The Light and Dark in Us

17. C'est Quoi Cette Merde?!

Saskia leaps towards me and tackles me to the ground before I realise what she's doing. I release a short yelp as I fall, and I can't use my hands to catch me because they're tied, so my shoulder slams hard onto the floor.

I wince and curl my knees towards me, gripping my shoulder with my other hand. It's like I forgot she was a Partizan when I kicked her, and now I'm paying for it.

Lottie gasps, her eyes flooding with concern.

I force away my pain and maintain a heavy glare towards Saskia. "Is that all you've got?"

Saskia grumbles angrily under her breath, grabbing a rope which I assume is to tie my ankles together.

I thrash and kick at her, clenching my jaw as I try to deal with the pain in my shoulder at the same time.

But she's too strong, she's had combat training for most of her life, I haven't even had one lesson.

Despite my desperate protests, Saskia ties my ankles together with a tight knot, and grabs the muffler from where it was discarded on the floor.

"No Saskia!" Lottie calls out, "Leave her alone!"

Saskia shuns Lottie without hesitation, but before she can return the muffler to my face, I spit at her.

She gets it on eventually, but I don't make it easy for her.

I'm so angry, I'm furious, betrayed, hurt, enraged. I want to fight her, I want to scream at her. I'm terrified of what might happen to me and Lottie next, if we don't get out of this. And whatever does, it's all her fault. I trusted her.

I trusted her.

But then I think of Jamie, Ellie, Henri. They'd know something's happened immediately, they know something's wrong. They have to know. They have to save us. Saskia deserves punishment for what she's done.

"Right." Saskia declares, looking down on me and Lottie, "Here's what we're going to do. Lottie, you're in the front with me, you have to act upset. You wanted to leave the palace temporarily because you're upset, and I, a certified Partizan am driving you out. Got that? Any funny business and you're in big trouble."

The Partizan turns to me, raising an eyebrow which painfully reminds me of Anastacia. "And you, Odette. Will stay here and keep your mouth shut. I don't want to have to put anymore ropes on you for god's sake. You're even more likely to try something than Lottie, so I'm telling you now, don't. Or I'll kill you myself."

I roll my eyes and slump against the wall of the van. It's an empty threat. She'd never kill me.

Saskia releases a short, fake laugh. "So you're not scared of me killing you? I'll hurt your friends instead. How would you feel being responsible for the Princess of Maradova's death?"

This kills my confidence instantly, and I exchange a worried glance with Lottie, she looks to the floor, pursing her lips.

Saskia sighs. "Just get in the passenger seat Lottie."

————————————

I feel helpless as I sit in the back of that van. I can't stand up, I can't move, I can't speak. If I tried to fight Saskia it would be hopeless.

She's a Partizan, she carries knives.

I let my head fall the the side of van, not allowing any more tears to fall. There's no point anymore.

I hear Saskia turn on the ignition, and feel the rumble of the van as she accelerates.

It's hopeless.