The Trace of Stars

Episode 9: Caught

I woke up with a clear mind but, nevertheless, terrified.

    It wasn't prison walls and cold floors that greeted me like I was expecting. No, it was quite the opposite.

    The room was huge, cavernous, and elegant. The subtle colors and large bed reminded me of a fairy tale scene. There were no windows, just lamps and lights turned down low.

    I shoved myself up out of the bed, restless. What kind of sick trick was this? My feet touched the warm carpet, then sprinted to the doors on the other side. I pounded my fists against them, yanking at the locked handle with no luck. I called for Missy, but the name left me, unheard.

    The worst part, I realized as I slid to the floor, was that I was alone in silence. No one to talk to. Just me -- only me.

    I pushed my face into my hands, trying to think. I attempted to pray, but in vain. I couldn't ask for someone to be put in this torture with me. I didn't even know if God wanted to listen to me. I didn't know who He was. I didn't feel like I was in a good position to talk to Him.

    My hands shook at the thought of another fifty-four days alone. I stumbled to the bed once again, feeling nauseated and uneasy. I retched right on the carpet, making myself sick with fear. That's all I ever felt anymore.

    I didn't want to feel that way.

    When I did climb into bed, I curled up on the comforter, wrapping my arms around my stomach, and whispered to myself the words I cherished.

    "We danced until we collapsed. We laughed until we couldn't breathe. We cried until the tears ran out. We stole glances until we were caught..."

»«»«

    I snapped my eyes open, hoping that I would wake up from this continuous nightmare. Only, it wasn't peace that awaited me. It was the door banging open, then being locked shut.

    "Oh Rowin, so tired and unhappy."

    I scrambled to stand up, stumbling out of the pillows and onto my feet. Cassius' thin-lipped sneer was the last thing I wanted to see. I tried to glare at him, annoyed and weak.

    "Very moody, too," he chuckled, clasping his hands. He stood ten feet away, taking in my dirty attire, messy hair, and clamped fists. "Your compass brought me back here, so I owe you that."

    I set my jaw, refusing to say anything, knowing words wouldn't negotiate. In horror, I began to understand what we were running from; that this was the very situation we were all trying to avoid. Cassius now had every power possible. The only reason he had to invade the camp was to retrieve the Antipode key... Right?

    Why would he bring me, then?

    "Okay, no more chit-chat, since you're obviously not up for it. Now, would you rather sit or stand?"

    "What?" I croaked, mouth going dry.

    "Sit on the bed, Rowin, it will be much less painful," he instructed, trying to keep his tone light.

    I hesitated before doing what he said, knowing defiance would make the situation worse.

    "At least you're cooperative," he mumbled, pulling out a glove and a small box from his pocket.

    My head spun as the pieces began to fall in place.

    "You're hand, please," he stated, planting his feet in front of me.

    "You're not going to take my sanity, too," I bit off.           

    "Oh, but why kidnap you if I don't get to have any fun?"

    The line sounded rehearsed. I looked to see his sneer replaced by a grim expression as he read my eyes. He opened the box to reveal the black ring.        

    "Tell me what's going to happen," I said shakily.

    He glanced at me, taking a deep breath. He swallowed.

    "The Antipode. Three contents, just like the Elements. The compass restores people's memories, sends them here slowly. Its Antipode causes memory loss. The key protects one from the compass, its Antipode traps you alone in the compass' Antipode effect. The ring transports you through the realities, its Antipode holds you between them, in your greatest fears."

    I felt my eyes go wide with fright, begging him silently not to do this. Jonathan is gone forever. If I'm like that, what will happen to Adria? My parents? Seth?

    "It's not as bad as the others," Cassius whispered. When I looked at him, he seemed genuinely empathetic.

    "Cassius, please," I whispered.

    His eyes were glassy when he spoke his next statement, "I have to."

    I sensed this was deeper than me. He didn't care about me enough to cry, but he had to have lived this scene before. I realized that this wasn't him. He wasn't this way by choice.

    I shoved myself to the middle of the mattress, then laid down, curled up once again. I stretched out my hand, closing my eyes as tears leaked from them.

    "Do it," I breathed.

    I wanted it to be over. I couldn't fight anymore, only accept. It was inevitable that this would happen.

    "I'm sorry," Cassius mumbled.

    I ignored his apology.

    "Tell them I love them," I requested, hoping he would know who to tell. It didn't matter. This could kill me; it would scar me.

    Next thing I knew, weight was on my thumb, electricity pulsing from it. The door slammed quickly after it was in place. An instant later, I was in agony.

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(a/n)

OKAY HONESTLY this was probably one of my favorite parts in this book and I don't know why. Creating the anticipation for you all is really fun, I guess. (;

Anyway, this is the last time you see Cassius in this book. So, after this grand scheme of things, how do you perceive his character?

God is wonderful, yes? <3 (:

-Abigail

{May 7, 2017}

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