Power (Book 1 in SRMTHFG Series)

16

They took Chiro away. Otto, too. I don't know where.

I sit quietly on the stool in my cell most of the time now, talking with Keli. We don't ever say much; just a little small talk now and then.

Now, I sit quietly, the fear filling my head. I've had it for days and I still haven't gotten used to it. The voices telling me I'm worthless; I've come to believe it. I think I had some sort of power... the fear blocked it out of me, though. I can't remember.

Suddenly, footsteps come down the corridor. Mandarin is there with four Formless.

"Master would like to see you both now," Mandarin cackles. "He wants to have a... discussion."

He unlocks the cell doors and two Formless each hold Kelinet and me. We're carried down the hallway into the common room. Skeleton King is there.

"The Rib comes to my side," he says coldly, "and the girl on the ground." I'm mercilessly thrown down and Keli is set carefully in a small throne beside Skeleton King.

"Girl, you thought you could beat me. Look at you now," he teases. "You think you had some power, but you can't remember. Join me, and I'll help you. You help me, and you'll no longer be treated as such a prisoner. There's nobody else that will take you in. Nobody knows you but us."

What he's speaking feels true; I can't think of anyone else that knows me. The fear makes me feel like I knew a few people-possibly a group- that felt this was wrong. They wouldn't want me doing this. I feel like there were a couple beside me today, but that can't be true. I'm alone.

"No," I say. "I can't remember, but this isn't right."

Skeleton King squints and stands. He kicks me hard. "You fool! You have no power at all! You are worthless, and you have nothing and no one! Join me, or you will die!"

Something tells me to stay strong. I can't see that, as my hands and feet are bound.

"No."

He yanks me up and hurtles me towards a wall, making me smash into it and crumble a few pieces. I fall down, coughing.

Something tells me I can't cry. I can't show weakness to this a Skeleton King, as much as I would like to cry.

Chelsea.

I blink. That voice...

Chelsea. Do you not remember me?

Somebody... I can't think of the name...

Think harder.

This voice. It isn't like the other ones screaming depressing insults in my head. It cancels them out, it's kinder, more encouraging. It's reading my thoughts.

Yes, I am. Think harder. He's tainted you too deeply.

'He,' I think. 'He...taint... Skeleton King... taint...fear..." A pain comes to my head and it hurts really bad. I gasp.

'Antauri!'

Yes.

'Where is everyone?'

We're all here, kid. Well, not Chiro or Otto.

'Sparx! Wait... how are you doing this?'

The Power Primate. It connects us and allows us to find each other and communicate.

I remember a conversation Antauri and I had about this a few days earlier.

'But, Antauri... you said I didn't have-"

I lied.