(A/N)
Hello! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I had a major case of writers block. But now I'm back! I'm sure that cliffhanger was probably bugging you. Well, wait no longer! Skip this Authors Note and read!
"Oh, no! Not you too!" he said exasperatedly.
"You know him, too? Who's he?" Magenta stared up at him.
"He used to work for me. He's the strongest of them all."
"Yes, but who is he?" she asked.
"The name's Bostro," the huge man interrupted. "I'm the warden's assistant. And I've brought the warden."
A smaller man stepped out from behind him.
Magenta gasped. "Bill Hawks."
Bill laughed. "I see you've made it so far with prison life. Are you ready to go home?"
I glared at him. "Never."
He was taken aback. "What?"
"The 'home' you describe is more of a prison than actual prison. In other words, I'd much rather stay here than go back with you."
He took a step back, astonished. "How could you say that?" he gasped. Then his eyes widened. He turned to Clive. "What have you done to her? My daughter would never defy me like this!"
I stood up in anger. "I am not your daughter. You kidnapped me! You kidnapped me and killed my family and mistreated me and so much more! I can't stand you!"
Hawks was appalled. "Clive Dove, I know you're behind this! You've turned my daughter against me. When I'm done with the both of you, you'll wish you never existed!"
Clive went pale. I stepped in front of him. "I already do."
He gasped. "You-you are going to pay for saying that!"
"Haven't I paid enough already?"
He backed away, flabbergasted. "How dare you!" he screamed in outrage. He stormed out of the cell and slammed the door.
Clive stared at me. Then he grinned. "Looks like someone learned how to be defiant."
I grinned back. "I guess so." Immediately my smile faded. "Now if only I knew exactly what I just got myself into." I sighed.
"I'm sure it can't be much worse than what you've already been through. Besides, I'll be there for you."
I smiled at him. "Thanks, Clive. You're a good friend."
He shrugged. "I try." He grinned.
I stared up at the ceiling. "I wonder what happened to Seddah. I hope he made it. The poor thing. All he ever wanted was a friend."
Clive tilted his head curiously. "I thought you said he was gone."
"Yeah, I did. But I can never know for sure. I mean, unless he shows up again. But if not, I'll never know for sure."
"Hmm." Clive nodded solemnly.
Then I yawned. "I'm exhausted. I haven't slept for six days. I barely even closed my eyes I was so worried."
"You should get some rest, then. It's not healthy to go so long without resting."
I yawned again. "You're right." I got up and walked to my little corner, pulling my curtain closed. I closed my eyes and immediately fell asleep.
…I was walking down the street, head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone else. I hoped desperately that I wouldn't be noticed as I kept going. But, being me, I was careless. I crashed into somebody.
Looking up, I saw a young boy, about ten. He wore a light blue cap and had light brown hair. He also wore a light blue sweater and olive green shorts. He carried a brown satchel.
The boy peered down at me curiously. "I'm sorry, Miss, are you alright?"
"Uh, yes, I'm fine," I stood up and turned to walk away.
"Hey, wait!" the boy called. "Where are you going?"
I sped up, trying to put as much distance between me and the boy as possible.
The boy ran after me. "Hey! Miss! Slow down, please!"
Then I turned my head. There was a man chasing after the boy. He was wearing a black top hat with an orange stripe. He also wore a dark orange shirt and a black overcoat, with black pants and olive green shoes. "Luke, slow down!" the man called.
The boy did not reply. He just kept chasing me, eventually driving me into a dead end. Terrified, I gasped and turned around to face him.
"Who are you?" the boy asked curiously.
"Uh," I said, having no idea how to answer.
"Come on, we're not going to hurt you."
The man slowed down as he reached the entrance. "Luke, stop. It's obvious that the poor young lady is scared."
The boy turned around. "But Professor," he protested. "This girl may be the key to solving our mystery!"
"Maybe so," the man replied, "But that's no reason to make her feel uncomfortable."
"I'm not trying to make her uncomfortable, Professor."
"I know that, Luke."
I stared at them as they stared at me. "What do you want from me?" I eventually asked.
They did not reply. They just began to fade as the world turned white and their voices echoed incomprehensible words…
