The leader’s eyes widened in shock. He swore under his breath. You leave for five hours, and the stupid prisoners mess everything up!

He jabbed his finger at the boy. Face pale, the boy was staring, wide-eyed at the dead girl, face a picture of bewilderment.

The prisoner stumbled back. “I- It was an accident! I didn’t mean to!” His words were stiff.

The leader forced the key in and wrenched the door open. He stalked towards the boy.

“You dare damage my wares!” His spittle flew everywhere, fists shaking with rage. “Do you know how much money you just lost me!” He grabbed the boy by the collar and shoved him away. The boy fell to the ground, still staring at the dead body. He crawled over to the corner, muttering to himself.

The leader exhaled shakily. He looked sharply at the cowering prisoners. Inching forward, he approached the body. Niamh, he thought, that was a lot of blood. His lips curled with disgust at the red liquid. What a pain. He knelt down. Steeling himself, he slowly flipped the corpse over. Let it be known, caved-in faces were ugly.

Slowly, the body was turned over. The leader hummed. The face was surprisingly intact, except for a scratch on the forehead. He placed a finger near the nostrils.

Sure enough, no breath. The leader sighed. This need to be cleaned before the esteemed guest came. What. A. Pain.

He gestured to his men. Better deal with it now, his knees were starting to ache.

Pushing himself up, he froze. Raising his hand, he stared at the red liquid staining his fingers. Could so much blood truly come from such a tiny scratch? Eyes widening, the man tried to scramble back.

The eyes below him flew open. Ria smirked. “NOW!”

A hand shot out to grab the leader’s knee.

WHAM! Two prisoners slammed the cell doors shut. They forced it close with their bodies. The guards leapt up and struggled to push it open.

A chain wrapped around the leader’s throat. He choked on his breath, eyes bulging. A trick! They played a trick… on him? The veins on his forehead bulged both in shock and anger… and lack of air probably.

Ria got up. Ignoring the red soup stains on her shirt, she limped forward. Although the fall had been staged, her ankle throbbed painfully. The leader tried to speak, but Finn cut him off, tightening the chain.

Freya, Daron, and a few others held the doors close, struggling against the guards trying to shove their way in.

“Hurry,” Daron panted.

Old Luce and Daisy searched through the leader’s pocket, picking off all the different keys he had.

Ria called warningly. “Don’t come any closer!” She glanced at Finn who tightened the chains even more. The man’s face was beginning to purple. “Or your Boss gets it!”

The leader flailed, trying to wave at his men. They backed off reluctantly.

Ria glanced over at Daisy and Old Luce. The two were trying all the different keys, but none were the right fit.

Old Luce frowned. “It’s not here.”

“What?” Ria turned to glare at the dog-faced man. Finn loosened the chain just enough for him to speak.

Gasping, the leader choked out. “It’s not here.”

Ria glowered at the hateful man. “Then, where is it?” she gritted out.

Sneering, the leader spit, “Why would I -UGH! In my office! Ugh!” Finn gave another warning tug before loosening the chain.

The leader growled but turned and ordered his men. “Grab my secret box!”

A guard hurried to retrieve the box. They rushed back.

“Open it,” Finn demanded. “Toss in the key. Try anything and your boss will get it.”

The guard glanced at his boss. Said hostage shook his head, laughing. “Only I can open it. Paid a scribe to do it and everything.”

He sneered at their disbelieving looks. The guard demonstrated trying to open it but to no avail. The leader struggled against the chains. “It’ll only open by my hands!”

“That can be arranged,” Ria growled, dark thoughts coming to mind. Unfortunately, they had no choice. She nodded toward Freya and Daron, who opened the cell door.

The guard came in alone, carrying the box. Kneeling, he held it up in front of the leader. The man panted and grabbed the box. He began to fiddle with it. There was a CLICK and the box opened. Ria glanced inside. Her eyes widened. At the same time, the leader turned and slammed the wooden box into Finn’s face. The boy stumbled back.

Quickly regaining his balance, he and Ria rushed forward.

A guard outside pulled a lever.

Suddenly, all of the prisoners were yanked back. The hooks disappeared into the wall and the chain pulled them off their feet. It was an ancient prison system. Heavy weights were attached to the hooks. When the lever was pulled, it would release the floorboard that the weights sat on. The weights would drop into the ocean below, pulling the chains in towards the wall. It was why they were in a sea cave in the first place.

In the blink of an eye, all the prisoners were stuck against the wall. Daisy gasped for breath, her toes barely touching the floor. Only Old Luce wasn’t affected.

That’s right, the guards realized. The crazy guy had never been chained to the wall! Old Luce realized this as well. He rushed forward, fists shaking in the air. “Ahhhhh!”

The leader knocked him out with one blow.

Staring back at them from outside the re-locked cell door, the disgusting sneer was back on his ugly face. The spiteful man shook his head. “You’ll pay for this. All of you.” He nodded his head decisively. “You will all pay for this.” He stalked out, rubbing his bruised throat.

The discarded “magic” box sat on the floor, half cracked, fully opened.

A rusty, broken key sat inside. Mocking them.

…

A cloaked figure sat in front of the leader. Despite leaning back against the seat, his form still towered over the leader. The figure’s arms were crossed. His face wasn’t visible, but he gave off a displeased aura. It was obvious that he wasn’t happy.

Fidgeting, the leader tried for an appeasing smile. “Sir, we had some altercation a few hours ago.” The cloaked figure’s eyes were drawn to the fresh bruises on the other man’s neck.

Clearing his throat, the leader continued, “If it’s all right with you, there is no need to see the prisoners-”

“Does this look like a social call?” snapped the man.

“Of, of course! I mean, of course… not!” The leader trembled, stumbling over his words. Scrambling to his feet, the arrogant man looked mousey as he ducked his head and gestured toward the entrance to the cells. The hallway led to where the prisoners were being held. “This way please, your honor.”

Rolling his shoulders, the cloaked brushed himself off and got to his feet. Without waiting for the other man to take the lead, he headed for the entrance.

The leader thought he heard the figure muttering to himself. Something about stupid mice? He shook his head. Wisely, he paid it no mind. In this business, there were times when it was better to not know.

…

“Your Highness.” No reaction. “Ms. Queen? Four!” Nothing.

Finn rolled one eye, the other was swollen shut. “Ria,” he tried.

The girl shook her head, burying herself back in her arms.

Finn sighed. He shrugged at the others. The girl had been like this ever since the plan failed. Epically. He left to go sit in his own corner.

Ria exhaled hard. She was such a fool. For some reason, she had tricked herself into thinking that this new world had made her someone else, like the Marcel and Kris of this world. All the queen talk had probably brainwashed her. She was the same Ria as before. The nobody. If she hadn’t raised the suggestion for the stupid plan… It was terrifying not knowing what the punishment would be. Could they afford the consequences of her actions? Her choices would drag everyone down. The girl wanted to shout out at the stupid Admin. See, she wanted to point out, this is why she wasn’t fit to be a leader!

Ria cursed herself. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Keeping her head down had always worked in school. Why did she think being in a dangerous situation where she could actually die was the time to try something new?

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The girl stared blankly at the floor. She looked like a statue…that could mutter to itself and rock back and forth. The others were oblivious to her rapid-fire thoughts.

Daisy sat by Finn’s side. She whispered, “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

Finn glanced over at Ria’s rocking form. “… I don’t know,” he sighed.

Footsteps approached. The leader and guards led a tall cloaked man in, heads lowered submissively. It was clear who held the upper hand. Under the cloak’s cowl, only the man’s dark eyes were visible. He studied the prisoners silently.

The leader banged on the cell bars. “Hey! All of you, get up now! Come on, up to your feet, now!” He smiled cruelly. “A very nice man has come to see you. Come give him a proper greeting.”

The prisoners slowly rose to their feet. All except Ria. Finn tried to nudge her but the girl refused to move.

The leader growled, “You troublemaking Port-Dog! Didn’t you hear me? Get up!” Throat still bruised, his voice was raspy as he continued howling, “Up now! Now! Girl, I’m talking to you!”

It was quite pathetic. Ria raised a defiant eyebrow at the attempt to rouse her.

Seeing her lack of a reaction, the leader unlocked the door and wrenched it open. He approached Ria. Pulling the brat by the hair, he raised her up to her feet. Ria snarled at him but refused to make a noise of pain. Tears stung her eyes.

The leader stared at her, eyes narrowing. “You think you’re the top dog now, don’t you? First, your stupid little plan, and now you want to start a little revolt? Huh? Is that it?”

He slapped her.

Ria grasped her cheek. A single tear slid out of her eyes.

Someone let out a noise of frustration. All eyes turned to the cloaked man.

Rubbing his face, the man grumbled, “Enough of this foolishness.” He crossed his arms and addressed the leader. “I’m not here to see how you run your business, nor do I care how you discipline your wares.” Eyes flashing, he rumbled lowly. “But I do care that my time is wasted.”

Stumbling over himself, the leader nodded sheepishly. “Of course, my lord!” He paused and corrected himself, “I mean, of course not! We promise not to waste any of your time!”

Finn and the other prisoners rolled their eyes.

The guards entered and held all the prisoners against the bars. Their faces were shoved against the metal.

The cloaked man walked down the row, inspecting every person carefully.

When he got to Ria, he paused. His voice lowered. “Why am I not surprised to see you here?”

Ria lifted her gaze reluctantly. She gaped, “It’s you?”

Blaze didn’t answer but gave her a long stare.

The leader shuffled forward. He halted at the sight of Blaze’s glare. Swallowing, he called, “Did you find the person you were searching for, my lord?”

Blaze glanced down the row of prisoners again.

Ria stepped closer, whispering urgently. “Are you able to help us?”

Blaze muttered lowly. “I could help you,” he nodded at her shackled hands. “For the right price.”

Ria shook her head. “I won’t leave without the others.”

“If that’s your choice,” taking a step back, Blaze shrugged, “I am afraid you’ll have to do it on your own then.”

The leader scratched his head. What was the lord whispering to the prisoner about?

Hands reaching up to grasp the bars, Ria shook them. “Will you seriously leave us here?”

“Said with such righteousness,” Blaze smiled pitying. “I am but a lowly criminal.” He patted his pockets. “I only care about business.”

Ria surged forward. “They’re going to make them slaves! Aren’t they your people? … At least take Daisy. The little girl!”

Sighing, Blaze turned to face the leader. “The person I’m searching for is not here.” With that, he stepped back. He smirked at Ria. “I’ll see you around, lil’ sis… if you make it out alive, that is.”

Without another word, he headed back to the entrance.

“Don’t go, come back here! Hey!” Ria shook the bars, screaming, “You coward!”

Her words rang, echoing in the cave. Blaze’s cloak disappeared behind the corner.

Ria banged against the bar.

The leader surged forward, lips curling. “Shut up!” He gestured to his guards. “Shut her up.”

Ria elbowed the guard that tried to pull her down.

Daisy rushed forward kicking the guard in the privates. “Leave her alone!” The other prisoners also began to fight against the guards holding them. Finn took down two guards.

Suddenly, a high-pitch scream broke out. The leader held Daisy by the scruff. “Stand down or the girl gets it!” he growled. Everyone froze.

“Let her go,” Ria demanded.

Shaking the little girl, the horrible man laughed. “Oh, I don’t think so.” Daisy broke out into a coughing fit. The leader shook his head. “The mines don’t need sick, little runts. I think I’m going to sell her to the Barbarians. I heard they have a penchant for using children’s blood in their sacrifices. I’m sure we’ll get a good price.”

He shook the girl some more. Daisy sagged, hanging limply in the leader’s grasp. Ria gasped.

The little girl gripped the item in her hand. It was a sharp rock. She had picked it up as soon as the skirmish started. In one quick motion, she turned in the leader’s grasp. She slashed the evil man’s eye with the rock.

He dropped her, clutching his bleeding face. “Ahhh!”

The guards rushed over. Gripping the bleeding eye, the leader stalked forward. He snatched the pole from another guard. Pissed, his bleeding eyes were shining with fury and hate. “Forget the Barbarians. I’ll kill you myself!”

He raised the pole high. Daisy curled up into a small ball.

Finn reached out, hollering, “No!”

Daron turned away, unable to watch.

The pole came down.

WHACK!

It was dead silent.

Daisy looked up, startled. Ria grunted. Her body covered Daisy’s small, shivering figure.

The older girl blinked owlishly. Her sight blurred. She gasped for breath. It was hard to form lucid thoughts, but she kept her grip on the tiny shoulders tight. The top of her head felt wet, but she didn’t know why. Against her will, her hold loosened. Breathing heavily, she couldn’t stop the dark spots filling her vision. Ria’s only thought was… dang. Twice in a row. At least it was real this time. With a sigh, she collapsed.

It was silent once more.

The leader laughed incredulously. What in Niamh’s name was wrong with these people? Shrugging, he raised the pole again. Might as well kill two dogs, sorry birds, with one stone.

“Are you trying to waste my time?” a sharp voice called out. Blaze stood menacingly at the top of the stairs. His voice soured with irritation. “Am I expected to escort myself out?”

The pole fell to the floor with a clatter. The leader hurriedly approached. “Of course not, my lord.”

The dog-face man whispered to a nearby guard. “Check if the girl’s still alive, and tie the two of them up.” He snarled, “I want them gone by tomorrow.”

Finn and the others crowded over Ria. He tapped her face but got no reaction. Dread filled him.

The group of prisoners murmured amongst themselves, at a loss for what to do. Finn sucked in a greedy gulp of air. The boy stuck a finger under Ria’s nose. His eyes widened.

…

The leader smiled. “And this is where I will leave you, my lord.” He turned to go, one hand holding a rag to his still-bleeding eye.

“What do you plan to do with those girls?” Blaze’s voice was monotonous as if it were a forced sense of duty that fueled his words rather than actual care.

The leader squinted at him. He thought back to the way Blaze had been whispering with the pesky female prisoner. “Uhm… did you perhaps want to buy them, my Lord?”

“Niamh, no,” snapped the other.

“I guess it wouldn’t go over too well with the underground lord, would it?” the leader smiled viciously. “I heard Eres herself has forbidden your gang’s interference.”

“Since you know so much about us,” drawled Blaze. “I’m sure you’ve also heard of how easily we can make a nosy man disappear. Recruiter or not.”

“No need to be so touchy!” Laughing uneasily, the leader scratched his head, smiling. “So, since you don’t want them, I’ll have no qualms selling the dogs off to the Sea Raiders.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” came the response.

The leader flipped the rag to the clean side and pressed it to his face once more. “Well, why not?”

Blaze sighed lowly. “The Citadel’s going to double their rates for every extra body the Recruiters send into the mines.”

The leader pursed his lips. “And the sick puppy?”

“Word is that they’ve found new veins of Dust,” shrugged the young man.

“New veins?” Mulling over the information, the leader muttered, “They’ll need small bodies to crawl through the tiny spaces.”

“You might even get triple for the runt.”

The leader’s eyes widened. His greedy smile grew bright at the thought of extra money.

Blaze crossed his arms. He leaned in uncomfortably close to the leader. The other man stiffened. The mob boss’ wide smile didn’t match the dark gleam in his eyes. “Think of these insider tips as payment for keeping our little secret. No one is to know of my presence here today.”

A heavy pouch of coins was shoved into the leader’s hands. He dropped the bloody rag at the unexpected weight of it. He looked up, mouth gaping but Blaze was already walking away.

The leader tugged on his ears. Hesitating, he pocketed the pouch. “Why… are you helping them, sir?”

“I’m sure you’ll do the smart thing.” the other man called not even bothering to answer the question.

The leader stared. He blinked and the cloaked man was gone. Leaning down to pick up the rag, he held it against his eye once more.

He thought hard on the two troublemakers. Best not to touch the girls for now… in case their mysterious benefactor showed up again.

What a strange person, he thought. But extra money! Shrugging, the leader headed back to the entrance of the cave.

…

Everything was dark and murky. Where am I? Ria could hear herself think but nothing else was coherent. The girl blinked as her eyes adjusted. She shakily exhaled. Bright bursts of light streaked past her. Ria gasped when a weight fell on her shoulder. The girl whipped around, but no one was there.

It could have been a trick of the light (or lack of) but Ria thought she could make out dark, wispy shapes at the corners of the dark plane. They seemed to be moving, almost humanlike in their shape, if not for their smokey forms.

“It is done, my Queen.”

Ria squinted off into the distance. Two figures conversed. Their forms were clearer than the others. Sharp amongst the blurriness.

The shorter form spoke again. “The plan is in motion as you wished.”

The other one nodded. They let out an evil cackle. “Good.”

Ria froze. That voice was familiar… She stumbled back.

Suddenly, the taller form stared straight at Ria. It had no ears, nose, or mouth, only the shadowy semblance of those things. What it did have was pitch-black obsidian eyes that were too large for its face.

Ria turned and ran. For no reason at all, she slipped… on nothingness. Fear spiked through her as the floor gave away. She screamed wordlessly as gravity pulled her into the abyss of darkness.

Ria shot up in her bed.

The girl panted for breath. It was just a bad dream, she told herself, settling onto the bed. Ria paused. Wait a second…She bounced on the mattress. Spinning around, she stared. Reaching out, her knuckles brushed against the softness of the familiar pillowcase.

The girl looked around to check. It was her bedroom!

Ria was back.