The Violet-Eyed

Chapter 17

For a split second, Solaria convinced herself that this man could not be anyone she knew. But once he'd stepped out fully from the shadows, Solaria could no longer deny that he was, in fact, Haywire Brains.

Seeing Solaria's stunned expression, Sonora smirked. "Did you honestly think you were the only ones with a special power?" She glanced at Haywire, who quickly popped out two brown contact lenses to reveal bright violet eyes. "And did you think you were the only ones who were wearing contact lenses?" She taunted them, enjoying their helplessness at being unable to reply.

Martin lifted his chin upwards and bore his eyes into Haywire's, who immediately averted his eyes so as to avoid meeting Martin's furious glare. Solaria was indignant, but could not work out how Haywire had suddenly become a traitor. Miriam was in the worst state: she was on the verge of breaking down, her heart broken into a million pieces.

"Why, Haywire? Why did you have to do this? You told me you'd do anything for me – I was so naïve to believe you!" she wept. Sonora motioned to Haywire, who unwillingly muted Miriam as well.

Sonora laughed cruelly. She flicked her wrist, and eight burly guards marched into the room. Three walked forward and took hold of Miriam, Martin and Solaria, four tackled Solaria's personal guards, while the eighth merely stood aside. They moved like robots, every action synchronized with each other. With one guard behind all three of them, Miriam, Martin and Solaria didn't dare to breathe.

With one hand gripping Solaria's hair, the guard behind her – Jim, the engraving on his chest plate read – yanked back her head. "Ain't feelin' so good, are you, little queen?" he taunted in a gruff voice. Solaria seethed with rage, but couldn't say anything back. Jim whipped out a dagger with his other hand and held it against her neck. She could feel the cold metal grazing her skin, ever so slightly moving closer and closer. Then suddenly she felt a sharp sting, and warm blood oozed out from a shallow cut.

Solaria frantically looked around, only to see that Martin and Miriam had been held captive and cut in the same way. There was a wild look in Martin's eyes, somewhat similar to that of a tortured animal. He looked towards Solaria and tried to call for her, but no sound came out of his open mouth.

"Ah, Keith. Or do you prefer Martin? I didn't know who you really were at first, you know. It's such a pity; I really liked you. Haywire here was so kind to disclose your identity, so I wouldn't make another mistake of keeping you," Sonora shot an appreciative glance at Haywire, who forcefully smiled in return.

"Your Majesty?" Haywire squeaked.

"Speak up, Haywire. What is it?" Sonora waved her hand impatiently.

"Why is there an extra guard over there?" Haywire pointed to the eighth guard, who was standing idly.

"For precautionary measures, nothing more," Sonora replied in an even voice. Turning to face Martin, she licked her lips. "Shall I kill your girlfriend and make you watch?" she suggested maliciously.

Martin's eyes widened in fear, but he quickly regained his composure and gave Sonora a look of pure fury.

Sonora smirked. Looking at Jim, she flicked her hand. Jim immediately grasped Solaria's arm and twisted it with all his might. Her screams were muted, but she writhed in agony. Miriam lowered her eyes, unable to take in the sight; turning to Haywire, she pleaded silently for mercy, but Haywire pretended not to see her. Martin flailed around, trying to wrench free of the guard's iron grip, but to no avail. When Jim finally released Solaria, she'd already passed out from the pain.

"It's your turn now, little king." Sonora gestured to the guard behind Martin to begin his work.

The guard pulled out a cat-o'-nine-tails from his belt and tore open Martin's shirt. Pushing Martin without warning so that he toppled face down onto the floor, the guard raised the whip and lashed Martin's back mercilessly. Blood seeped out from the abused flesh, spilling onto the carpet. It was a gory sight. Unable to watch, Miriam closed her eyes, only to have the guard behind her pry them open. "Watch your little king suffer, girl," the guard said. "You'll be next."

After more than a hundred lashes, Sonora ordered the guard to stop whipping Martin, who had also fainted. The eighth guard walked over to Martin and Solaria, dousing each of them with ice-cold water to revive them. Miriam's guard then hauled her up and tied her on her back to a wooden bench. He put a coarse cloth on her face, and then proceeded to douse water continuously on her head. Miriam gagged and retched, trying in vain to escape.

"It's a simulation of drowning," Sonora explained when she saw Solaria's expression of puzzlement and horror. "She won't die, but she'll feel like she is dying. It's called waterboarding."

After Miriam had finally succumbed to her torture and passed out, Sonora ordered guards to sprinkle salt over their wounds. All three of them collapsed on the floor, overwhelmed by the constant stinging of their gashes. Haywire watched their suffering reluctantly, but did nothing to stop it.

"It's time to say goodbye, dearies," Sonora smirked. "Your execution date has been set as – let's see – today. How interesting it will be to watch."

Without a moment of hesitation, the three guards grabbed Martin, Solaria and Miriam and dragged them towards the palace garden. Sonora suddenly held up a hand, signalling for them to wait.

Nodding to the eighth guard, who had been standing at the side, Sonora gave out a shocking order.

"Take Haywire Brains out to die with them. Just as a precautionary measure, right, Haywire?" she cackled.