GOLDEN REBEL HEART

Chapter 8

Shanath Breeders. An outpost conquered two days after her second encounter with Pagan Min. An outpost conquered without Taylor fighting by her side. An outpost that made her think of someone that had once been special to her. It's an outpost that faces the river, and Karlie stands with her arms crossed beside the collection of rickety pens and cages. It had been an easy one; fortunately, she didn't lose anyone, and she should feel happy, but instead, as she stares at the sun setting behind the mountains, the faint sound of the river hitting the terrain, she feels empty. She feels worried, powerless, and although she can't admit it to herself, she knows it's because of Taylor's absence. The American had disappeared soon after meeting the tyrant for the first time, and it pains her thinking of her, because the last image of her that she has inside of her mind is the blonde woman's delicate figure, whimpering as she had run out of Ishwari's house in a hurry. When the leader had gone back to Banapur, Sanjay had immediately asked her what had happened, and then went on to explain that Taylor had sought refuge in the safety of her own shack. Karlie had hastily explained that Pagan Min was the American's real father, and that the news had devastated the older woman. She still remembers his face, when she had told him that the same tyrant was inside of Ishwari's house, with that stupid and egoistic smirk stuck onto his lips.

"You okay, chief?"

It was Sanjay, of course. Standing behind her while reloading his weapon. She hears the sound of ammunition falling to the ground. "Yeah," she replies with a vague tone.

"Still nothing from Taylor?"

Karlie tries to hide her disappointment when she states, "Nope."

"That must be bad, then," the man chuckles, now coming up beside the leader. "Are you worried about her?"

The tall rebel looks at her friend, and narrows her eyes. "Just—a little," she replies. "I mostly feel guilty."

Sanjay furrows his brows. "What? Why?"

Karlie sighs. "If she's hiding in her shack it's because of me. I gave her that letter. I was the one to take her to her mother's house. If I hadn't—,"

"Hey, stop," he interrupts her prematurely. "This is not your fault. If Pagan is her real father, it is not your fault. You were being a good friend and gave her the letter. She deserved to know. I think you did the right thing."

Karlie purses her lips. The only things she can remember are Taylor's sapphire eyes filled with painful tears, and the sound of her sobs echoing inside her chest are the only things she can hear. "Yeah, but—," she sighs. "Now who knows how long she will stay there inside of her shack,"

Sanjay was about to reply, but then his phone vibrates with an incoming message. As he checks it, Karlie painfully tries to erase the bad memories surrounding the American and does her best to focus on the good ones. "Wait," the rebel says suddenly. "Maybe I have good news,"

The hint of a smile in his voice makes Karlie turn her head towards him. "Shikha just sent me a message. It reads: A woman just told me that she has seen a Sherpa give Taylor everything she needs. From ammo to food. The Sherpa goes inside her house at around three in the morning."

"So that's how she eats and drinks without going out," Karlie states, incredulous.

Sanjay chuckles. "Well, I think you know what to do then,"

For the first time, a hopeful smile makes its way onto Karlie's face. Inside her chest, a newfound determination lights up her heart and makes her feel alive. The man tells her that he has things to do, and leaves her alone before she could say something. When the leader goes back to staring at the sunset, she thinks about Taylor happily, and with that thought in mind, she determinedly goes back to Banapur, impatient for the night to come.