Chapter 4: Falling Off The Cliff

I glanced up and saw Bowen. 

Remembering his earlier words, my heart skipped a beat.

Mia jumped to her feet, eyeing Bowen warily. "What... what do you mean?"

The man replied with a serious expression. "Didn't you just say you've never experienced being a woman? I can help you with that."

"Help me?" Mia was taken aback. After a moment of thought, she realized what he meant and shouted, "I don't need your help. If you think you can sleep with me, dream on!"

"If you let me sleep with you once, maybe I can persuade my uncle to let you go," Bowen said.

"Really?" Mia's eyes lit up; clearly, she didn't want to die.

"Of course it's true," Dan's eyes gleamed with malice as he stepped closer to Mia.

A wave of disappointment washed over me. Such a beautiful woman like Mia would sleep with Bowen. It was like a delicate flower being trampled by a pig. 

Her first time should have been with me, but I failed. Now, Bowen got to have her.

The man glanced at me disdainfully and said, "Let me show you what a real man is."

With that, he started to undress Mia.

Mia shoved Bowen aside in a sudden burst and bolted for the door.

"Damn!" Bowen cursed, falling to the ground. By the time he got up, Mia had already dashed outside.

"You little bitch, stop right there!" He shouted, chasing after her.

I hesitated momentarily, then, seeing the coast was clear, I dashed out.

Yet, someone had spotted me when I reached the door.

"Caden Zimmerman, why are you out?" the person asked.

"I... I need to use the restroom," I said, quickly heading toward the outhouse.

I barely went a few steps when I heard someone behind me yell, "Caden Zimmerman, come back here!"

Panicking, I bolted.

Several people immediately gave chase.

It was morning, and there were many people in the village. If they cornered me, there was no way I'd escape. Seeing the pursuers getting closer, I ran straight for the hills behind the village.

Over the years, I'd frequently hunted, foraged for mushrooms, and picked wild fruits on the hills. No one knew them better than I did. I was sure I'd be free once I reached the hills.

Sure enough, as soon as I dove into the hills, they stopped and turned back.

I planned to stay in the hills for a few days and return after Dan's burial.

Suddenly, a cry echoed down from the mountain. Listening closely, it sounded like Mia's voice.

I paused for a moment, then stealthily approached the source of the sound.

As I got closer, I was shocked to find Bowen pinning Mia to the ground.

"Let me go! How can you do this to me? I'm your sister-in-law!" Mia exclaimed.

"Heh, you didn't even have a wedding night with my cousin. How are you my sister-in-law? Be with me, and I can keep you alive," Bowen said as he attempted to pull down Mia's pants.

"I'd rather die than be with someone like you!" Mia struggled fiercely. But Bowen held her down so tightly that she couldn't break free.

"If you're so eager to die, why not give me a last thrill before you do?" Bowen said lewdly.

Suddenly, Mia spotted me and shouted, "Caden, help me!"

Bowen turned and sneered, "You little wimp got out too?"

I steadied myself and said, "Let Mia go."

Bowen continued to pin her down. "I'm going to sleep with Mia! Get lost, or I'll drag you back to be buried with my cousin tomorrow."

"Don't go." Mia sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks, "Caden, are you even a man? If you leave, I'll hate you forever!"

"He's not a man. If he were, you wouldn't be buried with my cousin," Bowen said, ignoring me as he continued trying to strip Mia.

Bowen was right; neither of us would have to die if I successfully completed the Awakening Ceremony with Mia.

But watching Bowen assault Mia, I couldn't stand it.

I grabbed a rock from the ground and rushed at Bowen.

Bowen had already pulled Mia's waistband down, revealing the lace trim of her pale pink panties. He was panting heavily, becoming more frantic, not realizing I was right behind him.

I lifted the rock and smashed it down on Bowen's head.

"Shit!" the man yelped, glaring back at me.

I lifted the rock to hit him again, but Bowen rolled aside, dodging it, and cursed, "You bastard, how dare you hit me! I'll kill you!"

Knowing I wasn't a match for Bowen, I threw the rock at him when he got up, shouting, "Mia, run!"

Bowen touched the back of his head, his hand coming away bloody. He glared furiously and charged at me.

I turned and ran up the hill.

"You bastard, don't run if you dare!" Bowen cursed, chasing after me.

Growing up in poverty, raised on charity, I had a deep fear of thugs like Bowen. Hitting him with a rock was an instinctive act of heroism, but afterward, I realized how reckless it had been.

With Bowen hot on my heels, I ran unthinkingly until I stumbled to the edge of a cliff.

This cliff was known as Ninos Cliff, with sheer, unfathomable drops. Villagers said a swamp was below, and no one dared venture down. The swamp emitted gases that could cause birds to suddenly plummet mid-flight.

With no retreat and Bowen closing in, despair engulfed me.

"Ruin my plans, and today will be your death day! I'll kill you and then go get Mia." Bowen lunged forward, kicking me in the stomach.

Agony burst through my gut as I staggered back several steps. Suddenly, the ground gave way beneath me, and I plummeted. A strong scent overwhelmed me, and everything went black.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself half-sunken in the swamp. I wanted to call for help, but my voice caught in my throat. The swamp's fumes pressed on my chest, leaving me unable to make a sound!

Despair engulfed me. I knew even if I could cry out, who would pass by this place of death? And even if someone did, who would save me?

Just before losing consciousness again, a strange sight caught my eye.

At the swamp's edge was a small pond, its clear water starkly contrasting with the murky swamp I was trapped in.

To my astonishment, in the pond was a woman bathing, completely naked!

The woman was a distance away but directly facing me. She stood tall and graceful, her skin skin and her face fresh.

It was the first time in my life seeing a naked beauty, her firm breasts like ripe peaches, exuding an irresistible allure. Crystal-clear droplets flowed over her flawless body.

She seemed otherworldly, like a celestial fairy descending to the mortal realm!

At that moment, I wondered if I was hallucinating before death. Instinctively, I picked up a pebble and tossed it toward the woman.

She lifted her head and met my gaze.

In an instant, the woman vanished from the pond.

I was dumbfounded.

The next moment, she was standing right in front of me!

I was in the swamp, yet she stood on its surface, her delicate feet untouched by the mire.

Up close, I was enveloped by her intoxicating scent.

I looked up, facing her ivory legs and her private part.