When Hermione opened her eyes, she was surrounded by utter darkness. She breathed gently, trying to decipher what was happening to her.
Yes, she remembered. She was pushed down the cliff by her brother. And then she couldn't remember what had transpired next.
She felt the coldness of the ground nipping at her soft skin, and Hermione gradually pushed herself to sit up. She felt her throat itch in irritation and her head throbbed in pain.
"Hello?" She called out, the sound of her feeble voice echoing in the cemented room she was in.
"I--is an--anyone here?" She panicked, hearing her voice bounce back to her. She was frightened by the sound and she retreated to the corner.
Hermione stumbled upon someone and cringed backward. "Owww" The person muttered.
She hurriedly breathed out in relief. The voice was familiar and it belonged to Celeste.
"A--are you alright?" She expressed her concern. Reaching out her hand, Hermione attempted to help her but she couldn't even see her hand, talk less of Celeste.
Celeste groaned in response. Her eyes fluttered open and she took in her surroundings. She panicked and abruptly sat up.
"Where are we?" She questioned the oblivious latter.
"G--good question. I---I don't know" Hermione replied in a fearful voice. She moved closer to Celeste, tracing the girl's voice. And thankfully, she got closer to her and they snuggled closer to each other.
"Are you alright, Hermione?" Celeste inquired, patting the girl's back.
"No. I--I want to go home" She responded, feeling water prickling her eyes. Hermione just wanted to return home, this place gave off an eerie sensation. They were surrounded by pitch darkness and their backs pressed against the cold wall.
If only Alistair hadn't gotten mad. She wouldn't have found herself here, she thought inwardly.
There was no amount of explanation her brother could give to make her forget that resentment in his eyes and tone. He hated her- that was the fact.
She still hadn't discovered why he disliked her so much, to the extent of never wanting to see her anymore. It depressed her.
"Me too" Celeste's voice snapped her senses back to reality.
At least, she had company. Hermione was certain she would have started crying till her throat burned out. She was only holding back because Celeste was beside her and the girl seemed fearless, maybe even nonchalant about what was happening.
Celeste pulled away from the embrace, and she held Hermione's shoulder. Even though she couldn't see the princess, she conveyed what she had in mind.
"Let us find our way out. You shall stay close to me and do as instructed" Celeste declared.
Although she couldn't see the princess. Celeste was certain that Hermione bobbed her head in agreement. She had to! She didn't have an option.
The two girls got up to their feet after assisting each other. Celeste pulled Hermione behind her and clasped her hands with Hermione's. Unable to see, she began to trace the wall with her fingers gently, they walked across the room, with Celeste taking the lead, ensuring to commit every corner to her memory.
Eventually, Celeste's hands hit a metal. She tapped on it lightly before trailing the lines, looks like this was the bar, she thought to herself.
She turned her head to the side, "Let's push this and call for help. We might grab someone's attention and know where we are" she instructed carefully, straining her eyes to view Hermione but all was futile. The room was engulfed in darkness, she couldn't even see the princess's vibrant clothes.
Hermione nodded and came to stand by her side.
She followed Celeste's instruction and they began to push the gate and yell for help. Their efforts were in vain. Their throats soon burned and their hands hurt from hitting the metal bars.
Hermione didn't want to give up. She wanted to get out of this darkness. She wanted to be with her family. Despite the fact that her hands hurt, she continued to bang the bar harder.
Celeste sighed in defeat, "Stop Hermione. No one is coming" She shook her head in disappointment. This was the time she wished her magic would work without fail, but there seemed to be an invisible barrier around this place. She wasn't able to use her powers and she was as weak and spineless as humans.
Agnes would surely disown her. Not only did she put her life on the line right here, she included someone in her mishap.
Celeste crouched to the ground, her hands wrapping against her legs. "I wish I had listened" She cried out.
Hermione stopped to listen.
"I wish I had listened, I wouldn't have dragged yourself and myself to hell. It's all my fault" She silently sobbed, her words coming out in short gasps. Celeste lowered her head.
Hermione bit her lower lips, her eyelashes fluttering close. "It's not your fault. It's my brother's" she answered Celeste.
"Yeah. But it's partly my fault" Celeste didn't want to leave herself from getting blamed. If only she didn't suggest that they leave the castle, things wouldn't have gone awry.
There was silence, a prolonged silence as they both listened to their breathing sound which echoed in the room. As if noticing something, Celeste's eyes lit up. "You didn't stutter a while ago," She noticed with narrowed eyes.
Does that mean, Alistair?
"No!" Hermione rushed to defend herself. "I do stutter when I get nervous and feel pressured, but sometimes I speak fluently" She announced.
"Oh," Celete's eyes squinted as she acknowledged Hermione's words.
"I prefer to keep quiet," Hermione said.
"Hmm. Everyone has different preferences. I do like to talk a lot" She revealed and then chuckled.
They both kept quiet afterward, leaning closer to each other and silently comforting themselves. Celeste wasn't sure if her mother had found out about their disappearance. She would have attempted to use Magic but would be disappointed because Magic couldn't be used here. How was she going to find them?
They also should try to save themselves instead of waiting for help that isn't certain to come.
The sound of a chain dragging across the ground alerted them and they jolted, it created an ominous sound, and danger seemed to be wafting in the air. Hermione and Celeste took a look at each other before concentrating on the sound of the metal dragging against the ground.
"Let's yell for help" Celeste whispered.
Hermione frowned, "I-- No. L--Let's not, it sounds menacing. We can't alert him"
Celeste's eyes widened as she inquired, "Are we then supposed to be waiting?" Her voice trembled as she conversed with Hermione whom she supposed was by her side.
However, Celeste didn't receive any response.
Instead, a loud piercing scream erupted from Hermione's mouth. The man had gripped her hair from the top and pulled against it to lift the princess. Her feet dangled in the air.
"You should keep your mouth shut. Else I'll use this spike on you!" He threatened.