The Prison of Luna

Cinder

He couldn't be dead.

Could he?

Cinder felt like the floor had fell out from under her, and she was falling... falling.

She didn't dare move. What if he was actually dead, what would she do then?

Winter inched foreword, and leaned over him. Cinder could imagine her pressing two fingers to his neck, feeling no heartbeat. She clasped her hands around her own neck, feeling choked.

"He's alive."

Winter looked up from Kai to the group, but her eyes were mostly trained on Cinder.

"But ... he's not well. He's barely breathing." She stood.

There was a silence, then: "This is a trap," Scarlet said, placing her hands on her hips.

"Yes," Cinder responded, her voice a barely audible croak.

"There's something else," Winter hesitantly said, and her gaze slid once again to Cinder. Winter gestured for her to approach. Cinder was about to shake her head, but she stopped, steeled herself, and walked stiffly forward.

Winter inched away from Kai, and Cinder kneeled before him, her whole body numb. He seemed more or less unscathed, having most likely endured mental torture. Her eyes grazed his body, his unkempt hair, his scruffy chin, and abruptly stopped.

His leg.

His right leg was gone from the knee down.

Cinder gulped against a dry sob. Those that were able came foreword, Cress, Scarlet, and Wolf. Winter came to her side and clasped a hand over her shoulder, kneeling. Cinder didn't look up.

"Welcome to the club," Scarlet said, and Cinder didn't respond.

"Scarlet," Cress snapped, scowling slightly.

"What? It's true, we all have losses today." Cress opened her mouth to say something, but shut it and turned away.

"She's right," Cinder mumbled and stood; Winter's hand slid off her shoulder. "We've got everyone, let's just get out of here."

"Alright, so how're we gonna -" Scarlet was cut off as the doors to the throne room were slammed open. Jael was there again, grinning maliciously. The several guards at his heels didn't even need a gesture. They barreled foreword, first tackling Wolf, then going for Cinder.

The group was caught by surprise, and in a moment, the guards had everyone pinned to a wall, the ground, or against their broad chests. Cress whimpered.

Cinder struggled against the guard's hold, but it was no use. The guard was almost bigger than Wolf, with a bear like stature, large brown eyes and mousy hair swooped upward. Since she couldn't so much budge in his grip, she twisted her neck painfully to glare at him. His expression made her stop short.

His big eyes had widened to the size of saucers and were rimmed with tears. Cinder had never seen as much as a frown on a Lunar guard, and this sudden burst of emotion made her start.

"Selene?" He spoke. "It can't be you, I thought - I thought Master Jael was lying. Just telling us Princess Selene was in the castle to rally us up." The guard's grip had considerably loosened, and Cinder took the opportunity, ripping from his grip and scrambling away. The guard's gloved hands were aloft for a moment, before he let them hang limp.

"You look just like Queen Channary."

"WOOD!" A holler echoed around them, and Jael was to them in two strides. He pointed a finger at the guard, Wood. "I told you you could accompany me on the condition that you would stay focused!" Jael hissed malevolently through clenched teeth. Wood looked like he was about to protest, but must have thought better of it, for he straightened and grabbed Cinder back against his chest. Cinder struggled once more, and this time the guard seemed to fumble and almost lose his grip. His breath buffeted painfully.

"Alright," Jael said suddenly, surveying the trapped group with an expression that couldn't be defined as anything but utter glee. "Who shall we start with." No one answered, and Jael clapped his hands together like someone had suggested something, and he was agreeing. "Princess Winter it is!"

"Montgomery!" Jael beckoned to a guard, who was pinning Winter, smashing her face into a wall. Montgomery was a more feeble looking man, with a long face sprinkled with freckles. But he was nevertheless very powerful as he pulled a helpless Winter over to Jael. "Would you like to do us the honors, Montgomery?" The freckled man nodded, and suddenly twisted Winter's arm back. Cinder heard a whimper turn into a shriek as something snapped in her shoulder. She grimaced, feeling sick to her stomach.

Winter fell to the ground with a thud, sobbing. Cinder's heart welled with pity and rage.

She struggled against Wood's grip again, and her left hand slipped free. She was being a little rash, not thinking about how it would be impossible to escape with several other guards surrounding. Nevertheless, her metal hand connected with Wood's jaw, accompanied by a sickening crunch. Cinder stumbled away from him, and spun around to face Jael.

"HOW DARE YOU. HURTING AN INNOCENT LIKE THAT, SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" Cinder roared, rage boiling inside her. Jael only chortled.

"I wouldn't call tyranny against our queen innocent." He nodded to Montgomery, who kicked Winter in the ribs. Winter gasped. "Wood! Control your prisoner!" The bear-like guard nodded emotionlessly, and grabbed Cinder's wrists again. She struggled to get free, but with no avail.

A holler suddenly resonated, and Cinder's neck twisted around to see Jacin tackling Jael with surprising strength. Jael let out a shocked holler as he fell to the ground with a thud. Unable to hold his hands out to block his fall due to Jacin. His face was unprotected as he hit the ground, and he was out cold.

Jacin rolled off, looking just as broken as Winter and Jael were. Behind Cinder, Wood abruptly dropped Cinder's hands, followed by the other guards. They all trampled off, some, including Wood, replaced metal helmets and disappeared out the doorway, dragging Jael behind them. Cinder, bewildered, made to go after them, but someone caught the back collar of her shirt. She spun, seeing Scarlet and Cress.

"We need to get out of here, Cinder," Cress said from behind Scarlet, and Scarlet nodded.

"But -" Cinder's eyes blazed with fury. "Why'd they just... walk off!?" She turned away, frustratingly folding her arms tightly over her chest, and muttering, "something's up."

"Yes," Cress agreed. "But we don't have time to dwell on it, we have to escape."

"I don't think we'd be able to take them all anyway," Scarlet added. Behind them, Wolf cleared his throat rather loudly.

"Fine," Cinder snapped. "Let's just go." She turned to Kai, who was still unconscious on the floor. Despite her irritation, relief still coursed through every inch of her as she kneeled down in front of him. She brushed his shaggy bangs from his face, her hand caressing his cheek before dropping to the floor. A faint smile touched her lips.

"I'm fine, promise, never felt better." Cinder heard Thorne speak behind her. His voice was still rough and sounded painful, but had a new energy behind it.

"But... are you sure? What if... what if you..." Cress's voice.

"No, I'm okay. I'll prove it, I'll help Cinder carry lover boy." Cinder shot an indignant look behind her at an approaching Thorne. He just winked and grabbed rounded Kai, grabbing his lone ankle. "I'll let you take the front sweetheart." Cinder scowled, but grasped Kai's wrists accordingly, and the two heaved him up. Winter was in between Scarlet and Cress now, and Jacin slung over Wolf's shoulder.

"Gonna be a slow march to the ship hangars," Cinder said to them all as they shuffled out of the court and back into the endless halls. "We just need to go as fast as possible and keep an eye out for Jael."

The others replied with silence.