Book 2 of Human: Kingdom of Silence

Chapter 17

"So what do we do now?"

Leah sighed "I don't know, all I know it's i-" A loud slam stopped Leah as we both moved our heads towards the sound, I blinked rapidly as we watched Stravos walk out of a room.

I looked at Leah with a stunned expression "We either have really good luck or the worlds worst luck"

Third persons POV

Summer and Leah crept towards the foot that Stravos just walked out of, their footsteps muffled by the thick, plush carpet. The air was thick with tension from the pair of them as they weighed out what could happen if they were caught. Summer's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the dread of what they might find ahead.

"Leah, are you sure we'll be fine" Summer whispered, glancing nervously over her shoulder.

"Of course I am," Leah hissed back, her eyes narrowing in determination. "It's simple, we just get through this door and get Natalia out of here. After that I want to fucking die because I don't know how we can live like normal people"

Summer rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at the words. Yeah you and me both. Summer thought. Leah's dry wit was a welcome distraction from the anxiety gnawing at her insides. Leah licked her lips as she put her hand on the cool metal, she hesitated for a second and Summer raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you hesitating, thought you said this was "simple"? Summer scoffed as Leah gave her sour look and cleared her throat.

"Shut up" Leah hissed "You're a pain my ass you know this?" Leah scoffed as she quickly looked around before the door opened with a soft click. Leah and Summer slowly moved into the room, Leah quietly shut the door as Summer looked around the room.

Summer held back a noise of disgust as she eyed a sleeping Natalia "the fucking sicko" Summer whispered as she eyed the metal clamps that were tightly locked around her feet.

Natalia was placed in the centre of the bed, chained like she was some sort of animal. Leah let out a sigh as she looked at Natalia in pity.

Natalia's long, dark hair fanned out around her pale face, her body curled into a tight ball on a threadbare mattress. She looked so peaceful, almost as if she were merely sleeping off a long night, rather than being caged like some sort of animal.

"Poor thing," Summer muttered, her heart aching at the sight of her friend. "We have to get her out of here and we all just need to fuck off somewhere"

Leah nodded, her face set in grim determination. "I've got just the thing. Stand back, and let me work my magic."

Leah knelt beside Natalia and began to chant, her voice low and rhythmic. Summer watched in awe as a shimmering, ethereal light enveloped Natalia's body, slowly taking on her form. Leah's spell was complex, a delicate weaving of illusion and reality, designed to create a perfect replica of Natalia.

As the light solidified into a tangible copy, Summer couldn't help but marvel at Leah's skill. "You know, if this whole thing goes to shit and we need to go undercover you could always take up sculpting."

Leah shot her a look. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I'd rather not think about a career change right now."

With a final flourish, Leah completed the spell. The copy of Natalia lay on the mattress, indistinguishable from the original. Leah wiped her brow, looking both exhausted and triumphant.

"Alright, now for the tricky part," she said, gently lifting the real Natalia into her arms. "We need to get out of here without making a sound. We need to leave as quietly as we came"