Journey Called Life

10

"So, what must we do now?" Ashley enquired. Jason looked at Claire and said, "Claire, could you probably concentrate on Amanda and try to see what she's doing?" Ashley sighed, and the two probably knew why. "I don't have any special powers, do I? Don't get me wrong, both of you. I'm happy for you two, I really am. But, what about mine? After all, I'm the so-called daughter of the king of this kingdom, right-?"

Jason gave her a comforting hug and said, "Don't worry. You're probably special. One of a kind. People like that, including your mother, get their powers quite late. But I'm sure it'll be worth the long wait, yea?" Ashley nodded, while Claire gave her a warm smile, and proceeded to close her eyes.

Claire could see Amanda looking at herself in the mirror. Claire heard Amanda whisper to herself, "How long more must you listen to that evil lady, Amanda. You already put your sister in the dungeons below. You brought her that evil book! Which was supposed to be destroyed long back! What's happening to me? Why am I surrendering to her? After all, I've got her everything everything has asked for! I c-can't do t-this anymore. I've got to go tell Jason. He'll understand."

"You aren't going anywheree, childddd." Ms. Lues remarked. Amanda turned around frightened at her sight. 

"Ah, I see that my powers are fading. Tsch, what a pity! But, I guesss, I won't have to worry about that anymore now that I have the book." She drawled. "Oh, don't worry Amanda. You'll be of no use to me soonn. But right now," She looked straight into Amanda's eyes a stated, "bring me the girl. I have something to do with her." Amanda nodded. 

Ashley shook Claire. "What did you do that for!?" Claire shrieked. "I was trying to completely comprehend their conversation!" 

"What conversation?" Jason asked, curiously. Claire looked at Ashley, disheartened. "Ashley, remember that I told you that Lues had put everyone under a curse, or a spell, to make everyone follow as she says? Well, it seems that Lues is getting weaker. Amanda,  she's scared. Lues said that she won't be of any use real soon. But right now, she's coming for you, Amanda. Lues needs something to do with you. Well, I guess this is our only chance to escape." 

"It's not as easy as you think it is, Claire. Escaping from here, it's hard. I myself barely got past the guards outside the dungeon, and I'm pretty sure her Highness, sorry Lues, is suspicious about my sudden disappearance. I told her I had to run an errand, but I'm not sure how long she'll trust that excuse."

Claire looked at him with a questioning look and asked, "Hey, Jason. Remember when you told me I had the power to somewhat predict the upcoming events that would be happening. I just don't think that's my power. I mean, if that would've been my power, then how would I know the current convo between Lues and Amanda?"

"Hmm, that's true, Claire. Well, that's something to worry about later. Right now, let's try to figure out how to get past Amanda and the guards, and escape from here. I might know someone who can help us."

They could hear footsteps nearing, and Ashley was getting more tensed by every second. She closed her eyes, trying to think of ways to stop her sister, mainly keep her on hold, and that's when she felt her head ache. 

"Aah!" She grunted in pain. "Ashley, Ashley! Can you hear me? Ashley?" Claire rushed to her friend, worriedly. "My head.. It hurts! Perfect timing, huh!?" She responded. Jason looked like she had got a perfect idea. "Actually, this is indeed a perfect timing! Haa!" 

"What's so funny?" Claire asked, glaring at him. "Ashley here is in pain, and you're laughing!?" 

"What if this is a great thing? I mean we distract Amanda."

"What, you wanna offer Ashley here as bait!!? Are you out of your mind!" Claire shrieked. Jason looked at Ashley, and she seemed to have understood. 

"Calm down, Claire. I know what to do. Don't worry. Let's just hope the timing works perfectly. I have no idea what power I have."

Claire looked at her in shock. "Power? What are you talking about?"

"This definitely isn't a normal headache. What if it's it's a purpose? That is finding out my power?" 

The door swung open, and out stood Amanda, with an evil smirk. "Ah, there you two are. Oh, Jason. I see you're helping our little prisoners here escape. That's too bad. I was hoping we could work a little longer. Looks like her Highness might just get rid of you too soon. Just like your parents."

Jason felt his eyes twinge. "Don't listen to her, Jason. I know that you're stronger than this." Ashley whispered. 

"Oh, Ashley. Her Highness is looking for you. Come with me."

"What if I tell you that I don't want to?" Ashley said, standing up.

Amanda scoffed. "It wasn't wasn't request, but rather an order. So, come with me, now. Or your friends suffer." 

Ashley could feel the power inside of her. She had to let it free in order to find out what really was happening to her. "I'm sorry I have to do this, Amanda. But if you want me or my friends, you're going to have to fight for it. Come on, it's me who you want, isn't it? Come and get me."

"You little-" Amanda lunged forward to punch Ashley, but that's when everything froze. Ashley looked around. "Huh?" She uttered. She waved her hands in front of Amanda's face. There was no movement, except for Amanda's eyes. "I can... freeze time-!?" She exclaimed, with a laugh. Claire shrieked her eyes, and indicated toher and Jason. "Ohh, right. Sorry Amanda, but right now, me and my friends right here have somewhere to be. I would love to continue this sometime later. Now, if you'll excuse me." She held Amanda by her wrist, and placed her in the corner of the room with some tape she found on a table. She clicked her fingers, causing everything to come back to normal. "Whoaa!!" Jason exclaimed, looking at Ashley. "Come on guys!" Claire stated, grabbing the other two outside." 

"That. Was. Totally. Awesome! See, I told you you'd figure it out soon. Didn't expect it to be this soon, though." Ashley smiled. Claire looked at Jason and said, "Yea, it's pretty cool! Now who was that person you were referring to? The person who would most likely help us-?" 

"Ah, yes. Let's go!" With that, they pretty soon reached what looked like a cave from outside. "Here we are!"

"A cave-?" Ashley questioned. "Never judge a book by its cover, dear."

"I never-"

"Shush, let him hear me." Jason said, cutting Ashley's words. The cave opened with a loud sound. "Glad to see he still has them."

"He who?" Asked Claire. "You'll see." He simply responded back.

"Mr. Fortis. What a delight to see you here! But I assume you want something?" Said a deep voice from inside the cave. Ashley felt a rush of a known feeling over her. She somehow could recognize the voice. But she just couldn't figure out who the voice belonged to. He came out of the shadows. 'He looks similar to someone I know.' Ashley thought. 

"Well, Mr. Oland, things have become far worse than we expected it to be."

"Hang on. Mr. Oland?" Ashley asked, interrupting Jason. 

"Oh, first things first. Girls, meet _____ Oland. Also, Ashley's father. Mr. Oland, this is your daughter, Ashley. And this is her friend Claire."

Ashley gasped, tears filling her ears. "Dad-?"