REDEMPTION

29. ALL ALONG.

It was dark. And wet. She had been in and out for hours that she could not recollect what had occurred. Or what was. She was not even sure of whom she was. She could feel her head plop. She was sure she felt the world move, when she moved her eyes. Yet, she could see nothing.

Her eyes blinked but nothing happened. Is it was she was thinking or was it something else? She blinked a few more times to confirm the predicament she was in. Letting out a sigh, she attempted to move. But, she couldn’t. Not because she did not want to but because something stopped her. She knew she could handle pain, at least, that was what her body told her.

It was something else. It felt heavy. And cold. It was on her hands and feet. There was more. It was not only on her limbs but also tangled her body in an uncomfortable hug that made her twist. Those on her limbs burnt her constantly while those on her body tightened as she struggled to move. Every breathe she took, made them condense further.

It was only a matter of time before her time was up. She was not scared but she did have one regret. Her only wish was that she could see them just one more time. A line tear escaped the boundaries she had so long set and dropped on the floor. Her hair had fallen over her shoulders.

She called herself. Her heart struggled to do it work but the circumstances were wanting. She could feel it pounding within her chest demanding more than she could offer. She listened. Apart from the constant dripping of a certain liquid, everything was silent. The density of the liquid was more than that of water but lesser than that of oil.

Her brain was sluggish. It could not come up with a suitable explanation fast enough. All she could do was wait for whoever had kept her here to come while her brain worked. She had a bad feeling about it. But she could do nothing but sit there, like a cow on its way to the butcher.

Voices echoed in her head. Her heart ached. She attempted to call out to them, making the things around her instantly come crashing against her bones. Nothing came out. She knew them but she could no longer catch them. If she attempted to answer their call, she would only endanger them further. Them being alive was good enough.

She smiled to herself. The weight in her heart dragging her deeper into a vacuum bigger than anything she had ever felt in her entire life. This was the end. She had lived a good life, even if it was all a lie. She was proud. Of herself and them. They had survived, laughed, cried, fought and loved. And that, was more than she could ask for.

All that was left, was entirely up to them. The fates of everyone and everything they had ever knew was up to them. They might know the truth now, however, nothing stays hidden, it was just a matter of time. Soon, they would know. She only hoped that when they did, it would not destroy them but it would be the foundation of their success.

Tears were now breaking from her eyes, nevertheless, she had not noticed. Her strength was being sucked and her power was sealed. The attacker thought that they had succeeded in sealing them but she knew otherwise. It was just like the last time. The last time?

Memories of who she really was began pouring into her brain. Her head ached die to the instant collection of missing data. The blocked the voices in her background and concentrated. The power she had left showed her what had occurred outside wherever she was. And that is when she heard it. That name.

She held her breathe. Her heart stopped for a moment and time froze. Her soul left and followed whoever had said it. She stood before a young maiden, her features were pale. Her hair and eyes were white. She seemed to be holding back a lot of pain. But she did not let those before her see it.

She said the name before one of the people there attacked her. One of them protected her and now she was sure, she would be on good hands.

“Trust him.” She whispered as her consciousness faded.

She went back to her body. Not much time had passed but if what she had prepared for was coming to pass then her treasures will all be killed before they have a chance to grow wings of their own. She had helped one. Only two remained. Closing her eyes, she focused on the voices that had once called out to her.

Boys, can you here me?” She began. I don’t have much time. Listen closely. In three minutes I will let you out of there. I need you to head to a small town out of the capital and find a young maiden named Achlysa. Take care of her. And guide her if you must. She will lead you to Audrey. And whatever you do, don’t let him find you. Once he does then it is all over. I love you… trust her and be careful. They are always watching. Remember… her hair is whi…te.”

Light poured into her darkness. Good, she was not blind. Immediately, she cut off the connection she had to those voices. She wanted to tell them So much but what she did was what they needed. She knew they could do it. She left it to them and waited to face her demon.

Steps echoed all around her. She was on a room that was for sure. It was big and apart from her and her demon, it was empty. She looked at he hands. They were in chains. They spread and dived into the darkness. They were what were holding her up and what kept her grounded. She was on her knees. The liquid she had heard was her blood. Her body was filled with cuts. Some big some small. Some deep others shallow.

Most of the blood had dried but some had opened up since she moved. All made sense. Why she felt attracted to her. Why he lived them more than he did her and her lost treasure. Why he kept her locked up. Why she never let her own clan. And why she and her clan did not look alike. And why only she looked like them but he did not.

It was a lie. All of it was a lie. And she knew the mastermind behind it all. It was not who everyone would think but it was someone rather surprising. He walked in leisurely and stopped right in front of her. His cold hands lifted her chin so that they could meet eye-to-eye. Her heart filled with rage and glared daggers at him.

The eyes she looked into locked her for being this stupid. They laughed at her for easily falling into this easily set trap. His face looked amused but she knew deep down, this person was locking her. Her erupted into a cold and harsh laughter that echoed through the empty room. It took a while for it to die down. When it did, he looked at her once more and smiled.

She could not believe she had not realized it was him. She did not believe he had hidden so well. He was right under her nose and she could not sniff him out. It made sense though, their departure, him missing, the drift between the two and his appearance right when they got back. Ralph was really amazing. If that was even his name.

She wasn’t shocked and also let out a pained laugh.

“So, it was you all along.”