Wars and Lies

Chapter Eleven

I slowly start to wake up. My head's pounding, my ears are ringing but it's gradually fading, same with my blurry vision. I can feel that I'm led on the ground as I can feel the cold ground against my bear arms but my head's protected and warm, I can feel a makeshift pillow that my head's resting on that I'm guessing is made from either Ashton's or Stephanie's jumper. How long have I been out? It could be any amount of time; it could've been five minutes or five hours or even five days. The ringing finally stopped and everything fell silent. There's no talking or crying trying to be silenced. My vision finally returned and the light is so dim. Much dimmer than usual. There's just enough light to see my surroundings. I slowly sat up and another jacket fell off my shoulder, it's Ashton's. Speaking of Ashton, where is he? Where's Stephanie or Charlie or Charlotte? I looked around and none of them are here. I'm in a cage all by myself. I'm all alone. There's people in the other cages but not the people I want and need to see. "Psst. Dad, where's the others?" He didn't answer. I know he's trying to protect me but can't he see how much I'm freaking out. "Where are my friends? Somebody freaking tell me. Now!"

A guard walked over and slammed on the cage, she said "they're down below getting taught a lesson so shut it unless you want to join them." My head started spinning so I had to lie back down. Is Sinead torturing them? Are they okay? I really hope they're okay.

An hour or so has passed and still no one's come back. With every minute that passes, I get more and more panicked. Sinead could be doing God knows what to them. She has all kinds of torture devices that she could use on them. What if she hurts them to the point of no return? She wouldn't care if she killed them. It'll probably make her happy.

Suddenly, the room's door opened and in walked a guard followed by just the people I need to see. Ashton, Stephanie, Charlotte and Charlie all walked in and it feels like I can breathe again. The cages unlocked and I immediately jumped up and hugged them. The guard locked the cages back up and left. They're covered in bruises and cuts. "What happened? I woke up and you were gone. Why did she take you?" I interrogated.

"Sinead didn't." Stephanie states.

"What?"

"My dad did. He thought it would be a good idea to do some training and keep our fitness up for what Sinead has coming our way. We were gonna wait for you but you've been out for two days and we didn't know when you'd wake up. Typical we train the day you wake up," Ashton laughed.

"He made us go full out and properly attack each other so we'd get bruised so it looks like he actually tortured us. My face is now covered in bruises and I have a busted-up lip." Stephanie complained. Steph's obsessed with her looks. She's a beautiful young girl with long flowing black hair and fair skin that's flawless. She always wears the best outfits that she makes herself.

"You still look foppish," Charlie said.

"I look what?"

"Foppish. It means pretty. Whenever I'm sad or angry my mum would teach me a new word to cheer me up. I like learning." Steph stood there looking annoyed.

"Blond girl you're wanted downstairs," a guard informed as he unlocked the cage. I got out and followed them down.

I went into the usual boiler room and there stood Christopher. "Have a seat. Ash said your name's Katie, right?"

"Yes, sir." I sat down.

"I thought you'd be hungry so I snuck you a sandwich."

"Thank you, sir." I started to eat the food and after eating rubbish for ages it feels like I'm eating the best food ever.

"No need to be so formal. Ash said you all have training in combat and that you're the best in your class." I nodded. "He probably told you but I think it'll be a good idea to keep the training up. Plus, I can sneak you food."

"He said."

"Good. Choice of weapon?"

"Sword."

"Nice choice. I saw Ashton took after his mother with the bow and arrow."

"May I ask something?"

"Go ahead."

"Why do you and the other guards follow Sinead? How do none of you know what's going on?"

"I don't know about the others but she scares the life out of me." Christopher continued, "now come on let's focus on your training." I got up and grabbed the wooden stick Chris got out for me, he had one to. We started with a simple exercise where he'd attack me and I have to block. Christopher is clearly a good fighter. I did my best to block his attacks and I managed to block most but he did get a few through. For our next exercise, Chris picked up a sofa cushion so I could use it as a punching bag. My combat teacher always told me to never think of angry things when I'm fighting but instead to think of those I want to protect. We spent the rest of the day doing different exercises.