The Pale Cage

Chapter 12

The group was struggling. Kathrin and Raven were growing tired, Orrin carried Xade on his back and to his surprise, Roangy allowed Amewen to lean against her. However, Roangy had to stop and struggled to fish her phone out of her pocket. Raeburn moved forward to help keep Amewen on her feet, but just like she had said, Amewen seemed to be growing stronger. They continued the slow process while Roangy spoke with her brother.

“Montmore!” She called.

“What?”

“Grandfather and the others are moving to trap us at the landing. But Roanby is still undetected in the control room. He says he'll start the count on your word.”

“Okay, keep him on the line.” Raeburn told her.

The whole group wanted to rest when they finally made it to the landing, they were tired and out of breath. Raeburn allowed a moment's rest while he stepped forward with the sonic. The exit door had been locked, but it was not made of wood. Raeburn unlocked it easily, he pushed and held it open for the others to limp through.

However they did not make it very far down the corridor, for it had been blocked. A crowd of scientists stood in there way and at the front of the mob stood Dr. Roane.

“Welcome back, Flesh.” He spoke to Raeburn. Raeburn curled his lip in disgust and pushed to the front of his rescued group.

“I am not Flesh any more. I have become much more than that, more than you'll ever be!” Raeburn snarled.

Dr. Roane did not seem impressed, instead he looked passed him to the others. Roangy was supporting Amewen again. Roangy had a look of disgust on her face, but she dutifully held Amewen there. It seemed to Raeburn that Roangy had lost track of her second thoughts for the rescue mission. Orrin was still carrying the old man Xade on his back. Kathrin and Raven were holding hands, their eyes glared at the evil ones, it seemed as if they were ready to set the world on fire.

Dr. Roane pretended to be surprised and hurt, but Raeburn could clearly see that sickly sweet glee that gleamed in his eyes. “Aiisha, that woman you are holding up is none other than Amewen Jaganshi. The one who slayed your parents...my son and his wife.”

“Even-, even if what we did to her is more than she deserves...I won't let it be carried out here. I will find justice and she'll meet judgment, but not here, not like this. I follow Montmore's, the Doctor's ways.” She tried really hard to be brave and confident against her grandfather, but her voice trembled and seemed small even to her own ears. Her grandfather terrified her.

“Actually, if I may say a word or two.” Amewen spoke. “That is a filthy lie, made up by a filthy man. I had nothing to do with their murder.”

“But I saw you.” Roangy said, tears in her eyes. Raeburn knew she had worked really hard to keep it all within her, to fight about it after the rescue. Dr. Roane purposefully used Roangy's grudge against her.

“I don't know what you saw, Aiisha. But I have been with the Roane family since Cassie and Zhou were married. And another thing; Tai was never his son.” Amewen pointed at Dr. Roane, but spoke to Roangy. “Tai's father was Yun and his mother was Maple. Spencer went back, because he let whom his parents were decide his fate.”

Dr. Roane ignored Amewen's accusations. “Amewen Jaganshi is one that is born from demons and dragons, there is no way you can trust her words.”

“Don't listen to him!” Raeburn told Roangy. “Focus on what we came here to do. There are still the children we must save. I swear to you I will bring justice for your parents, but we must survive this first!”

“The children, Aiisha, right the children. You do know how very absurd that is. They aren't even human. They have the power to destroy us all, don't you, Kathrin? Why are you holding it all in. You can kill us easily...”