Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 19

More than a day of travel, the dusty and challenging roads passed by. Charlotte and Tif occasionally talked, asking each other about their experiences during the war, reminiscing about memories. For Tif, these conversations were essential, a way to keep their spirits from breaking under the long, exhausting journey.

Along the way, they stopped at a small military base to gather more provisions and medicine for Engfa. Here, Charlotte received a strange letter, a coded message from the Japanese forces. Her hands trembled as she held the letter, but as she opened it, her face returned to its familiar calm expression.

The letter’s contents were no surprise to her. Charlotte had anticipated this day since she sent that false message about the battle, leading the Japanese to a crushing defeat. The summons from the Japanese forces now felt like a warning, a punishment she would have to face. However, a mysterious, sly smile formed on Charlotte's lips, hinting at her resolve.

“So, it’s finally time...” Charlotte murmured to herself, her eyes glinting with an unfathomable gaze.

Tif glanced over but said nothing, only catching a glimpse of something hidden, an unfathomable secret behind Charlotte's eyes. They continued on, each lost in their own thoughts, with a newfound silence settling between them after Charlotte received the letter.

As they traveled back to Bangkok, Charlotte’s mind drifted to the impending meeting with the Japanese commander. The tension of facing this so-called punishment didn’t seem to worry her. Instead, it seemed as though she awaited it, as though a grander plan was forming in her mind. The recent battle was only the beginning, and Charlotte knew this was merely another step on the path she had chosen.

The car had only covered half the distance when a piercing sound tore through the silence.

A bullet whizzed through the air, slamming into the car window with a shattering force, tearing through the quiet. Charlotte and Tif flinched, Charlotte’s eyes widening as she realized the gravity of the situation. Luckily, the armored vehicle shielded them, as the bullet couldn’t break through the glass.

Charlotte’s heart pounded in her chest, feeling an icy chill despite the sweat dripping down her skin. She tried to steady herself, yet the looming danger refused to fade. The recent attack was a stark reminder that they were being hunted, that their enemy would not relent.

“They’re aiming to kill us both...” Charlotte muttered, her voice low and tense as her gaze searched for any trace of the sniper.

She recognized the situation immediately, yet the boldness of their adversaries surprised her.

“I didn’t expect them to act so recklessly.”

Tif remained calm, her hand gripping the gun by her side, prepared for anything that might come. She glanced at Charlotte, worry evident in her eyes.

“Charlotte, do you know who they are?” Tif asked, urgency in her voice, though she maintained a steady resolve.

Charlotte bit her lip, her gaze sharp.

“Yes, I know. They’re with the Japanese forces. Suz, the commander behind it all. He doesn’t just want to kill me; he wants to kill Engfa to avenge their recent defeat,” Charlotte said, her voice laced with bitterness.

“They want to erase every trace of their failure, and I’m the one who humiliated them. But I won’t let that happen. We must protect Engfa at all costs.”

Tif nodded, her eyes filled with determination. Despite the present danger, she remained undeterred. Engfa was their top priority, and they couldn’t allow their enemy to succeed.

“We need to get Engfa to safety quickly. If we don’t move faster, they’ll have more chances to strike,” Tif said, her eyes fixed on the misty road ahead.

“We must accelerate to get out of the sniper’s range. Once we’re in Bangkok, I’ll arrange additional protection. They can only win if we stop.”

Charlotte took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly, but her heart held firm. She glanced over at Engfa, lying motionless, and made a silent vow.

“Yes. I trust you, Tif. We won’t let them get what they want.

Engfa must live... My sky must live...” Charlotte said resolutely, her gaze locked forward, where Bangkok awaited.

The car picked up speed, racing over the rough road. Meanwhile, on the hills, Suz and his sniper kept a close watch. He sighed, his eyes icy.

“We won’t let them escape. Engfa must die, and Charlotte will pay for what she’s done,” Suz said in Japanese, his voice laced with cruelty. The sniper beside him only nodded, continuing to look through the scope, but the opportunity to shoot had passed.

Finally, after the grueling journey, the car reached Bangkok. The humid air of the city brought a sense of safety, though it couldn’t erase the worry in Charlotte’s heart. Engfa lay there, her complexion improving slightly, though she showed no sign of waking. They quickly transferred her to the local hospital’s special care unit. Security was arranged around them, and Tif took every measure to ensure both Charlotte and Engfa’s safety.

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My sky must return - Engfa

Hy.