2067

Sevanle

I slowly close my eyes as the night's casting over the bit of light

in my cell. I took a deep breath wondering how did I get here.

Like every other teenager, I lived a life not considering the

consequences. But how could I have done something so wrong, something so stupid? I should've known better.

My mind drifted deeper into sleep but I force my eyelids open not

embracing it.

Ever since I was evicted for my crimes, their faces haunted my

dreams. At nights they stood over me, their eyes piercing through me, silence being the most troubling thing they could say.

Footstep suspends the quiet as the shadows under my door grew

bigger. I jolted up from my bed wondering what business anyone would have here at 3 in the morning.

The metal door began rattling as it is squeaked open, a man

stood behind it.

"I thought you'd be awake." The man greeted, a smile plastered

on his face. No one ever came here with any good intentions, at least nothing good for that inmate.

"What do you want?" I ask skipping the formal meet and greet,

sitting upright.

"You're tired of me already?" He chuckled, the wrinkles around

his eyes prominent. I keep quiet until he continues. "You might know the rumors of war flying around here." He gives a look over at the cell. "They are indeed true and we need to ensure that some of our people survive the war."

"Why are you telling me this when it has irrelevant of prisoner

like me. Unless you're requesting my execution on the battlefield. If so I'll ask to make it swift." I snap glaring at him.

"Sevanle, such dark humor but overlooking your rather cruel

requests, this has everything to do with you." The middle-aged man said ushering his men to come in. "We need the best highly skilled to lead. Other survivors needs to be taken care of and protected. Our warriors will be on the battlefield when the first horn is blown." He clarifies.

"So, you want me to be one of your remaining survivors. What if

I just escape and say screw your plan. This makes no sense." What do you get in return? I want ask knowing the saying 'one gives nothing for free' too well.

"I need you to protect the next in line Queen. We know that you

are dangerous to this clan which makes you very qualified. You have a vicious part of you that you try to hide. If you use it to protect her, then, we will set you free."

"What is your plan anyway, because all I'm hearing is a lot of

things that are pointless without an actual plan. Do you even have a plan?" I lean in closer, keen on what his next answer might be.

"I wouldn't be here discussing business without elaborating a

plan, now would I?" He challenges, a glint of mischief catching the only light that came in the room. "We had our best scientist build a tomb that puts you into a deep sleep."

"Hmm, so you've come up with a spinning wheel. I'm sorry to

break it to you, but I think in Sleeping Beauty it was the Evil Queen that thought of the idea first. I'd give a D for effort," I laugh. The guards behind him taking a few steps forward me, daring me to say another word.

"You know what never seems to not amuse me? You prisoners

think that because you are locked up, all your crimes are put aside and after a few years, everything will be fine. I guess your little girlfriend would say otherwise."

I run towards him, eager to rip his head off like the others. Before

I can cross the floor, the guards send me flying to the ground.

I squirm in the corner as they come closer towards me, but they

are too face, pinning me down. They both begin swinging punches and send their feet to my stomach as I groan in pain.

"Stop! We don't want our candidate hurt, now do we?" He smiles

darkly as if he sees a detail that I'm obviously missing.

I spit out the blood that filled my mouth, the metallic taste still

lingering as the thick liquid found its way back again.

"Who said I agreed to any of this," I smirk toothy, my bloody

mouth a pleasant picture too look at.

"Oh, but you will because if you don't accept our offer, your

girlfriend will be dead before the enemy set a foot on this land. If you want her to be safe and away from this war, you will agree. Let's just hope you make the right choice since the last time I was here you had your mother sacrificed for not turning yourself in. Oh, how much blood are you willing to have on your hands Sevanle?"

"If you dare lay a finger on her, I will kill you," I shout, wincing

at the pain that shot through my stomach.

"I won't have to if you just take the shot. I'll even have her survive

with you. All you need to do is say yes but I promise you if you do not accept you and your precious Seliana will be dead before sunlight. So, it's your choice." He shrugged as if he wasn't laying a man's life.

"What if I don't protect the new leader?" I ask.

"You will have your girlfriend's blood on your hands."