Journey Called Life

8

The first ray of sunlight shone on Ashley's face, waking her up with a warm smile on her face. A warm morning, and a peaceful era meant a great and wonderful day ahead. She looked through the window, but the only thing she saw was trees fallen down, and people with shock written over their faces. She was horrified by the state of the place. She bent down furthermore to check if the damage had happened till the palace, but it hadn't. She felt suspicious of whatever was going on around. Unaware of what had happened, she set out of the door to find out more. That's when she felt someone hand hold her back. She turned around to see Amanda, with her hands on her lips, indicating Ashley to remain quiet and still. "What's going on?" Ashley whispered. 

"No idea, but stay here. I'll go check and be right back." Amanda whispered back.

"No, I'm coming with you!" Ashley argued.

"No, Ashley. It looks pretty dangerous." 

"Dangerous is my middle name." Amanda looked at her, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Well, not exactly...-" Ashley began, but was cut by Amanda.

"Please Ashley. We can talk later."

"No, I'm coming with you, and you can't change that. We may not know each other properly, and probably have a few clarifications about whether we're sisters or not. But believe me, I felt this sudden attraction to your aura when I saw you. Well, even if I turn out wrong about you being my sister, I'm still coming with you. You helped me and my friends sleep here for the night, this is the least I can do to thank you." Ashley said, softly. Amanda sighed and looked at her. She nodded and spoke, "Alright. But wake up these two and inform them that we'll be gone."

Ashley did so, and said to Claire and Jason. "Good Morning! Well, not sure if I can call it a good morning, but anyways, I just wanted you two to know that me and Amanda are going outside to find out what's going on." Ashley said, pointing at the window.

With that, Claire and Jason woke up, and looked out the window. Their eyes widened. "We're coming too!" Claire said. "I'm not going to let you all Amanda go alone!" Jason nodded, clearly agreeing with Claire. Ashley smiled, and looked at Amanda for permission. She looked at all three of them, and after a couple of minutes nodded. 

They soon reached the castle. They slipped past the guards slyly, because of Amanda. She, somehow, seemed to have known the route to secretly get inside the castle. Ashley at first was suspicious, but then thought, "If she lived with mom and dad here, then, of course, she would know the route! Nothing to get suspicious about."

Amanda seemed to have been really quiet, to Ashley's notice. I mean, yes, Amanda was the type who would talk very much. But that also didn't mean that she wouldn't talk a single bit. What surprised her the most, was when Amanda agreed to bring along Claire and Jason without asking too many questions. Little did she know, all her confusion was soon to be clarified............

They went through several secret passages, a small inside-cave, and finally reached a big hall, in which, all they could see was a solid, glass table and a person sitting on a chair, reading a piece of parchment. 

"Your Majesty." Claire said, bowing down. Followed by which, Jason did the same act. Claire and Ashley looked at eachother, confused. 

"I-I'm sorry, b-but I t-thought you s-said mom and dad, they w-were lost." Ashley said, stuttering, worried. There was no reply. All was heard was silence. The woman on the chair slowly stood up, straightened her dress, and turned towards Claire and Jason. "My fellow friendssss. Thanksssss to youuuu, I have found themmm." She hissed. She touched the head of the chair with her long, black-painted nails, smirking as she was talking. Her long, black hat hid her face, but it clearly showed the nature of the woman. Her dress screamed 'Evil'. Everything about her screamed 'Evil'.

Claire was clearly trembling, while Ashley stood in bewilderment. What just happened? Did Amanda and Jason just turn in her and Claire to a woman? Why? Was Jason working with her too?

Amanda neared the woman, and kissed her on her cheek. "Hello aunt. I've brought them here, just as you asked."

"Thank youuu childddd." The woman replied. Amanda just chuckled and said, "Don't thank me. It was all because of Jason. If Jason hadn't spoken at the right time, they wouldn't be here. If Jason hadn't shown them the way to my house, they wouldn't be here." Ashley stood in shock, tears forming her eyes. What had become of Jason? The one she trusted? The one she took care of so long when he was her pet dog? 

Jason didn't say anything, but just nodded. "Also, aunt. You should know that Ashley here has the book." 

"The book? Wait.. Does it have some connection with her?" Ashley thought. Amanda came near her, and snatched the book off Ashley's grip. "NO!!" She cried. The woman took it, and smirked triumphantly. "Thank you Assssshleyy. Now, throw them in the dungeonnnn," She said.

Claire and Ashley were grabbed by the guards and thrown in the dungeon underground. "I'm sorry Claire! I had no idea this would happen! I'm very sorry for dragging you into this." Claire gave her a comforting smile and muttered, "It's ok."

Amanda came down to visit Ashley and Claire. 

"Hello sister!" She sneered, smirking arrogantly, as she left her and Claire all alone in the dungeon.