Caged (Book One)

Chapter Forty-Four

It looked like it was going to rain. So nobody will wanna hang around outside for long. Eveleen carefully peeked around the docks, watching Fred talk with the Kingdom men. The fellow in the top hat is very much taller than Fred, he even took his hat off to bow to Fred. Fred waved them off, watching them board the ship.

"Have a safe trip!" Fred hollered. He quickly turned, marching off the dock quickly, like he was in a rush.

Eveleen ducked, hiding behind a crate. Fred let out a loud sigh, He stopped a few feet from her, causing her to freeze.

"Come on out now, they're gone." He spoke out loud. Eveleen stayed silent, calling his bluff that he knew she was around. Oddly, someone else emerged from the dark. Rushing to Fred.

"That took forever!" The man complained.

"I tried to hurry, here." Fred handed them something. The man chuckled, snatching something from Fred. Eveleen carefully peeked, seeing a small paper.

"What's this? I asked for the girl and guy." The man whined.

"Dumbass, you can't just swing and snatch people. This is my city and they expect me to keep them safe. This is an invitation, go to this ball I'm having and I will help lure them out." Fred explained. Eveleen narrowed her eyes, who the hell is he talking to?!

"Eve?" A voice whispered behind her. Eveleen slowly turned, seeing Aiden's head poking from the water! He gently swam up to the edge behind her. She quickly held a finger up, nodding to Fred and the man. He nodded, carefully peeking with her.

"You sure they will be there? My boss will tear my limbs off if I'm wrong again." The man asked. Aiden instantly grabbed the dock, lifting himself up to see them better.

"Trust me, I need these two out of my city. You'd be doing me a favor." Fred smiled. The man chuckled. Aiden flinched, before gripping onto the dock tightly. Eveleen raised a brow at him. Fred saluted the man, marching off. The man stayed in the same spot, reading the invitation.

He never heard Aiden leap out of the water, not until he heard Aiden sprinting at the man. He tackled the man, wrapping his hands around his throat.

"You fuckers havent given up yet, huh?!" Aiden whispered harshly.

"What are you doing?!" Eveleen ran up to them, carefully glancing around.

"My my, I don't have to go to some ball after all do I?" The man smiled. Aiden choked the man, listening to him cough.

A hard knock sent Eveleen to the ground. Aiden whipped around, reaching for her. The man sat up, stabbing Aiden with a dart.

"Sleep tight." He laughed in his ear, Aiden felt his eyes close, reaching for Eveleen as he fell unconscious next to her.

~~~~~

Aiden and Kristine both will never forget the cold air of the dungeon. Sometimes it still haunts them. Even the smell would remind them. Aiden launched up the minute he woke up, finding himself in a cell with bars. Just like the one he and Kristine were in the Lab of Life.

"Eveleen?!" Aiden looked around, only to find her in the cell next to him. Separated by bars as well. Scrambling to his feet, he went over to the bars, reaching for Eveleen's arm.

"Hey, wake up!" He grabbed her hand, tugging slightly. Eveleen groaned, lifting her hands to feel the bruise on the side of her face.

"Aiden?" She sat up, looking around. Once she looked at him, Aiden saw a massive bruise on her face from being hit. Aiden took a deep breath, trying to keep calm. The first thing he wants to do is kill whoever hit her, but that's not the issue.

"Are you ok?" He asked her quietly. Eveleen sighed, forcing herself to stand. Aiden stood, watching her go to the cell door. She observed the lock, while giving the bars a shake.

"Wonderful." She mumbled, slumping to the floor. She leaned against the bars that separated her and Aiden. Aiden scooted to sit right next to her.

"That man is with the dungeon keepers?" She asked.

"Yeah, I recognized his voice. He helped bring the tools to whoever it was hurting us." Aiden told her.

"Fred, that fucking bastard. He was selling you and Kristine out." Eveleen put together.

"What?"

"Fred mentioned that he needed whoever it was they wanted out of his way. The man talked about a guy and a girl. I'm assuming he meant you and Kristine." Eveleen explained.

"Why would he do that? We were not a threat. Kristine said you were sending us back home."

"Wait a minute,' Eveleen turned to look at him, "What were you doing on the docks?" She asked him. Aiden nervously rubbed his neck,

"Kristine, asked me to. She told me that Fred was gonna be at the docks and I should spy on them."

"You wouldn't do anything Kristine asked." Eveleen pointed out.

"I wasn't doing it for her, I was doing it for you. I didn't know you were gonna be there." Aiden looked up at her, it pained him to see her face bruised. He reached forward, without realizing it and caressed her cheek.

Eveleen froze up, afraid to move. Afraid he'd stop if she did.