White Stag

Chapter 19~Brawl

I walk back to the prison cell in a daze. The coin saved my life; but how? It seemed to be nothing special. The small design fit perfectly in between my fingers when I arrive back in my room. A warm heat is radiating off the coin.

What is going on here? Keres gave up completely when the old man came in. My curiosity spiked. Who exactly was this man? Perhaps he could help me.

A voice booms on the speakers, announcing time for supper. Frustration wells up in me. I can never seem to get things done that I want to. I shuffle myself out of the cell and into the cafeteria.

I keep my eyes peeled for Char while I get in line for the food. I don't even acknowledge it, knowing that whatever it is, it will disgust me. I wonder what the budget is here. Do they even have a budget?

My lip curls up in disgust when I look at the food. It looks like soup, but I am pretty sure that soup is supposed to be a liquid.

Without warning, I walk head first into a guard watching the end of the lunch line. I watch in slow motion as the hot soup splashes onto her uniform.

"What the hell?" She screams. Her wings unfurl and she glares at me in fury. Her hands coil into fists as she glares at me. It felt like minutes before she lunges at me.

Defensively I put my head down, hoping my antlers will slow her down. To no avail, she pushes right past them and tackles me onto the ground. I quickly bring my hands up in front of my face to protect it.

Her hands mercilessly rain down hard on my stomach. She grips my hair and yanks, and I cry out as my white hair is pulled. My nails leave scratches on her face.

The room is flooded with guards. People in uniform are shouting and the female is yanked off of me. The old man from the ritual room helps me up.

"Back to lunch, the rest of you lot!" The head guard shouts into the lunchroom. The ring that formed around me dissipates.

The guard turns on me. "And you're coming with me." He grips my arm hard.

The elderly man besides me puts his hand on the guards arm. He slowly shakes his head. "No. She will come with me," He glances back at me. "She clearly needs medical attention."

The guard snarls. "Fine," He grumbles before walking away, looking for another prisoner to harass.

The old man walks me out of the cafeteria. "My name is Charles." He introduces himself.

"Arabella," I give him a half smile. I am extremely grateful that he saved me from that guard back there.

I follow him down the halls until we come to a cozy room with a few medical supplies.

"So, I know you can't heal yourself," Charles explains. "I thought I would bring you here so that I could patch up some of those nasty scratches."

I nod.

Charles shuffles arounds the room for a few seconds before fishing bandaids out. He tosses them to me. "Here you go."

My mind wanders. Now is my chance to ask him. "Why did you help me get out of the ritual?" My mouth dries up. I hope that this man isnt psychotic.

Charles turns towards me as I start to stick a bandaid on a bleeding cut. "I want to make you an offer." His eyes darken as he stares into mine.

I bob my head as I focus on my cuts.

He wearily sits down on a rickety chair as I stand in front of him. My legs are still a little shaky from the brawl with the female.

Charles let out a sigh. "I know you are looking for an escape."

My eyes flicker up. How did he not know? It was pretty obvious.

I lick my cracked lips as I study him. "What are you saying?" My hands tremble slightly with anxiety.

He lowered his voice. "I am willing to help you," I let out an inner sigh of relief. "But, I need you to do something for me in return."

I shift my weight. I want to escape; but how dangerous could the favor be? I chewed on my lip thoughtfully before coming to a conclusion. Sometimes, you just have to live on the edge.

My arms cross in front of my chest as I stare down at Charles. "Name your price," I say. My voice comes out shakily.

Charles props up his elbows on his knees. He closes his eyes. "I need you to retrieve the Eye of Eden for me."

Confusion comes over me. The Eye of Eden is something that Axel had never mentioned when we talked.

"What is the Eye of Eden?"

Charles let out a sigh. "It can resurrect the dead." My eyes narrows at him. I may give off the appearance of a helpless girl now, but I still have my wits about me.

"And why would you need it?" I hiss. Tension raised in the room.

He looks up at me. "My wife died 5 years ago by Apollo's father," Charles sniffs. "I just want her back."

The hostility in the room disappears with a snap. I just want my family back too.

I raise my head before striding over to where the old man sits. I offer him a hand.

"I will retrieve the Eye of Eden, if you help me escape."