Time is Running Out

Chapter 34

"Mmmt mme mmoo!" Emma struggled to say. "Mmmt mme mmoo! Mmemmeeee mmoo!"

The guard snickered. "Yeah, you can moo all you want."

"Mmmon't mmears mme! Mmist mimee moo!" shouted Emma.

The guard sighed.

"You won't get anywhere with that," he said cheerfully, taking a swig of beer.

"Mmmop mit!" Emma said.

"Mop what?" asked the guard innocently.

"Mmi mmaid, mmop it!"

"Maid, mop it? I'm not your maid," said the guard as he drank more beer.

"MMI MMI MMOO!" Emma screamed.

"I told you, shouting won't help," said the guard, getting annoyed. "Just shut up, nitwit."

"Mmmf moo mont me moo mut mup, met me moo!" screamed Emma.

"Nah, that ain't on Master's orders," said the guard as he finished his beer and went to refill.

Emma tried to growl in annoyance, but the gag wouldn't even let her do that.

She was chained to the wall, with heavy chains on her arms and legs. The gag sealed her mouth so she had to speak with her mouth closed-- not that that really sounded like speaking.

The guard left. About half an hour later, a new guard came into the room.

"MM-MM-OO!" Emma shrieked, the chains clanking as she struggled.

The guard winced but didn't look at her.

The guard sat down on the chair and didn't drink beer like the previous guard, ignoring Emma.

"MM-MM-OOO! MM-MM-OOOO!" Emma roared.

The guard kept ignoring her.

"MM! MMO, MMOL MIMORI MME!" Emma shouted.

The guard kept silent and sighed as Emma kept mumbling-shouting.

"MMEAF MMMUS MMUMONE!" screamed Emma
angrily, struggling against her bonds."MET ME MOO!"

The guard finally looked her in the eye.

"I can't. He's going to kill me if I do, and I can't risk anything because... well, I can't actually tell you. You might try to use my secret as a bargain to get out of here," said the guard.

"Mmm mon! Mmm mate meyling mas much mas mamyone moes!" shouted Emma.

"Please be quiet..." the guard whispered.

Emma stopped shouting.

The guard undid her gag.

"I... can speak now?" asked Emma quietly.

The guard nodded.

"Why did you come to Scotland in the first place? I know you aren't native," said the guard. "Let's see if we can exchange your past for my secret."

"It was all Greyling's fault! He kidnapped Joy, Alden and Xana and their followers, so Rachel and I had to go rescue them!" Emma was almost shouting.

"Please be quiet..." said the guard nervously.

"I'm sorry," Emma said.

"Tell me how Joy was kidnapped," the guard urged.

"Well..." Emma started from the beginning.

The guard listened, and nodded. Finally, the guard spoke.

"I think it's fair trade, and that you're innocent," whispered the guard.

Emma watched the guard expectantly.

"I... I'm not a man," the guard mumbled.

"What?! But I thought Greyling only takes men!" cried Emma.

"Well, yes... but I... " stammered the guard. She took a deep breath.

"I sneaked in," she whispered.

"But... why would you ever want to--?" Emma broke off.

"Well... I never wanted to," said the guard. "It was because of my brother. He joined Greyling five years ago... He worshipped Greyling. But then, two years ago, he came to sense. He finally knew Greyling was bad. But, Greyling does not let his followers go. Once they join, they must stay. My brother also broke his leg... how was he supposed to do Greyling's dirty work? I came in his place."