CHAPTER 3
Eleanor was on the ground, sobbing like the world was going to end, despite John's futile attempts to comfort her.
"They took him." Eleanor managed to splutter. "He was protecting me and then they took him!"
"Who? Who took him Eleanor?" said John, though he already guessed who it was. One look into Eleanor's tear stained face told him that he was right. But why would the Capria want Jake?
"John." Eleanor looked up. "Remember the prophecy? Jake has the magic. The prophecy was talking about him."
"No. Not Jake. He's too young. He's really just a kid. They're going to kill him!" John muttered under his breath. His eyes were wild, flicking from side to side as if the Capria would jump out of the bushes.
"John, where's Mark?" asked Eleanor.
"Mark. Yes. Mark can help." His eyes were not wild now, but he still looked unstable.
"Where is he?" pushed Eleanor. John finally looked up. He pulled himself together and said,
"He's at our campsite. I'll take you there." Eleanor stood up, but just as she did, she felt a stinging, throbbing pain sent through her arm. She let out a soft cry. John noticed the wound for the first time.
"You need to get that treated. Mark and I have some supplies. C'mon."
Eleanor followed John towards his camp. Mark was sat outside the tent, keeping guard. He looked up when his brother came.
"Ahh, John. Finally. Where have you been?" he asked.
"You'll never believe what just happened. Plus, I've got some bad news." Said John.
"Remember this girl?" Eleanor, who had been standing in the cover of the trees, stepped out.
"Eleanor?!" cried Mark. Then his expression softened as he remembered something.
"Weren't you travelling with Jake?" Eleanor nodded. John stepped in.
"The prophecy, Mark. Jake has magic." he said. Mark sat up.
"So, where is he?" he asked.
"They got him."
"They? You don't mean...no. Not my little brother. He'll never survive. They're too strong. They took our dad!" stammered Mark. He stared hard at his brother and the girl, as if they would suddenly crack up laughing and tell him that it was all a joke, then Jake would step outs of the trees, laughing as well. But they didn't.
"Mark. It's true." John looked into his brother's solemn face. Mark had tears welling in his eyes. John shook his head.
"We can't leave him. They might not kill him straight away. We could go break him out!" said Mark.
"You don't think I wouldn't do that as soon as I got the news? I'm not there, saving Jake now, because I know he has no chance. They would eliminate all obstacles immediately, including Jake." shouted John.
"You never had hope, John. That was always your problem." Said Mark, shaking his head. "I'm going to save my little brother. If you want to come, I've got plenty of spots available." He stood up and grabbed his equipment. Eleanor stood up to.
"I'm coming to. It's my fault Jake got taken. I have to come." she said. John looked at them.
"You two are crazy." He stood up. "But if there's a chance that Jake is still alive, I'm coming to."
"Great. That's all the positions filled up. Let's go." Said Mark cheerfully.
"You know what your problem always was, Mark? You never take things seriously." Declared John.
"Oh, shut up." Muttered Mark. John grinned. Mark always won everything. 'Not this argument, though, it seems.' Thought John.
