TWISTED

29: Running Away

"If you move, I'm going to kill you."

Ella froze as she heard Courtney's voice. "You're not going to kill me. Everyone's gonna know it's you."

"But you'll already be dead and I'll be queen soon. I need to get rid of every single person that will stand in my way to become the next when l queen of Aria. You're fortunate I'm not killing you, Ella. But I'm going to ask you for a little favour, dear sister."

Whatever favour Courtney was going to ask of her, Ella was sure she wouldn't like it. And Ella wanted to tell Courtney not to call her 'sister'. Their relationship ended the moment Brian was killed.

"What do you want?" Ella gulped, feeling the cold edge of the knife pressed against her throat.

"I'm going to ask you to leave Aria to wherever you want. There's a train ready to transport you to the Cities. It's going to be a plus for you, Ella. There'll be lots of cars, big houses and you'll make new friends, just leave Aria. I'll see you're taken good care of." Courtney whispered.

Ella was stunned. "You are joking right?"

"No, I'm not." Courtney hissed. "And you're leaving with your mother, first thing tomorrow morning. It's not negotiable, it's an order. And see you don't speak about this with anyone or you'll be dead and gone."

Courtney left Ella soaked in fear, alone and frozen with shock.

Here she thought everything was reverting to normal. Bloody hell!

In her room, Ella sat on her bed greatly agitated. She thought her problems ended with the death of Brian but this was even worse because with Brian, everyone knew he was pure evil but his daughter was also evil and no one knew but her.

Eric was getting married to her in a month. He had no idea what was coming for him. Why did he always get himself involved with the wrong people, Wendy, now Courtney.

Someone tapped on her door and Ella apprehensively edged closer. Another tap.

Opening the door slightly, she was met with Arthur's unsmiling face. He pushed past her into the room. Shocked, Ella shut the door and faced him.

"What-"

"I heard everything Courtney said to you."

Ella's eyes shone. "She can't know."

"When are you ever going to stop being a coward? You're running away, again." The annoyance on Arthur's face scared Ella.

"I have no choice."

Arthur tugged on his hair impatiently. "Of course you do have a choice, Ella. Don't leave, Ella. Stay back and fight."

Ella flashed him a weak smile. "And get myself killed? No thanks, I'd rather stay very alive with my mother."

Arthur came close to her and placed her hands in his. "You're not going anywhere, Ella. Do you trust me?"

Ella searched his eyes briefly. Could she trust him? Should she trust him?

"No."

Arthur grinned. "But you're going to do as I say anyways. It's going to be me or-"

Princess Charity ran into Ella's room breathing heavily. "Bloody hell." She whispered. Her face was pale like she just saw a ghost.

"What happened?" Ella questioned. Arthur held the fidgety princess in his arms, trying so hard to steady her nerves.

"I think I saw a ghost. Courtney... white hair, red eyes...scary." Her lips trembled.