The Golden Throne

Shattered memories III

A young girl, about 13 years of age paced the floor impatiently. She had long, white hair and wore a red coloured robe. She was in her family's chamber in the palace, while a guard stood by the exit.

"Is it time now?" She asked.

"Nope," the guard replied nonchalantly.

Ripley huffed, and crossed her arms. Today was the day Florian, Ripley's brother, returned to the palace. Shortly after he was kidnapped, a terrorist group claimed responsibility and demanded a heavy ransom. After failed negotiations, the Emperor decided to give in and paid the full amount. A unit of Silver Guards went to retrieve Florian from a rendezvous point with the terrorists, and had returned hours ago.

Ripley missed her brother dearly, but there was one problem; she was being kept in her room against her will.

"I don't believe you. They should have returned by now. Let me out!" Ripley stomped the floor.

"I can't do that, my lady. It's your father's orders," the guard said.

"Why won't papa let me greet my own brother?" She yelled.

"I don't know, my lady. But I'm sure the two of you will still reunite if you wait a little longer," he said.

"Ugh!" She stormed away and sat at the living room couch. She'd spent so many sleepless nights thinking of her brother and the ordeal he must have went through in the company of those men. And on the occasions when she did sleep, she would always wake up screaming from nightmares of him in pain. And this time, he wouldn't be around to calm her as he usual.

Staying in her chambers for a second longer was out of the question. She was sure the Guards had returned with him this morning, yet it was almost night and she hasn't seen him nor received any word about him. All she was told was to stay in her room- with a guard watching over her to boot.

Tapping her fingers on her lap, she glanced at the balcony that faced the sea.

She pictured herself tying a makeshift rope to the railing, and climbing down it to enter through the window of a floor below. No that won't work, she thought. The balcony was within perfect view of the guard. She then remembered the toilet. It had a well placed window, right beside the toilet seat that offered a view of the Odaran Sea.

Without saying a word, Ripley got up and sauntered to the toilet. The guard didn't seem to suspect anything. She locked the door behind her and strode to the window. She peeked her head out and glanced down. It was a two hundred foot drop into the ocean. She looked left and saw the familiar sight of the pipe running down the wall beside the window.

Tentatively, Ripley placed a foot on the windowsill, followed by another. She held the wall for extra support. The pipe was just a few feet from her. She stretched out her arm to grab it- but her fingers were still inches from reaching it. Her foot accidently kicked over a flower pot on the windowsill.

"Woah!" She wobbled and lost her balance. Quickly, her hands grabbed the edge of the window. Ripley panted madly as she steadied herself. Looking down, the flower pot was still falling- a testament to how tall the palace was. Ripley gulped. She glanced at the pipe again. It was too far away for her to reach. She was sure of it. But it didn't mean she was about to give up.

Ripley took in a deep breath, and steadied her footing.

"Okay," she sighed. "You can do this."

She gulped again.

"One, two... three!"

She leapt towards the pipe and grabbed it!

"Woah!" She cried as her hand slipped. Her other hand instantly grabbed it and she clung on tightly. She pushed her feet against the wall for extra support and waited a moment for her nerves to calm. Her hands were trembling, and the longer she held on, the more liable they seemed to slip.