OUTING

Terry whispered in Isabel's ear, "I still can't believe that you invited him to tag along!" as they crept out of the dojo and out of the fish market. Zander followed them closely, still looking slightly confused and reluctant.

Isabel shrugged and explained, "I really want desperately to have some fun outside. He would never allow that if he doesn't come with us."

"Didn't you go out when you left to live with your dad?"

She replied softly, "I was really depressed after Daniel's funeral. So I focused on my training."

Terry took her hand in his and squeezed, saying encouragingly, "Well, we'd better treasure the time we have. Let's go to my favourite place in Gotham!"

Isabel and Zander followed Terry to a club. Terry borrowed a cap and shades from one of the girls waiting in line into the club. Isabel quickly put them on, hoping that no one would recognise her as Selene. Zander stared curiously at Isabel's disguise and she merely said, "Occupational hazard."

Terry got them a few cocktails and Isabel couldn't help but smile as she remembered when she used to party with her fellow celebrity friends. It had been a long time since she went out in public as Selene after the funeral.

She sipped the sweet concoction as Zander inspected the drink with caution.

Terry laughed and asked, "Have you never tried a cocktail?" Zander frowned and shook his head.

Terry joked, "What world do you live in?"

Zander replied, "I am not allowed to go out often. I come from a strict...family."

Isabel nudged him and suggested, "Well, you should thoroughly enjoy tonight then!" Terry moved to the bar to grab snacks and she led him to the dancefloor, moving to the heavy beat from the loud music. Zander stood still, gawking at her. She took his hands and tried to guide him to dance.

Zander questioned, "What are you doing?"

She smiled and replied, "Dancing! Just let your body follow the music! It's really fun!" He merely stared at her, refusing to move. The song suddenly changed to a familiar song by Selene Beckinsale.

The crowd cheered in delight and all did the dance she did in the music video by heart. Isabel couldn't help herself but join in. Zander's eyes were glued to her body which moved so smoothly and gracefully.

Isabel did the moves for her own song so well that she became the centre of attention of the dancing crowd.

It wasn't long before someone in the crowd recognised her and shouted, "Hey! She's Selene!" After that, the crowd screamed and rushed towards her.

Zander's fingers rolled into fists, ready to take them down if he had to. She grabbed Zander's hands and ran out of the club with him. The crowd followed persistently, but they were able to hide in a narrow corner to avoid them.

As the crowd left to search for them, Isabel let go of his hand. He gave her a confused stare and asked, "Why did the people chase you?"

She repeated, "Occupational hazard. Besides, where's Terry?"

Zander didn't answer but continued to stare and fumble for something in his pocket. She turned her back on him to look around for Terry and suddenly felt rather drowsy and felt numbness spread in her body. Her legs gave way and Zander picked her up in bridal position.

She mouthed, "What's happening?"

Zander replied softly, "You're under a short sleeping spell. I just need to take you home." Isabel's eyelids shut as she felt all her strength leave her.

When she woke up, she found herself in a huge comfy bed in a spacious room which was fit for a royal princess. The bed and sheets were incredibly soft and she realised that she was wearing a silky white gown with a golden metal belt around her waist.

She got out of bed slowly, still feeling the effects of the spell slightly. She walked towards the locked doors and pulled with all her might. However, the door didn't move. She knew her strength was gone.

She searched in her mind for Brainiac and was relieved to hear Brainiac's cool voice report, "There is a spell causing you to lose your Kryptonian traits."

The lock clicked and Zander stepped in. Zander was dressed like a Pharaoh with a white tunic and a golden hem. She ran towards the door, but Zander gripped her wrist tightly and pulled her back.

Zander ordered, "Stay! I need to talk to you." For some reason, her body stopped resisting under his command.

Her eyes widened and she growled, "What did you do to me?"

He touched her cheek and replied, "Don't worry. I won't use my influence on you unless you force me to."

"Influence? You put a spell on me, didn't you?"

"Yes, it's only temporary until the ceremony."

"Ceremony?"

"Our wedding."

"WHAT? You're crazy!"

"You're fit to be my bride as you beat me in battle. This is the prophecy from the elders."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am the crowned king of the Kobra."

Isabel cried, "What is wrong with you? How can you just kidnap me to marry me? Are you crazy? I definitely will not marry you!"

He frowned and replied coolly, "After tomorrow night's transformation, you will have to be my bride. Don't worry, you won't be the only one. As a matter of act, I should introduce you to your future "sister"."

Isabel struggled as he pulled her towards the door and he whispered in her ear, "Stop struggling! Follow me." Her body obeyed instantly against her will. They reached a heavily guarded door and heard wretched screams from the room.

Zander asked, "What's going on?"

The guard reported, "She's refusing to eat and throwing a tantrum." He sighed as the guards opened the door.

A slim figure pounced towards Zander with immense speed, but stopped as Zander roared, "STOP!" Isabel saw the shabby girl with black wavy hair and green cat-eyes glaring at Zander.

Zander touched the girl's cheek and said soothingly, "Helena, you will soon learn to stay by my side willingly."

Isabel saw the pain in the girl's eyes and knew that she wanted desperately to move away from his touch.

Zander continued, "Helena, my dear, from today on, you have a new sister, Isabel." Zander guided both of them into the room which looked identical to her previous room and locked the door as he left.

Helena slumped onto the floor as he left and curled into a ball. Isabel glanced at the disheveled girl on the ground and asked worriedly, "Helena, are you ok?" The other girl stayed silent and began to tremble slightly.

Isabel moved closer and repeated, "Helena?" Helena looked so helpless that Isabel pitied her. She hugged her torso, comforting the spooked Helena. Helena seemed surprised by the initial contact but quickly welcomed the warmth.

Isabel observed the girl hanging tightly to her and guessed that she was at most probably a few years older than her.

Helena suddenly spoke, "How did you get caught by him?"

Isabel recalled, "Well, I had no idea that he was a psycho and was partying with a friend and him. Then he just attacked me from behind."

Helena retracted from the embrace and stared hard at her from head to toe, stating, "You don't look like a fighter at all. How did you beat him?"

Isabel was slightly offended by this and replied coolly, "Nor do you."

Helena smiled at the comment and continued, "You actually remind me of someone. Wait, aren't you that singer Selene Beckinsale?" Isabel nodded.

Helena stated, amused, "Who knew that a girl like you knows how to fight?"

Isabel noticed the slight contempt behind her statement and raised her eyebrows.

Helena said darkly, "No offense. Not a fan of your music. You've got skills. It's just that I find it difficult to connect with fairytale princesses because my life is so screwed up. You don't understand. I've been kidnapped by this jackass for 3 months."

"3 months? I haven't heard anything about a missing girl on the news."

Helena smiled sadly and stated, "I have lived alone ever since my mom died when I was 8. I taught myself how to fight and protect myself. I beat that psycho and ended up here. And now I'm..."

Helena put a hand to her mouth as if she was going to throw up. She panted heavily as she put a hand over her stomach.

Isabel saw the signs and stammered, "A...are you pregnant?"

Helena smiled weakly and replied sadly, "Yes, and it's that bastard's."

Isabel hated Zander deeply for forcing something like that on a helpless girl. She held Helena's hand and promised, "We'll get out of this, I swear. We're going to escape."

Helena looked away and said softly, "It's useless. Once he says an order, our bodies are enchanted to obey instantly."

Isabel suggested confidently, "Come on, we beat him once before. We just need to take him down before he utters a single word."

Helena reminded her, "Yes, I did. However, ever since he put that spell on me, my strength has left me completely. There's no way to defeat him."

Isabel shook her head and stated, "No, we just need to have a better plan to beat him."

Helena looked straight into Isabel's clear blue eyes and smiled, saying, "You really are an optimist." A plan formed between them. Isabel already contacted Terry through Brainiac for help.

There was a knock on the door and Zander announced, "Time to go to your room, Isabel." Helena gave Isabel a worried glance as Isabel followed Zander out of the room.

Isabel walked to her room in silence. As they entered her room, she noticed Zander lock the door behind them.

She backed away from him quickly, but he ordered calmly, "Don't move." She stood still as Zander advanced slowly and caressed her cheek.

Isabel's heart thumped loudly in her chest and wondered whether what happened to Helena would happen to her.

Zander picked her up with ease and placed her on the bed gently. Her whole body trembled and

Zander stroked her arm and soothed, "Don't be scared. I won't hurt you."

She mouthed, "Please..."

Zander climbed on to the bed on top of her and kissed her gently on the forehead, saying, "You'll grow to love me."

Her heart raced and she felt tears falling down her cheek, soaking the pillow. For some reason, the thought of Terry brought tears to her eyes. Zander looked troubled as he saw her swollen eyes.

He moved away from her and said, "You won't reject me after tomorrow's ceremony." After that, he left the room.

Isabel had chills running down her spine as she thought about the ceremony that Helena told her about. During the ceremony, the bride would be fused irreversibly with cobra DNA.