Broken Away

The Dungeons

I'm going to cut in for a bit, reader. I've told you about Chase's story so far. Now, I think it's best if we see things from the (very handsome) prince's point of view. Yes, I know I said this was Chase's story, but I'll get back to her soon.

Eric felt a shiver run up his spine as Lexi twisted her arms around his. Her vanilla perfume's stench filled his nostrils causing a constant thumping in his head.

"Do you have to clutch on to me like that? You're a human, not a handbag."

Lexi's dark red lips turned upwards into a smile, "keep in mind at what's at stake here, Eric. You wouldn't want to lose your little prize, would you?"

"What are you two kids whispering about?" King Montague's voice echoed across the room as he walked through the door. Two young girls were holding up his long, emerald green cloak from touching the floor as he strutted up the stairs leading to his throne.

The smooth, marble staircase was seven feet tall, a ruby throne sitting at the top of it. Once the king was seating, each girl stood on each side of him.

Lexi kneeled down on one knee, bowing her head. Eric, on the other hand, stood taller, his chest raised as he stared at the man in front of him.

"Stand up, Lieutenant." King Montague said.

Lexi stood up slowly, bowing swiftly once more, "thank you, my king."

"Lieutenant, you and I both know I have no grudge with you. But why did you bring this disappointment of a son in front of me?"

Lexi stared straight into Montague's beady little eyes. "My king, we were wondering if we could bring our marriage to an earlier date."

The king raised his right eyebrow, "we? I thought my son wanted to wait until you both were 18?"

Lexi pinched the inside of Eric's hand. "No, sir," Eric said, "I've changed my mind."

Montague chuckled, "that doesn't seem like my son."

Lexi cut in, "my king, we just want to celebrate for the capture of the treacherous Chase Never."

"Hm," Montague paused, "I'm overjoyed to hear that, but I am wondering why I wasn't informed of this sooner?"

"My king, I just thought that since I knew—"

"You are not the one leading this kingdom, Lieutenant. I am. Every single update in problems such as Chase Never need to be went through me. Do you understand?"

Lexi bowed her head down in a nod.

"Say it, Spear."

"I understand, my king."

"Good. Now, I see the role you played in Never's capture, but what did my son do to deserve your marriage to be moved up?"

Eric's hands clenched together. "He didn't even notice I was gone for three months," he whispered, his voice barely being audible.

Lexi somehow heard him and pinched the inside of his palm once more. "My king, he assisted in the capture of Chase Never. He went undercover for us to lure her in our trap."

"Good for him. He's finally living up to his father's legacy. When do you want your marriage to be? It can be tomorrow if needed?"

Lexi's eyes widened. "Really?" She said at the same time as Eric said, "no, that really isn't needed."

Eric quickly held out his hands, "sir, I think sometime next week would fit best. Maybe the wedding occurs on Friday and it extends into Sunday?"

"I like that idea!" Montague laughed, "there's more food that way!"

Lexi glanced at Eric before bowing down again, "then that's official, my king. I'll arrange for the invitations to be sent out."

Lexi rose back up and walked out the door, Eric following her. As soon as the door closed behind them, Lexi slammed Eric against the wall.

"We could've been married tomorrow."

Eric pushed her off, "I don't want to rush it, Sp—Lexi."

Lexi scrunched her nose, "don't tell me you caught actual feelings for her."

"I don't, Lexi. Now let me be. I have business to attend to."

"As do I. Ciao, Eric."

Lexi spun around and walked off, her ponytail sharply hitting Eric's face before it bounced behind her head. Eric winced as he felt the stinging pain imprinted on his face.

Eric straightened his collared shirt and started going in the directions of the stairs. Instead of going up to his room, he went down the stairs. He continued going down 3 flights of stairs, many animals' heads lining the walls leading to his destination. They were all victims of his father's cruel hobby. He called it a sport. Eric knew it was no such thing. In a sport, both teams know they are playing a game.

Once he had reached the bottom of the stairs, he now faced one of the elite guards standing in front of an arch leading into the dungeons.

"Sir, you are not allowed to go past this point without the Lieutenant's approval." The guard said, her voice monotone and hollow.

"I'm her fiancé and the prince, why am I not allowed to go meet a prisoner?"

"Unless given direct approval from the Lieutenant, I cannot let you enter the dungeons."

"What if I have direct approval from the king?"

"Unless given direct approval from the Lieutenant, I cannot let you enter the dungeons." The guard repeated.

Eric groaned, "just let me inside. I won't tell anyone."

The guard paused, "if I let you in, will you help the people in there?"

"I'm sorry, pardon?"

"The people in there. They need help. No one here can help them. No one except you and the king."

"What do you mean by that?"

The guard bit her lip, "you should go inside and see for yourself."

Eric raised an eyebrow questioningly before walking through the arch.

As soon as he had set a foot inside, the smell hit his senses like an elephant. Eric has expected the stench of body odor and death. That was what all the ficitonal books told him. Instead, he smelt chemicals. The smell was stronger and more overbearing than Lexi's perfume. The white walls were gritty and rough, but they were clean. The floors were made with white tiles that even extended into the cells. Each cell was locked in using a glass door. Eric looked at the prisoners inside each one. They all seemed completely fine. They all looked healthy and in prime condition. They were all bathed and their clothes were simple white gowns. They didn't appear to have needed help.

Eric continued down the line of cells, inspecting each prisoner. When he reached the last of the cells, he sighed before running a hand through his hair.

"Where could she—Chase?"

His eyes finally landed on what he thought was an empty cell previously. A girl was cowering in a corner, her hair matted and a complete mess. She was scratching the walls with her nails, as if she was drawing something. Her form was so small that she almost blended in with the walls.

"What did they do to you?"