The Final Protection (On Hold)

The Palace and an Unknown Friend

Callie was escorted slowly up the palace steps, she stopped at the huge golden doors. "Go on." Said the guard. Callie quickly hugged the box containing her chess pieces to her chest as she trotted into a beautiful courtyard with expensive flowers and shining water coming from marble fountains lining the courtyard. As Callie took in her surroundings she heard a rustling behind her and turned toward a shadowed tree. "Hello. Who's there?" she asked boldly. When a boy stepped out a smile lit up her face. "Prince Erin, how nice to see you." Callie said with a nod of respect. "Please Callie, just call me Erin." the prince smiled. "I see you are here because of the Selection." he observed curiosity in his eyes. Callie's eyes narrowed, as she recalled that he was the reason she was here. "Callie?" He asked, his voice nervous. "Should I show you to your room?" He asked, his voice tense. She turned to him, "I can find my way to my own room thanks." Callie glared, "But thank you." She added, trying not to sound sarcastic. Erin looked at her with uncertainty. "Very well." He said slowly. She slowly walked to where she saw another girl being escorted. "Excuse me?" Yelled Callie at the girl. The girl turned around and smiled, "Hello." A guard flanked her, "This way," He said in a deep voice. Callie quickly shuffled next to them, "Are you in the selection?" The girl asked. Callie nodded and smiled at her, "Me too." Said the girl. The guard stopped and pointed to a huge door, "Through there, Artemis, your number is 9, Callie, 10." He said sternly, then walked away. "10?" Asked Callie. "The order you will compete." Clarified Artemis. "They give you numbers for your death." Callie snapped at no one in particular. Artemis nodded, the pushed open the door. A long dark hallway with exactly ten doors lined the walls. Artemis smiled and asked "How old are you?" "16." Replied Callie as they made their way down the hallway. "Me too!" Artemis beamed at her. Callie laughed, they reached their doors and Callie waved goodbye as Artemis disappeared into her room. As Callie entered her room, she gasped, it was nothing like the damp hallway they had just come into. A huge room with beautiful clear glass lining one whole wall, the view was gorgeous, Callie could see her house! A huge pink bed was tucked into one corner and a vanity mirror was lined next to it. Pictures of royalty lined the walls and a round table sat in the middle of the room. Callie put her box on the table and ran to the door on the other side of the wall, it opened into a huge bathroom with soaking tub and a giant closet. Callie flung the door open, the closet was empty. "Weird." Callie muttered. Someone knocked on the door. Callie ran to open it, breathless, she peeked into the hallway. A young lady looked at her sharply and said, "Dinner is at 6:00 sharp, don't be late." Then she handed Callie the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Callie grabbed it and thanked her before shutting the door. Callie shuffled out of her room at 5:50, before setting off to the dining hall. Artemis was standing at the entrance, "Callie, you look amazing!" Artemis gushed, "You do to!" Callie said as she stared at Artemis. She was beautiful, long black hair hung from a baby face with dark brown eyes and her dark skin seemed to glow. Suddenly, a guard let them in and they were escorted to their seats. The dining room was huge and golden. The girls filed in and sat down. Finally, the queen entered and sat, "You all look beautiful." The Queen complimented, her voice echoing in the silent room. "Thank you your majesty." We all murmured. "Now I shall introduce you!" She exclaimed. The Queen stood and stood behind the chair of a girl with honey colored hair and eyes, "This is Addie, number 1." The Queen announced. Then she moved behind the chairs of two twins, "This is Alika and Kat, number 2 and 3." The Queen said. They both had chestnut colored hair and blue eyes. Callie shifted in her seat uncomfortably. They were all so pretty. She continued down the line, Callie cocked her head curiously at a girl standing off to the side. She was definitely not like the rest of the long haired, tan princesses before her. Her short blonde hair was chopped into a sharp pixie cut, and her skin was extremely pale. She was wearing a short black tank top and pants, she glared at Callie. Callie gasped and everyone looked at her, the girl's eyes were red, and she fingered a knife at her belt. Artemis nudged Callie with her foot as the Queen continued to bore into Callie with her gaze. Callie looked away, "Excuse me." She said but continued to glance at the girl as they were eating. Dinner was called to an end and the queen said, "Number 1, meet me in the throne room at 4:00 tomorrow, bring your chess pieces, the rest of you, enjoy your stay." Then she blazed out of the dining room, Callie turned to look at the strange girl, but she was gone. Callie trudged back to her room, "Who was that girl standing off to the side?" Callie asked Artemis as they sat on Callie's bed doing their nails. Artemis looked up and carefully avoided Callie's stare, "I don't know much about her." Artemis said uncomfortably. "But you know something." Callie prodded. "Yes." Artemis admitted, "Tell me!" Callie demanded. Artemis leaned in, "I think her name is Mia." "Mia?" Callie asked, Such an average name for a girl who is so strange. Thought Callie. "Yeah, she is the queen's assassin." Artemis said quietly. "Why would the Queen need a assassin?" Callie whispered back. Artemis stopped painting her nails and said, "My momma told me that the chess pieces don't kill you, Mia does, she has magic." Callie's eyes widened, Could it be true? The whole city is built on the belief that chess can kill, but what if it was just one girl all along. Callie questioned. Callie nodded and looked up at Artemis, "Were gonna find out."