Karin: The Demon Sleeping Within

Chapter 24: Undefined Fates

The weekend had come and gone, but we still had days to wait before the start of the trial.

Tomorrow, however, the mayor had asked to professionally speak to Satania and I, prior to the trial.

I decided I should keep my mind off of everything, so I kept myself busy in the meantime.

Back to the meadows, some animals gathered to greet me, welcoming me back.

A bird tweeted nearby, engaging with us, while he planted his feet comfortably on a tree branch.

A squirrel that I had saved sat across from me, three smaller squirrels cuddling into her side.

I chuckled as the small energetic rabbit rubbed his ears against my waist before getting more comfortable in my lap.

I'm so happy for you, Karin. You're finally getting your freedom you deserve. The small animal beamed.

Yea, you deserve it Karin!

You must be super excited!

The rabbit scoffed. Those humans think their so smart, yet they couldn't have been more wrong about you.

I smiled as I admired all of the animals who had supported me through thick and thin. They were my friends when no one else cared to know me.

"Thanks for all of your support, everyone. You guys have been my rock through all of this."

The rabbit stretched his small paws on my leg. I giggled, feeling ticklish.

No trouble at all! Anything for our favorite human. The rabbit promised, the others agreeing in unison.

***                                             

Hours had passed as Satania and I played chess on a mat, placed in the center of the main floor of the ballroom.

Satania bit her lip as she picked up a horse and moved it in an "L-shape" to the left, cornering my pawn. If I were to dismiss it, her next move would capture it.

"You think you're clever?" I asked, playfully. I knew she was, so it was more of a rhetorical question.

She arched a brow. "I can see you calculating," she smirked.

I moved one of my horses an "L-shape" behind my pawn- a defensive method. If she were to proceed in capturing my pawn, she would lose her horse. A horse had greater value than a pawn, so she wouldn't want to make such a trade.

Satania and I played chess for just a little over an hour, both of us playing smart and observant, until I ended it with a sneaky move. I had set up my queen in such a stance where she would put the king in check immediately with one move. I knew she was very keen, however, so I knew such a trick wouldn't had worked on her, unless I were to distract her and draw her attention elsewhere. So, my plan was to set my queen up diagonal to where her king would have to move after putting pressure on her with my other players on the board. Distracted by the other players, she would fall right into my trap.

I smiled innocently, though my play was meticulous and anything but innocent.

"Check-mate."

Satania looked at me, baffled, her eyes enlarged.

"What? How? You-" A soft smirk played on her lips, a proud one. "Well played, Karin. Well played."

"Thank you," I beamed.

"You definitely have played before."

"On days I would have to stay in my house for hours and hours straight, Elizabeth would keep me company, and we would play chess to pass the time." I smiled at the memory, my smile soon lessening as I thought about her. I miss her. Hopefully, the court decision would end in our favor and would be enough to regain my mom's trust.