TANYA POV
We were all awoken the next morning by Edwardo's personal guards and I knew at once that something was going on.
"Is it now a crime to sleep?"Mia grumbled in annoyance as she stretched her body lazily.
"An announcement is about to be made and you have to get up as soon as possible," I said.
"But why should I? What announcement are they making?" She asked, with a squeezed facial expression.
"I don't know. Someone might have done something wrong and Edwardo might want to use the person as a scapegoat. So get up and stop asking unnecessary questions," I said, putting on my slippers.
Mia quickly jumped out of her bed and wore something more convenient for her before coming to join me. We both walked out of the room together heading straight to the center of the hideout. Announcements are made there and most of the time it is blood shed of 'the stubborn ones' that's what Edwardo calls them.
Mia and I stood beside Tristan as soon as we saw him standing close to the podium where Edwardo usually stands.
"What is going on?" I asked Tristan, looking very curious.
"I don't know precisely but from what I heard one of the newbies tried to escape but I don't know how true it is. However I hope it is not because I can't bear to see another bloodshed," he replied in a whisper.
"Why would he try to escape,he should have just waited for his parents or whoever to come bail him out instead of escaping,"Mia said naively and Tristan and I looked at her.
"That would be a catastrophe because not only would the person die, every single member of his family would go along with him," Tristan said, making her cringe in fear.
The whole place became dead silent except for a few murmuring sounds from the crowd. Edwardo walked to the podium with his guards trailing behind him,they were holding onto a teenage boy who was tied with hard, strong chains. Some of us kept quiet with different questions in our mind and sympathy towards the boy who is about to definitely die.
"Attention everyone. No side talk!" Edwardo guards yelled, making everyone keep quiet in anticipation of what Edwardo was about to say and everyone obeyed.
Edwardo took center stage.
"I have always warned everyone here, even the newbies, before anyone is directed to his or her room,I always say this. Don't try to escape and pray that no one comes to bail you out of here or am I lying?" Edwardo said and we all chorused
"No."
"Good. But it seems no matter how you warn a group of people there will always be one, the stubborn one who will step on your toes. Despite all my warnings this little rat here disobeyed me." Edwardo said, tapping on the boy's shoulder.
"He tried to escape from here but that's impossible," he chuckled proudly.
It seems he wasn't just talking about the boy but was also talking to each and everyone of us.
"He will serve as a scapegoat and a warning to everyone of you who is thinking of escaping. Much worse things would be done to such a person. Remember Edwardo will surely get you and I will spill your blood like chickens," he said, then brought out his gun from his trouser and before any of us could process what was going on,he shot the boy on his hands,legs and eyes before shooting his heart.
I shut my eyes tightly trying to fight back the tears and just then Tristan hugged me tightly and I gladly cried on his shoulders which is my comfort zone.
"It's alright, it's going to be fine," he whispered softly, petting me on my shoulder in a soothing manner and I closed my eyes enjoying the comforting feeling but then I started hearing soft sobbing sounds close to me.
I opened my eyes to see Mia had her head resting on Tristan's other chest as he was trying to comfort her as well and I became very angry at the moment because his chest is mine and mine alone. I don't want to share it with anyone, not even Mia but I would just let this slide because Mia is like a little sister to me and she is seeing something like this for the first time...
"You two girls should stop crying and let's go into our rooms," Tristan said, acting like a big brother.
We both managed to stand on our own as we walked to our rooms slowly and weakly. I wonder when all this would stop, Edwardo is only interested in his personal interests and he is not one bit concerned about us..
"Does he have to kill him, he should have just warned him instead of wasting an innocent life," Mia said, holding me tightly like I'm her oxygen.
"You have to get used to it, that is what happens here, no mercy when it comes to disobedience," Tristan said with no emotion.
"Can't you guys run away since you don't like what you do and you are always free to go out, that is an opportunity to gain freedom," she said, making Tristan and I chuckle.
I wouldn't blame her, she is new and most things are unknown to her.
"Edwardo has his eyes everywhere, he has his trusted guards everywhere he sends us, the moment you try to escape, he guns you down without thinking twice," I said with a scoff.
"Is he that dangerous?" She asked fearfully and she started sweating profusely also.
"Well, you can say he is and he is also not, you only see his other side when you disobey him. So don't if you want to keep on living," Tristan said.
I was about to add to what Tristan said when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," I said and the door opened revealing Edwardo's guard.
"What do you want?" I asked in a mean voice as I glared at the guy.
"The boss asked me to call you in," he replied in the same mean tone.
"I'm coming," I replied, getting up and he walked out immediately.
"Be careful, okay?" Tristan said, holding my hands and I blushed within myself.
"I will. Take care of Mia for me, I will be back soon," I said smiling a bit and he nodded.
I walked out of the room and I could feel his eyes going after me and that made me happy and fulfilled.
UNKNOWN POV
"Any news about my son?" A woman dressed like a queen asked looking sad.
"No, my queen. No news about the prince. We haven't seen any traces of the Prince yet," A man dressed like a guard said.
"Why is that?! When are you going to bring my son back to me, when exactly?!" The Queen asked angrily.
"I'm sorry my queen, I'm sure we will find him soon," the man said apologetically with a bow.
"That is what you keep saying, it has been years now and my son is still not here," the Queen said angrily and emotionally.
"I am sorry my queen," the guard bowed again.
"You have just a week to bring my son back to me, failure to do that, I will show you the stuff I'm made of. His betrothed is getting fed up, and I won't take it easy with you if she decides to go," the Queen said.
"I will do my best, your highness," the guard said calmly before walking away.