The Chest of the Lost

Chapter 13: Taken

When I woke up I was standing, my arms and legs restrained with ropes, tying me to a platform that leaned against the wall. I lifted my head and looked around. The room was empty except for a desk that lay in the far corner of the room, with an ancient computer resting on top. There was also a large screen-like surface built into the wall behind the computer.

I was struggling to loosen the ropes, when I heard someone walk in, their footsteps heavy and slow. I moved rapidly back and forth, hoping to get out before they got any closer. No luck.

The figure walked over to the computer and clicked on something with the mouse. A large garage-like door on the opposite end of the room opened, allowing light to penetrate the darkness.

Another man walked in, holding something in his hands, but it was too dark to tell what it was. He was wearing dark clothing and a hood that hung low over his face.

The first man began walking toward me. Something about him made me uneasy, but I wasn't sure what.

"Miss Glen, I'm surprised to see you here," he said and I felt my body well up with anger.

"Why? You brought me here," I spat back, but immediately regretted it. I wasn't entirely sure that he was the one who brought me here, but I figured he was part of the overall operation.

He shook his head. "Oh, naughty. You better be careful, you don't want to get off on the wrong foot with us." I didn't say anything and he continued after a long pause. "Now I'm going to ask you a few questions before we begin." He fumbled in his pocket and I gasped as he pulled his hand out; a Crystal lay in his outstretched palm. It had been taken out of the bag and was still glossy and new. I realized in horror that it was mine. "Recognize this?" he asked.

"How did you-?" I started.

"What? How did I get this? I have my ways. I had men follow you from a distance after you escaped, hoping it might lead us to your Crystal." I stared at him, anger welling up inside me. "Oh, come on now, you're smarter than that. Did you really think we'd let you escape that easily after everything we've gone through to get your Crystals?"

Again I didn't reply, but I knew he was right- it had been too easy.

He went on. "So this Griffin is a friend of yours, yes? And I assume you know about his Crystal?"

I stared at him and continued refusing to respond.

"Of course you do," he said when I didn't reply. "That's why you're here, isn't it?" He replaced my Crystal back into his pocket, then reached into his other pocket and pulled out Griffins beat up Crystal, tossing it back and forth between his hands. "You must know the power it holds, especially when in the hands of someone else. After all, you experienced it firsthand, through Griffin and yourself."

I watched as the fragile Crystal was thrown carelessly between his hands and wished I could just reach out and grab it from the air.

"Now," he began again, "I have just one more question for you." He paused, then growled in a low, frightening tone, "Where is Griffin?"

I didn't think it would be hard for them to trace him down, but I wanted to stall as much as possible, so I didn't answer. Instead, I looked at the ground.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me. Where is Griffin?" He repeated, louder this time. I didn't know how long I would be able to hold off not saying anything. So I spoke, deciding just to give as little information as possible, hopefully making him think I had no idea where he was.

"I don't know," I lied, trying to keep my tone steady and convincing.

He smirked at me, but anger lingered in his cold, dark eyes. "I know you're lying. Where is he?"