave?"

Wasting no time, I went inside the cave without thinking anything. There are sure no animals in this place so getting hurt from bats or snakes or some other wild creatures; not nearly possible for now.

Also, thankfully, the cave is not complete pitch dark which I appreciate al lot. Although the path was irregular, I managed to keeping going without much difficulty.

"Hmm, this place doesn't smell bad at all. I've visited a few caves before in my trips, Azar." I started, seeing the hawk following me religiously.

"Few of those caves were tourist spots but still smelled very bad even though they were supposedly maintained well. Most caves do have a kind of rotten smell that they emit but not this one." I continued.

Although the place is not completely dark, it is not finely clear too. I did stumble a little here and there but it wasn't that bad.

The inside of the cave is not too wide or too narrow. It was enough to fit three to four people at once. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears as I passed through.

"Wait, what's that sound?" I stopped in my tracks as I heard something familiar.

The sound was faint but I can still hear. I know what it is.

With a smile, I supported myself against the wall and continued my quest. As I walked further, the sound got clearer and near.

"Do you hear it to, Azar?" I asked as a laugh escaped my mouth.

The whole route in the cave is one long straight path which made easy for me.

Putting one hand on my waist and the other on the wall beside me, as I proceed down, the path started to get brighter gradually.

There must be an opening on the other side too. That's amazing!

With an excited smile, after a few more strides, I was now standing at the entrance on the other side of the cave.

And I couldn't be any happier.

There, in front of me, is the endless view of water stretching for miles. The water crashed over the rocks as waves hit in.

"The sea. The beach. The cave lead us down to the beach, Azar. We – we did it." I squealed as made fast strides towards the sea.

Finally!

Finally, there was indeed another way!

**~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

Next chapter is here. Enjoy!

What do you think about the chapter? Good?

Acacia and her pet got a little close. Your views?

Acacia is now a little determined to find another way out and escape the island.

She found the cave and the path that leads her down the hill towards the beach. Will she be able to escape?

Even if she found the way to sea, can she really escape? Escape how?

Does this venture of hers close doors of castle forever? Will she be locked inside the fort again?

How is she planning to get out of the island anyway?