Back and forth. Back and forth. The great ball of orange and red light raced towards her. She felt herself fall deep down. Down a hole. It repeated and repeated, until her soul grew weary. She tried to open her eyes, but they were cemented shut. Her thoughts swam in her head, as she tried to process the concept of her death. Her heart seemed to grow lighter, and the air cooler against her skin. The smell of smoke filled her senses, as lights began to form mistfully before her eyes. She felt prescence next to her as her senses became sharper and sharper. Slowly, she lifted her hand to her head. It felt hot and wet. Her eyes slowly opened, and a blurry world appeared.
Kara gasped and Sprang up as her chest heaved back and forth. She collapsed on her side as her body screamed for more air. She felt a reassuring hand on her back and looked up. Through spinning vision she could make out the face of Petra, the girl from the castle. " Petra" she stammered, catching her breath and leaning back staring at the ceiling. The ceiling was gray stone, with 3 lamps hanging from the ceiling. They cast a glow over the room. "Kara your safe. Everything's fine. Don't worry." Kara nodded her head and closed her eyes. "where's Jce. And Erik." her voice was trembling. "They're fine don't worry." Petra said. "Where are they" Kara asked, sitting up and brushing her hair behind her ears. "How long was I out. Who won the fight". Petra silently sat down next to Kara and looked straight into her eyes. "You were out for 3 weeks. Jace and Erik lost. They were taken as prisoners to be executed. Jasper came and saved them right as they were going to die. They're safe in Newvalia now." Kara sat crossed legged and said "And I'm still....." her breath caught in her throat. Petra nodded. " Kara looked around the room and down at the floor. Petra stood up. "I've been taking care of You. Waiting for you to wake up. After you fell, I saw you right as you were going to hit the ground. I used a spell to slow you down, and then carried you to my house. I thought you were dead" Kara began to process what Petra had just said. " Does Jace think I'm.....dead" she said, her voice faltering for a second. Petra pause for a second before nodding her head. Kara's heart stopped. "No...He cant......" she thought. Petra stared at the ground for a moment before whispering "Now that your awake his powers will be more likely to find you. Your spirit is alive and well. You have to leave now before he senses you here. Come"
After changing into a black dress, Kara looked into the mirror. Her foarhead was bandaged and the back of her head felt tight. "I healed the back of your head, but I didn't have enough power to heal the front" Petra said sheepishly. "Are we going to Newvalia???" Kara asked urgently, sweeping her hair behind her shoulders. She pictured the last time she saw Jace, crumpled and bloody in the corner of the tower. " Kara, you can't see him now" Petra said gently. "it would ruin things. Everyone including Sorrin thinks your dead. If Jace finds out, Sorrin will too." " But Sorrin has to know!!" Kara protested. "I'm in his damn city he has to know!". Petra sighed and said "Kara if you don't do this, everything will fall apart. Sorrin thinks your dead. That protrcts Jace. If you really love Jace, you'll agree to this". Kara looked at the ceiling, trying to stop tears from falling. "Fine" she agreed. "Just get me out of this city".
Petra led Kara to a back room and quickly slid inside. She walked over to the floor and began to roll up the carpet. Underneath lay a wooden trap door. "This will take you out of here, to where the boulder is. I can't go with you. I have to trust that you'll get there safe and that you won't find Jace.". "I already said I won't" Kara said looking down at the door. "Promise me Kara" Petra said. "You don't know how bad things would get". "I promise" Kara said.
Before she disappeared through the door, she popped her head up one more time. "Petra, thank you for everything. One day I'll repay you". Petra smiled and with that Kara dropped down and the door slammed shut.
It was a long journey through the tunnel. Since there was no light, Kara had to feel the walls until she reached steps. It took about an hour for Kara to make her way up her steps, the darkness blinding her. She tripped many times and her hands were scraped by the time she reached the top. At the top of the stairs she felt around. Her hand suddenly bumped what felt likea door handle. She quickly turned it and pulled, allowing beams of light from the outside world to dance into the dark tunnel.
