The Twelve Heroes: Finding Our Identity (Editing)

Is It The End?

Sophie's P.O.V.

When awoke in a dark room, sitting ramrod straight in a hard wooden chair, I remembered my nightmare. Anthony, Austin, Valerie, and myself had been in a car accident and Vaughn  had abducted us. Then, the hard realization struck me. It wasn't a nightmare. It was reality. Blinking a few times, I discovered that I was in a cellar-like room. When I tried to rub my head, I found out that ropes were binding my wrists and ankles to the chair. My brown hair hung in a curtain before my face, slightly blocking my view. While Struggling to get my wrists untied, I heard a man chuckle.

"You're never going to get free. That is no ordinary rope." Vaughn stepped out of the shadows, revealing himself.

"Where are the others?" My voice sounded panicky. 

"That is none of your concern. You should be more worried about dying. After all, once I get the information I need, you will be slaughtered." Vaughn circled me, much like a predator circling his prey.

I saw a slight glimmer of hope. "What information do you need? How could a fourteen-year old possibly have information that a forty-year old man would need?" I allowed a smile to curl on my lips.

"Foolish girl. I know Phillip Burton gave you Zandra The Foreseer's knowledge. Don't try to play those fatuous mind games on me." He snarled.

If only I could provoke him, I thought. 

"If I have so much knowledge, how do you know I'm not manipulating you right now?" I cocked my head to one side.

"You're not smart enough. Although you have the knowledge of a women millenia old, you do not know how to access that knowledge." He smiled, knowing my glimmer of hope was lost.

Discreetly, I wriggled my wrists, loosening the rope bounding them. Vaughn stalked towards me and pulled out a knife, which was serrated at the end of the edge.

"You'll tell me what I want to know if you want to live long enough to say good-bye to your friends." He held the knife to my throat and pulled back my head. I tried desperately not to scream.

"You would kill me anyway." I choked out. He gently pushed the knife into my throat. I felt the warm blood trickle down my neck. I panicked. He saw this and took the advantage.

"I'll make you a deal." He said carefully, bringing the knife to side and letting go of me. "Give me the knowledge and I'll let you go. Or," He smiled mischievously, "We could duel. Now, choose the wise option."

"What's the point of a duel if you know you'll win? Now, Vaughn, choose the wise option and let me go." I thought I had an edge.

"Smart-alecks never have enough sense to pick the winning selection. If it is a duel you want, then it's a duel you'll get. Let's have your friends watch you suffer and die." He clicked a switch and the lights turned out, blinding at first.

Vaughn motioned for me to turn my head and I watched in horror as his goons brought Valerie, Anthony, and Austin in. They all looked beaten. Each of them had their wrists and ankles tied together and a gag in their mouth. Looking at the disheveled figures before me, I knew I had to fight and win the duel with Vaughn.

Vaughn cut through the ropes that tied me to the chair and backed away.

"On the count of three. But first, we must get a weapon." The goons tossed me a cheap sword, whilst Vaughn got a khopesh and shield. 

"A bit unfair..." I mutter under my breath.

"1, 2," I brace myself, "3!" Vaughn yells and charges.

Parries, cuts, jabs, screams. That was basically the whole battle. Admittedly, I knew I was going to lose. There was no chance I could win. That is, until Artemis told me a secret that could help me defeat Vaughn. (No, I'm not going to tell you this secret because you may hurt yourself trying to kill someone. Or go to jail.) Well, kill him. I didn't have the heart to kill so I tried easing my power.

The ground was littered with sharp rocks, so when Vaughn shoved me down, I knew I was in trouble. One particularly sharp rock got embedded in the small of my back. I writhed in agony. Vaughn walked away, which would be a fatal mistake if his opponent could actually stand now. Then, Artemis told me the secret. I focused on of my energy on my aura and formed a silver body of armor around my body. Vaughn's back was turned so he didn't notice the transformation. I groaned from the effort of getting up and keeping the armor around myself. Flexing my back, I gripped my sword and charged Vaughn from behind. He never saw me coming. The force of my attack made him get flung against the far cellar wall. He collapsed in a heap on the ground. The goons, who were holding Austin, Anthony, and Valerie, rushed forward and helped Vaughn to his feet. My armor disappeared, leaving me weak and vulnerable. If Vaughn wanted to, he could attack me right now, that is if he was conscious.

 I took the opportunity to untie the others before I collapsed in exhaustion. I wasn't used to my powers yet.The others flexed after I untied them. Then, I hurled myself into Anthony's arms. Austin patted me on the back and then continued stretching. I nuzzle my head into the crook of Anthony's neck. In return, he embraces me.

"Guys, we need to get going. Any minute, Vaughn will wake up and capture us. Villains, like him, often don't follow their word." Valerie pushes us out of the cellar, which could have been my death home.

On the way out of that horrid place, Anthony half-carried me. I was weak. All of my strength was slowly draining away. While I was stumbling down the long, endless corridor, Valerie came to an abrupt halt.

"What was that about?" Austin asked.

"Sophie. She's too weak to walk now. Look at her. She's stumbling. Anthony, can you carry her? I don't want to risk being heard out here. Those goons might come after us." She explained.

"What? No! I can walk on my own!" A wave a dizziness washed over me, causing me to grip Anthony's arm for balance.

Valerie raised her eyebrows and I reluctantly let Anthony lift me up, piggy-back style. I gingerly wrapped my arms around his neck. Then, a siren sounded. Valerie was right. She ran, followed by Austin then Anthony and me. 

"Do you...know...where we are...going?" Anthony panted.

"No. Yes. Maybe." Valerie replied, her voice even.

Perspiration beads popped up along my forehead. Black dots danced in my vision. I was now completely drained. Afraid that I would pass out, I gripped Anthony. I glanced back to find that ten goons were chasing after us. They were closing the distance fast. If I had more strength I would be able to stop them without passing out. I'm not sure what came over me, but I did try to stop them. Calling upon the last bit of my aura and strength, I summoned a gust of wind, which transformed into a strong tornado. It headed straight towards them, knocking them down on contact.

Anthony felt my grip go slack. He stopped for a moment and moved me to his arms. Then, I knew I would black out, but I also knew I would be safe.