The Worthy

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT
Jillian
I HEARD WHISPERS AND ARGUING, but only a hushed fight. I guess we're still in the underground passage. Then I hear an metallic door opening. And a rush of heat came over my body.

About time my sense of touch came back.

I was being carried on the back of my shoulders and under my knees, bridal style. But I don't know who did.

"There's a bed! Lay her down... Oh please, Your Majesties," I can hear the worry of her voice at the end. I felt a soft and comfortable surface on my back body. I suddenly felt very tired. "What are we suppose to do?!" I heard Prince James say, worry laced in his voice.

"We're gonna need a wet cloth, anything that can be used as a fan and water." This new voice surprised me.

Who is he? Why does it sound so familiar?

I heard scrambling of about three pairs of feet, while Prince Harry and the unknown man stayed. Harry asked after what seemed like a silence of five minutes, "How long exactly will it take for her to get up, Tyler?"

TYLER?!?! He's here?

"About five hours, so we're gonna need someone to look after her while you and the remaining get that book of yours." Tyler said.

After that, all my senses, even my hearing, was fading. "Nooo!" I screamed before everything went black again.

The last thing I heard was Tyler and Harry trying to wake me up.

I sighed. Well, mentally.

Floating in this sea of darkness isn't as bad as I thought. I'm just here laying on my back, floating and it was like I was in space, just without any type of light to guide me.

It seemed like eternity and even more eternity to come. But at least there are no distractions, problems and meaning to live. Just go with the flow. Okay so it isn't that great but I'm really missing Max and Cass right now. They were there for me ever since I could remember.

A light, suddenly appeared, coming from nowhere, in front of me. And it adjusted it's vision to colors and I saw three small figures. It was my two best friends and me sitting on the big, old oak tree making our pretend weapons. We were practicing for the competition, The Worthy.

"Mine is gonna be a biiiiiiigg and loooonngg sword with me name on it" 6-year-old Max cutely said. Another 6-year-old Cass said and giggled. "Mines gonna be a bow and arrow, like the queen!"

"What's yours gonna be YanYan?" Max asked. They both looked at me expectantly. "Well... I haven't thought about that yet," I answered slowly.

I had no clue at all. Did I need a weapon? Which weapon am I good at using? Are they even useful to me?

"Oh don't worry Yan! You'll figure it out soon, besides, we won't be able to enter the competition until we're 16!" Answered Cass swiftly. "In the mean time... Com' on Max! Let's fight!" I watched as they ran into the forest away from the oak tree here at the clearing. I sighed.

I don't think I'll ever be joining them in any matches like that for a while.

It started to fade away as I could hear whispers nearby yet I could not see.

Well, back to floating in darkness.

Cassandra
Things are pretty much screwed up right this very moment. Tyler and Harry rushed to where Jillian lay and James sat. Well, all of us did.

She fell into another deep sleep, but her rise and fall of the chest still irregular.

"Get the curtains off and open the windows," Max ordered, which was a brilliant idea. "Not all of them. And Tyler, help me find a cloth. We could use the water from the bathroom." See who's in charge now. "And Prince James, could you watch out for us?"

All followed suit. James went to the front door that led to the remaining hallways of the City Hall. He peeked out to his left and right, then closed it and stood by. "All clear," he said.

Harry went to taking off the curtains from its metal bars, failed to be careful enough. It caused a loud clang and was immediately shushed.

And Tyler managed to rip a piece of cloth from the curtain, and headed to the washroom. Thank goodness the faucet's running.

As for Max and I, we checked for her vital signs- her pulse is good though. Temperature's a bit high. Soon as Tyler handed the cloth, I got the chance to ask him.

"So, Tyler, how'd ya get in? Did you follow us?" I continued fanning with my makeshift fan using a worn envelope.

"Sort of, but my purpose here was different. See, I work with these guards," Tyler said.

"But how come you're not dressed like one?" Max interrupts once she's done putting the wet cloth onto Jillian's forehead.

Tyler sighed, "I was going to check in with them at exactly twelve o'clock noon. Every Saturday this is my job, from noon till night. But in Poniente's diner I'm supposed to stay for half-day since we lacked employees." he explained.

"Why didn't you tell this to us, then? You just creeped on us and then popped out just to help Jillian?" I said. It was all unfair to how he didn't tell these to us. To Jillian, per say. He's been her friend for years! Plus, he and Jillian had been closer after all. Jillian would tell us that if he did.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry I didn't tell this to Jillian, or to you guys. It's all for income. My family's resources are becoming low. But, I'm also saving-"

He was cut off by James' warning, "Mi ladies, shh! Someone's coming!"

With that, we seriously crammed on where to hide. We only have is the bathroom, but we couldn't fit all in there.

Suddenly, a surprising gasp came out from Jillian.

"Jillian!" We all said at once, with varying volumes.

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Author's note:
Hi guys! Thank you so so much for reading. And thank you for the 200+ readers we just reached! And if you're liking this story please spread and share it out to your friends! We'd apperciate that!

Again, thanks alot!

Love lots,
Kath, Cas, Audrey xx