A small boy leaned over Alethea,his eyes wide with curiosity. He poked her gently with his finger,whispering to himself, "I think she's dead." He poked her again,his voice barely audible, "Yeah,she's definitely dead."
A blonde girl nearby whispered to him, "Are you sure? You should probably check if she's breathing." The boy nodded and moved closer to Alethea,his small hand reaching out to feel her breath.
Just as he was about to make contact, Alethea's eyes suddenly flickered open. The boy's eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a startled yelp. He scrambled backward, his small body trembling with fear.
Alethea slowly stood up, her eyes scanning her own body. She was covered in blood, her clothes torn and dirty. She looked down at her hands, seeing the dried blood caked on her skin.
As she stood up, Alethea's gaze swept across the room. She saw the other children, all huddled together in fear. Some were crying, while others stared blankly, as if they have lost their souls. They were in shock, confused and traumatized.
Alethea's mind was foggy,she felt a wave of fear wash over her. She tried to make sense of the situation, but everything seemed surreal.
There was just one entrance , a metal bar door with a small opening that allowed her to see a silver of the outside. The bars were cold and unforgiving, and the sight of the outside world only made her feel trapped. There were no windows,just cold gray walls that seemed to close on her. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and fear. Alethea's eyes settled on a blonde girl,who looked up at her with wide eyes. "Hey,"Alethea said softly trying to talk to the girl. "What's going on? Where are we?" The blonde girl looked up at her eyes wide with fear.
Alethea tried to smile reassuringly,but it came out more like a grimace. She was still trying to process what was happening, and the fear was starting to creep back in.
The blonde girl's eyes remained fixed on Alethea's, her gaze carrying a great pain.
Alethea's attempt at a smile faltered,and she took a step closer to the girl. It's okay," she said, trying to sound calm. "I'm here. We'll figure this out together."
The girl's eyes didn't leave Alethea's face, but she didn't respond either. Alethea could see the fear and uncertainty etched on her features.
Alethea reached out a hand, hesitantly, and gently touched the girl's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay," she repeated.
The girl's eyes began to well up with tears, and Alethea's heart went out to her. She knew that look, that feeling of being lost and scared. She pulled the girl into a gentle hug, holding her close as she began to cry.
As the girl cried, Alethea's mind went into disarray,a turmoil in her head and her eyes started to water.
....
Kyrios' words cut deep: "You can have your throne back." Arin's eyes widened,and for a moment, he was transported back to her life he'd thought he'd left behind.
The temptation was palpable,but he shook it off, remembering Alethea's absence. He couldn't indulge in fantasies when she was out there,alone and vulnerable.
Arin turned to leave,but Kyrios' voice followed him. "Where are you going?" Arin ignored him and sprinted toward the market,retracing their steps from earlier.
The stalls were empty,and the streets were deserted. Panic set in as he frantically searched for Alethea.
Arin was slowly losing his mind,screaming her name over and over.
"Alethea!Alethea!" Kyrios followed closely behind, his silence unnerving.
Suddenly, Kyrios tapped Arin on the back. Arin spun around, his eyes blazing with anger. "Leave me alone!" he shouted.
Kyrios' smile was infuriatingly calm. He continued to follow Arin, making sure to stay close.
Just as Arin's anger was about to boil over, a soldier approached Kyrios' and whispered something in his ear. Kyrios' expression turned serious, and he turned to Arin. "I might know where your little friend is," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
Arin's skepticism warred with desperation. He was willing to try anything to find Alethea. "Where?" he demanded, his voice laced with urgency.
….
Alethea's tears were still suspended in mid-air when the sound of heavy footsteps thundered down the corridor, growing louder with each passing second. Her heart sank as the man who had knocked her out appeared at the door, his eyes blazing with a sinister intensity.
With a swift, brutal motion, he yanked the blonde girl from Alethea's arms, the girl's terrified screams echoing off the cold stone walls as she kicked and struggled in his grasp. Alethea lunged forward, her exhausted body screaming in protest, but she was no match for the man's brute strength. He flung her back, and she crashed to the floor, her vision blurring.
As she struggled to sit up, Alethea saw the man sneer at her, his face twisted in a cruel smile. "You're coming with me too," he snarled, his voice dripping with malice. "You don't think I'd separate two friends, do you?"
The blonde girl's screams grew more frantic as the man dragged her away, Alethea's own voice hoarse from exhaustion and fear. "No! Stop! Please!" she begged, but her words were lost in the chaos.
With a Herculean effort, Alethea hauled herself to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her. She stumbled forward, her eyes fixed on the man, her heart racing with fear. She knew she had to act, but her body seemed to be moving in slow motion.
The man's laughter echoed through the corridor, sending shivers down Alethea's spine. She knew she was running out of time.