DESOLATION

29

Hey dear readers,

Thank you so much for giving my book Desolation so much love. I'm really sorry for disappearing for so long. The reason I stopped writing was something I thought would end by the end of 2025, but it took much longer and is still ongoing.

At first, I planned to update on New Year's night, but I couldn't. The only thing that motivated me to come back and write this chapter, and continue Desolation, is your constant messages and love.

I'm truly sorry for making you wait so long. Here is the new chapter. I will try my best to update weekly from now on. I hope you all love it.

The only reason I'm continuing, even though I'm busy, is because of your support and your comments asking for updates. Thank you for staying with me. ❤️

.................

INEZ

The breath of freedom. I drag in a deep breath, my chest rising as if it's the first real one I have taken in days. I inhale slowly and look around, afraid that even this might be taken from me. The air feels different ... lighter, unfamiliar, and unreal. I allow myself to believe it. I am free, away from Lorcan. I succeeded in doing what I have been dying to do for so long. I know it's a matter of time, and then I will be too far away from Lorcan that he will never be able to find me.

When I think about Lorcan, the happiness vanishes, and the fear returns. First, I have to hide somewhere before Lorcan finds me. By now, his guards must have informed him about my escape, and he would be looking for me. The air is damp and cool. The drizzle has stopped. Across the road, I can see the mosque with its pale dome and slender minaret. It looks impossibly calm, surrounded by trees and a wide courtyard. I am not sure whether I will be allowed inside or not, but it's worth giving it a try.

I don't know of any other place to go except this one. I cross the road quickly while clutching my coat tightly around my shoulders. My shoes splash in shallow puddles, but nothing matters at this moment. The only thing that matters is finding a place to hide. Each step feels like defiance, and Lorcan hates it.

No, don't think about it at the moment. I will not get caught this time. Just when I crossed the road, I heard the ringing of the phone. The realization dawns upon me that it is my phone. Oh God, how stupid I am. I should have gotten rid of this the moment I stepped out of the church. Fear settles into me like something alive. My hands started trembling, not violently, but enough that I couldn't stop them. A quiet, constant shaking that betrayed everything I was trying to hide.

I took out the phone, and the caller ID showed who I was dreading. Lorcan. Only he has my number. The phone is ringing continuously. What should I do? I desperately look around me. Suddenly, I see two men sitting on a bench. They have shady looks and are wearing torn clothes. I cut the call and quickly went towards them.

"Ar mhaith leat an fón seo a bheith agat?" I wanted my voice to sound strong, but it came out too terrified. I am afraid of what I will do with the phone if they don't accept it. If I threw it here, then it would mean I am somewhere nearby. One of them looks at me and then at the phone. (Would you like to have this phone?)

His eyes immediately shine upon seeing the phone, and a smile appears on his face. He takes it without any hesitation and starts checking it. Now I just have to hide somewhere for the night. Even if Lorcan reaches this person, he would never be able to guess that I have hidden inside the mosque.

I quickly ran towards my destination. The mosque's doors are open. Some people are heading inside, while some are chatting quietly. No one looks at me twice, which is a good thing. If Lorcan ever reaches here and asks these people about me, then they will not be able to recognize me. I am glad there are only a few people here at this time.