Useless

CHAPTER 4: Escapee

Mabel

"There's no time!" I'm breathing frantically, panicking. I search the room to ensure I am alone, and without thinking I act on instinct- the instincts that tell me to protect my image of 'loyal' at all costs.

I run toward the wall, throwing myself against the hard rough surface. The impact of my head on the wall sends me to the floor and leaves the room spinning, I black out.

When I wake, the High Priestess is pacing in front of me, and my fellow priestess, Anneliese, cradles my head in her lap; hand pressed against my forehead, eyes closed, a look of sheer concentration on her face. She whispers her enchantments- although I do not need them, I'm grateful that she is trying. I groan to show that I'm awake, but also from the pain in my head. With my noise the room goes silent.

For a second, the High Priestess is frozen in her track, and Anneliese's eyes flutter open. She smiles at me- relieved that I am alright- and I smile back to show my thanks, until we both remember our surroundings.

"Oh, Mabel, dear." The High Priestess' voice sounds, breaking the silence.

Her 'calm' voice... it scares me more than her shouting: it means she has already thought it through; she already has a plan for me. She approaches me, kneeling beside my body and holding out a hand for mine "how are you feeling?"

'Act innocent,' I tell myself, as I reach out, placing my hand in hers. 'Just cooperate.'

"A little sore," I look around as if I were confused, and rub the lump on my forehead with my spare hand for good measure. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?" She asks curiously as she pulls me to my feet. She steadies me as I wobble trying to stand still; I must have done a good job of ramming myself into solid rock.

"My apologies, sister," I wince "but I do not entirely understand what is going on. Did I hit my head?"

She ignores my question. "Where is the boy?"

I feign shock with a gasp. "A sacrifice?" I ask, trying to keep my true thoughts from showing. Of course I know exactly who she is talking about- Noah, my lover. "Did he escape?"

"Yes, we presume so." We walk toward the doors, the High Priestess by my side, Anne following behind. "Anneliese dear, would you please clean the sacrificial chamber for me?" the High Priestess asks, dismissively.

"Yes, Sister." Anne bows her head and turns away obediently.

After many steps through countless corridors, we reach a small white room with a single chair in the middle- I have heard of this room, but have never actually seen it for myself.

The Interrogation Chamber. My heart rate speeds up to the point where I'm worried she can hear it. The chamber is crisp, clean and bright white- the torture chair sitting, empty and unused, in the middle of the room. As far as I know, the High Priestess has never needed it.

I have a sudden feeling of dread. When I again look at the chair, I see Noah. His wrists and ankles chained to the chair, his hands balled into fists, his face contorting in pain. Eventually he is drifting in and out of consciousness... He looks straight into my eyes, begging for release, for an escape from the torture. By now it's clear he just wants it to be over- to die so the pain will end. I gasp as a sudden jolt of electricity travels through his body-

"Mabel?"

I look away and see the High Priestess staring at me expectantly. I glance at the chair- it is again empty. I breathe a silent sigh of relief. I can't let the creations of my anxious mind obscure my sight of reality- I must trust in the hope that he escaped and is safe.