Aiko wiped the tears from her face and turned away. Enough was enough. She had to fight. She had to save her only daughter—the child she had naively handed over to her older brother.
She rushed home, her heart pounding, her feet barely touching the ground. Entering her room, she grabbed a small bag and stuffed it with essentials. There was no time to think, no time to hesitate. She was going to Barbados. Somewhere far—far away from Assey, far away from his darkness.
With no clear plan, she took the forest route, walking day and night until she reached the Ho Sea. The vast waters stretched endlessly before her, whispering promises of escape. Now, all she needed was a ship to take her to Barbados.
She sat by the shore, watching the waves rush forward and retreat, mirroring the storm inside her. As the tide washed over the sand, something glimmered beneath the foam. A golden amulet.
Aiko stepped forward, picking it up carefully. She rubbed her thumb over the intricate carvings—
Poooong! Pooooong! Pooooong!
A massive ship suddenly docked at the shore. Dozens of men jumped out, unloading heavy sacks onto the land. Aiko's breath hitched. Something felt… unnatural.
One of the men, broad-shouldered with piercing eyes, noticed her and smirked.
"Hey, beautiful. What's a lady like you doing here all alone? Looking for a way to Barbados?"
Aiko hesitated, then nodded.
As she scanned the ship, her gaze landed on a foul-smelling sack that no one seemed to want to touch. Something about it sent shivers down her spine.
"What are you exporting?" she asked, forcing her voice to stay steady.
The man's smirk faltered for a brief second. Then, leaning in slightly, he said, "I'll tell you, but only if you promise to board the ship with us."
Aiko swallowed hard but nodded. "I'll go. Now tell me."
The man chuckled darkly. "This," he said, tapping the sack, "is black magic powder. A rare and powerful thing."
Her stomach twisted. "What is it used for?"
"For strengthening one's control over a pawn. Whoever owns this… decides the fate of someone else."
Aiko's blood ran cold. Her mind flashed to Ruth—to Assey.
She took an instinctive step back, ready to run.
The man's hand shot out, gripping her wrist like a vice.
"You promised to come with us," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Where do you think you're going?"
Aiko's pulse roared in her ears. Think. Think fast.
"Can I… help unload the goods first?" she asked, her voice shaking. "Then I'll board."
But before she could move, a wicked laugh came from behind and when she turned.
Assey was standing there sinisterly looking at her.
"Mmm Aiko, good job. But don't you think it's time for you to be under my control?. I can see you like defying me, show me what you've got." Assey spat angrily.