The Life and Times of Bonnie Chance

Caught

By the time Memphis reached the cliff that overlooked the spot on the water where Carol, Bonnie, and Ruka had last been seen he was transported by his anger to a dark, dangerous place in his heart.

"All make way for me!" Memphis roared, riding his horse so ferociously that he would have trampled anyone in his way.

"It's the pharaoh!" a man cried as he dived out of the way. "Ahh!"

"Long live the pharaoh! Long Live the pharaoh!" other people shouted as Memphis flew past, reaching the edge of the cliff. Memphis spotted Carol's golden hair when the wind blew strongly and pushed the cloak over her head back, exposing her.

"Carol, stop!!!" Memphis shouted.

"?" Carol looked up and saw him. "Oh my God! That hateful pharaoh!" she cried, turning white as a sheet with fear. "Row the boat away, hurry Ruka!!!" Memphis dove from the cliff into the water.

"He has seen me! Ruka! I beg you... please row the boat away from land!" Carol cried.

"It's too late Carol!" Ruka said, horrified that they had been caught. "It's too late!" Bonnie gritted her teeth. She had also gone pale, but she grabbed the oar and started trying to row away while Carol clung to Ruka, trembling.

"Please save us, Ruka!" Carol pleaded desperately. "When he catches me and Bonnie, he'll kill us!" Bonnie tried to row them away, but they were blocked by other boats, and she couldn't go anywhere.

"!" Bonnie gasped when Memphis gripped the side of the boat and pulled himself up onto it.

"Ruka, I beg you... I'm scared of that tyrant... Please save us...." Carol cried, still clinging to Ruka, who was equally afraid. He couldn't see how he could protect the girls now that Memphis had caught them, especially since he would likely be killed before he could do anything.

'Carol, that Tyrant is right in front of you! If you dare, call for help!' Memphis thought.

"Calm down, Carol!" Ruka said, realizing her words were angering Memphis further.

"!" Carol gasped as she looked at Memphis and saw his turbulent emotions in his fierce eyes.

"So? You plan to escape from me?" the pharaoh asked, grabbed Carol and pulling her away from Ruka.

'Damn it!' Carol and Bonnie thought anxiously. Bonnie tightened her grip on the oar, looking for an opening to whack Memphis with it. Unfortunately, even though he seemed to be focused on Carol, there were no holes in his defense. Bonnie knew that if she swung now, he would catch the oar, and they would all be in even bigger trouble.

"I'm asking, why aren't you answering?" Memphis demanded sternly.

"I... I..." Carol said nervously, fumbling for an answer that wouldn't get them killed.

"And you, Ruka and Bonnie, your sin is treason!" Memphis said, turning his attention to the other two in the boat. "You dare persuade my future queen into running away!"

"Swim away, Ruka!" Bonnie said, moving to stand protectively in front of him. She couldn't let Ruka die after he had risked everything to help them.

'She's protecting me?' Ruka thought. 'Although she told me to run, it's clear she has no intention of doing that herself...'

"No! Don't blame Bonnie and Ruka!" Carol said anxiously, but Memphis ignored her and delivered a vicious kick, which Bonnie blocked with the oar. Unfortunately the boat rocked at that moment, and she fell into Ruka. They both hit the floor of the boat.

"No! Don't kill Bonnie and Ruka!" Carol pleaded desperately when Memphis drew his sword. "I beg you!"

"You even stand on his side?" Memphis yelled. It was one thing for Carol to beg for the life of her cousin, but she barely knew Ruka.