The next day was one of the worst mornings out of the entire time I was kept there. As soon as I woke up, there were guards to escort me. I knew I had a punishment to recieve, but I wasnt worried about it. I knew this was coming and prepared myself last night. I now knew the entire place like the back of my hand. I knew which corridor lead where and what lay behind each door. And they thought I was uneducated. HA! I scoffed ad the two guards looked at me. I didnt look back. They probably thought I was insane. Oh well, if I were, it would be their fault. I knew that Lord Jonathan wasnt here, so my punishment would be given by Masked. I cant believe his name is Austin, so Im going to call him Masked again. He doesnt deserve a name in my book. We walked into the same room my mothers life was taken. He was sitting.... on the throne? Was that even aloud? He had a grin on his face. "Look at you. Your a mess, dear." I rolled my eyes. "Now, we both know that Jonathan isnt here, so Im going to give you the punishment I think you should have." I looked at him. "I figured that out on my own, smart one." He glared at me. He looked at the door and in came Nicklous. Behind him was my sister. She didnt look happy at all. Then Marcus came through the door as well. My heart stopped. I hoped they werent part of the punishment. I couldnt lose them. I would do anything for those two. They needed to say alive, they just had to. "You know what to do Nicklous." He nodded and the two were put on their knees facing each other. My yes widened. I knew exactly what was going to happen. I was about to move when a guard came and held me in place. I started screaming at Nicklous and his horrid uncle. "I swear if you touch them I will kill you both! You wont live to see another day you monsters!" Masked simply waved aside my comment and motioned for Nicklous to proceed. He had a creepy smile on his face as he grabbed his sword. I started screaming again. Then, something took over. I grabbed a knife from the guards belt and stabbed him in the stomach. He released me and I ran over to Nicklous. I sliced his arm and he dropped the sword. I kicked his chest and he staggered backwards. I bent down and cut the rope on Jennifers and Marcus' wrists. They got up and the three of us ran through the door. Nicklous regained strength and ran after us. We got outside. There were no guards. I was perplexed, but I didnt have time to think about it. Marcus grabbed my hand and pulled me along side him. We ran for what seemed like eternity. All the while being chased by Nicklous. When we got off of the palace grounds, I noticed Nicklous had guards following him. This made me pick up my pace.
We reached the city and tried to hide, but the place was lit up. Marcus stopped at an alley way and turned to face me. "You need to get Jen out of here. You guys need to find somewhere safe to stay and wait until they lose your trail." I shook my head. "You are going to come with us. Dont you even suggest you stay and hold them off. You cant risk your life for us like that." I said. He let out an aggravated sigh and cupped my face in his hands. "Your going to run and let me handle things here. You understand me?" Tears stung my eyes. "Marc-" "Dont fight me on this A. Just dont." He said. Then he kissed my forehead and let me go. "Run you two. Ill catch up later." We heard the guards coming and we started to run. I looked at Marcus one more time. He had his back turned to me. Nicklous came into view. He went right up to Marcus. He lifted his sword. "Marcus!" I screamed. The sword came down and peirced Marcus' heart. "No!" Jennifer grabbed me and turned me to face her. "Dont fall apart, Aurora. Dont do it. I dont want you to wind up with the same fate as Marcus. We have to run from here and we cant do that crying. Okay? Just stay pulled together for now. Once we are at a safe place, you can cry all you want. But we have to get going now." She said. I nodded and we took off running again.
We managed to get a few blocks farther when she tired out. She dropped my hand and stopped. "Jen, come on. We have to keep moving. I hear them catching up." I said in a panicky voice. "I cant Aurora. Im sorry. I just cant." I shook my head. "I know a place thats close where we can hide. Jen, we arent that far from somewhere safe. We just need to get away from them." "No, A. We arent going to get far. Im tired and I hurt my ankle. I cant get any farther." My breathing quickened. "Your just now saying something?" She nodded. "I knew you would stop. Then we would seriously be in trouble." She came over to me. The footsteps behind us were getting louder, closer. We were running out of time. She grabbed my shoudlers and looked me in the eye. "I need you to run. You need to get away from the city. Im sorry Aurora." I shook my head and once again, tears were starting to sting my eyes. "No, Jen." I said. She shook me and said, "Aurora, you need to run, and you need to do it now." Tears that were in her eyes started falling down her cheek. I shook my head in protest. "No Jen. Im not leaving you behind. I dont care if they get me or not. They can give it their all, Im not going to leave you." The footsteps were even closer now. She pushed me behind her. "Go Aurora. Now!" She exclaimed. I turned and ran. I heard Jennifers say "Nicklous, you dirty traitor!" "Its business, Jennifer. Tomas, finish her." I heard a gun click and then a loud bang. I pictured what the sight must look like. Her body crumpled on the floor, lifeless. Tears were threatening to fall, but I held them back. I couldnt fall apart. Not yet, maybe not ever. I turned left and ran onto the road that left the city. I was running away from everything. My home. My life. My past. Maybe that is a good thing, but Im not so sure now. I was running away from my old life, to start a new one somewhere else. Somewhere... different. It couldnt be that bad where I was headed. Could it?
End of story one.
