The Twilights: The Basics of Secrets

Chapter 11

Azura

My head pounded steadily like the heart of a drum. I tasted a bitter and dry feeling in my mouth and in my eyes. The light above my head was extremely dirty. I rubbed my eyes and my head, wiping away the grimy feeling. I had no time to get my bearings before keys rattled and two sets of hands dragged me across the sandy ground. I looked around as I passed by rocky caves and bars built inside the walls. On the opposite side of the walls were prisoners.

The two troopers turned a corner into a small room. It was also made into the mountain; the walls uneven and chipped from being carved into an office. There was a single metal chair inside, but as I entered, it was hastily removed so that now it was just the rocky walls. Three Zarion troopers with special black helmets stood along the back wall, holding long metal staffs. They weren't anything like the Zaren staffs that Jay showed me; these were just a simple long pole with a single grip.

I was dropped onto my hands and knees. More shuffling behind me occurred and then the door closed. I didn't want to look around and see who was behind me. I heard his heavy feet come around to stand before me as the three guards moved about the circular room. There were five lights on the ground that gave a fake white lighting to the room and casted strange shadows on officer in front of me. While most of the Zarion troopers wear all black, this man wore red pants with his uniform. He had six red pins fastened to the front of his jacket. His bright blonde hair was tightly slicked back. His yellow eyes were extremely noticeable in the poorly lit room.

"My name is Commander Garrison Verne. You will refer to me as sir, and only sir. Failure to do so will result in warnings. After three warnings, its punishment. The more you continue to follow rules, the more punishment will follow. Am I clear?" His silky voice asked. I didn't respond, so he asked again. "Am I clear?"

"Yes." I said, purposefully leaving off the sir. Because of that, I earned a great hit on the back by one of the guardsman. It was unexpected; I couldn't help but let out a small noise of pain.

Commander Verne smirked to himself proudly. "That's just a taste of what is to await for you. You were a part of a Dissent invasion on this city, aided in the escape of a traitor, and committed actions which resulted in the death of several men. Quite the rebel, aren't you, Rutt?" I didn't understand what a Rutt was. The confusion on my face gave the commander the wrong impression I suppose. "Yes, we know what you are, Rutt. That will be dealt with soon, I can assure you. But for now, I have some questions for you."

"Where are your Dissent friends taking the traitor? What information has he given you?" I didn't respond to any Commander Verne presented me. I stared at the ground, not uttering a word.

He walked a full rotation around me. He clicked his heels in front of me. I looked up into his eyes, stuck my tongue out at him, then averted my eyes back to the ground. The Commander snapped his fingers twice, then moved away to the door. Each guardsman got one whack on my back; the cold steel shooting spikes of pain all over my spine. The last one was the hardest and I feel onto my stomach due to the rough impact.

The two sets of hands grabbed me around the arms once more and lifted me up to my feet. Commander Verne was standing directly in front of my face, slightly too close for comfort. From his side belt, he pulled out a long and gold knife, holding the tip of the blade under my chin.

"The more you resist, the worse it's going to get for you," he warned.

"I'm not afraid of you," I declared defiantly.

A chuckle escaped from his lips. "You should be, child. I'll be back to talk to you soon, and this time with someone you best not make mad. He won't be as understanding as I."