CHAPTER 6

  Samantha 

  The door slammed behind me, echoing through the darkness of the castle. I reached forward, tugging at the handle, but it was locked from the outside.

  I had expected to be locked up, but the lack of light was confronting. I was never without light, never without something to guide my way.

  At home the moon will surely guide my way and shine through my windows, the lantern will burn in the garden. At home, I have the light from the scullery floating up the stairs, the warmth of the fire burning down the stairs.

  They had always been light in my life. Life and laughter and something to look forward to.

  But now, there is nothing but darkness, the cold echoing touch of the night. And wasn't that fitting? I was stuck in a world of darkness, after all. I was stuck in a hole where the light of hope no longer burned.

  I was stuck here with no hope of ever going home and no idea what was going to happen to me.