The Captive

Chapter 3: The Truth

Scorching flames blazed, wholly engulfing my surroundings.

Pandemonium erupted in the distance as panicked screams pierced the cold, night air.

I was floating, it seemed, as I trudged through a hazy urban area, attempting to grasp at a hooded form in front of me. A cry of frustration escaped my lips as I found I could never do it; it was always a mere inch or two away. "Keep running," the voice was muffled, almost to the point where it was inaudible. "Don't look back!"

I did as she asked without hesitation, willing everything in my being to force my heavy feet forward. Through blurred vision, I could see her form begin to move farther and farther from me. It faded, then materialized, the apparition becoming more faint as I pressed forward. Though I tried to catch up, I couldn't move any faster. My laboured breaths echoed around me as I extended a hand outwards.

My legs were bound, rooted to the ground.

The apparition was how at the edge of the horizon, almost out of sight, as it was enveloped in darkness.

A shadowy phantom with a horned helmet, akin to a bull, materialized in front of me. The contours of its face were shaded, almost imperceptible; I could only see its piercing, red eyes as it locked on to my form.

I then felt a heavy, perpetual pressure upon my torso. I looked down. A knife oddly stuck out of my abdomen, my blood spurting in all directions as my vision slowly faded.

"There's no running away this time, girl."

I awoke with a gasp, my body suddenly alert. With panicked breaths, I frantically examined the breadth of my torso.

Nothing.

I shut my eyes for a moment as I attempted to slow down my heart rate. The murmur of the ship's engine greeted me. My vision reminded me that I was still in the cockpit of the ship, which was now soaring through the vast expanse of space. A quiet mew sounded then, and I noticed the little green creature standing right in front of me, perched on a panel, its arms tucked closely at its sides. It flapped its large ears, as though sensing my discomfort. I gave it a smile of reassurance and looked out of the window to my right.

My heart punched at my chest then.

As the ship manoeuvered to descend, it appeared in the distance.

My home planet of Grá.

Its colour used to be a light shade of green. Healthy. Vibrant. Now, it was speckled with darkness, as though diseased.

Adrenaline began to rush through me as my predicament worsened. "Please," I hissed, attempting to gain the attention of my captor, who occupied the pilot's seat, "you have to let me go."

He turned his helmeted head almost imperceptibly towards me, then returned his attention to the flight path in front of us without a word.

"Diabhal sent you to find me, didn't she?" I pressed, baring my teeth. "Did she tell you that she and her marauders invaded and ransacked my planet? Did she tell you that she's enslaved my people?" When he continued to ignore me, I spat, my voice laced with utter contempt, "But maybe all of that doesn't matter, because all you care about is your bounty."

"Stop talking."

I stared at the back of his head with disdain.

The ship began its controlled descent. Visibility became progressively limited as we passed through raging storm clouds. I held on to the side of the cockpit as best as I could as the vessel was roughly tossed, its engines whining in complaint. Through breaks in the cloud, I peered out at the planet below. I wasn't able to recognize the dismal scenery.