Mixed Blood

Chapter 12- Our Fault

After a restless night, Bella woke to remember the events of the day before. Stress immediately flooded over her. She was filled with concern for the boys. She didn't know how they would be punished and what the aftermath would be. She was concerned for Kirra as well. With Pierce being the overall breadwinner Kirra could easily starve if he was imprisoned for a significant amount of time.

All these thoughts rushed through her head, creating an extreme sense of panic. It felt like in one day the world had come crashing down.

Today was their free day and Bella knew she needed to talk to El about all of this. She rushed to get ready and sprinted out the door, saying a quick goodbye to her mother on the way out. She walked as fast as she could, without drawing attention to herself, towards El's home.

Bella walked up the steps and knocked on the door. She was greeted by El's mother Valentina, a short stalky woman with hair similar to El's.

"Elysia! Your friend is here!" Valentina yelled up towards the second story quarters.

At that El ran out of her room wearing her simplest day gown. She bounded down the stairs, her hair flowing behind her, in order to leave her home as fast as possible.

"No running inside!" Her mother yelled as the two girls left.

Elysia's parents had never understood her. They were the types of royals who would go along with anything the kingdom said. They hated change and anything aside from the status quo. Due to this El had never really liked to spend large amounts of time around her parents. When she was with her parents all they would do was reprimand her. They would say things like "sit like a lady!" Or "Girls aren't meant to do that!" Of course El loved her parents, they were the people that raised her, they just didn't understand her.

The girls walked aimlessly, not knowing where they were going.

"Should we find Kirra?" Bella asked.

"That seems like a good plan. If anyone was told what happened to Hal and Pierce it would've been her." Elysia said.

The girls made their way towards the village, being extra careful because of the events of the day before. They hid behind trees and avoided all guarded areas.

They arrived at the back door of the house to find the back door unlocked. They let themselves inside to find Kirra sitting alone at the table, staring blankly at the wall.

"What happened?" El asked.

At that Kirra's focus moved to the two girls.

"Well, Pierce was sentenced to four nights in prison, while Hal was sentenced to a month." Kirra told them sighing.

"What-why?" Bella asked infuriated.

"Because Pierce is valuable to the work force and Hal isn't. They can afford to keep Hal locked up but not Pierce." She said solemnly.

"Someone's worth is not how much work they can do." El said steaming, trying to keep herself under control. The rage was spilling out of her through every breath.

"And I won't have food all week thanks to you girls." Kirra said sassily.

"We-we're sorry." Was all Bella could get out.

Kirra sighed, "I know, I'm sorry I'm just frustrated with everything that's going on."

"It's alright, we get it. It's been a hard couple of days." El said.

"We can bring you some food." Bella said, trying to be positive.

"Really? That would be wonderful. Thank you." Kirra said gratefully.

"Tomorrow after school we will bring you some, but I think we better go Bella, we don't want a repeat of yesterday." El said.

"I'll see you two tomorrow, bye." Kirra said, waving to the girls.

The two girls walked out the door. The made their way towards some trees as to not get caught. The weaved in and out of the thicket. After a while they made it back to the kingdom square, safe and sound.

The girls had nothing to do with their free day so they decided to go in some of the shops, they aimlessly looked at trinkets and frivolous clothes that might have excited Bella a few weeks ago.

The two bought some food from a royal vendor on the street and sat down at a table in the kingdom square. They ate their food silently until El spotted something over Bella's shoulder. El's mouth hung agape, her sight fixed on one spot that Bella couldn't see.

"What is it?" Bella asked, not having turned around.

"Turn around." El squeaked out.

At that Bella turned around to see Hal. His arms were in cuffs, which were connected to the stone wall behind him with chains. He was kneeling, leaning forward with his arms splayed out behind him due to the chains. His hair fell forward atop his eyes. His face was grimy and horrorstruck.

Bella's hand went straight to her mouth. She felt tears tug at her eyes.

Hal raised his head mere inches and his eyes locked with Bella's. His mouth was open from the exhaustion and pain. His face wore a look of someone who was broken. The two communicated a look of pure pain.

Would he stay here all month? Bella asked herself.

As royals walked past him they cast him stuck up glares. They knew nothing of him yet they showed such distaste just because of his class.

Tears fell down Bella's face as she looked at Hal. He had done nothing yet he was punished. 'He was punished because of me.' Bella thought. She couldn't take the fact that she had brought this pain upon him. She had practically chained him to that wall. The girls sat there for about an hour, just staring at him, before they had to leave. They knew their parents were expecting them, and they couldn't raise suspicions. They slowly got up, Bella's eyes never leaving Hal's. They walked towards their homes slowly and solemnly. The girls were beyond distressed, their friends were locked up and there was absolutely nothing they could do about it. And worst of all, it was all their fault.

Author's note: Hey guys! Thanks a ton for reading. Thanks for all the feedback. Every comment, vote, and read means the world to me. Don't be afraid to give me your feedback, I'd like to know how to improve my writing.

-Sweany