Chapter 97

I whispered to Damien to help me figure out what we should do. 'Hey, what are you guys drinking?" Damien screamed at the men as they sat, discussed and laughed. 'How is that any of your business? you need to shut up." The leader replied. 'Have you tried the juice from that red fruit over there?" Danien pointed with his nose since his hands were tired. I became nervous and anxious where I sat. I was getting scared that they would figure out what our plans were but I remained quiet and let Damien do the talking. 'What's so special about the fruit?" One of the not-so-smart thieves asked and I knew immediately that he had gotten interested in what Damien was going to them. 'That juice is the best one you have ever tested. The only thing you have to do is to extract the juice and drink it. I promise you that you'll thank me later." Damien explained to them. They waited for some time before one of them went for the fruit. We watched them extract the juice and have a sip each from the cup. 'This tastes nice, actually." The leader spoke up after sipping from the cup, then the others followed his lead. 'How did you know?" He asked Damien and Damien smiled saying that he knew so much about fruits. It was getting late and I was scared that if the juice doesn't get them sleeping any moment from now, we'll be screwed over. They had suddenly become nice but their mind was still made up to take our valuables and the horses, after all, they were thieves. They couldn't get enough of the juice so they extracted more and took everything.l while still laughing and smiling. At this moment, I could see the effect of the drink on them. They were getting weaker and weaker by the moment. 'I suddenly feel sleepy." One of them announced. 'Me too." 'Don't fall asleep. We have to take these things with us very shortly. It's almost night time." The leader said and then yawned. 'Why does it look like all of us have become sleepy? Is it the weather?" The first thief that had exclaimed, asked. 'It's the drink!" The second one exclaimed finally realizing. He was holding a cup of the juice but when he realized it, he threw it away. 'What?" They all screamed, then looked at us. 'What did you do? You knew about this drink?" The leader asked, turning to Damien who kept quiet to save himself. 'You, you bastard.. ' One of the thieves stuttered but couldn't complete his sentence. He suddenly fell to his knees and in seconds he was snoring very loudly. 'What did you do to him?" The leader asked, just to turn and find two of his members soundly and loudly asleep on the floor, unbothered about anything. I wanted to laugh as drama unfolded in front of me but I couldn't. We were in a difficult situation and we needed help. Suddenly, I wondered who would untie us if they all fell back to sleep, so I came up with a quick idea. The leader already had shaky legs and weak eyes and I knew he would fall asleep any time soon. 'I'll help you stay awake. I have a fruit that can help you stay awake. All you have to do is release me and I'll help you pick out the fruit, extract it immediately and in seconds, you'll be as strong and awake as you were. He couldn't hear me but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He was thinking that he shouldn't trust me but then, I could see him struggling to keep his eyes open. 'You'll help me stay awake?" He asked. 'Yes. I will but you have to release me first." I did but he was too slow and I was afraid he'd fall asleep. 'Come on, do it now." He ran to me and untied me even though it took a little bit of time since he was still trying to keep his eyes awake. Immediately, he untied me, he fell to the floor and was trying to hold on. 'Do it immediately." He screamed at me. I went to untie Damien, then Laura and together we packed up our bags and got the horses so we could leave. 'You deceived me." The leader finally said before going to sleep. 'Sleep well." Laura answered and we laughed. As we got back to our path, we walked a little bit faster hoping they wouldn't wake up suddenly and come after us. 'Naomi, you're so smart." Laura complimented. 'We should walk faster until we get to a safe place. It's almost night time and we should avoid traveling during the night since the forest has become more dangerous than it was." Damiem said, leading the way. We didn't stop walking or whispering to each other when we had something to say. As we walked, we took steps like people afraid that someone was watching and would pounce on us if we made any mistake. The moon was beginning to appear and casted its light on us. I loved looking at the moon and how it brightened the night. We walked into a more dense part of the forest. According to Damien, we were heading east, which was the way to Blackwood Park. 'I really hope this park is not bad luck." Laura started. 'Ever since we started this journey, we haven't been kidnapped but just today." 'I guess what Damien said about the park being dangerous was true." I affirmed and I could see the fear in Laura's eye. As we walked, I wondered if Damien or Laura had ever regretted coming on this journey with me, since it wasn't their cross to carry in the first place. 'We can't ride these horses so that we don't get unnecessary attention to ourselves." Damien said, making a just reason why we had to walk with the horses we had bought. 'That makes sense because I was becoming curious on why we had bought horses but had never got on it." Laura said and I chuckled. I wish I could be so confident like that about riding a horse, I was thankful we were walking on the floor where I could control. Riding a horse would make me lose control of myself. 'I think we can stay here for the night." Damien said as we stopped at a spot that kind of looked like a cave. It had a roof like top that would protect us from rain or any extreme weather conditions.