They walked me blindly, occasionally kicking at one of my ankles and laughing at me like I was some jester. Only stopping for a minute to tie an awful rope around my wrists that dug in painfully. I winced as one of them yanked at both sides of the rope, obviously trying to stimulate some sort of action out of me but I stifled a whimper and continued walking.
"Elle." I heard a sad voice whisper as I was forced onto my knees. A sad voice I recognized. Kieran's.
Somebody yanked my head back and soon enough another hand had pulled off the black bag from my head.
In front of me were Lucas, Kieran and Cara. My three best friends in the world, all three staring at me with visible hurt in their eyes. Their arms doubling mine in the awkward position they'd been forced into.
"I'm so sorry." I whispered, a single tear leaving my eye.
Luke shook his head at me and attempted a reassuring smile.
Finally, the guards stood up and left, locking the door to the room we'd been in behind them with a double lock and bolt. They were that scared of four teenagers.
As soon as the footsteps had faded into nothing we started to whisper.
"They were waiting for us at the end of the tunnel, literally let Hunter watch as we were dragged sideways away from him and he didn't even seem bothered."
"They've done something to him." I spat. "Conditioning, they called it. I call it brainwashing."
"Noah and Bryony are going to be devastated." Kieran said solemnly, his eyes trained on the ground.
"I know. Oh god, Noah and Bryony. I hope they went inside the van safely for the night. I was so sure we'd be out by now." Cara said.
"How do we get out of this? They want me dead; you guys out of the picture and Hunter on their side. And where's Arya?"
Lucas shrugged. "Dragged her off in the other direction, special actions for the princess."
"They want her dead too." I gritted my teeth.
"I know."
"Is there nothing in here? Vents, maybe something we can break thr-"
"Elodie, stop." Kieran whispered, leaning backwards to rest against the wall. "We've tried everything."
I stared at him or a few seconds, analysing the defeated Kieran I'd never seen this way before, then eventually slumped against the wall myself.
***
"Wake up." I heard the yell shout around the room, causing all of us to wake abruptly and groan. "Stand up, all of you. And come with me. And if you try anything there are snipers outside every window."
And then suddenly he'd snatched my arms and was walking me in front of him. "Unfortunately, I'm not allowed the pleasure of killing you yet. So, you're with me."
Kieran started walking towards us with anger in his eyes but the man simply held out a hand to point outside the window and smiled to himself.
The three of them backed up, terrified, and kept their eyes focused on the ground.
We made it to a grand hall, chairs lining up the grounds except completely empty. Aside from just Hunter, sat in the front seat looking perplexed.
Arya stood at the back of the stage, her eyes watered up and wide. One arm enclosed tightly in the tight fist of her father.
The 'King.'
Her mother walked down from the stage and beckoned us into the room, smiling as she looked us all up and down.
They pushed us into seats on the other side to Hunter and tied our arms round the back before returning to the stage.
"Well, thank you all for coming out today!" The queen addressed. "We're here today, actually, to set a much-needed example!"
And then she was making direct eye contact with me and smiling. But I didn't look away. I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Elodie, why don't you come up onto the stage?"
Just as the words left her mouth, someone was behind me, yanking my shoulders up and forcing me to my feet.
Simultaneously, I heard cries leave my friends' mouths, but they were quickly silenced.
"If it isn't Elodie Blue! I've been waiting to meet you for quite a while, my dear."
I stared up at her defiantly and spat on the ground in front of me.
"Well, that's not the right way to address your queen."
Suddenly my head was slammed down against the ground and my entire body crumpled to the floor.
I heard Kieran scream and lash out but yet again he was immediately silenced.
"That's better. Pathetic, weak little Elodie."
"Hunter, dear, could you come up on stage for me?"
My heart plunged into my chest. "No." I whimpered.
"Here, you know who this is don't you?"
He nodded anxiously as I pleaded with him with my eyes.
"Hunter, please." Cara screamed from the stands.
"This is a pistol. What I want you to do is point this at her and shoot, okay? And then she can't hurt you anymore."
This time nothing could silence the three of them and they were shouting at the top of their lungs.
I cursed at her. "He is eleven years old!"
She looked at me and smiled. "And he already knows better."
The king came up behind him, letting go of Arya.
"Now, son."
"Shoot."