Between A Rose And Its Thorns (ON HOLD)

New Imprisonment

Lucinda's point of view

I groan, a hard throbbing pain in my head. I was laying on something soft, like powder. I try to open my eyes, to catch a glimpse of my surroundings, only they were sealed shut. I sigh and sit up, rubbing my eyes with my palms. I finally open my eyes and gasp at the sight of the bars in front of me. I stand and rush to the bars but am pulled back.

Looking down, I see a cuff locked onto my ankle, connected to a chain, leading to a wall of the cell. I give it a tug, yet it holds strong. I sigh and bite my lip as I take in my surroundings. Cobblestone walls, cold and chilly air, dirt covered floors.

I'm in a cell? As in a dungeon cell? How in heavens did I get here?!

"You're awake," a deep voice whispers.

I suddenly remember.

My head snaps up, my eyes meeting the same blue human eyes from earlier. I glare at the beast and snarl, "Where is my sister?"

Did he do something to her? Is she in a cell of her own? Is she okay? Why is she here? How did she get here in this castle with this... beast?!

"She's fine," he answers, his paw's grip tightens on the candelabra, the small flames the only light in this dark place. He tilts his head, his claws scratching his chin. "But I can't say the same for you."

I grit my teeth. "Threatening me, Beast?!" I shout, I clench my hands tighter around the bars of my new imprisonment.

"Is that all you see?" He asks.

"What else is there?!" I snap and glare at him. "Tell me where she is, beast!"

The beast's eyes widen. "She is safe. In her room." He says simply.

"Room? Or cell?" I grit out, he raises a brow at me before kneeling down, pushing something into my cell. I glance down at it curiously. The beast pulls back slowly, leaving a small plate of bread and cheese. I lick my lips at the sight. "Feeding me? You want me to live?"

"Not me, your sister. I couldn't care less if you died or not. But... she cares for you. So, I have to keep you alive, although, she didn't say anything about keeping you in a cage." He answers, a smirk on his monstrous lips, I flinch at the sight of his fangs.

"Like an animal?" I question, smiling as I notice him tense. I look down at the food and push it away with my foot. I take a step back from the bars and cross my arms. "I'm not hungry."

He takes in a deep breath, his eyes scowl at me. "You are a terrible liar, you've been asleep for a long time. You need to eat."

"How long was I asleep?" I whisper, forcing myself not to glance down at the plate of food.

"Two days." He says.

I step back, my arms dropping to my side as the world tilts under me. I place a hand on the rough stone wall. "T... two days?" He nods. I look at him then at the food and shake my head. "I'm not hungry."

He huffs, stalking back and forth in front of my cage. "And why not?"

"I don't trust strangers," I answer then quietly whisper, "Especially ones who are talking beasts."

He growls and slams his fist into the bars. "I heard that!" He snarls, glaring down at me. I keep his stare, raising a brow. He takes a deep breath and quietly says, "I assure you, the food was not poisoned, it is completely safe to eat."

I look at the food then at him then back to food. I cross my arms, leaning against the cold stone. "No, thank you," I answer.

His shoulders shake, his tail twitching behind him. "Eat. Now." He commands me.

I shake my head. "I think I'll pass."

"Fine!" He roars at me. "Starve for all I care!" He yells and throws the candelabra. I gasp as it hits the wall, the flames quickly vanquished. I blink my eyes as darkness falls over me. I look up and scream at the glowing blue eyes glaring at me. The beast lands onto his front legs, storming out of the dungeon. I wince as he slams the door, dust and small pieces of rock falls from the ceiling, I gasp and wrap my arms around my head. Moments past as I wait, slowly the rocks stop falling. I drop my arms, my eyes taking in the cold cell.

Am I really stuck here? I jump at the sound of growling, I touch my stomach. I am hungry... I look back to the food, sighing at the sight of the smushed food, a large rock near it. Yet something shiny catches my eye, I walk towards it when my ankle is pulled back. I glare down at the chain with a frustrated sigh.

Leaning over as much as possible, I reach for the rusty platter. I snatch it up, and pull it to me. As I dig through the crumbs I find the shiny object. A key! A bright smile blooms onto my face, I look down at the chain. I place the key into the lock, twisting and turning until I hear a soft 'click'.

I throw the shackle off my ankle, rubbing at the raw skin. I then stand up and walk toward the cell door, I shove my arm through the bars. Placing the key into the key lock. I try to turn it, however, no matter how much I twist and turn the key, the lock doesn't give. I groan and retreat my arm back inside the cell with my key.

"What to do, what to do..." I mumble to myself as I thought. Fumbling with the key between my hands. I shiver, feeling eyes on me. I turn toward the dungeon door, squinting through the darkness. "Beast?" I call out with no reply.

"Turn." A voice whispers.

"I beg your pardon?" I call out, I turn but still no one there.

"To the wall, you'll find the way. Pick the fourth, and keep walking north." The same voice whispers.

"To the wall...?" I mumble. I look to the wall, a bright light shining down on them. I look over my shoulder, my eyes widening at the small window high above me, the moon barley peaking over into the room. "The moon rises in the east," I murmur. Walking to the wall, placing my hand on it as I ponder on the riddle.

"If the moon sets in the west and rises in the east, that means..." I start walking to the left, counting four stones until I stop at the fifth. Somehow it seems out of place. As my hand slides on the wall to it, I notice it is not level with the rest.

I place my palm over the stone, giving it a little push. I gasp as the stone moves, sinking in, the wall shakes as it divides, revealing a secret passage.

A way out, perhaps? But what if it's dangerous..?

I stare into the dark unknown then glance behind me at my cell.

It's better than rotting away in this cell. I turn back to the dark hall and gulp.

"Well, here goes nothing." I take a step inside, walking into the long dark hall as I leave my hand on the wall. The cells walls slowly close, sealing me in with only one option.

"Follow the path," The voice whispers. Taking a step forward, I heed to its request.