Through the Archway

Chapter Twenty-Five -- Part Two

Her Tablet lay upon her nightstand, and she picked it up. She dialed Evelyn's number. It took a moment, but Evelyn's pale face popped up on her screen. She was smiling, she had obviously not heard.

"Evelyn," Rebekah said while swallowing back tears, "David is gone." She went on to explain how she had found his room overturned, how Thomas had denied knowing anything, and how Mark was now raising the alarm. She found it surprisingly easy to talk to Evelyn, who did not interrupt or ridicule her for confronting Thomas. Everything seemed to just spill out.

"And, you're sure he's gone?" Evelyn asked shakily. She had gone so pale she seemed to be a ghost.

Rebekah nodded. "Positive. I also had a dream." she told Evelyn about it, leaving out nothing. Evelyn nodded along, her face troubled.

"James's book said to ignore the dreams, though," Rebekah said. "Do you think it was real, or just something to draw me out?"

Evelyn pondered this, and took a moment to respond. "I don't think we should go looking for him," she said slowly. "Thomas will know that we're all friends, he would likely send someone to follow us if we tried searching. Do you know if he had his Tablet with him or not?"

"It wasn't in his room," Rebekah said, shaking her head. "Do you have any idea where he might be?"

Evelyn frowned. "He must have used the archways, there's no other explanation for him disappearing so suddenly," she said. "If he didn't say anything to you, I find it unlikely that anyone will find him." Evelyn paused when something scuffled behind her. "I have to go," she said. "If you find anything at all — tell me."

Rebekah's screen went dark. She stuffed her Tablet under her pillow, and decided to risk peeking her head out her door.

The hall was empty. Rebekah slipped out of the door, looking from side to side as she went. Her worst fear was that Thomas would pop out from behind her. As she walked, the alarm bells began to chime.

Rebekah walked faster, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to find her father, intending to go to the hospital wing, sure that King Elijah would be there, by her mother's side. She intended to ask them if they could delay the departure, so that maybe Rebekah would be able to search for David. But, as she climbed a flight of stairs, she heard voices echoing down a corridor. She walked quietly, straining her ears to listen.

"Are you sure it is safe?" asked a voice — her father's. Rebekah froze, her eyes wide, for the next voice was one she had not expected to hear whispering in a dark corridor alongside her father's.

"Of course," said Thomas, "Who do you think you're talking to? The plan is set, there's no turning back now."

Her father sighed. "And it is wise, you think, to devise a plan so easily corrupted?"

Thomas let out a low hiss. "Are you questioning my judgement?" he asked. His voice shook with anger, and Rebekah heard her father whimper. She wanted to march straight at them and blast Thomas into smithereens, but she held herself back.

"No," said King Elijah. "I just worry —"

"Yes," said Thomas, "You worry. Well, that must end now, if you are to be worth anything to me." Thomas laughed maliciously. "Your life will require payment."

King Elijah began sputtering. "Wh–what do you mean, payment?"

Thomas stepped toward King Elijah. Rebekah watched them from behind the corner where she was hidden, her heart pounding loudly in her chest, and thudding in her ears, her breathing erratic and much too loud. It was a miracle Thomas, nor her father, hadn't heard it.

Thomas looked directly in her direction, and with a jolt, she realized he knew she was there. Not wanting to seem cowardly, Rebekah stepped forward and walked to them, as if her legs were acting by themselves, and stood a little way from the two of them. Her father took no notice of her.

Thomas pretended to contemplate King Elijah's question with a cold cruelty. "Hmm..." his eyes glinted. "For our kingdoms to be truly united, your daughter will do, I think."

Rebekah's father blanched. "What do you mean?" he asked again. For the first time, her father's eyes darted to where Rebekah stood. Rebekah opened her mouth to protest, but found that she could not speak. But how? David had told her that was powerless. This was impossible, and yet, it was happening.

"I will require your daughter's hand in marriage, of course. Surely, that is not too much to ask of a coward who is willing to lure his fellow leaders to their deaths in order to save his own skin? Or am I wrong in your reasons for joining forces with me?" How could Thomas speak so openly of his plans to kill everybody? The only explanation was that he thought Rebekah powerless.

"I–I have offered you more than enough! My kingdom—"

"Yes, I'm well aware that your terrain will act as an adequate barrier for anyone who tries to abandon our land and make for the desert. Why do you think I'm letting you live?" Thomas paused and sneered at Rebekah's father. "It will be easier for me to take over if I have you on my side, I admit it. But don't think for one second that you are safe. You would be wise to obey me."

Her father draw in a sharp breath. "Of course, anything you desire." Rebekah could do nothing, she could not even move. She stood rooted to the spot, her eyes wide in silent horror. She knew Thomas would propose, but she thought she would have had a choice in the matter. She had told herself she could say no, that her father would understand. But King Elijah was just as trapped as she was.

Thomas turned to Rebekah, a ring in his hand. He got down on one knee and Rebekah could only stare as he slipped the heavy ring onto her finger, saying,

"Will you marry me?"

Fly by, tick away in an hourglass, too fast for me to stop. My time has run out. My freedom is gone.