The Exiled Princess (sequel to Esther)

Chapter 2

We were now facing a beautiful meadow. There was a waterfall falling into a lake. There were willows and pines and oaks. It was a beautiful place with plenty of flowers. Deer and rabbits roamed the meadow.

A stag approached us. We turned into humans and waited for him.

Your highness. He conveyed bowing. What may we do for you? He asked.

Well, we need a place to stay. Andrew conveyed. And, we need to ask some questions. Like, where are we? I joined in. You're in a secret meadow. Built by Lily the conveyor during the time of the biggest war in history. The stag replied. I am the prince of the forest. That is, for the deer. Sheila here, the leader of the wild cats, will bring you to a place where you can stay. I sense more humans. Did you bring company? He explained and asked. Well, you see, I'm being tracked by Awry. I explained.

I guess that set a burning rage in him because just then, some other cheetahs, and wild cats pushed a boulder to cover the entrance.

"Come." Sheila said. She was a beautiful, strong cheetah. We changed into cheetahs and she led us behind the trees and into a cave. "Reyna? We have guests." Sheila called out. "Coming." Reyna said. She was a young cheetah. And she looked like her mother. I guess they all sort pf looked alike. They led us inside and up to the second floor of the cave.

"Wow. I can't believe cheetahs have a second floor in their cave. Amazing." I said. The others nodded. Meral, Ruby and King curled up and started sleeping. "Time for us to sleep too." Ashley said.

We climbed the rocks and leaped up onto the second floor. We curled up and slept.

"Esther. Esther. Wake up." Andrew said nudging me. I woke up and changed into human. "What is it?" I asked. "Sheila has something to tell us. Urgent news." I got up and followed him down.

"What is it Sheila?" I asked seeing Ashley and Brandon sitting on the floor waiting. "Well, you see, the soldiers are already at the door trying to get in. Hopefully they won't. I don't think they can, but we have to be safe." Sheila said. "We need to get you all out of here." "Is there another way out?" Ashley asked. Sheila nodded. "On the other mountain, there's a cave that'll lead you out." She said. "I'll lead you. Carl and Reyna can take care of things here." She said.

"Wait." Andrew said. "Esther? We need to take the tracker out of you." He said. I looked at him. "How?" I asked. "We need to dig the chip thing out of your back." He said. "It's just a chip? I thought it was an injected fluid in me or something. You could've told me that sooner." I said. "Yeah, well, we were on the run. Now's the time." He said. I took a deep breath and nodded.

He got out his knife. Meral came up to me. I put my hand on her and the other, Ashley held. "This is gonna hurt." Andrew said removing my bandages after I pulled my shirt up."Okay, then. Don't listen to me. It's the only way. No matter how much I scream or cry, take it out. I can't endanger you all anymore." I said. Andrew nodded. I laid down on my stomach. Andrew started digging his knife into the cut the soldiers had already made.

I yelled and screamed like I was a donkey being murdered. Add a cow to that too. Tears ran down my face. It was horribly painful. I squeezed Ashley's hand. The cut was just three days old and now it had to be opened again. I felt the tip of the knife touch something in my back and lift it. I screamed.

The knife was out and I cried and cried. Ashley got some bandages. Reyna brought water and Ashley dipped a cloth in it and cleaned my wound. Then, she wrapped my wound in the bandage. The bandage was wrapped around my back but it was still painful no matter what.

Sheila gave me water to drink, but I still cried and whined. "Esther. I'm sorry." Andrew said. He smashed the chip and it broke into tiny pieces. "It's fine, Andrew. It's not you." I said gritting my teeth. He put an arm around me.

"When do we leave?" I asked Sheila. "In an hour or so. We need you to rest. You can't travel like this." Sheila said. I nodded and rested my head on Andrew and slept.