Black Dove (Watty Awards 2012)

Chapter Sixteen

            I crept towards the base of the castle, darting glances behind me to check for guards. Since I am the smallest, Darran and Perth said I should be the first to investigate Sarge’s hiding place. All of our previous conversations made me wary. A weapon, the fact that Sarge was hiding in plain sight, and that we were just children, and a hung-over adult who had emotional ties to the enemy. Perth hadn’t explained how he and Sarge were related, and Darran and I hadn’t asked.

            All I am worried about right now is getting into the castle somehow. If they see me, it’s curtains. I haven’t seen any guards yet, and it’s that very fact that is making me nervous. Something seems wrong with this setup. I pull around the third corner, finally losing sight of the bushes where Perth and Darran crouch.

            The door comes into sight. A big, wood thing with silver knobs and a huge lock. I motion for Darran and Perth to come, and they scamper over.

            “It’s locked.”

Perth gives me a ‘duh’ look, “What, you thought they’d just open the door and invite us in for coffee? Probably not. We’re going to need to pick the lock.”

            I roll my eyes and step aside to let him pick it with a metal thing he procures from the depths of his lint-lined pocket. His face twitches and he stares at the large lock, fiddling for several seconds, before the door creaks ever so slightly open. I am impressed. Darran eases it open and I creep inside.

            “Sarge isn’t going to have a ton of guards. Most of Trident’s men are going to be working at his new base, so I don’t think we need to worry so much at being caught,” Darran whispers into my ear, I nod, taking in the cathedral-like entryway with the soaring grey walls and huge, beautiful chandeliers, albeit a bit dusty.

            We all sneak through the ancient halls, pausing as someone passed. Hallways and doors run every which way, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to get lost soon.

            “…operation has started?” The snippet of conversation makes me duck behind an ornate tapestry as two people walk by.

            “Yes, Finch, is everything prepared?” I’d know that voice anywhere. Sarge.

            “Of course, sir.” Perth slips me a gun, and mouths the countdown. This is going to be suicide, but what other choice do we have? Three…two…one….go. I jump out a leap at the stunned walkers. Darran’s silenced pistol takes out Finch instantly, and I cover Sarge’s mouth before he can yell for help. For some reason, he doesn’t act alarmed, but that’s probably years of army service.

            I drag him behind the tapestry, and bind his hands with a spare bit of rope. I cautiously remove my hand from his mouth.

            “Hello, Avalynne.” He looks almost amused.

            “Where is he, Sarge?”

            “Who? I’m not physic, girl. I see you’ve brought friends.” Darran cuffs him across the face.

            “Where. Is. Trident?” I hold my gun closer to his face, hoping to intimidate him. “Tell me where he is.”

            “How would I know?” He’s trying to buy time until his guard realizes something’s wrong. I think, and suddenly I become very angry.

            “Don’t play stupid with me! Let’s skip the part where you pretend to know nothing. Why are you here? Where’s Trident, what’s he planning? Tell me everything, or I swear that I’ll make you suffer!” I can’t get the image of Zoe out of my head, addicted, shunted aside by this man, or Alyssa bleeding out on the floor, or the pain and heartbreak he might have, indirectly or directly, caused me for my entire life. Darran tries to get me aside, but I angrily shoved him away. This just got personal.