Nope. Still don't own Nightshade.

~Chapter Four: A Choice~

~Mason~

I couldn't stop fidgeting from where I stood against the wall. I was sore from last night but far too used to it by now. The screams still echoed from the other side of the door. Emile had left me that morning stating that I should go home, that I'd been here long enough and didn't need to return until I was called. I hadn't left yet. I couldn't say why.

It was already late afternoon and the Searcher boy had been brought up in the early morning hours. I had waited all morning. No one had entered and no one had left but the screams had never stopped. Finally, the door opened. Efron barely gave me a glance as he stormed down the hall, leaving the door wide open.

"Mason," Lumine called in a soft voice. "Please, come."

I stiffened but obeyed, bracing myself for the sight of the boy. He hung limply from the hook, still in chains, even more bruised, even bloodier, and even weaker. His dark hair hung over his closed eyes. He opened them just enough to get a glimpse of me before he gave up and hung limply again. Emile stood leaned against the wall, grinning like a madman. Lumine, however, was very calm. She smiled at me, showing her perfect teeth. Her hair was pulled back into a tight, perfect bun, her bony pale hands resting on my shoulder. I swallowed and cast a curious look towards Emile only to be ignored. His eyes were glued on Neville, dark and greedy.

"Dear Mason," Lumine purred. "You've stayed. Weren't you allowed to leave?"

I nodded, "Yes, Mistress. I decided to stay." Realizing I needed a reason, I stammered, "I…I consider the Searcher my responsibility."

Her gaze moved towards Emile. She rolled her eyes at the Keeper, "Emile, really, I thought you a more patient man."

"I am patient. I gave you three days." He stood and began to circle the Searcher, "You only have a day left. And you know he won't give in to your methods. He's proven that very well for one so young," he curled his finger under the boy's chin making me fight the urge not to slap his hand away. Neville whimpered but didn't move. Emile sighed and turned to Lumine, "Why don't you let me, Mistress? I promise you, I can make him not only speak but beg. What is stopping you?"

Lumine looked over Neville for a long moment. "Tomorrow, Emile," she replied distantly. "Tomorrow you may have your way. For tonight, I wish to retire to my quarters."

"Thank you, My Lady. Let me escort you," my Keeper grinned. He held the door for her and let her pass. He merely glanced at me as he ordered, "Take the boy to his cell. In the morning at dawn bring him to my quarters."

I nodded once, "I will."

He shut the door with a loud and final bang. I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding and began to pace. The thought of Emile having Neville-my Searcher—at his will sickened me. Was I really going to sit here and let this happen to him? I knew he was a Searcher, but…no one deserved that.

What are you thinking, Mason? If you do actually manage to save him from here who is going to save you from them?

A weak voice ripped me from my thoughts. "Please…"

"Shh," I went to him, lowering him from the hook and cradling him against my chest. "Quiet. Quiet…"

He fell silent besides the occasional whimper as I led him down the halls and to the cells. I entered alone and set him carefully down in his cell. The man in the neighboring cell was one I'd met before and didn't particularly enjoy the presence of. Shay pushed himself to the bars and watched as I retrieved the chains from the wall.

"He's a boy, a child," Shay shook his head. "Why must you chain him?"

I paused looking at the Searcher. He seemed so much more a warrior than Neville. I looked away back towards the small boy. "I do what the Keepers order. Nothing more."

"Will you always? Forever be a slave to them?" His voice was mocking and I growled at the man. He didn't falter. He simply went on, "It is the truth. Sometimes I think you Guardians don't have minds of your own. You let the Keepers think for you all the time."

I snarled, "Are you saying we don't have minds? Let me remind you, I'm not the one rotting in a cell."

"No, not at all. You are very smart, cunning, excellent warriors. You make decisions for yourselves only in battle, though. The Keepers command you. You are nothing but their little pets."

"I am no pet!" I screamed at him. "I think for myself. I act on my own will."

His eyes held my own, his voice soft, "Is that why you let that Keeper claim you every night?"

I fell silent. Even the damned prisoners knew. The Guardians all judged me now. Their eyes followed me down every hall. They saw it as a weakness, maybe felt pity towards me. My own pack was beginning to see how it hurt me. I glanced down at Neville, seeing the limp and fragile human. My voice was softer than I'd meant for. "You care more for him than any other Searcher I've brought down here. Why?"

"He's a child," Shay replied after a moment. "I don't see how you don't feel the same way for one so young."

My eyes narrowed on his. "And how do you know I don't?"

The Searcher faltered, not knowing what to say. He moved his gaze to Neville and whispered, "You don't want to do this, do you?"

"It doesn't matter either way. I am under the Keepers and have sworn my loyalty to them. I am bound."

"You care for Nev…" he whispered. His eyes met mine again, noticing how I held the chains but made no move towards the boy. "How can you stand there watching them torture him and not do a thing about it?"

My cheeks flushed in anger, "There is nothing I can do for him."

"You could save him."

I was quiet, unable to move.

"You are a Guardian nonetheless. You are strong, a fierce warrior, smart, brave. If anyone could…it'd be you," the Searcher went on. "You have a choice, Guardian. If you free us, if you save him, you will be welcome with the Searchers."

I looked away from him. Other Searchers were now at the bars of their cells, craning to hear. I looked away from them all and down at the chains in my hand. People assumed chains as restraints, a prison in which you are kept. Not all chains were visible though. Sometimes you were just never told the better ending, the other side to the story. That alone could become a chain.

"You have a choice. Make the right one."

I dropped the chain and it rang out through the corridor. "Swear to me. Swear to me that I won't regret this."

Shay was silent, his eyes bright. "If we make it out of here," he said, "I swear to you that you'll never want to come back."

I looked around at all the faces, all the pleading eyes. I looked down at the now unconscious boy I'd brought here. I owed him that much. I took a deep breath, "Then let's get out of here before I change my mind."

Author's Note: Thanks for reading and please review for my sake! Please? I hope you guys like it so far and I promise the Nev/Mason relationship will start soon. Promise.

As always, the more reviews the faster the next chapter is posted. P.S.-The next chapter is also already written SO if everyone who reads reviews I will post it as early as tomorrow ;) *wink, wink*