Queen Of Paradox (Unedited)

Epilogue

~ Location Unknown

The sound of rusted chains scrapping against cobblestones was accompanied by the shuffling of feet and the stomp of heavy boots. Harsh, fearful breathing blended with agitated screams and cries. Taunts and jeers joined in with ear-shattering roars punching through the air every now and then. The petite female in chains glanced around with eyes wide in terror. Every new cage she passed housed deadly looking creatures. Sometimes, she'd be unable to make out anything but glowing eyes peering out at her. It was the stuff of nightmares and her knees knocked together in apprehension. She tugged against her bonds and the harsh grip on her arm. Her head tossing this way and that as she tried to take in as much as her surroundings. If given the chance to escape, it would do her good to have somewhat of a grasp on the layout. She surprised herself on that thought given the state of panic she was swimming in. But years of training and habit was hard to break.

A snarl on her left had her jolting back with a sharp inhale, only to be tugged forward by her captor with a growl of his own. She stiffened and allowed him to continue pulling her, but she couldn't look up. She couldn't meet his gaze and see that look. Guilt lanced at her eliciting a shiver and she pulled her lip between her teeth, nibbling at the plump flesh in worry and thought. She'd done this...She'd made him...whatever...it was that he'd become and now she was being punished. Did she really believe she could run from this all? Suddenly, all movement stopped, her chains settling and she was pulled back into reality. In front of her loomed a dark grimy cage. It's metal bars rusted -though she knew they were strong- and dried blood splashed across them. Her heart rate accelerated and she started to hyperventilate. She knew where he was leading her. All this time she knew. After all, it wouldn't like he was a freaking tour guide showing her the sights. Yet, now that she was here and staring into the dark dirty space where she would reside for Gods know how long...She just couldn't keep quiet. Spinning, she faced the male looming over her and curled her fingers in the front of his shirt. Hanging on for dear life. Her violet eyes finally lifted to look up at his and she flinched at the cold blankness in them.

"Please...Please don't do this!" she begged frantically, searching for some hint of familiarity in his stoic gaze. He stared down at her for a moment before hauling her out of the way and yanking the cage door open. By now, it felt like her heart was climbing out of her throat, the passageway tight and every breath a struggle. "Please York-" she tossed inside like an unwanted ragdoll, hitting the ground with a force that rattled her teeth and hand he knees and palms scraping painfully. The slam of the cage door and the jingle of the lock closing had her leaping to her feet and grabbing to soiled bars. "Please! Please, York! Don't let him do this! York! YORK!" his name ripped from her mouth in a bloodcurdling scream as every emotion she felt burst out with it. She opened her eyes to see him jerk to a stop. A small spark of hope lit up like a lantern in her chest. When then he was moving again. Disappearing into down the barely lit path that they had just walked, his figure blurring. It took her a moment to realize her vision was blurred from tears.

~

Lana jolted awake, bolting upright in her bed. Her heart pounding and her fingers clutching her sheet to her chest. She felt her body shiver from the cold sweat that coated her and a broken sob escaped her lips. That hadn't felt like a dream, not at all...A hand lifted to cover her mouth as a few more sobs broke through. Oh God, someone had her sister. Someone had Felicity...