Chapter 21

**Acacia Point of View**

My lips pressed tightly in contemplation.

Biting down my lower lip as I couldn't decide what to do, I sat down with a huff. I looked around offhandedly at the study room I have been using, I sighed again in dilemma.

Alright I found a way to get back to the sea but then what?

I can't swim all the way back. The days I've spent beside the only opened window, I did realize that in all these days, no boat, no plane or just any other things passed the territory around the island.

Although I watched only a small part of the sea from the window, I can tell this island and the waters around is completely abandoned. I did not hear any sound of steam engine.

Now that was what worries me. I thought finding the way back to the sea is enough to escape this place but now that I realized my problem, I don't know how solve it.

The long hours I spent on the seashore last afternoon wasn't producing as well. I looked around again and it was still the same. There was no other land in eyesight.

There might be one after traveling by water for awhile but how do I travel? I've already looked careful and found no means of water transportation.

Another disappointed sigh left my mouth as I slumped back again the backrest. My eyes wandered around the room and soon they fell on the building model I made.

Getting up from the chair slowly, I walked to the wooden model and looked at it with concentration. Trailing my fingers over it, I fell in thoughts again.

Should I build a boat?

When I can build a house, building a boat is nothing, but in this condition -

I looked down at my pregnant belly and patted it gently. My baby deserves better than to be a pawn in mysterious person's game or worse become a person like that jerk. So, it necessary that I take my child out of this mess.

Only, making a simple model is easy but carrying heavy logs of wood and building a huge boat that too in this condition is nearly impossible.

Had I been in my normal caliber, I wouldn't be much of a task. This time around, I should think not just about myself but also for my baby.

What should I do?

I can still make the boat and be careful but it is still risky to such strenuous work.

Pulling my attention back to the bump, I considered my baby's stand in the task.

I still have approximately two months until my delivery, even if I work carefully and slowly, I can make a simple boat in a month and a half.

There are few bamboo tress a few meters inside the jungle. Bamboos are much lighter and easy to cut and use. Making wooden levers may take a little time but it can still be fulfilled.

It is better I make a paddling mechanism with a lever on the inside of the boat for my convenience than use paddles.

"Let's give it a try." I told myself with determination.

Since I only had my lunch just a few minutes ago, I'm free for several hours until dinner. I decided to start the work right away.

Azar, who was sitting on the table silently without any quacks until now spread its wings to follow me like always.

This time, I took a few candles and fire stick along with tools and soon went down the hill through the cave. It didn't take a long time like the other day. Since I know the direction well now, it only took few minutes to travel down.

Once my feet touched the sand, I dropped all the tools on the ground and walked towards the place where there are several fallen trees for some strong wood.

Once I make the rotating paddling mechanism, making the boat itself becomes easy. Then I can decide if I have to use wood or bamboos to make the rest of the boat depending on the weight and size of the paddle.

I got to work right away. By 'got to work right away' I meant struggling with splitting the wood.

I'm a fool, seriously!

"Stupid Acacia, you have wood, you have axe, is that enough? Don't you need to have experience and needed strength?" I face palmed first and tried to cut that stubborn wood again.

I raised the axe and dropped the sharp end on the wood, not only did it not split; there isn't even a scratch on the log.

Like really?

Gosh, if there was anyone here, I would've dug a pit for myself to hide my embarrassment. Thankfully, it's only Azar who shrill screamed under its breath.

For the next week, I was extremely tired but failed to split at least one log of wood. Heck, I didn't even manage to scratch the damn wood.

After a week, I realized my mistake of wasting my time on wood and overestimating my caliber; so I decided use bamboo to make the paddling mechanism too.

Handling bamboo was easier than hardheaded wood so once I procured needed bamboos for the day, I proceeded to make the boat with the model I have in mind.

I started to make the mechanism first as per the original plan.

"Working alone while you sit like a king, I cannot bear it. My eyes hurt whenever I see you lounge around me while I'm struggling." I stopped what I was doing and threw a stinking eye towards Azar, the damned bird.

Azar did not even give my words any weight as he relaxed on the tree he was sitting from the time we came.

"Don't you guys make your own nest? When I see you, the tool of your ex-master, relaxed, I cannot bear to digest it. Come and help me."

You can call me envious but it's okay. I was given a pet; I as well utilize him to the fullest.

"Get me those ties." I ordered, getting back to my own work.

I heard Azar flap his wings as he flew to me and dropped the ties he dragged. "He really does understand me." I mumbled softly to myself.

Very well!

I did not work myself to death, I took it easy. I know how long can I handle, I know when to stop and rest. After all, escaping is important but my baby is my top priority.

I took my time and never hurried. All these days, I was provided with food and other necessities as usual and the main doors of the castle is still open.

Azar is still following me which means his ex-master knows what I'm up to. Even without Azar on my back, that jerk usually knows all my movements.

Now what I make me wonder is, why he is letting me do what I want. Shouldn't be stopping me, imprisoning me again?

Either he thinks I cannot make it or he is sure I cannot make it.

But if I do manage to make it out of here against his expectations, I've be a free bird. I can give my child a better life.

Exactly twenty four days later, I was finally done with the paddling mechanism. After several trial and errors, many improvisations, I was finally satisfied with the result.

"How does it look?" I asked Azar with a proud smile.

Since he has been providing with his services as my assistance these past few days, he deserves to see the outcome. I might as well say, we got close these past few days.

By no means have I trusted this bird but still, I did get comfortable with him around.

I kept looking at the mechanism with a proud smile and waited and waited but did not see him or hear his screeching quack. Only when I turned back did I notice that bird had his eyes closed and possible sleeping.

"Another reason to hate you." I puffed out. "Fine sleep."

I was done for the day so I dragged the mechanism to somewhere safe where waves cannot touch it. So I pulled it into the cave and put it securely in one corner.

Hearing me drag the heavy thing, that damned bird finally woke up and followed me again.

"Once I complete making it, will you still follow me to my home or will you still slave for your ex-master? Since that jerk is too controlling of a criminal, I don't think you can leave this island." I breathed out once the mechanism is secured.

It was quite heavy.

I stood there and leaned back to the rock wall and took deep breaths until I was not dizzy and hyperventilating.

Azar blinked back at me uninterested, showing clearly how loyal he is to that jerk.

A few more days, a little more and I can finally leave this hell.

A few more days more!

But the question is, will I be able to? Can I?

Why do I feel like I'm being played?

**~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

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