Chereads / The Black Wings of a Crow / Chapter 16 - The Castle is Lost

Chapter 16 - The Castle is Lost

"My child, you know how I am. I am your Grandmother. You were so little last I saw you, and now you are all grown up." The figure said. I could not see her face, but I knew it was her somehow. I tried to look around, and see my surroundings, but my head was stuck in it's position, and the only place I could look was at my Grandmother. I tried to speak, but she stopped me before I could make a sound.

"There is no need to speak darling, only to answer my questions, which there will only be one. I see you have met a boy that you love. If to save him from this mirror, you had to go in instead, would you? Yes, or no?"

I thought for a moment then answered,

"There's no question. I would come into this mirror for him. I'd do anything to get him out." I smiled at my Grandmother, watching her face contort into fury.

"I asked a simple 'Yes or No' question, and you answered with a sentence. That is NOT what I asked you to do, girl." the woman hissed at me.

"I know. If I say the first word of the two choices, then I just said I'd give my soul to the mirror so it could take my body, like it did to my boyfriend. I'm not doing it." I shot back.

"Are you sure?" the old woman sneered, hoping to trick me.

"Ye-...I'm sure. I'm getting out of here, lady, whether you like it or not." I said, and brought my arm up, and slammed it backwards into Erik's face. He immediately let go, and I turned and took off running down the hall, towards the open crystal doors.

"Sorry Erik, but I had to! I'll find a way to save you!" I yelled behind me to Erik.

"SHUT. THOSE. DOORS. NOW!" Alastor screamed. By the time the doors had shut, I had narrowly made it outside. I glanced up, and noticed the foot soldier from before looking at me, startled but curious.

"I need you to hide me. Please." I gasped at him.

"I-I'm sorry Majesty, but I can't help you escape." He said back softly.

"I'm not asking you to help me escape. I'm asking you to hide me from them." I said with equal quiet, pointing back at the doors behind me. After a moment, the soldier nodded and, grabbing my hand, took off in a seemingly random direction. I kept pace, but stayed slightly behind, so if he stopped, I could too. We ran for a minute or two before reaching the wall surrounding the castle. Although confused, I continued after the soldier, until we reached a door in the wall.

"I thought you said you couldn't help me escape?" I wondered, and the boy kept on going.

" I can't, so I'm not. I'm taking you to my house. No one will find you there, because no one ever goes to my house." He replied. We went through the door, and walked right into his home. It was quite a small house, the living room with enough space for a small, two-person sofa and a chair, and off the living room was a teensy, cramped kitchen and a bedroom and bathroom also off the living room. The whole house was made of wood, and had very few windows, making it quite dark.

"I appreciate your help. What's your name?" I asked, as he turned to face me.

"Das. Das Phobus." the boy said timidly.

I smiled at him, already knowing the meaning behind his name.