Chapter 36 - Desperate Moments

Bullet drove us to Akbur Hills, and Maria and I sat in the van. I was still in shock and felt a bit awkward leaving him without permission, but the truth is that I had no idea how Damon would behave after last night. In any case, I had left him asleep.Bullet drove us to Akbur Hills, and Maria and I sat in the van. I was still in shock and felt a bit awkward leaving him without permission, but the truth is that I had no idea how Damon would behave after last night. In any case, I had left him asleep.
There was no way I could know if he would wake up and become even crueler or maybe gentler in some way. Or perhaps the same? "It will scare the villagers if you cover your bruises with your hair," Maria angrily yelled. Nobody had overlooked her recent shift in mood. I have noticed that she has been more irascible in the last few days. As millions of individuals had already perished and all we could do was watch, I could only surmise that the stress of the potion was to blame. Where would we be, then, if we could not find silver today? My response was a simple "Okay," and I covered my neck with my hair. Furthermore, as we are

The gates of the eerie, smoky Akbur Hills finally opened. We proceeded inside on foot once Bullet opened the gates. Maria was telling Bullet, "We'll be done in about an hour," at this point. As if we were strangers, the inmates gazed at both of us. But we received very little attention from the military manning the buildings. We continued walking along the road, passing small food shops. The intense light was making me nervous, and I could feel the sweet starting to bead at my forehead. When we came to a stop outside one of the buildings, Maria remarked, "I'm going inside to talk to my friend. Stay here."

In agreement, I nodded. The strollers caught my attention as she vanished. Maria needed no further stress, so I really meant it when I said I would obey her. But it was nearly intolerable how curious she was. Could it be that somewhere beyond that stretch of streets, where I'm shopping at the market, I might spot my father? Or perhaps he was just stopping by to chat with a friend while out for a walk? My steps followed one after the other as I limped ahead ever so slightly. Even just a brief absence from me would be okay.

I stood near the crossroads where the market road split off. Numerous people—possibly hundreds—were working, shopping, or mingling as I was watching. It made me queasy. Watch the tiny ones and their parents as you turn and twist. that they will all be killed if we fail, much like the Canadian prison system. I begged God to grant Maria enlightenment, or at the very least a hint as to where we might perhaps locate silver.

Across a mound of brick, an elderly man with brilliant eyes, bent over, caught my attention when I stumbled upon a small metal doorway. Among the equipment he fumbled with on his counter, he discovered what appeared to be a screwdriver and gave it to a man holding a woman's hand. Deep down, my heart fell. It was my father, and I could identify him from anywhere. I wanted to storm over the distance and grab hold of him as the tears began to flood my eyesight. When his eyes met mine, it was as though he could sense my watching, and I gasped. I could not leave him here.

I ducked behind a tree and gasped when his eyes met mine unexpectedly, as if he sensed my gazing. What a bunch of bullshit! I was still the same age, so he had to have seen me to know that I was here. He was stumbling over the tools on the ground as he made his way over to this location when I peered back into his business. There was no time for me to stay here. "What the hell did I tell you!" Something hit my shoulder with a slam. "Maria, we have to go now-" Simply said, do you not pay attention? Recognize that you have the ability to ruin this whole scheme!" "I know, and I'm sorry, but we have to go!"

My father was fast approaching. He was desperately strutting through the people now, pushing them away to get to trees even faster.
"What happened, what did you do now?"
I grabbed her arms and dragged her away and back into the building. From the lobby and the view from the muddy windows, we both watched as my father burst in through the trunks and with his eyes and mouth wide open, he peered around for me.
"That's Mason," Maria said
I didn't answer. I was watching with blurry vision as he raised his hands to his head.
He must think he's gone crazy to have seen me, and I still hadn't aged.

Evan was correct—he is unable to be aware of my existence. He found it to be excessive. My own selfishness made me feel bad. For what reason had I done that? Why had I added to his already excessive stress levels? How did you proceed? "He had to have seen you!" "I don't know, I didn't think he did!" I made a mistake. "Obviously he did, look at him!" For a little moment, all I wanted to do was see him! I never considered—" "You were not thoughtful! You're not very thoughtful." Maria's hands swept across my face with an unexpected force.

Gripping my searing cheek, my head whipped sideways. Not only was I in agony, but I was also foolish enough to ignore her when she was speaking. Maria said right away, "I apologize." I said to myself, "Don't be," as I started to cry. I found myself buried in Maria's chest as she embraced me tightly. I cried till her neck was drenched, her hands gripping the back of my head fiercely.