Chapter 2: A Journey of Chains
After almost ten years, Cassian's memories had become a blur, but that haunting scene was still vivid in his mind. The tragic day left him with nothing but loneliness, tears, regret, and most importantly guilt.
He was seven years old at that time, a young bubbly boy who wanted to help his mother, so he tried to light a fire in the fireplace. But because of his clumsiness, the fire spread and trapped him inside the burning room. He still remembers his parents' desperate attempts to save him from that forsaken fire, inevitably losing their own lives. Their screams still echo in his mind like a haunting melody.
The villagers' whispers grew with each passing second, and Cassian found himself breathing hard. He couldn't tolerate it; it was suffocating, but still, they continued.
"If not for him, his parents would still be alive. He should have been the one to die that day," the villagers said with a loud voice not even trying to lower their voices. Their words were like knives piercing his heart and he often wondered if they were right. Maybe everything would have been better if he had died that day.
Perhaps he really was a jinx, who had devoured the life and soul of his parents as his aunt claimed. He felt utterly useless.
Tears pooled in Cassian's eyes, but a harsh pull brought him back. The merchant was dragging him ruthlessly towards the wagon. The binding rope cut deeper into his skin as the merchant barked, "Walk fast, boy. I don't have all day to cater to you."
When they approached the big wagon, he harshly shoved Cassian inside and with a loud bang, shut the door of the wagon. The wagon was instantly shrouded in darkness as the only source of light was the door of the wagon.
Cassian found many young boys inside the wagon, all looking pale and tear-stricken. They instantly huddled at the back when the door of the wagon opened. Cassian was confused by their actions but didn't voice anything as he didn't want to meddle.
The wagon started moving after some time, and Cassian found himself lost in worry about his little sister, Amara. He had been sold and left his baby sister behind in his uncle's home. Cassian knew there would be no one to protect her there. Now that he was gone, his uncle's family would target his little sister and make her do everything. How would he ensure the well-being of his baby sister? He didn't know.
Closing his eyes, Cassian felt tears escape down his cheeks. He remembered his mother's final words, her promise to take care of himself and Amara. But now, that promise seemed so far out of his reach. "Mom... Dad... I've failed you. Your Cassian has failed you," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.
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