Silent Souls

Chapter 3: Weakness

I'm dragged down the rest of the hallway to the door I entered in. We walk out of the door and no one is outside, there's always people outside.

II run across the empty courtyard. I'm not dying today, not yet anyway. I turn my head to see them running behind me and I pick up my speed. My legs start to burn as I make a turn behind the sleeping house- somehow I run into the wall. I scramble to the grass and start to get up before two guards tackle me. My head blaring, my vision blurred- I surrender. My bones are laid bare as I fall into darkness.

Water chokes me to life. My lungs find air as I stare down at a wooden barrel full of musty water. A hand plasters my face, moving my hair out of my line of vision. One of the guards yanks my hair as my eyes flare wide meeting the golden guards eyes. We stare at each other for a moment.

How did you get it?

This can't be happening. The world turns silent.

My face contorts, my muscles squeeze, everything in my body, mind and soul is telling me this isn't real. This isn't happening. That the world as I knew it hadn't just been flipped like a coin. I just want to scream. To hear thee heart shattering sound escape from my lips, instead I just , instead I just feel the buzzing in my throat. It lessens the pain a little as I'm once again held face first in the bucket of water. I'm pulled back up and the one secret I've been swore to keep is broken in front of my eyes. H e signs his question again. My breathing is uneven, my mind isn't clear, but I know I will never anwser to a man who has destroyed everything my people and I have worked to protect. I shake my head, punching a hard no in his smug face.

No? Alright, I didn't want to do this but you leave me no choice. I see his lips move and the guard at the entrance to this room opens the door. Suzy is pushed to the ground. My eyes widen as I search her face. There are scratches all over her face and bruises on her neck. What did they do her? All of this over a little belt of tools? Somethings off. I know they don't like stealing but why such a severe punishment for her? She did nothing. Golden moves towards her and grips her chin. She flinchs. I try and move towards her but they just grip harder on my arms. I continue to struggle free before he puts a finger up, a warning.

Ah ah ah we'll have none of that. Just anwser my question and then this... thing.... goes free. Now, how did you get it? I look between his eyes ans Suzy's. She shakes her head back and forth. I need to help her, and the best way I can is by telling the truth even if it hurts me in the end, even if it leaves my mother alone. I can't let Suzy take this punishment for my stupid stupid mistake. He motions to the guards and they let go of my arms and put their heavy hands hard on my shoulders as I sign.

I stole it from the blacksmith. His poisonous smile streches arm cross his face.

Good, that's all I need to hear. He rears his fist back and pain bursts onto my face. He repeats the action two more times before I finally submit to darkness

I scramble awake, gasping for air that was always there. My eyes inhale the room. Dull gray walls surround me on all sides except for the singular wooden door with white lines on it. I shakily rise from the floor and slowly make my way to the door. Every time I blink my face erupts with pain, the bruising must be bad near my eye. I almost fall onto the door. I haven't properly slept in a day and it's taken a toll of my body. I run my fingers along the uneven white lines. It's bumpy and the chipped wood stops frequently. I touch it again as mind connects the dots. I immediately drop my hand and back away from the door. Oh dear God the marks on the door, there- there human. 

How long were they in here? How long will I be? I just want to scream. I sit on the cold floor. I want scream at how ignorant I was, about how I thought I wouldn't get caught, how I could keep anything a secret from the captors who watch over all of us. I stare at the wooden door for so long I'm not even sure it actually opened, until my mother steps in.

Mom? I sign

Sera, oh God are you okay, they let me bring medicine, where do you hurt most? I almost cry at the promise of medicine. My face hurts so bad.

My face. I gesture to it as she sits down next me and opens her bag. She's training in the royal hospital with her friend Madame Leva. I'm surprised they sent her and not Madame since she just recently started. She starts applying this freezing substance I've never seen before. It feels nice on my on my hot face.

What is this? Her face scrunches up.

What?

This cold thing. A smile spread along her face.

It's actually water.

What? How- how's it this cold? It's always so warm.

It's from outside the palace. During the winter season out there it get cold like how you feel when your sick. It's amazing. How does she know this.

Wait you talk as if you've been out there. Her words are silent. I look to her eyes and can see the panic. I can tell she's been out but how? They never let us out.

Mom what aren't you telling me? Her eyes welt up and a small tear runs down her wrinkled face.

Sera, I love you so much.

I know mom I love you too but out with it I'm not a child Her body starts shaking

You're being executed tomorrow. This hit me like a brick wall. My brain already knewthis but now my body has realized this. I'm shaking as well. My mother hugs me and quickly shove a blade into my hand. She lets go and I stare at it.

What is thi- the door bursts open and guards grab her and me. I reach for her and kicked and squirm. The guards hold tight but my mother still fights. One of the guards puts his hand around my mothers neck and my panic rises. She's gonna do something stupid. That's what started this brawl. I shake my head and try to sign not but it's too late. Her last act is biting the guards arm until a blade is shoved through her body.

I go wild and kick and scream and fight but they drop me to the ground and take her away, leaving a trail of blood in the wake. Tears stream down my face and neck nonstop. I slam my fist into the ground and break into the floor. She's gone, forever and I could stop her, I couldn't stop them. I shake on the floor for hours until my erratic breathing brings me into the sweet release of sleep.

I don't remember leaving my cell, I don't remember being walked into the palace all I remember is the numbness. My brain finally comes into focus as I'm lead to the kings thrones. Their thrones are pure white and the ends of the arms and the back are curled down to the cobblestone floor. Sat in said chairs is King Lorany and his husband King Zack. They both wear black robes and their crowns are pure white like the thrones. To the right of Lorany stands Prince Harloc in black armor. His face looks much like his fathers and emits not emotions. Unlike hers. Next to him stands his majesty's guest Warrior Kaito. Their highness stands shorter then the prince but they radiate compassion. Tears are held in their eyes as they look over me. Kaito wears matching black armor.

I am surrounded by people. My own people and those of aristocratic lineage. They have bright colored robes and their hoods cover half of their heads. My eyes scan the crowd and I meet her eyes. Suzy. As much as I want to keep her attention the guard holding me moves my head back forward. To the left of King Zack is Golden guard who signs every word he speaks.

Today we execute Sera Mahon for the high crime of stealing. Stealing is forbidden in our kingdom and will not be tolerated, hence the punishment. Let us begin. Another guard walks over to me and I stare at the swords end.

5,4 I glance at Kaito, tears drip to the floor, 3 they move towards the king, 2

Whoosh. Darkness surrounds me and hands quickly move to my ears. I try to scramble away but something sits on them.

And for the first time ever I can hear the screams

(Authors note: So sorry about how long this took I really wanted to fill this up with action ans it's a little longer than usual I hope you enjoyed and please comment, add, and vote for this story, thanks!)