Black Sun

Twenty-Three

Streets of Rhuta, Saturn

Bullets beat against the stone walls behind 8 dark figures.

"Get them!" a guard shoots, as they hear the footsteps of the royal armada chasing after them.

They hear the rattle of the guns, and the thundering of the boots on the stone road, splashing through the diamond rain. Lightning flashes overhead, followed by a crash of thunder. Another pelting of rain leaves tuxedos and ball gowns soaked. The dark streets are filled with wind. The shouting becomes more distant, and the group decides it is safe to move again. The clattering of heels echoes as they move through alleyways. The shouting gets closer and everyone freezes. They all look from one face to another.

"We have to go," Rafe says, sliding his hand into Doone's.

The girls take their heels off and run barefoot, ignoring the stabbing pains of the stone on their feet.

"You know, I think I liked your parents better when they didn't send their entire royal armada after us," Rafe said quietly with sarcasm, even in this dire time.

"I'm sorry that I fell in love with a man who wasn't my fiance, and his brother is a little tattletale rat," Doone retorted.

"Doone, in case we don't make it-" Doone interrupts Rafe with a kiss.

"Don't say that, we will."

Petra and Adelaide, hands locked, share a look of fear. Kai and Beau, hands linked, have the same look. Even little Axton, who always has a brave face, can no longer mask his fear. They all know what will happen if they're caught.

"We have to keep moving, my brother is likely with them," Milo says.

The girls duck around the light as they get closer to the edge of town. So close they can almost see the dark forest ahead. The black leaves, dripping with rain in the moonlight. Then they see the guards grouped by the forest. They freeze, ducking behind a building.

If only Sebastian hadn't seen, if only he hadn't told.

Gunshots sound everywhere as a rain of arrows and bullets hit a nearby building. Torchlights shine around the corners.

"Princes, Princesses, we know you're there, just come out and you won't be harmed!" the commander yells.

The group shares a look as the torchlight gets closer. Adelaide grips Petra's hand tighter as she looks for the people connected to the sounds of boots and light from the torches. She tries to be defensive and prepared, as her war-obsessed planet has trained her for. She looks at Petra. Who is running from her diseased planet, and dying people. She was so brave to risk her life. That's why they fell in love. They weren't afraid of danger. Milo shows the most panic, his hands visibly shaking. They now know what will happen to him, when Maven gets his hands on him.

Rafe takes a breath and says, "I know another way out. Through the rings. It's extremely dangerous, but it's possible. If we can just get to the forest we'll be able to make it."

"We have to try," says Axton.

His black tux is stained with mud. Everyone is stained with mud and soaked with rain. Makeup is smeared and hair is tousled.

Just as Doone turns, an arrow flies past her so close it whips the hair out of her face. She immediately turns back, leaning against the cool damp wall. Rafe reaches up to touch her cheek, which stings. His thumb comes back bloody. Talking zones the two back in, as everyone hears the dreadful call from Maven.

"All units push forward, location of the targets is acquired, capture alive...or dead."

Everyone readies themselves and runs. They dart through an alleyway that is soon filled with arrows and bullets. There's a strangled cry. They all crouch down, looking for the source of the cry. Kai stumbles against the wall clutching his chest. Where an arrow sticks out, blood oozing through his white shirt. Doone and Beau get to Kai at the same time.

"Kai, Kai hey look at me," says Beau clutching his face.

Kai smiles sadly, tears glistening in his eyes. He looks at Doone.

"Doone, don't marry Maven, he's an asshole."

"I won't, I won't, I promise."

"Beau, I love you," he says, wincing through his pain. Blood trickles from his mouth and Beau lets the tears fall from his eyes.

"I love you too."

Kai puts his hand up to Beau's and with the other clutches Doone's hand hard. Until he doesn't hold it so hard. His hands slide from both Doone's and Beau's. His eyes stare blankly at the moon. He's gone.

"Milo, take Axton and get out of here, I don't think we're going to make it out of here," Petra says.

Axton and Milo look to Doone.

"Take him. Axton, hide out in the forest until it's safe. Use the skills I taught you about wilderness survival okay?" says Doone, standing up, "take Beau too."

Axton runs to Doone and hugs her.

"I love you Doonie."

"I love you too, I'll see you soon, Ax. I promise," her second lie to Axton.

Milo takes Beau who looks solemn but follows. Beau quickly hugs Adelaide, whose eyes water, but she doesn't let a tear fall.

"We'll make a distraction," Adelaide says.

The three boys run down the stone path quietly as the group of four stays by the side of the building. The torchlight grows closer and closer with each second and the group decides they need to run. Going in the opposite direction as the other group, Doone leads them. Silently creep around the building to make it to the main street. Doone motions for the group to stop, so they can check their surroundings. She looks around for the torchlight, to see if it's safe to look.

Deciding it is, Doone quickly rounds a corner, the group following, and she runs right into the Maven. She gasps and takes a step back, fears lighting her eyes on fire. Maven grabs her arm. Uneasy chills shoot through her body.

"I've got Doone! Get the rest!" he shouts.

Soon the other soldiers surround them. Separating Adelaide and Petra, the two yell for each other. Rafe fights off a few guards before they can finally restrain him. Maven puts Doone in handcuffs himself, jerking her close to him, and farther away from Rafe.

"Adelaide Kadmair, Petra Terran, Rafe Othreis, and Doone Cyran, you are under arrest for treason against the Mercurian crown, the Veranain crown, the Saturnian crown, the Martian crown, the Earthen crown, and the Solar Council," the commander says.

"Put those three in the dungeons, in their own cells. Especially those two," he points at Adelaide and Petra.

They glare at him in response.

"I'll deal with this one," he motions to Doone, a dangerous smirk darkening his face.

Doone jerks her head away and steps on his foot. She jumps towards Rafe, but Maven is quicker and he grabs her arm, his nails digging into her skin.

She tries to wiggle away to no avail. He secures her and looks at the guards expectantly.

"Prince Maven, that's not what the royal armada has been instructed to do," A guard tells Maven.

"Do as I say! Those three to the dungeons until tomorrow, when they will be moved to Mercury and where I shall carry out the proper punishment. I will deal with the Princess, my fiance, myself."

And with that Maven drags Doone with him toward the castle. Doone shares a last look with Rafe who mouths I love you to her. She mouths it back just before, Maven jerks her around again.