"The only person you help is yourself. Everyone else will take advantage of you. It shows weakness." It didn't affect him, but it sure did hurt. And one day, his wish to help others would disappear completely.
However, the one who brought light to his miserable life was Nani. Nani always taught him patience, gratitude, and love. When Chayton didn't water the crops properly or pull out all of the weeds, Nani was there to pick up after him. Nani taught him to speak a bit of Tawna, his native language, since there was no one else who'd even offer. They only wanted him to speak Common. Sometimes, as a child he'd curse his slave masters in tawna. He heard Nani say it before. But sometimes they'd hear him and he'd get a switching.
The most trauma he'd ever experienced in his life was the day he was forced to watch his father's hanging. He remembered the night before, vividly.
"I'm going to escape." He whispered as Chayton was trying to sleep. His skinny, lean body froze in stone-cold fear. Did he really hear what his father just said?
"Don't speak such nonsense. You'll get yourself killed for even having such a thought pop into your head." He could hear Nani snap at him.
"Don't worry. I made friends and they've got the supplies ready for me at the boat house. Clothes, food, everything I need to survive until we escape to the next city." There was silence for a moment as Nani planned out her next words carefully.
"But what about us? What about your son? Don't you care about him? His well-being? What would I be able to say to him when you've disappeared? I'm not going to lie to him.""Tell him I love him." It sounded weird coming out of his mouth.
"I said I wasn't going to lie to him. He deserves better than this. What happened to you, my son? Ever since Ayelen passed away you've changed. All you talk about is training and escaping instead of working. You know how many slaves died trying to escape? What makes you think that it will be any different? I don't want to see you get hanged. Not my baby." The pain in her voice made Chayton cringe, causing the ragged blankets to rustle on the cold, hard floor they slept on. They both froze, leaving them in silence. Suddenly, Chayton felt his father's arms wrap around him in an awkward hug, kissing his forehead.
"Please don't leave us, Kuatan." Nani whimpered.
The next day, his father swung off Chayton's favorite tree by the neck. He was left to rot for four days before the other slaves were brave enough to take him down and give him a shallow grave. After that, Chayton was never the same.
Nani was concerned about him, yes, but he pretended nothing was wrong. He bottled up his emotions for a long time. Once he reached his reckless adolescent years, he began rebelling. One time, he even tried to go to the boat house that his father talked about so many years ago. For his defiance, he was whipped with a long, thin switch. His first serious punishment, right in front of everyone. They threatened him, telling him that if he ever tried to escape like his father they'd use the very same rope to hang him.
This only made him more determined. What made him want to follow his father's path so badly? Perhaps it was because he secretly wanted to experience this 'freedom' that everyone coveted so bad. Perhaps it was because he couldn't stand to live a life like this anymore. Not in a place that murdered his family like that. Perhaps it was because he wanted to live a successful life, with a job and his own home with a family, not under control anymore.
No, his soul purpose in life... Ever since that dreadful day, was to free his fellow slaves from the clutches of evil. He wanted to be a part of that rebellion against mistreatment. No more slavery. No more pain. Every night, Chayton continued practicing like his father would. Working on his punches and kicks, not to forget sneaking around once in a while. He would test it on his fellow slaves. Sneaking up on them on his spare time working to see if he was quiet enough to make it to the boat house undetected. One day, Nani confronted him.
"You're changing. I used to see a lot of your mother in you... But now I'm not sure. Is there something you want to tell me?" Her sweet, old voice withered. Chayton sighed, rubbing the brand on his hand. He wished it could just erase by a swipe of his hand. He'd have to cover it if he wanted to stay out of slavery, even death.
"I'm going to escape."Before Chayton could leave, Nani passed away. It passed over like a dark cloud, consuming him. He was thrown into one of the most hellish nightmares. Guilt tore at his conscious. It was his fault Nani died. He broke her heart. Because of this event, he ended up staying a few more years. He worked mercilessly in attempt to fill an empty heart. The strain he used to feel was gone, numbed. He never felt anything anymore. No one could talk to him, except for the masters. He gave no one the choice.
Then another woman came into his life.
A new slave had been shipped into Ravok. She had big, brown eyes with small pupils. That's what he noticed most. She also had a
tattoo
of a strange creature on her arm. He had never seen anything like it before. She called it an Elephant. She also claimed that she could turn into one too. He didn't believe her though. But he knew she was a kelvic. He met her right when she arrived, with a collar and all. The slave owners told him to break her in and teach her the ways of her new life in custody. Chayton agreed. But little did he know how invincible this woman was.
The very first day, all she wanted to talk about was escape. She told him all her plans and things she wanted to do when she left, just about everything. He still feels bad about this today, but he remembers the time when he made her cry.
"How do you know I won't tell anyone? How do you know I won't betray you and report you to the owners?" The look on her face went from happy and bubbly to tears in seconds. He was so bewildered that he stuttered a river of apologies. Once he did, she smiled and wiped them all away as if they were never there.
"That's how I know. You're a good person inside. Even if you don't believe it yourself."They got to work together for months, they learned each others names and just about everything about each other. Her name was Shaba and she was born in Eyktol, where his ancestors were from. She said it would be perfect for him and that she met many chaktawe before. She even offered to take him there when they escaped. Eventually, the good side in her brought out the good side in him. Once again, the plan to ditch Ravok was back in session.
The night of their escape, Chayton told her to meet him at the boat house. Why? He felt that perhaps it was a safe house that protected slaves as they travelled out of Ravok. That's what Kuatan made it sound like anyways... Luckily, he made it safely with no problem. He was surprised at how easy it was. How did his father get caught? Inside, there was a single pack full of all the things he needed just like his father told him long ago. And with it, was a boat with a map inside that told him which way to sail safely. Unfortunately, it was starting to get bright out, he had to go! Shaba would have to find her own way to escape because he couldn't wait any longer...
He survived in the wilderness for a while, and when he needed to stop by a city, he made sure to cover his hands with gloves. No one suspected him, and he made sure to leave early when possible to avoid suspicion. No one would ever know who he was and where he came from... No one...
And now, he is currently staying in Kenash, the very city he was afraid to confront. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad... Maybe he'd run into others who would want to free the slaves...
![[Verified by Vice]](./images/checkmark.png "[Verified by Vice]")
