The Crazy Tyrant Wants To Kill Me(EDITING)

33 - Promises

So the "dreams" I had weren't dreams, but flashbacks.

And this is the past. My past. 

My sister was kidnapped five years ago. So... was she dead? Killed by the kidnapper? Or was she alive, saved by a kind-hearted person or released from the kidnapper. Did she think I was dead?

"Amanda, are you finished?" Theo knocked me right out of my train of thoughts. I whipped my head around to face him, startled.

"Sorry for startling you," Theo said and his face darkened, "but... what the stalker and the mysterious note...?"

I glanced away. "It's nothing. You know what? Theo, it's late and we should both catch some sleep." I hurriedly stood up, but Theo grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

My heart skipped a beat. I remained in his arms, my heart pounding so hard I knew he could hear it.

I gulped. I knew I could trust Theo, but I was worried he would stop me from running away if he knew my plan.

I glanced up at the grandfather clock. It was past midnight.

"Amanda, please, I'm only looking out for you." He stroked my hand gently, pleading.

"I..."

"Alright... Ever since I've arrived at the palace, I have been having this weird gut feeling that someone's following me. Watching me."

Theo furrowed his eyebrows. "Have you tried telling anyone about it?"

"Who could I tell? "I'm not familiar with anyone, and everyone here is one Cedric's side," I continued.

"Fair point."

I bit my lip before continuing on. "And today.... when I was watching the knights train, I saw the stalker peeking at me from behind a stone wall."

Theo looked alerted. "Are you sure?" 

He scanned the kitchen. 

"I'm sure!" I nodded furiously and then continued, "I ran away but they chased after me. I fled into a bathroom stall. They left me a note, saying that this morning I should run away to a cabin in the forest, to meet them."

Theo looked pale. Concern was written all over his face.

"You can't go," he said softly, shaking his head gently. "You can't run away, it's not safe. War-"

"But they might have answers!"

"To what? I answered all your questions, didn't I? Plus, what if the stalker is a kidnapper, murderer or just a crazy psycho?"

I was determined to see the mysterious stalker. "Maybe they know where my sister is." I pushed him away.

"No! I won't let you go." Theo hugged me tight, his face firm. "This is for your own safety, I hope you understand," Theo told me.

"Let go of me!" I tried to shove his arms away.

"During the battle, the forest could catch on fire! It's not safe, Manda. You have to listen to me."

Just as I was about to frantically kick and scream, I suddenly calmed down. Theo couldn't stop me even if he wanted to. He would be kept away from me by Cedric in the morning, when I'm about to run away.

I looked up at Theo. His arms were still wrapped around me, his face buried in my hair.

My heart almost melted. I'm sorry, Theo. 

"Fine, I'll listen to you." I cupped his face. "I won't leave."

Picking a fight against him won't work, and trying to run won't work either. He's too fast for me. And if I scream for Cedric, he'll drag Theo away but then order his knights to watch me like a hawk. 

Theo locked eyes with me. "Really? Don't lie to me, Manda?"

"I'm not lying," I lied.

"Promise me you won't run away, first."

I gulped and my stomach launched. I hated breaking promises. And would I come to regret running away? What if Theo was right, and the stalker was just an insane psycho?

I bit my lip.

But what if the stalker was the person who kidnapped my sister, and wants to return her to me?

This is for my sister.

"I promise."