Chapter 34: chapter 34

After dinner, Amelia helped her aunt with the chores, her hands busy but her mind elsewhere. She had made up her mind—no matter what, she would save Adam. She glanced at Sofi, who seemed oblivious to her plan. The moment everyone was asleep, Amelia would make her move.Hours later, the house was quiet. Amelia lay still in bed, her eyes fixed on the wooden ceiling. Sofi's breathing had slowed, her chest rising and falling rhythmically. It was time. With care, Amelia slid out from under the covers, her feet touching the cold wooden floor. She glanced at Sofi once more, ensuring she was truly asleep, and tiptoed to the door.The hinges creaked faintly as she opened it, but she paused, heart pounding, listening for any sound from her aunt’s room. Nothing. She crept down the hall, each step measured to avoid the spots in the floor she knew would groan. The door to her aunt’s room was closed—a sign they were asleep.Reaching the front door, she hesitated. The bitter winter wind would rush in the moment she opened it. She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves, then carefully turned the latch. The door opened with a whisper of wind, and she slipped outside, closing it softly behind her.The night was freezing. The air bit at her cheeks, and her breath puffed out in faint clouds. She didn’t stop to think. Wrapping her shawl tightly around her shoulders, she began to run. Her boots crunched against the frost-covered ground as she fled the house.After a while, her legs burned, and her lungs protested. She slowed her pace, falling into a brisk walk. The landscape stretched out around her, silent and foreboding under the pale light of the moon. The northern mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks etched against the sky.Her thoughts were her only companion.“You can do this, Amelia. You have to do this. If they have me, maybe they’ll let Adam go.” The words were both a promise and a prayer, her voice trembling in the icy air.The journey was grueling. The wind seemed to cut through her thin clothes, chilling her to the bone. The barren path was dotted with patches of snow, and her boots slipped more than once on the frozen ground. Still, she pressed on, driven by sheer determination.Hours later, she reached the base of the northern mountains. The familiar landscape brought back a flood of memories. She and Lucy had spent countless afternoons here, playing near the old treehouse. But now, the area was unrecognizable. Tents dotted the clearing, the soldiers’ camp sprawling across the snowy terrain. Torches flickered in the darkness, their light casting long shadows.Most of the soldiers were inside their tents, but a few stood guard near the perimeter, their breath visible in the frigid night. Amelia crouched behind a cluster of bushes, her heart hammering in her chest.She whispered to herself, “This is it, Amelia. No turning back now.”She moved carefully, sticking to the shadows as she made her way closer to the camp. The soldiers’ voices carried in the still night.A twig snapped under her boot, and she froze. One of the guards straightened, scanning the darkness. “Did you hear that?”“Probably just an animal,” the other said dismissively.Amelia held her breath, waiting until the guards turned away before moving again. She edged closer, her eyes fixed on the largest tent in the center of the camp. As Amelia crept behind the tents, the faint glow of a fire caught her attention. A man sat near it, his broad shoulders hunched forward, the flickering light highlighting his rugged face. It was Christof. Her heart pounded as a mix of anger and fear surged through her. She didn’t hesitate. With determined steps, she approached him.“Where is my brother?” she demanded, her voice sharp with fury.Christof looked up, startled by her sudden appearance. Then, a sly grin spread across his face. “Well, well. Look who’s here. My plan worked. You came.”“Yes, I’m here,” Amelia snapped, her tone unyielding. “Now let my brother go.”Christof chuckled, leaning back against a log, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Don’t you dare order me, girl, or I’ll make sure neither of you leaves this place alive.”Amelia clenched her fists, swallowing the lump forming in her throat. “You have me now,” she said, her voice trembling despite her resolve. “So please, let my brother go. You promised.”Christof’s grin widened as he rose from his seat, towering over her. “Ah, now that’s the way to talk. A little respect goes a long way.” He stepped closer, his shadow stretching ominously in the firelight. “Come with me, sweet girl.”Amelia stiffened, taking a small step back. “Where?” she asked, her voice steady despite the fear bubbling beneath the surface.“To my tent,” Christof replied, his tone casual, as if he were suggesting a stroll.Amelia’s jaw tightened, and she shook her head. “No,” she said firmly. “Let me see my brother first.”Christof’s smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing as irritation flickered across his face. “You’re not in a position to negotiate,” he said coldly, taking another step closer. “You’ll come with me, or I’ll make sure you regret every second of this little reunion.”Amelia’s heart raced, but she stood her ground. “I won’t take another step until I know Adam is safe,” she said, her voice trembling slightly but filled with determination.Christof let out a low, humorless chuckle, shaking his head. “You’ve got some nerve, girl. But I don’t play games.” He leaned in, his face inches from hers. “Do you think you’re in control here?”“I think I’m the one you want,” Amelia shot back, her voice gaining strength. “And if that’s true, you’ll take me to Adam first.”For a moment, there was silence between them, the crackling of the fire the only sound. Christof studied her, his sharp eyes assessing every flicker of defiance in her expression. Then, with a sigh that was more theatrical than genuine, he straightened.He turned his head, gesturing toward a figure lurking in the shadows. "Finn!”A tall man with piercing eyes and a cold demeanor stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “Yes, sir?”Christof’s smirk deepened. “Take our guest to my tent. She’ll be staying for a while.”Amelia’s stomach churned, but she stood her ground. “No,” she said firmly. “Let me see my brother first.”Christof’s eyes darkened, his amusement giving way to irritation. “You don’t make demands here, girl. You follow orders, or there’ll be consequences.”“I don’t care about your threats,” Amelia shot back, her voice steady now. “I came here for Adam, and I’m not moving until I know he’s safe.”Finn glanced between them, his lips pressed into a thin line. Christof laughed—a low, menacing sound that sent a shiver down Amelia’s spine. “You’ve got fire. I’ll give you that,” he said. “But don’t mistake my patience for kindness. One wrong move, and your brother won’t live to see sunrise.”Amelia’s resolve faltered for a moment, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. “I’ll go where you want, but only after I see Adam.”Christof studied her, his expression unreadable. After what felt like an eternity, he gestured to Finn. “Fine. Take her to him. But make it quick. And don’t try anything stupid, girl.”Amelia exhaled shakily, her fists unclenching as Finn motioned for her to follow. She cast one last glare at Christof before turning away, her heart pounding as she prepared for whatever came next.