Time is Running Out

Chapter 39

"No," said Xana in a soft, dangerous voice. "That is not what I wanted."

The shopkeeper had produced a hat embroidered with real roses, said 'royal' and did not attract attention. But it was bright green.

"Eye do not undastand, miss," said the shopkeeper.

Xana raised an eyebrow, striding over to him.

"I said I wanted a midnight blue hat made of the most silky material in the whole world, but was not silk, and was embroidered with real roses that never died. Also that it needed to have the embroidered word 'royalty', but could not attract any attention," said Xana, still in that soft, dangerous voice. "Do you not put my words to mind, shopkeeper?"

"O-of course not, miss. I will get the hat now," stuttered the shopkeeper.

He stumbled away.

Xana sighed and ducked under the counter. Rachel had already slid into the tunnel, but Gemma was still crouching there and staring at the opening with blank, terrified eyes.

"What is it? He will not be gone forever!" cried Xana.

"She is claustrophobic," called Rachel from inside the tunnel.

Xana sighed.

"So am I," she said. "I am also claustrophobic, so if I go in, will you?" She directed the question at Gemma.

"Fine," whispered Gemma.

Xana took a deep breath and slid into the tunnel. She had faked it; she was not really claustrophobic.

As she hit the bottom, she heard Gemma sliding down behind her. It worked...

Xana was the smart one...

"I'll ask Emma where she is," said Rachel.

Emma? We are in the tunnel. Where are you? -R

It was a while before there came a reply. They held their breaths and looked.

You must be Rachel.

WHO ARE YOU? -R

Sorry to have shocked you. My name is Aletta (it's a long story), and I am one of Greyling's guards. I have helped Emma escape. Go to the other exit, and if Emma is successful, she will find you there. I am sorry that she has forgotten her watch... I will destroy it soon so no one knows I have it. Emma will tell you my story, and what has happened.

But why would you help us? -G

You are... Gemma? Aletta.

Yes. Why would you help us? Why do you know my name? -G

Please do not ask anything. Emma will tell you. I must go. Aletta.

What? Wait! Don't go yet! I still need to know some other things! Where is Emma?!-R

There was no reply from the mysterious Aletta. They waited for a long time.

Aletta? -G

ALETTA??!! -R

ARE YOU THERE?!?!? -G

Still no sign of Aletta.

Xana rolled her eyes at the two.

"I'm not sure about this 'Aletta' at all. She may have gone and killed Emma and pretended to have helped her to stop us from trying to save Emma. She even said that she will destroy the watch, to cut off communications from us," she said.

"HEY! We want to believe she helped Emma!" said Rachel. 

"Stop being so negative!" added Gemma.

Xana rolled her eyes again.

"That is the only thing that gives me my will to live," she replied coolly.

Now it was Rachel and Gemma's turn to roll their eyes.

"Is it?" asked Gemma sarcastically.

Xana turned her back on them. "Also the fact that I don't want Rachelle to be sad that I'm dead."

"You mean my mother?" asked Rachel. "But she didn't even know you were alive until today, how would she know you were dead?"

"Rachell knows me," Xana replied coldly and simply. "I propose that we go check out Emma's cell."

"We don't know where she is! Or have you forgotten?" said Gemma, rolling her eyes.

"Fine. Then we go to the other exit and wait," said Xana.

"Do you remember where it is?" asked Rachel.

"'Course I do. I remember how to get to every place I've been to," said Xana.

"You do?" cried Gemma.

"Yes," said Xana, losing her patience.

"Let's go," said Rachel. "Which way?"

Xana pointed in a direction-- they immediately started walking in that direction-- while smiling smugly. "See! What would you do without me?"

They ignored her and they kept walking.

Xana sighed. "Wrong way, kids..." she called out.