"The border between Earth and Praediti is found in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle-"
Chapter 4: Captured
New York
Eliana sighed heavily as she rubbed her eyes with her right hand. She glanced at her wristwatch to see she was earlier than usual.
She made herself comfortable in the kitchen, resting half of her body on the counter table. She yawned countless times. Eliana ignored the footsteps sounding closer by the second.
"Dear!"
Caroline was surprised to see her daughter already up early in the morning, before her, she might add.
"Are you okay Eliana honey?" Concern plastered on the mother's face. It was that surprising that it had her mother worried.
"I'm okay," Eliana muttered, her face buried under her crossed arms.
Yesterday's crazy events wore her out.
Caroline sighed, it was no use seeing Eliana resting in her state. She was not okay.
"I'm cooking breakfast." Her mother said.
Jacer entered the kitchen skipping happily. "Good morning mom!" He sat down in his usual place, a seat away from Eliana. He noticed his unusually early sister. "You're up early." It was a surprise once again.
Eliana groaned.
"Jacer, don't bother your sister." Caroline scolded.
Jacer frowned. "I didn't do anything."
Breakfast was uneventful. However, both Jacer and Caroline noticed Eliana's unusual quietness. She was different from the usual silence she would rarely put up.
Eliana soon shortly finished her breakfast.
"I'm going up." She tossed the utensils she used on the sink and made her way upstairs.
Inside her room, she closed the door. Eliana collapsed on her bed, face first with a frustrated grunt. Rolling over her back, she stared at the white ceiling.
Events from yesterday came back to her like tsunami waves. As if she couldn't take it, she sat up in swift action. Crossing her legs sighing deeply and hung her head low.
"Crazy, I'm positive it wasn't a dream." She whispered to herself.
The rest of the day was nothing special. Eliana spent the whole day inside her room, only leaving when she craved food.
Now that her high school days were over she decided to search online for college. To forget the terrible encounter she had yesterday.
Later on, the sun was down and Eliana was still inside her room. There were too many options for college that stressed her out. She thought it was best to call Zoey tomorrow for the matter.
Being in her room for the past few hours made her feel suffocated. Deciding to get some fresh air, she wore her grey jacket, black leggings and only brought the book she purchased a month ago.
She didn't bother to tell her mother. After all, she knew she'd be home on time.
It was too dark in the park to read.
Eliana was sitting on one of the swings in the park near their house. Her book was her only companion which she ended up placing on her lap.
She stared at the kids playing in the clubhouse slides. 'Doesn't it feel good to be young again', she thought.
Eliana, remembered Kaille, her father. Like struck by lightning, she suddenly felt emotional. It has been 5 years since that incident and still, there were no signs of Kaille to this day.
She hung her head low and stared at the book on her lap reminiscing the memories with her father. A bitter smile stretched across her lips, she had long accepted the fate of her dad.
Silence.
Oddly, she noticed the sudden quietness around her. Eliana turned to look at the clubhouse where a couple of kids were playing in.
No one.
She stood and did a thirty-six degrees inspection, and again nobody was around. Her stomach churned, fear building up. Without second thoughts, she took a step to leave the deserted park.
A hand rested on her shoulder from behind stopped her from leaving. She froze. Now she was certain, she was beyond scared, terrified- for the lack of a better word. Eliana refused to turn around to look, instead she decided to take another step forward.
"Human-" the owner of the hand spoke in a deep voice. "You have seen what you must have not seen."
Oh, God.
Eliana felt herself tremble in fear, nervousness, confusion, and realization. It was him, the man from yesterday. She wasn't that stupid not to catch on. Her heartbeat increased from the sudden waves of emotions.
Whatever his intentions were, Eliana didn't want to be associated with him. He aimed for her life just 24 hours ago. And that was what Eliana feared the most.
She mustered up her courage, which she surprisingly had in her. And spoke, "I have nothing to do with you sir, I'm sorry I need to get home before my mother goes ballistic."
The man didn't care. "You are to be brought to the Jurist Court for judgment." He said.
Eliana was taken aback, he was spouting nonsense. She faced the man turning her whole body. As expected, it was indeed the medieval dude from the mall.
"Excuse me?"
The man ignored her. "Follow me miss, we have three hours before the departure." He then turned his heels to walk from the opposite direction, towards the forest located at the end of the park.
Eliana raised her eyebrows. Instead of following the man, she walked in the direction of her home.
'Just what was that man thinking?' She thought.
Before she could make her fifth step, she was yanked by the collar from behind. Her breath knocked out and pain spread around her throat. It was like being strangled similar to a bullet, quick, not too long just short but with so much force. Her body spun from the action.
She coughed violently. "Wha- ugh!" She coughed once more her left hand on her knee and the other holding her throat.
When she calmed down, she raised her head and shot the man a sharp glare who returned her a blank look.
"What do you want?" She spat.
"We have no time, the border will be closing soon." He said, "If you wish not to be taken by force. You must come willingly." He added firmly. He once again started walking, his back on her, surely now she would follow.
Eliana thought of one thing. She needed to go home.
She ran, fast and furiously. She didn't want to be kidnapped, that was all she thought. This situation was frustrating her.
However, not a minute or two the guy caught on her with unbelievable speed.
He held her by the elbow and started dragging. Eliana screamed and fought, her arms swinging in random directions. He was stronger but Eliana refused to let herself get abducted so easily, not without a fight.
She bit down hard on his hand. He hissed from the sudden attack. The man was quick as ever, despite being caught off guard. He grabbed Eliana's shoulder before she could start running. Pushing her down harshly on the ground.
Eliana's back landed hard on the rocky ground, she grunted in pain. Looking up, her eyes widened as she came face to face at the pointy end of the sword pointed straight to her face.
"I-I don-" She stammered.
"You will follow." The man's voice held firmness and authority. He stared at her terrified look and drew back his sword, returning it to his scabbard. "Come now, we wasted enough time." He turned his back and walked, once again.
Eliana felt the need to cry. And for the 3rd time, she ran, again. Stubbornly refusing the man. Why can't he just let her go home?
The man with a calm sigh followed her, he swung his leg down causing Eliana to slip. The poor girl fell, face-first, on the ground with a loud thud. Gasping she was laying on her stomach holding her throbbing nose. The man stood behind her and leaned down.
"I apologize, young miss, you left me no choice." He said.
Before Eliana could react, a strong swift force hit her nape. Black spots swarmed her line of vision, her mind in a daze. Until she finally blacked out. Ending the wild goose chase.
"The Court's judgment will be your fate."