A Dangerous Secret Revealed

PROLOGUE

AMIRA *A few years ago*

I hear chains rattling. The bar doors are open. It's dinner time.
Her footsteps echo through this jail-like room.

I open my eyes hazily as Matilda sits up on her bunk bed, yawning. To be honest, my pretty sister Matilda now looked like a horrid witch. Both of us haven't bathed in days.

"Eat up. How are you, Amira?" The woman asked me with concern and kindness.

I don't reply, and she doesn't speak to me again. I gobble up my dinner quickly - scrambled eggs and rice - it's not much. But it's the best she could provide for us.

She offers the plate of food to Matilda, but she refused.
"No. I don't want!" Matilda shrieked stubbornly.

I know she is hungry, but doesn't want to accept her kindness. Doesn't want to appear needy.

The woman comforts Matilda in her usual dreamy voice. "Matilda, eat it. You need it." She holds the plate in front of her. Matilda swatted away the spoon.

"No! What I need is for you to let us GO!" She yelled angrily.
The woman picked up the spoon and puts the plate away.
"I'm sorry, Tilda. But-
"SHUT UP, do NOT call me that!" Matilda said, with her anger at the breaking point, stood up. She stomped around the room, looking for something.

"Where's my wand? Give it back to me!" Matilda commanded her.
"I'm sorry....so....I'll just leave it here and go...I'm so sorry." The woman said with pity, puts the plate on the floor beside Matilda's bed, and reluctantly leaves.

The chains stop rattling and Matilda groaned in frustration after. When she's done with her little fest of groaning and stomping, she lies down on her bed with a sigh.

"You know -" I begin
"Don't start with that." Matilda snaps.
"It's our own fault we're here now."
"Shut it...it's not our fault okay! Now STOP talking about this." Matilda replied, her back turned to me. I know she secretly agrees, but doesn't want to admit it. But it really is my....our fault we're here.

"Fine. But I just want to say that...that...this is what we deserve for what we've done to her." I said with regret. I want to go back to the past, change every horrible thing, every mistake I've done. But now it's too late.
"Whatever." She stared at the plate for a long while and finally eat it up like an animal.

I chuckle. I knew she would do that.

I roll to my side and let the memories slowly bring me to sleep.
****************

I hear chains again. But this time it's softer.

She's here again? Then it's already morning, breakfast time? I couldn't have slept for that long...

"Ellie," I heard Matilda gasp. I shuddered at the mention of that name. Tons of memories replayed in my brain.

How could Ellie be here?

I quickly stood up to see if it's her. My eyes must be tricking me. Matilda and I executed her! I remember the flanes surround her, kill her. How could she be alive, even healthy?

"Ellie," I repeated, still not believing she's here.
"Oh! How good to see both of you!" I sensed a little of sarcasm in her tone. She comes hugging us. Matilda and I pushed her away.

"Don't! Why are you here? What are you doing here?!"
"Is that how you greet a friend from the dead?" Her choice of words creeped me out. It sounded like she was back from the dead. A zombie.

"How are you here? The fire killed you!" Matilda screeched.
"State your business. What's your purpose of visiting us?" I asked.

Ellie dropped her act and stopped smiling.

"You see," She explained, walking around the dim room. "You THOUGHT I died. I did. Almost. Luckily, a little someone saved me. But that someone left immediately when it saw I could handle myself. And so here I am now -

"Skip to the point," Matilda interrupted impatiently.

"I'm here to offer a deal. I'm offering you my help."

I am suddenly alert. Ellie isn't the type who just barges in and helps people randomly. There's a catch for sure. It's time to be cautious.

"You'll help us after what we've done?" I asked suspiciously.
Ellie makes a gesture with her hand. "Oh...you know the saying. Forgive and forget."

Ellie NEVER forgets. And RARELY forgives.

"No. We don't believe you. We don't need your help." Matilda said.
"You know both of you need help. There's someone offering, and you're saying no?"
"We're saying no to a betrayer. We don't need help from a betrayer."
Ellie snorted. "As if you yourselves aren't betrayers. Didn't you betray your own sister?"
"We didn't have a choice! We had to do what we did! Now go away. We don't need your help."

Ellie let out a sigh. "Oh, well. You haven't heard my deal. Too bad it was a good deal. Well, I'll just let you two suffer and rot in here. Farewell, old friends." She turned on her heels and started fumbling with the key from who knows where she got it and the chains.

"Wait," Matilda started. I groan inwardly. I had a feeling this would happen.
Ellie stopped what she was doing. "Yes?"
"The deal."

Hearing the deal won't hurt...

"Oh, so you've changed minds. Here's my deal. I help you and you help me. Simple."
"Please elaborate," I said.
"See this," Ellie holds up her hand and a large bottle slowly appeared. I can't help but feel envious. Ellie still has her powers, stronger even. And here my sister and I are, powerless. "This bottle will regain your powers."

Now THIS caught our attention. Matilda sat up straighter and I listen more attentively.
"Not only that, it will regain your young look and beauty."

"Okay" was all I could manage.
"What should we do for you?" Matilda asked.
"Oh, it's simple. Really easy. Go on. Talk about it. Talk about this bottle," She shook the bottle. "And decide yes or no. I won't listen to your conversation. Go."

Matilda and I discussed about it using whispers. At first I argued that it might just be a trick.
"Well, what could be worse than this room?" Matilda said. Good point.
"So, it's a yes?"
"We'll see what we have to do for her."

Both of us turned to Ellie.
"What is it that we should you?"
"Kidnap a child." She replied simply. Kidnap a child! How easy! Matilda and I exchanged looks. Both of us knew it was definitely a yes.

"So? What's your decision?"
"Yes."
"Good. Let's not waste time now. Come along. I know a way out." Ellie started fumbling with the chains again.
"Wait," This time I said it. "Which child?"

Ellie stopped again.

"James Sweetdude." She replied then we were free of that room.
*******************

(Author's Note
Guyssss! Second book is out! Yay! Hope you like the prologue. :) Oh and thanks for reading! :) Guys once again this is @claricedianocampo_ using another account! Just wanted to remind :)
--claricedianeocampo_)