Deadly Secret

Bramble

A young gnome gracefully waddled into Esther's room. He gently placed a tray of neon mush onto the floor, and as the creature began to leave, Esther leaped forward.

Now was her chance.

She crashed into the gnome, and a bright flash burned her retinas. A distinct, burning scent drifted from her tousled blonde hair, and for a second, there was an awkward tangle of bodies in the doorway. But she was on the other side. Thanks to the gnome, the forcefield disappeared for a second, and she was on the other side.

"We did it," Esther whispered, "We really did it, dearest fool of an alicorn,"

Luna's sparkly, plump body was slightly blackened, but she'd survived the ordeal. And the gnome... his eyes were terrifying. An awful mix of fear and fury twisted his features, and Esther's stomach tightened.

She slowly detached herself from the plantlike thing, "Please don't tell,"

"I could be executed for this," he grumbled, "Get back in your room!"

"Haven't you ever wanted freedom? Don't you want to see your family? You could..." Esther paused, and took a shallow breath, "You could come with me,"

"Are you insane!"

"No! My alicorn is! Well?"

He frowned, but Esther noticed the hungry, curious glint in his silver eyes. A part of her hoped he would refuse. He didn't.

It's really happening.

Waves of guilt, elation, and terror twisted her stomach, and she did her best to ignore the nausea.

What have I done?

"I can't turn back now, can I, Luna?"

"Would you stop talking to your stuffed animal?" the gnome objected, "It's a bit insulting,"

Esther smiled sweetly, "I can't help it if an imaginary alicorn is more interesting than you are. Now, where to?"

"You really didn't plan this out at all?"

"Let me see... Get through the forcefield, somehow escape the tower... be free?"

The gnome rolled his eyes and yanked a green thumb towards an ominous hallway, "Follow me. I'll get you out of the tower, and after that, we'll go our separate ways,"

"Deal!" she held out her hand, and the gnome reluctantly shook it, "I don't know your name, mine's Esther!"

"I'm Bramble," he glared at her one last time before shuffling into the awaiting darkness.

It was thrilling to step into the unknown. Esther brushed her fingers against the mossy interior of the castle, and with every stride, her heart fluttered and fell, crashed and rejoiced. She trembled with anticipation.

Eventually, more and more lanterns lit the dim corridors, and blue shadows were cast from the spiraling balefire trapped in glass. They eventually entered a clean, bright room not only lit by balefire, but illuminated by sunlight.

The golden rays seemed magical. There was such warmth and peace hidden in their radiance, and as soon as Esther began singing their praise, Bramble dragged her from the room.

"Don't do that," he hissed.

She shrugged and followed him into an adjacent chamber. The walls were constructed with glorious, colourful gems that almost rivaled Luna's sparkles, and the domed ceiling was complete with majestic skylights that doused the young elf and gnome in light.

It was perfect.

Until footsteps shattered the silence.

 I hope you enjoyed chapter two! This was a really short chapter, so I'll try to make up for it when I write chapter three :)