ENTANGLED STRINGS OF PAST

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

HAZEL

"Hold on to your crown, numbnuts " he said.

Then Grabbing me hand Ezar dragged me inside.

It was a training center, like Aiden's but much bigger.

Ezar took me to the second floor through the stairs.

Second floor was filled with glass chamber like rooms, through which whole ground floor was visible.

Men and women both were training in the gym, while some women were gun practicing in the range.

"I told you, you had a fanbase waiting for you, haze. This is it! the Empire you created" his words faded in the background.

All I could focus on was what had been in front of me.

The familiar faces came in front of my eyes, before my vision was blurry because of tears, that I didn't hold back this time.

Taking a step back, I tried to walk away from this, but Ezar grabbed my hand.

"What happened Hazel?" he was shocked at my reaction but I could think of anything other than walking away from here.

Freeing myself from his hand I ran back outside.

He was shouting my name but I couldn't stop.

"No no no no! I can't!"

As we reached outside, he held my arm, harder this time.

"What happened Hazel?" he asked again, louder.

"I can't do this" I could feel my whole body shaking, vigorously.

"I'm not meant for this Ezar!"

"I can't be their leader, again. When I was the one who left them, remember. I was the one who ran away"

"And now I'm just a pathetic girl filled with regret and grief. I cannot do this anymore"

"You can't do this anymore?" Ezar laughed.

"You saved them, Hazel! And you say you can't do this anymore!"

"Yes I can't! I went to die on that stupid bridge Ezar! I surely gave them hope but I ran away! Like I always do. Every single time! I ran away. I lied to them"

" This is killing me from within! I don't deserve their loyalty! I don't even deserve their trust!"

"Let me show you something!" Ezar ignored my words and grabbed my hand and dragged me back inside the warehouse.

He took me to the chambers on the upper floor again.

We entered the second one, through which one part of the ground floor was visible.

It was the shooting area where the men were practicing.

"You see them?" He pointed towards them.

"Did you know, all of them were street criminals before joining the organization. They had committed enough crimes against their will just to feed them and their families. This organization gave them home. This organization gave them a second chance to be human again. The organization you created!"

"See how happy they are now!" He said.

" Come I'll show you more" he dragged me to the next chamber to see another group of guards practicing in the ring.

" Do you see those women hazel"

There were women that we rescued, practicing.

smiling.

I looked back at Ezar.

" Yes, they are the same girls you rescued. Even though they were safe and breathing, their families refused to take them back! They didn't have any hope of living, Hazel.

Did you know they were going to take their life?

This organization gave them hope, your name gave them hope." He said.

" You see that red scarf?"

I noticed everyone has tied one to either their arms or around the neck.

" That red scarf, your statement symbol is there symbol of freedom, from the pointless norms of society, from the fucking law. That shitty red scarf is their symbol of hope, Hazel. Don't take it away from them. Don't do it. Even if you're lying just keep lying, Haze! Please" he said.

I could feel tears in my eyes.

"You took the first step to create this organization alone, Hazel. But now all of them are ready to walk with you, even if they die. And you are stepping back, Nut"

I don't know.

I  fucking don't know what to do!

"I can't" the same words left my mouth.

Tears flowing through my eyes.

I was crying.

Crying for everything.

For every one I lost.

For Jennet.

For myself.

"I just wanted to show you this, Hazel. I can't forcefully keep you here. It's your time to make the decision"

"What should I do Ezy bear?" I asked.

"You have to make this decision alone, numbnuts. I will be standing behind you, no matter which side you'll choose." I saw the tears in his eyes too, but he turned back hiding them.

"These are the car keys, parked outside. With enough money to make out of this country. And rest I will transfer to your account. Goodbye Hazel" he placed the keys on the desk and walked out of the room.

Then my eyes settled on the red scarf lying on the same desk.

"You have to decide alone" his words were ringing in my ears.

"I can't" my voice was haunting me.

The time was slipping from my hands, it was now or never.

But unfortunately the decision was already made.