Chapter 12: Breaking Through the Deadly Encirclement and a Life-Staked Decision
The moment the soldier's command, "Stop right there! We need to inspect the child in your arms thoroughly again!" rang out, the sunlight that had just begun to cast its warm glow on the early morning of a new day seemed to instantly dim in Amorn's perception. Her raw survival instinct screamed within her heart; it was no longer just the cry of fear, but the sound of determination to protect the innocent little life in her arms!
Amorn didn't wait for the soldier to get any closer. She made her decision in that split second!
"Run!!!" she shrieked at the top of her lungs, as if to awaken all the remaining strength in her body, before her slender form spun around rapidly and she sprinted for her life in the opposite direction of the soldiers' checkpoint, heading back onto the deserted path the truck had just passed!
"Hey! She's escaping! Get her!" the pursuing shouts of the soldiers erupted furiously, accompanied by the rapid, shrill blasts of a whistle signaling an alarm.
The leather bag slung crossbody swung wildly, almost slipping from her shoulder. Ar-Chin, in her arms, began to wail loudly again from the shock and the impact of her running, but Amorn had no time to comfort him. Every step was a gamble with her life. She ducked low, running zigzag along the rough laterite roadside, trying to use the dense thickets of grass and small trees as cover from the soldiers chasing her.
The first gunshot rang out! Bang!
The bullet whizzed past her head by a mere inch! Amorn's heart leaped into her throat, but she didn't stop running. Her feet kept moving forward desperately, even though she knew her strength was dwindling with every moment.
"Stop, damn it! If you don't stop, we'll shoot for real!" the soldiers' threats continued to thunder behind her.
Amorn glanced ahead quickly. She saw a small fork in the road, a red dirt track branching off the laterite road into dense, overgrown scrubland. It looked like a dead end, but in her current situation, it might be her only path to survival. She immediately veered onto that track without hesitation.
Branches and sharp thorns snagged her clothes and scratched her skin, leaving raw abrasions. Blood seeped from cuts on her arms and legs, but she felt no pain at all. The only thought in her mind now was to get Ar-Chin away from the clutches of those soldiers.
The sound of the soldiers' pursuit began to fade slightly, perhaps because the dense scrubland made it difficult for them to follow quickly. But that didn't reassure Amorn in the slightest. She knew they wouldn't give up the chase easily.
She ran deeper and deeper into the woods until she reached a small stream. The water was so clear she could see the pebbles underneath. Amorn was terribly thirsty, but she had no time to stop. She decided to wade across the stream to the other side immediately, hoping the water might help erase her tracks.
The stream water was so cold it made her shiver, but she held Ar-Chin above the water level with all her might. Once she successfully reached the other side, she immediately started running again without rest, until she was sure she had put a considerable distance between herself and her pursuers. Only then did she gradually slow her pace and collapse, exhausted, onto the grass beneath a large tree.
The young woman gasped for breath, sweat drenching her clothes. She scanned her surroundings warily but saw no sign of the soldiers. Ar-Chin, in her arms, was still crying and sobbing. Amorn gently laid him down on the soft grass, then quickly opened the leather bag to find formula and drinking water to feed him.
"Shhh… there, there, little one… it's okay now… we got away from them…" she whispered soothingly, gently stroking the baby's head. Her voice still trembled, but it was filled with profound concern.
Just as she was feeding Ar-Chin, Amorn heard a sound coming from the forest not far away! It sounded like breaking branches and footsteps rustling through the undergrowth!
Amorn's heart plummeted again! Had the soldiers caught up to her already? She looked left and right frantically for an escape route, but all around her was dense forest and tall trees. There was nowhere to hide!
The sound drew closer with each moment… Amorn squeezed her eyes shut, clutching Ar-Chin tightly to her chest, bracing herself for the worst possible fate…
But then… instead of a group of soldiers in camouflage, what emerged from the bushes in front of her was… an elderly forest monk!
He wore old, ochre-colored robes, carried a small shoulder bag, and a worn umbrella-tent. His eyes were serene and strangely full of compassion. When he saw Amorn and the baby in her arms, he stood still for a moment before speaking in a soft, calm voice.
"Blessings to you, laywoman… What are you fleeing from? You look so terrified and utterly exhausted."
Amorn looked at the elderly forest monk with a mixture of surprise and distrust. She didn't know how to respond. In her situation, she dared not trust anyone.
The monk looked at her with understanding eyes. "I saw you running from that group of soldiers from afar… Don't be afraid of me, laywoman. I am merely passing through."
"Venerable Father… did you… did you see those soldiers too?" Amorn decided to ask, her voice trembling.
"Indeed, I did, laywoman… They are looking for you and this little infant, are they not?" the elderly monk replied, his gaze shifting to Ar-Chin, who had now stopped crying and was staring at him with wide, clear eyes. "This child… he seems to have good fortune, despite his hardships."
Those words made Amorn feel even more confused and wary, yet a small spark of hope ignited in her heart. "Venerable Father… what do you mean?"
The elderly monk smiled faintly. "Let's just say… if you have nowhere else to go, I can show you a safer path. This area is too dangerous for you and this little child, especially when people are hunting you."
Amorn looked at the elderly forest monk's face, weighing her options. There was no threat or deceit in his eyes, only a kindness and goodwill that she could sense. Could this be… another miracle sent by heaven to help her and Ar-Chin? The bond she was beginning to feel for this little child grew stronger with each moment. She only knew that she had to protect him at all costs.
"Which… which way, Venerable Father?" she finally decided to ask, a hint of hope in her voice.
"Follow me, laywoman… There is a small village ahead, not too crowded, and a forest temple where you can take shelter temporarily. At least until you can figure out what to do next."
Having said that, the elderly monk turned and slowly began to walk ahead. Amorn watched his retreating back for a moment before deciding to pick up Ar-Chin and quietly follow.