CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Five: Insulted By Fictional Characters

The first things I noticed when I came-to were the heavy metal shackles around my wrists and ankles chaining me to the bed I was lying on, and the small flame-- a candle-- flickering in the corner of the room.

It was quite obvious that I was no longer at Elle's. No, I had been kidnapped by someone, and most likely taken back to wherever it was the door in the forest led.

Which meant I had no idea where I was, what was happening to me, or how I could possibly get back. Yaaay.

Even though I knew it was pointless, I still had to try and get out, but first I had to do something about those chains. How barbaric is that? They couldn't just tie me to a chair and duct-tape my mouth or something like a regular kidnapper, no no no, they had to chain me to a freaking bed!

I tugged experimentally on one of the heavy chains attached to the bedpost. It didn't budge. Awesome.

With an angry huff, I sat there for a moment trying to come up with something-- anything! -- that could help me escape this place. I was still a bit woozy from whatever it was my kidnapper had knocked me out with-- again, barbaric! -- so my thought possess was a bit slower than I would have liked. Eventually, I had an idea that might work.

I examined the shackles on each of my wrists. They were kind of big on me, like they were meant for someone larger than I was. Maybe if I wiggled my hands enough, I could slip them out? It might not work, but it's worth a shot... I began to frantically twist and pull on my hands, but they wouldn't budge. C'mon, Maggie, hurry! They could come for me at any minute!

After what felt like an eternity, my wrists were red and sore, so I gave up on that idea. I decided just to try and pull the chain directly from the bedpost again. You know what they say, 'if at first you don't succeed, try try again.'

So here I am. Try trying again. I got myself into a good position and started tugging with all my strength. "Ugh, stupid bed post!" I grunted, beginning to get very very annoyed.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Blondie..." The voice of my kidnapper spoke from the corner of the room by the candle.

I lurched in shock, which was just enough to pull the chain free. With a squeal of surprise, I tumbled backwards off the bed, landing on the floor with a painful thump.

I glared up at my kidnapper, who just chuckled at my stupidity and shrugged away from the wall to approach me. I squinted my eyes, trying to get a good look at him, but it was still too dark to see what he looked like.

"Now that you're awake and... out of bed..." He chuckled again and I sat up on the floor in an attempt to regain some dignity. "The King wishes to see you." He finished.

"Too bad." I snapped. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I must have missed the part where I asked your opinion, Blondie." My kidnapper replied sarcastically, then he offered me his hand to help me off the ground. What an oddly chivalrous act after such rude words.

I ignore his hand and stand on my own. "Stop calling me Blondie!" I glare, "I have a name you know!"

"Let's hear it then." My kidnapper shrugged. He then stooped down and wrapped the end of my chain around his hand, like he had me on a leash.

"It's Maggie." I answered curtly. He surprised me by bursting out into laughter. "What's so funny!?"

His laughter settled. "Maggie, huh? I think I prefer Blondie." He replied with another chuckle.

"Fine then." I snapped, and the shackles on my wrists rattled as I crossed my arms.

He moved to the other side of the room then, and because he was holding my chain I had no choice but to follow him.