The Game's End

Chapter 10

The council sat in shock of the information I just gave them. Quickly they regained their composure and started their undying list of questions; which I answered as truthfully as I could. "My father was Alexander Johnson, the rightful King. After he was overthrown by Tyrant, he became the first test subject for Tyrant, our evil ruler. He and and my mother met in the testing lab where she was being forced to conduct a series of tests on him for the Tyrant. They fell in love and she found ways to help him manipulate the many tests. Tyrant allowed them to continue their relationship in order to use it to his advantage. I always thought it was because he held a soft spot for his brother; but I now know otherwise. They had me, then three years later they had my sister Hope."

What I do not tell the council is that I was tested too, in secret. To me, thought we were just playing games. I would have never thought I am was I am, but my mother definitely knew. Despite the restrictions placed on us by Tyrant, those were the happy days- until the games ended. It all comes flooding back.

Hope and I are playing our favorite game, hide and seek. We play this game a lot, but today, mom suggested the game with a sense of urgency. Suddenly, Tyrant burst through the door. I clearly hear him yell, "I know the secret, I know it's her!" From where I am, I can see Hope in her hiding place. My parents looked worried and now the game is for survival. My heart is beating faster and I can see that Hope was struggling to stay quiet. I can't see everything; all I hear is the sound of yelling from one adult to the other. Something happened and without warning, my father drops, unmoving to the floor in front of me. A scream, a thud, and then my mother drops beside him. Her eyes sought mine. The message is clear. There was no time for tears or thought. I am determined to save my sister. I motion to Hope to move. She quickly follows my lead, but must've made a sound. I turn back to see Tyrant's sword ripping through the air and down onto my sister. It is too late for her. It's over, I think to myself. I'm alone. I run down the white halls and out  of the palace doors.