The Return of The Nutcracker

Chapter 5

"We're in a storage closet, not the actual library." April spoke softly. Sam was about to speak until April covered his mouth. "We need to remain quiet from this point on. Only silent nods or gestures. We have no idea who's in here."

"We kind of do." Eric whispered. 

April sighed. "I have no idea where Alexander is. I saw what happened to my father..." She was trying not to cry. Sam touched her shoulders gently. She sniffled. "We need to get rid of him fast. I hope he's is okay." We all nodded. Eric stood up and peaked outside the door.

"Coast is clear." He whispered. Sam went out first, holding April's hand. She didn't let it go. She must have been worried and could care less. Eric grabbed my hand. "Stay close to me." He whispered. I nodded as we entered into another room. It was a grand library with many shelves. Artwork on the ceiling and walls of angels and doves. A couple tables and benches were stacked up with books. We tip toed to the entrance. Sam went over to the door; Quietly opening it and peaked out. Sam glanced back at us and nodded. They slipped into the hallway. Eric stopped and peaked out. He looked at my neck. "Hide the key." He mouthed. I picked it up and slid it down my dress. The cold key hit one of my breasts. Eric squeezed my hand and led me out into the hallway. Sam and April made their way towards the throne room. What if he was in there? What was our new plan? April seemed to only focus on finding her father.

   We made it to another door. This one was bigger than the rest. It must have been the throne room. Sam squeezed April's hand. Eric peeked inside. His eyes widened as he took a step back. April was about to rush in. Sam held her back. "We need to trust him. Don't go running into things you can't get yourself out of." He whispered loudly into her ear. Her face said it all, she wanted to make sure her father was okay. Her eyes went to the ground in silence. I peeked inside. The King was strung up by chains. His arms and legs were stretched out. His head was drooped. Blood dripped onto the tile. Was he alive or dead? Eric was watching with me. A man stood up from one of the chairs. He had a black cloak & a black mask with little detail to it. Nothing that could make out what he really looked like. He walked to the other entrance and left. We couldn't tell if he was Alexander or a guard. After waiting a few moments, no one else came in. Eric nodded at April. She barged into the throne room. We followed behind her. She stopped when she saw the king. Sam quickly covered her mouth. Tears flushed down her face. 

Eric walked over to the king. "Your majesty?" He whispered. The king didn't move. We all knew the worst. He could be dead. April went over and started shaking him. "Father, please wake up." She spoke in between cries. April took a couple steps back. She tripped and fell over something. A large cage fell from the ceiling. Sam quickly jumped to save her, but it was too late. The cage hit the floor loudly. Sam and April were trapped inside.

Eric rushed over to him. The cage wouldn't move. He glanced back at me. "It's a trap." 

The king's eyes opened. "Leave! Now before he returns!" April was relieved to see he was alive. Eric grabbed me and started to run back where we came from. "Wait! What about April and Sam?" I started fighting him. I pulled my body down to the ground. 

He stopped and gave me a dirty look. "Clara, they don't want royalty. Whoever it was, only came after you. We need to leave this room. April and the king will be alright." Eric's eyes were stern. He didn't want us to still be there arguing in the middle of the throne room.

"Sam will be okay too!" Sam spoke, unsure of himself. I really didn't want to leave. At least not without Sam or April.

April grasped the metal bars. "Clara, go! Hurry before they come back." She yelled at me. Eric pulled me back up to my feet. He threw me over his shoulder and ran out of the room. Once we were outside, he set me on my feet. Eric shut the door to a crack Then we stood there watching.