In a small village on the outskirts of Malisura.

The morning sun’s rays crept in to tickle Ren’s eyelids before her father’s warm voice broke the silence of her room. Kamel gently shook his daughter’s shoulder.

Come on, Ren... wake up. You’ve slept long enough—you have school.

Ren stretched lazily, her eyes half-open.

Ugh... What time is it, Dad?

Seven o’clock sharp.

Ren jumped out of bed in a panic, as if struck by an electric shock.

“What?! I’m late!”

Kamel laughed as he headed toward the door..

Alright, I’m going to gather some firewood... Don’t forget to eat your breakfast, my daughter.

She replied as she hurried to pack her bag:

"I won’t forget, I promise"

Deep within the Malisora Forest.

Far from the innocence of the village, and in the heart of an abandoned building reeking of mold, rage was boiling.

Zarak slammed his fist down on the table, the echo of the blow reverberating through the gloomy hall.

This isn’t the boy we’re looking for! Are you idiots?

The mercenaries took a step back, speechless.

Zarak continued, shouting

You useless scum... The instructions were clear.

One of them stepped forward fearfully, his head bowed to the ground.

Yes, sir... but what are we to do with this boy?

Zarak fixed his terrifying gaze on him, and it seemed as though the air had frozen in the chests of those present.

I don’t care... I pursue only my goal, and nothing else is worth my trouble.

The man tried to object

But sir.

Zarak cut him off with an icy tone that made their blood run cold.

But what?

“No... nothing, sir”

Zarak turned his face away, muttering with contempt.

This boy is just a bug... He means nothing to me.

Zarak pointed at me with his hand as he prepared to leave, his gaze terrifying.

Do with him as you please

I didn’t understand what was happening.

My consciousness was reeling, and the anesthetic I’d been injected with was weaving a thick fog around my vision. I felt my restraints weakly and whispered.

Where am I? Why am I tied up? Someone tell me what’s going on!

I received no answer except the sound of heavy footsteps approaching me Step... step... step.

My body shook violently, and I screamed in a choked voice.

Don’t come near me... who are you?

The air began to escape from my lungs, and I felt immense pressure bearing down on my chest.

He moved so close to me that the stench of his breath hit my ears.

He whispered in a terrifying tone

“Why are you afraid? Don’t worry... you won’t feel a thing; you’ll just die”

I gathered all my remaining strength into a scream that shattered the silence.

“Nooooooooooo!”

Outside the building, deep in the forest, “Kamel” suddenly stopped chopping wood.

His axe froze in midair, and his features froze as he listened to the wind.

What’s that sound?

It was a boy’s scream, filled with indescribable terror. Kamel thought as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“I have to check it out.

He crept toward the source of the sound, only to find himself in front of a dilapidated building.

He muttered in astonishment

“What on earth is happening here?

At that moment, Zarak emerged from the building with confident strides, got into his car, and sped away.

Kamel sighed, his heart pounding with anxiety, waiting for the car to drive off before moving forward.

He hoisted his axe onto his shoulder, a sense of danger creeping into his heart.

“Something’s wrong... I have to hurry.

He crept cautiously into the building, hiding behind the rubble. Meanwhile.

the kidnappers were arguing inside Shaki” whispered nervously.

What do we do now?

Naji” replied, wiping his face wearily..

Why don’t we call Mr. Jaber? Maybe he’ll reward us for this catch..

The idea flashed in their eyes, and within moments the phone rang elsewhere.

Jaber answered in a cold tone

What’s up?

Shaki said in a trembling voice:

“We’ve kidnapped a boy, but Zarak doesn’t want him... Would you like to buy him?

Jaber burst out laughing, and a sickening, spine-chilling smile spread across his face.

Fine, I want him... You know me, I only care about money.

Bring him to me!

The sound reached my ears, and a wave of terror surged through me, freezing the blood in my veins.

“This can’t be happening... Anyone, someone save me!” I screamed inside, tears burning my eyelids.

I don’t want to die here. I tried to untie the rope myself.

I moved back and forth, but to no avail.

Behind the rubble, Kamel watched in silence.

“I have to save him... no matter what it takes,” he thought, tightening his grip on a broken stick.

One of them noticed my struggle, pulled out a gun, and said sarcastically.

“No one’s coming to save you today, you fool.

Give up your dreams and die for us.

Suddenly, “Shigi” put his hand on his stomach and groaned:

I’m going to relieve myself outside.

Kamel whispered to himself: This is my chance.

Kamel crept up behind Shigi like a shadow. With a single swift blow from his axe, he knocked him to the ground

Before he could put up a fight, he .

grabbed his clothes and his weapon, then rushed inside in disguise.

I saw a man walk in calmly; he was wearing a large coat and a hat that hid his features.

Shaki roared angrily

Why are you late? Answer me, you fool!.

The man remained silent, which aroused their suspicion. When one of them approached to see his face, the stranger moved with lightning speed; a single blow from his axe snapped his neck.

then he followed it with a bullet that lodged in the other man’s leg.

He grabbed my hand violently as he pointed his gun at them:

One more step and I’ll kill you both!.

I couldn’t believe what was happening. The man picked me up and ran with me into the forest, leaving their screams behind.

Meanwhile, Shaki was shouting into the phone:

Mr. Jaber... the boy has run away! Some unknown villager took him!

The sound of Jaber’s fist slamming against the wooden table

in front of him echoed.

as he shouted into the phone, his face contorted with rage:

What did you say?!

Shaki repeated the news in a trembling voice.

Jaber sighed, trying to rein in his explosive anger:

You fool!

Did that boy see Zarak’s face?

Shaki whispered in fear, his breath catching in his throat:

Yes... he saw everything.

Jaber threw the phone on the floor in frustration, muttering angrily:

“This is a disaster... a real one!”

He quickly grabbed another phone and dialed Zarak’s number, waiting impatiently for an answer. As soon as the line connected, he said in a sharp tone.

The boy your men kidnapped... he’s escaped!.

Zarak sighed with obvious frustration over the phone and replied in an icy tone devoid of any concern.

I already told them I don’t care... His escape means nothing to me.

Jaber interrupted him with an ominous whisper:

But he saw your face, Zarak!

Zarak replied curtly and with unbearable coldness.

I don’t care.

Jaber hung up the phone in a fit of extreme frustration, feeling the pressure of the situation worsening, then growled to himself.

Fine... I’ll handle it myself.

In Kamel’s House

I woke up in the evening with a sharp pain in my head.

Oh... where am I? I remembered that a man had saved me.

A beautiful girl with gentle features approached me and whispered softly.

You’re safe now. Here... drink this to regain your strength.

Thank you,

I muttered weakly

I wondered to myself

Who saved me? And why?

Kamel entered the room, so I asked him in a trembling voice

How can I thank you? I owe you my

life.

He was a man Despite his age, he was tall, handsome, and noble.

He shook his head with a smile:

Rest first.

I tried to stand up Thank you, but I have to go back.

He pushed me back onto the bed and said.

You’re not in any condition to leave The kidnappers are still looking for you.

I wanted to object, but then I remembered that I had no one waiting for me in the city, so I finally agreed.

A few days later, I went out with Kamel to fish at the lake. For a moment, I felt like life was smiling on me again.

I raised my hands, filled with enthusiasm

“Look! I caught a huge fish!”

Kamel laughed:

You’re a natural-born fisherman, son!.

But the joy didn’t last. The silence of the place was broken by the roar of a car engine.

A man with pale skin and lifeless eyes got out. He held a cigarette in one hand and a gun in the other.

Waving his gun and with an evil smile, he said.

I’ve finally found you, little mouse”

Your presence is giving us a headache... It’s better if you die right here.

He raised his gun...

My breath caught in my throat.

I couldn’t move.

Bang!

...

Boom