101 REWIND 3

It seemed that the royal guards were not buying it as they were not removing their pointed spear at her. 

Young Zoe gulped. 

'I should have removed the smudges from my face. Or changed to a decent set of clothing like the ones in the dressing room. What will I do now?'

All of a sudden, an enigmatic old man out of nowhere came out from the forest and disturbed the suspenseful scene. 

He is wearing a white top garment that runs to the ankles. It has long sleeves with a bottom cream chang and a cream bixi.

He is also holding a long white ivory staff. Everything is dazzling white as it is.

But what stands out the most is his silver-white long hair and beard. 

"Am I in Erebor? He looks like Gandulf!"

Zoe uttered under her breathe. She remembered the movie Lord of the Rings as she saw the old man in front of them.

"Elder Shao Qiang!"

The soldiers speedily jumped to their feet, formed a horizontal line, and made a bow to him.

Young Zoe was surprised about what the old man did next. 

He faced Zoe and made a bow to her! 

"Crowned Princess!"

The soldiers are startled and scampered to bow to Young Zoe as well. 

"Crowned Princess!"

Young Zoe was dumbfounded. 

She didn't know what to do next so she made a curtsy bow to them in return.

"It is an honor to behold your presence, your Highness. We are looking forward to your return." 

Elder Shao Qiang exclaimed as he is bowed down. 

'Is that my cue to run now?' 

Zoe thought to himself as she awaited what Shao Qiang will do next.

Shao Qiang looked up. His body is still in a bowed posture but he looked at the soldiers who are also bowing head down to Young Zoe. 

He looked back at Young Zoe and winked. 

"Go," He said without a sound. 

And with a kind smile, he motioned her to move forward with her plan. 

Zoe's eyes widened in gratitude. 

"Thank you." 

She smiled back and made a quick bow to Shao Qiang before she hurried to the heart of the forest without looking back.

"At least now I know someone on my side here on this island. Shao Qiang. Shao Qiang…"

She repeated to herself so she will not forget. 

She continued to scan the forest, hiding every now and then in case there were other guards roaming around. But she couldn't find her parents. Nor Cayden or Uncle Bo.

"Now what?" 

Young Zoe breathed out as she tilted her head to the sky. 

The darkening sky was filled with lavender and indigo clouds. 

She has been going in circles as she searched the way out of the labyrinth mess she was in. 

"Will I ever get out of here, wherever am I?" 

She was already losing hope when someone peeked out from behind a tree and approached her. 

"Of course!" 

It was Shao Qiang again!

'Maybe he knows the way out of here!'

Young Zoe made a polite curtsy to the old man in front of her. 

"Thank you for your generous gesture a while ago. D-do you perhaps know the way out?"

"If I show you the way, will you walk in it?"

"I-I think so. I have no choice."

"You always have a choice. Will you choose your own will and follow it? Or listen to my voice and follow me? The choice will always be yours, Zoe." 

Elder Shao Qiang smiled knowingly and started to walk away.

Young Zoe was baffled. 

"How did he know my name?! Wait!" 

Young Zoe ran after him as he keeps walking away. 

Young Zoe started following him staying a few feet behind. 

"Who are you? Why do you know me?" 

Young Zoe asked loudly to the old man as she breathlessly tried to keep up with him.

'Why is he walking so fast for an old man with a cane?!'

As she did so, she checked her steps time and time again for hidden traps. She might get hurt again. 

"Are you sure that's the question you want to be asking right now?" 

Elder Shao Qiang yelled back. 

He's still walking briskly as if his feet had wheels and the woods is a smooth pavement where he can skate round and round anytime. 

Young Zoe suddenly stopped. 

"He's right! My family!" She blurted out.

'What if the guards have found them out and killed them?'

She wobbled in horror as she imagined them in the hands of those guards she has just encountered a while ago.

"Do you know where my family is?"

She asked instead. But he didn't answer him directly. 

"They're alive and waiting for you." 

The old man responded as if he could read her thoughts. 

He finally stopped and face Young Zoe. 

"Listen to me carefully, Zoe. Humans always have a choice."

He seemed like a prophet that is giving her a word of wisdom as he continued on.

"That's one gift entitled to them by God. No one can take it away from them. Not from another human. Nor from circumstances."

"However," he added. "Everything in your life will be a reflection of the choice that you made. Always choose wisely." 

Young Zoe ruminated on what he said and took it to heart. 

"Okay. Whatever happens, I will never blame anyone for my misfortunes. And I will always choose to survive and help others live." She resolved in her heart.

"That's a good girl."

Elder Shao Qiang patted her head.

"Now, I suggest you choose him." Pointing to someone at her back.

"Him?"

Young Zoe quickly looked behind her. 

And as she did so, she opened her eyes and saw a familiar face. 

"Raigon?"

He was looking at her with all traces of concern in his angelic face.

"Promise me you will take care of yourself."

Zoe looked at him again. Her eyes were blurry and she felt dizzy. She glanced away to check on where they were.

It was dark and they were in a forest. She was in his arms and he was carrying her somewhere.

"I will," Zoe nodded her head as she pulled herself closer to his chest and closed her eyes again. 

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Life is a matter of choices. And every choice you make makes you.

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