~9~

I woke up the day after hanging out with Thelia to find Einnig sitting beside me, reading a book. I sat up, looking around. He set his book down and smiled at me. "Hi Jose!"

I waved and pulled the blanket up to bury under.

"I have a friend I want you to meet!"

This caught my attention and I nodded for him to continue. He went to the window instead of the door and in came a boy with silver wings.

He smiled. "Hello. Nice to meet you."

I nodded.

Einnig tugged the boy over. "My friend would like to help you!"

I raised a brow.

The boy laughed, the he pulled himself onto the bed and wrenched the blankets off. He looked at my broken leg and did something with his tongue. "I bet you're bored, am I right?"

I shrugged.

The boy began to undo the bandages and I jumped forward to stop him, only for him to give me a menacing smile. "Hold still. Einnig said you would listen."

I went motionless, staring at him with wide eyes. He unwrapped my leg then pulled out a syringe. I gulped. He glanced at me before plunging it into my flesh, right into my calf.

I screamed.

Einnig clamped a hand over my mouth before it traveled far, and I writhed. I ended up backhanding him with my injured arm and he jumped away. I screamed again.

"Shut her up!" the boy hissed, holding my leg down.

"Why didn't you tell me it was a shit, Switch!"

"Why did you tell me she'd listen!"

The boy slapped me hard and I fell sideways on the bed, crying. I mouthed Kesar's name.

"Now, listen!" The boy grabbed my face and glared at me. "If you don't want to be the replacement for the queen, you'll keep quiet about this and be grateful, understand?"

I stared at him blankly.

He should me until I couldn't see straight. "Do you understand!"

I nod, if only to get him to stop.

He nodded once then hit me again, making my vision go black

Some time later, I woke to something cold on my face and struggled, crying out. "Easy," said a familiar voice. I froze. Scared to find out who was with me, I open my eyes. It was Kesar. I blinked a few times to make sure I was seeing him correctly, then I slumped, crying. "Hey, it's okay. You're safe now."

I clung to him, hardly able to breathe. "Kesar, I'm so sorry! I was out getting clean linen!"

"No one should have been able to get in!"

"The door was locked!"

I cried harder, unwilling to let go of Kesar for anything. Then a door slammed and I screamed. I clawed at Kesar's shoulders and fought to hide, fearing they would come for me.

"Jose!" I heard, but I paid no mind as I tried to get away. I was hopping on my good foot and about to fall when a pair of arms caught me. I looked up fearfully and saw Zargis. I went still for a long moment as he looked down at me, then, I clung to him. I felt his arms come around me and I wasn't afraid he'd hurt me, but felt safe with him. "What is going on?" She asked in a low voice.

"Someone was in here and attacked her," Kesar said, I think.

"Was no one around?"

"We we're all busy," said a nurse.

It was silent before I felt Zargis's hand on the back of my head. "Jose, let me lead you back to the bed so you can sit."

I shook my head, not wanting to be near it.

"Will you let me hand you to Kesar?"

I looked around, seeing everyone watching me, saw the window, saw the paper and pen. I pointed to the window first, looked to Zargis desperately.

"Did someone climb through there?"

I nod.

He nods and leads me to Kesar who lets me sit on his lap while Zargis goes to the window. While he inspects it, I give Kesar two fingers. He looks confused. Then, he says, "There were two people?"

Again I nod.

His eyes turn amber. I blink, momentarily forgetting why I was scared. Then I hear Zargis say, "Unless the someone flew, I don't see how anyone can get in here without the door."

I begin to cry again, wishing I could say who and what, wishing I was able to express everything.

"She wouldn't be like this for nothing," Kesar says.

"And I'm not saying she's lying. I'm just trying to figure out what happened," Zargis growls.

I mouth Kesar's name, holding him tight.

"Get her out of here. Maybe once she calms down, she can tell us something."

I feel Kesar lift me up and begin to carry me. I clutch him, fearful I would be dropped and left behind.

"I've got you," he whispers in my ear. "It's going to be fine. Just calm down."

"What happened!"

I jump and begin to whimper.

"Jose, it's alright." I feel Kesar tighten his grip on me. "I'll tell you later, Einnig."

I shake my head violently, wanting to get away from the brother, wanting to hide, wanting to forget.

"Jose!" Kesar calls, but I am not listening, unable to because of my fear that seems to be drowning me.

"Set her down!"

"She's panicking!"

"I know, Kesar. Just get her down before you drop her!"

I feel my body lower, then cold stone is beneath me and a pair of hands are holding my face, making me look into Kesar's eyes. "Calm down, Jose," he whispers. "I won't let you go."

I mouth his name. Again and again, his name leaves my mouth silently. "I'm going to give her something to relax," said a voice.

He doesn't break eye contact and I begin to calm until I see the needle. I bar the thing away faster than anyone could react. Then, I break away from Kesar and stumble down the hall, not knowing where I was going, but knowing I had to get away from the enemy.

"Jose!"

I ignore him.

I go up stairs and up more stairs until I reach a wooden door. I open it and slip inside. I see Thelia and gasp. She looks over and immediately starts over, but I shake my head. Scared she was part of the plot.

"Jose?" she whispers, holding her hands up. "Jose, what's wrong?"

I shake my head, then look around. Seeing nothing of use, I turn and run away from her. She calls me, but I can't trust her.

Some time later, I end up outside. There were stars in the sky, lights from buildings up and down streets. There was a fountain that was spraying water and people walking casually to wherever they were going. I ran onto one street and let it lead me deep into the town. People eyed me, curious and worried, but I ran away from them. They were all enemies!

I fell against a door and cried out as my leg hit the ground. Someone opened the door and looked down at me. I whimpered. The man grunted, looked around, then stepped aside. I hesitated. He narrowed his eyes and I stumbled in. It was warm and smelled like stew.

The male added wood to the fire then went to another room, returning with a bowl. I cowered away, afraid of him. He wasn't disappointed, but set the food on a table and left. I waited and five minutes later he returned with blankets. He raised a brow in question. I cautiously pointed to the floor next to the fire and he grunted, placing a neat pile there before yawning and blowing out a candle.

I assumed he was going to bed, and carefully went to the blankets and laid down, ignoring the food.