TAKEN

~Chapter 3~

A sound of a miniature helicopter sounded outside her house, followed by a quiet chime. Gwen walked out of the hut. She looked and saw it was a Deliverer. Deliverers update you on the news, give you parcels that have been sent to you and notify you of the status in the trials. Today, the modern machine's mechanical voice said, is the day the 574th girl will be picked for the Trials. Remember, only princesses can beat the Trials. When we do find the true princess, she will immediately marry Prince Callum and together they will rebuild the castle of Saura. The princess will- Gwen walked back inside her house and slammed the door shut. She had heard that already too many times.

Gwen checked the time and saw it was almost curfew, 9pm. It was dark outside and it the temperature was dropping rapidly. Where was Zara? Gwen thought. She grabbed one of the rugs from the shelf and laid it out on the floor. She then realised she hadn't bolted the door. She stood up and lazily bolted the door shut.

As she was walking back to the rug, she heard the mechanical steps of the Taker. She ran back to the door and made sure she had bolted it properly. The machine came closer and closer until she could hear it right outside the door. Gwen pushed her back against the door and held her breath. All was silent for a couple of seconds. She then heard the machine move and suddenly the door was ripped off its hinges and wood splintered everywhere. Gwen screamed as the beast grabbed her with its robotic claws. You are being Taken! It yelled. Gwen screamed until her lungs felt like they were going to burst. Number 574 is being Taken! It said. Gwen wriggled around in the claws, but instead the machine gripped tighter. Without warning, it stabbed her with a needle and injected her with some kind of serum. Gwen screamed for the last time before she fell unconscious.