16. The Aim

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Sanyukta watched the gaurds leave their spots, hastening their steps as they heard the drumbeats, ten in number

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Sanyukta watched the gaurds leave their spots, hastening their steps as they heard the drumbeats, ten in number.

This is my chance. She walked towards the huge iron door, clutching the cloak tightly around her.

The hallway was gruesome in the dark of the night, the mashal in her hand swiveling as the breeze teased the flames. Her steps were light as a feather, her eyes livid with caution as she entered the ghastly space, the smell of gin and iron overpowering her senses. There was no light there, apart from the one she carried with her, which only made her worry grow stronger.

How will I find him in this dark?

She walked in further, the chill causing her bare feet to freeze. I've less then ten minutes before the gaurds come in.

Her eyes wandered through the iron bars, faint figures of men passing through her line of vision, all frail and weak with constant starvation. She wondered what their crimes would have been for them to deserve this cruel fate. Were they regretting commiting them? Would they repeat it again if the chance presented itself? She let her thoughts run astray, though her eyes were watchful.

"Worse then hell, this place is." She muttered to herself.

It was cold in there, grey stone walls seeming to absorb the faint glow of flickering torches, casting eerie shadows on the damp floor. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and rot, and the iron bars, chains, and shackles that lined the space appeared to whisper tales of despair and desperation. Narrow, winding staircases led down into the darkness, while heavy doors with rusted hinges and locks creaked ominously, as if warning of the terrors that lie within. The place was foreboding, echoing with the whispers of forgotten souls, and the darkness appeared to have a life of its own, waiting to snuff out the even faintest glimmer of hope.

She had almost marked the length of the prison before her eyes stilled at an unruly man, sitting on the ground in his cell, eyes cast towards the ceiling. His hair were long, ungroomed, as were his clothes, teared and faded. Despite the grim appearance, something about the man struck Sanyukta, something familiar. Hope lit up in her chest.

His cell was seperated from the others, cast aside like a butterfly in a swarm of bees.

Was he..?

Sanyukta's eyes lit up with mirth, her feet taking her towards the man on their own. A smile replaced her earlier frown, the room lightning up a bit. She couldn't contain her happiness, her heart housing waves of emotions that transcended as if it were an ocean.

The sound of faint footsteps halted her in her tracks, dread settling in her gut.

The gaurds were back. Sanyukta turned towards the door, but not before casting a last glance at the man, as she resolved.

I'll meet you soon.

She clutched her cloak to hide her face, weaving through the iron tramps like a snake. She felt relieved when the sight of the door graced her, with no gaurd standing there. She sighed, Thank you Kanha.

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