GOLDEN REBEL HEART

Chapter 6

Hello! It's been a while since I've updated this story, but writer's block is real and is a bitch, guys. But, I'm back! And school is almost finished in like, four days, so I'm going to write more and more. Expect lots of updates from me, I won't leave you hanging for long lol. Anyway, enjoy this new chapter, and please tell me what you think of this!

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She walks along the pathway with a gentle and slow step. After waking up a few hours ago, she felt immediately better. Therefore, the American went back to Banapur, sure that she was going to find the leader there. However, she found nothing but an empty shack; Karlie was not there. She asked around, and a soldier called Ashawary told her that Karlie had gone to Kailash, a small temple situated a few miles away from Banapur. Taylor thanked her, not sparing another second as she went back to her car after having asked for directions for this said temple. Therefore, here she is, her little blue van parked a few feet away. The American was still wearing the azure uniform, the yellow bandana now wrapped around her waist as she finally spots the temple. It wasn't huge, but Taylor expected it to be bigger. However, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. The blonde looks around, wide eyes scanning the walls made of cobblestone. It looked like a cavern, lit candles scattered across the pavement to signal the entrance of the holy place.

A light breeze caresses her bare neck, and she hugs herself a little. Taylor steps inside, not knowing what to expect as the smell of incense floats around. Silence surrounds her, and she leaves behind the light of the moon as she keeps on walking quietly. The inside was cozy, almost melancholic as prayer flags of different colors hang from the low ceiling. The sound of her steps echo throughout the walls, but what catches her attention is what stands at the very end of the cavern. A light shiver runs across her spine; there, in front of a small altar, stands Karlie, knelt with her head hanging low in defeat. Her shoulders shake slightly, and Taylor ponders on what to do next. Does she make her presence known? Or does she stand here, waiting for Karlie to notice her?

The American takes a few, hesitant steps forward, and then, she hears the sound of Karlie's soft cries. She's whispering words, but Taylor's ears aren't able to catch their meaning. The sight of the woman in pain, makes the blonde's heart ache with a strange emotion she can't quite understand.

Suddenly, her foot accidentally steps on a tiny, small stone, the sound of it moving echoing around the temple. The leader, suddenly, stops whispering, and her shoulders stop shaking. Karlie slowly turns around, and when their eyes meet, the rebel stands up furiously.

"What are you doing here?!" Karlie exclaims, pointing a daring finger towards the American. When she comes nearer, Taylor sees the bloodshot green eyes and a furtive tear staining her cheek. Saying that she was surprised to see her cry was an understatement. Karlie was such a strong woman, unbreakable. But now, here she is, breaking down just a few feet away from Taylor.

The blonde speaks quietly, "I wanted to speak with you."

"About what, uh?" the leader's words are laced with venom. She furiously rubs her eyes, the fabric that covers her knees stained with dirt. Taylor tries not to let her unfriendly tone get to her, as she winces slightly.

"I—," she struggles for what to say next. "I wanted to know if you were okay."

Karlie stares at her for a moment, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "I'm fine, Taylor. You can go back to Banapur and sleep peacefully."

"You're not okay," Taylor states daringly. Karlie was about to go back to the small altar, but her feet stop moving and her back stiffens slightly. "I can see it, Karlie. You're not okay," the American says quietly. "Why are you here? Why did you need time to yourself today?"