Chapter 2 - Unfriendly Visit
Dan's cheeks, once rosy and puffy were now sunken, like he hadn't eaten for days. Amy's eyes - her beautiful blue eyes, so full of cheer, were now getting closer to a gray, making it look void of any emotion. Their clothes were torn and dirty and their were a couple of cuts on their faces and arms.
"God, you're a mess!" his sister said with disgust, putting into words what Ian was thinking.
"And you're a-" Dan started but a glare from his sister prevented him from saying anything else. But beneath the death glare, he could see Amy's worry and the words that came with it. "Don't anger them. They might hurt you. Let me speak.", her eyes shouted.
"What do you want?" Amy said, so much venom dripping in her voice that it made Ian wince. If you didn't know her you'd never know that she was capable of laughing and being happy like any normal person.
Natalie rolled her eyes, clearly not affected by Amy's treatment. What did they expect anyway? Hugs and a family reunion? After putting them through all these crap? "You know what we want. We gave you enough time. Now tell us all the clues you've found so far or-" she paused, so she could pull out her gun, "-you get this."
Amy's eyes narrowed into slits. She looked at her brother and understanding crossed his features. The escape plan they had made just before the two Lucians walked in. Right. In a blur, Dan elbowed Ian on his chest, effectively knocking the breath out of him and sending him to the floor. Ian never thought that an eleven year old could muster such strength. Natalie recovered from her surprise quickly and raised her gun but Amy kicked it into the air and caught it. She pointed the gun at Natalie before she could try anything else. She grabbed Dan's hand and slowly retreated to the door while pointing the gun alternately between Ian and Natalie. "Move and I'll pull the trigger." she warned. "Don't underestimate me."
While Amy managed to keep the momentarily defenseless siblings at bay, Natalie wasn't a Kabra for nothing. Faster than Ian had ever seen his sister move, Natalie managed to pull out a dagger strapped on her calf. In one swift movement, she had reached out and grabbed Dan by the shoulder. She held his arms behind him to keep him from escaping. Her dagger was level with Dan's neck.
So that was why Natalie always wears long pants... Ian wondered. To conceal the dagger... But what dagger was she using? Knowing Natalie, she won't use some street-bought knife... He squinted his eyes and that's when he recognized it. A ruby encrusted snake was gleaming on both sides of the hilt. The blade was engraved with the words "Wrath
of the Snake". He had one too. Well all of the Lucians had one. It was their signature weapon.
Amy's eyes widened in terror. She had never felt more scared in her life. Not even when Dan got almost hit with a train. It was just that a knife looked more menacing than a train. She swallowed the lump in her throat. No! She wouldn't cry in front of an enemy! Especially not in front of he Kabras! She continued holding her head high even if Natalie was already smirking at her.
"So what's it gonna be?" she said with that annoying voice of hers. "The clues... Or your brother?" Natalie grinned when she noticed that Amy was rendered speechless. "Answer me!" she demanded, bringing the dagger a little closer to the boy's neck.
Amy casted her eyes down with a sigh. "I have decided... That..." This time it was her time to smirk "... I still won't tell you."
"Okay..." Natalie replied, now feeling unsure of having someone's blood on her hands but still playing it cool by casually shrugging her shoulders. "That's what you want..."
Amy's frenzied and alarmed eyes caught Dan's. Her eyes lingered on Natalie's foot for the briefest moment. Having memorized her sister's movements and expressions, Dan instantly knew what this meant. He brought his leg up and kicked Natalie's foot as hard he can. Natalie accidentally released him and howled in pain. Before she could recover, Dan and Amy ran for it. But Ian stuck his leg out and tripped Amy. He yanked her back on her feet and pushed her to Natalie. She did The same thing she did to Dan, but this time, the dagger was centimeters from her neck.
Natalie's uncertainty was now replaced by fury. All she wanted to do right now was to slit the struggling person she was holding. "I'm going to give you up to the count of three, Daniel." she hissed "One-"
"Danny, No! Think of Grace!" Amy screamed.
"Shut up!" Natalie hissed at her ear and pressed the dagger lightly on Amy's neck. A trickle of blood rolled down Amy's neck making her whimper yet making Natalie smile. She continued counting. "Two-". Amy shook her head at Dan and mouthed the words, "Don't". Once the number three left Natalie's mouth, Dan charged at Natalie to attack her. Clutching his bruised chest, Ian stood up to defend his sister and pushed Dan out of the way. He didn't mean to push him so hard though. But it was too late. Dan's head made contact with the wall and he slumped onto he floor, his eyes closed, blood oozing from his forehead and trickling down his cheek...