“She’s in that one, on the left,” the guard told his comrade. They approached the cell and peered inside. Behind the bars, Zoe sat, resting against the back wall, still covered in injuries acquired from the various monster encounters she and Alex had faced along the way. Her clothing had small rips and tears from the incessant pecking of the bird-like creatures. She stared blankly at the guards as they looked at her.
“We have no idea who she is or how she got up here,” the guard explained. “She won’t answer any of our questions or even give us a name. We found a scythe and a sack containing a few items, including a black cloak on her person. We’re suspecting that she was going to attempt a prison break.”
“Was she alone?” the other guard asked.
“We’re not sure,” the first replied. “We didn’t find anyone else when we searched the area, but she kept screaming ‘Alex’ when we tried to restrain her. We’re guessing Alex was her partner. He must have escaped. We won’t know for sure until she decides to open her mouth. The orders are to not give her any food or water until she talks.” The guard looked at Zoe. “Are you going to tell us something now? We’re not letting you go until you give us your name and a reason why you’re here.”
Zoe sat motionless and said nothing. The other guard spoke. “You look like you’re in pretty rough shape. Just tell us what we need to know and we’ll get you cleaned up.” Still, she remained silent.
The first guard turned away. “She’s not going to talk. Nothing seems to work.” He walked down the cellblock.
The other guard soon followed. “I heard Lord Quinn is coming by later this evening. He wants to speak to the guy who conspired to assassinate him again.”
The first guard chuckled. “Ol’ Javan likes taking matters into his own hands, huh?”
“Guess so.”
A bead of sweat ran down Zoe’s face. He’s coming... she thought to herself. It sounds like he told them that Roshan was conspiring to kill him... She looked down at her scuffed boots. Where are you Alex? I know you’ll be here any minute to get us both out of here. You’re alive, I know it...
Zoe stared at her knuckles, bruised from where they had met the thick armor worn by the guards. After the light had hit her, she immediately tried to scurry down the mountainside. However, the guards quickly pursued her, dragging her back to the outcrop. She punched, kicked, and screamed, trying with all her might to escape their grasp but was inevitably put in handcuffs. They walked her around the corner of the mountain, from where they had originally emerged. Entering a small cave, they took her to a wooden platform. One of the guards moved a nearby lever, releasing a pocket of steam to hiss into the air. Slowly, a chain pulley near the platform began moving, gradually elevating them to another cave near the peak. During the ride, they asked her again and again for her name. It was at that point that she made the decision to remain silent, regardless of what awaited her in the coming days.
Alex is coming, she kept telling herself. I just need to hold on... he’ll be here soon. Completely devoid of sleep, her head tilted downward; her eyes slowly closed. Suddenly, the image filled her mind. Alex, tumbling down the mountainside, smashing against the sharp rocks as he fell. Her eyes quickly opened again. He’s alive. He’ll be here any minute. She continued to sit in silence.
It wasn’t long before she heard the sound of a door opening somewhere at the end of the hall, followed by footsteps. They slowly walked down the cellblock, gradually approaching her cell. Finally the man came into view. Zoe’s eyes widened. She quickly turned her head to the side, desperately hoping her hair would block her face. The footsteps belonged to Lord Quinn. He proceeded down the hall without stopping. Zoe continued to hide her face until she heard him reach the doors on the opposite side of the cell block. He didn’t see me... She exhaled a sigh of relief. Come on Alex, where are you?