Three Worlds Apart

Chapter XXI, Amelia

I wait for two freaking days for my father to come waltzing in here and tell me what the hell he wants.

I've been watching my guards, the girl isn't too bad. With her hair and eyes she must be a child of fire, she seems more, I dunno... human. I wonder what her name is, undoubtedly she knows mine. After what I did I could be a freaking legend. 

Anyway my father comes flouncing in and grins at me.

"Amelia!" He says brightly, "How are you enjoying your stay?" I roll my eyes, cause this is a hotel or something.

"One of the more shitty places I've lived in." I tell him, "But the food is free, so I can't complain." I swear someday my sarcasm is going to get me shot.

"That's good to hear," He says and pulls up a chair in front of me. Ugg, I want to sit on a chair. My back is killing me, this is a shitty existence. If he's going to kill me I wish he would get on with it. Except I don't believe he will kill me, not right away. No fun that way.

"So," My father says, "Where are you hiding Dawson, Kriss and Alex?" I stare at him, why can't he find them? They probably went home, they think we're dead.

"How the bloody hell should I know?" I demand, "They could be anywhere." If he doesn't know where they are then I am not going to help him find them. 

Especially Dawson, he has his family to think about.

"You don't know where any of them are?" I ask, doesn't he have Kriss?

"I don't but you are going to tell  me where to find them." He says. I snort, yeah right.

Should I tell him I know he has Kriss? No, I won't betray that girl yet. If nothing else maybe I can use the info against her.

"You may not think you are going to tell me but you will."My father says confidently. I just roll my eyes, how can I tell him what I don't know? Oh well, let him be delusional. He's probably trying to scare me or something.

"Alright, whatever." I say, "But tell me, if I were to tell you where they are what would you do to them?" I don't know if he'll answer me but I will never betray Dawson and the others.

"That would be for you to find out." My father says flatly, "Now. Where are they?"

I roll my eyes, "Sorry Daddy, you'll have to torture me."

He smiles, "Oh I will."

He doesn't get it, I'd die to protect them. I don't care how much he tortures me, I will never give them away. I love them all too much for me to do that.

My father pulls from his belt a knife, not one of the ice blades that we can create but a real knife.

"Tell me where the boy is." He says. Time to play for time.

"What boy?" I ask.

"Dawson." He answers

I say the next bit in hopes of hurting him, "The only man on Earth I love." For a brief second hurt flashes a cross his face. I grin in triumph. 

"Tell me where he is." This time I know there is no stopping him, he's going to torture me.

"Never." I say. Dawson used to say that when I used that tone my eyes were like steel, I hope they are now.

That one word seals my fate.

His knife flashes and my arm burns, I look down at it. A thin line of red runs from my elbow to my wrist, not a deep cut but still it stings.

"That was a warning shot," He says, "I'll give you until tomorrow to change your mind." 

Before he can walk away I give him the middle finger.

He looks furious as he leaves the room, I let out a wild cackle of laughter.

My female guard comes in, she looks like she's trying to decide if I'm sane. This just makes me laugh harder.

I do sound mad.

Maybe I am.

Finally I stop laughing, the girl looks relieved. She's about my age, I wonder what she thinks of my father? Do the people here like him? Or do they see the twisted monster that he is?

She walks over and wraps my arm in a cloth to stop the bleeding.

"Thank you." I say.

She just nods.

"What's your name?" I ask her. I doubt she'll tell me, I wouldn't if I were her. If she were to tell me, would it get her in trouble? Should I care if it does? Of course I should, I am not my father. I am better than that. Aren't I?

She hesitates, "Evelina." She says finally. Whoa. Wasn't expecting that one, not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't that. Who would have thought that one of my enemies could have such a pretty name?

"I'm Amelia." I say. Evelina nods, of course she knows this. She finishes tying the cloth and then glances at the door as if to check if anyone is there.

"It's not your friend who was brought here with you." She whispers. I was working that one out for myself thanks.

"Then who is?" I ask, my heart suddenly pounding. Not Dawson, please not Dawson.

"Your sister." 

Those two words make me freeze.

My sister. But Ashlynn is dead. I saw my father kill her, didn't I?

If I'm alive why shouldn't she be?

"Are you sure?" I demand, Evelina nods.

"Ashlynn." I groan. Not my sweet, tiny sister. How many times will she be taken from me and then given back? I just want her safe, obviously that's too much to ask for.

Is Dad going torturing her too? She doesn't know anything, he wouldn't. He's her father he couldn't, could he? He cut me, but that's not torture. Not really.

Bloody hell, this is going to drive me insane.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry." Evelina says. I blink in confusion at her. "That your sister is here, she's only what? Ten?" I bite my lip.

"What's the date?" I ask her, have I been out for days?

"February 2nd."

"She's thirteen." I tell her. Ashlynn's birthday is the first, she was captured here for her birthday. She should have been at home with Mom and I. We should have had a party, invited her friends over, had a special dinner. Instead she has to spend her thirteenth birthday attached to a damn table.

Ashlynn deserves better.

"I'm sorry." Evelina says and looks down at her boots.

"That's the thing about enemies," I say, "You never think of them having feelings, I bet I was just a killer to you." Evelina nods. "You never thought of me having a family, friends, a boyfriend." I continue, "And the reverse, I never saw you people as human either."

Evelina squints at me, "Yes you did, you see everyone as human."

Her words startle me, she's right. I see us all as the same. Those people I killed bringing down the cave? They had families, friends, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends. I took them away forever from them, there is nothing I can ever do to repay that.

I'm a killer, these people have that right. But not a cold heart killer, I feel their families pain every time I end another's life. I feel their pain.

It's what will someday break me.

If this ever ends and I get to live a normal life it will tear me apart.

My future holds nothing but regret.

The only thing I want anymore are the lives of my family and friends.

They have to live.

Or I have nothing.