Reap

The door to my apartment burst open. Footsteps pounded down the hallway. I jumped from my seat and faced the door, my heart thumping. Panic quickly consumed me.

Had they found me?

Did they know I was here?

Had they finally come for me?

I held my breath, just waiting, when Avto rounded the corner and ran into the room. I exhaled a long relieved breath at my old friend, then noticed his aged face was flushed, and he was shaking.

Frozen to the spot, fear seizing my limbs, I could feel the incredible heat from the open fire burning my back. Avto fought for breath and I kept waiting, waiting for him to speak.

“Avto?” I whispered in question, eventually drawing lost breath.

I watched him swallow hard and his dark eyes met mine. “He’s alive, miss. I’ve just discovered he’s alive.”

My eyes widened and my hands joined Avto’s in shaking. “Which one?” I asked, voice trembling.

Avto stepped forward, his old body moving slowly. My pulse pounded in my neck when he informed, “Zaal, miss. Zaal is alive.”

My knees went weak and I dropped to the floor at the news. Staring at Avto, with tears in my eyes, a single word slipped in a whisper from my lips.…

“Sykhaara.”