Acadia Restoration

Chapter 9

 "Let's not jump to conclusions," Luna tried to settle the group. "Maybe Norah forgot to get him,". Everyone turned to Norah.

"His room was empty, I figured he heard everyone and already had come out to meet us here," she explained.

"Last time I saw him he was with the Queen," Hope said. Everyone stared at her.

"And you didn't think to not leave him alone with her!?" Cristina accused.

"I don't think, I act," Hope responded blankly. "I'm here as a guide, I don't interfere,". Cristina rolled her eyes, annoyed

"So now we have to find Padma and Alex," Cristina said, shooting a glare at Hope.

"If we can find Padma then we can find Alex. If he is indeed with the Queen Padma will know where she'd take him," Norah explained. Everyone huddled up.

"Should we split up?" Kelp asked.

"If we don't it'll be suspicious," Jade noted. Everyone considered this.

"How will we contact each other if we find them?" Serina asked.

"I think we should split into pairs and meet back in an hour," Norah said. Everyone agreed and split into pairs. Serina paired with Jade, Norah with Laiko, Leo with Max, Luna paired with Cristina, that left Kelp with Hope. All of the pairs dressed back into their armor and grabbed weapons. They all gave each other one final nod before scattering into a multitude of directions to search the castle.

~~~~~

"What did you do!?" Padma exclaimed as she stared at Alex.

"I'm being generous. Either you redeem yourself or, well I'm sure you're familiar with how I punish those who cross me," The Queen warned before leaving the room. "I'll be back in an hour," she heard the Queen say from behind the door. She listened to the click of the lock and the removal of a key. Once the Queen was gone Padma rushed to Alex and ungagged him. She made sure his protective glasses were intact. Of course if they weren't he'd have already turned to stone.

"I'm so sorry about all of this," Padma apologized.

"You're like the Queen?" he said in disbelief. "You have wings?".

"If you give me a chance to explain," she tried to calm him down. "And I'm only telling you this because you're like me,".

"Like you?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Gay," she said. Alex's heart rate quickened. He felt a sweat form on his forehead.

"I'm not-" he tried to lie.

"Has anyone ever told you you're a terrible liar?" she smiled.

"I haven't told anyone," he looked ashamed. "How did you know?".

"I have an excellent gaydar. Anyways, back to my explanation. Gorgons function like bees and ants the way we reproduce and structure society. All gorgons are female except for the males that my mother keeps locked away from harm. Every so often a new queen is born, if you couldn't tell that's me. Only queens have wings and golden eyes. Most gorgons are lesbian because it's an all girl society, I'm the one gorgon that can't be. The Queen doesn't bond with any of her children except the new queen. I was my mother's pride and joy until I came out. When I did she hid me away from the world. I'm an embarrassment to her, but she won't kill me until a new queen is born. That's why she caught you. She wants to 'straighten me out' and she has her eye on the other boys in your group. She lives to breed, what an excellent queen. If I don't breed she'll turn me to stone and I'll be unfrozen if another queen isn't born before her death. I'm terrified of being Queen, so please don't kill my mother," She pleaded.