ShadowRose18: fufweufhweufbwpue
Okay, someone prepare my funeral
Last week I got my test results back for my maths test and I did HORRIBLE. Like… seriously, seriously bad. I haven't shown it to my parents yet (they made a rule that I have to show them all my work) but there are two more tests before the end of the term. So I HAVE to get a better mark, otherwise they'll get really mad at me
Plus there are like all these projects due and the electives that finish at the end of the semester will have all these projects/essays/tests AND I'M GOING TO DIE!
It is just before the last week of school, where I shall be dying pretty much every day of it, and I have just managed to write bits and pieces to come up with this chapter. Phew!
So, enjoy and once I get out of school, hopefully I will be able to update a HELL lot faster.
Series: Children of the Red King/ Charlie Bone Series
Author: Jenny Nimmo
Pairings: mainly TancredEmma but a bit of CharlieOlivia and BillyOC
Disclaimer: If I owned COTRK, Charlie probably wouldn't exist and Tancred and Emma would be together already. I also wouldn't have a fanfiction account and wouldn't have wasted hours and hours of day-dreaming the rest of this story. So don't take down my story, 'kay? :)
Chapter 36 – A Prayer For Luck
'You disappointed us,' Letina said, solemnly, glaring at the child in front of her. Rina glanced frequently through the rear view mirror, but still kept her eyes on the road.
'However, it is not all bad, I am surprised to find,' the young woman, however, did not seem surprised.
'You are friends with Hiroshi Sakagawa. Her father is a business partner of ours, and very important,' Letina continued, 'and Billy Raven used to be a spy for the Bloors. He has since stopped, but I'm sure you can convince him to return to his appropriate role,' she smiled evilly, indicating that Dannielle had no choice but to force Billy to betray his friends. The man, Jeretis, made no movement, nor did he speak.
'You are not excused for your disgraceful behaviour, however,' she frowned, turning her face from flawlessly beautiful to ugly.
'I understand…mother,' Dannielle said, unsure how to address the woman in front of her.
'Good, now we have an important dinner function tonight, but once we return we'll make sure you have learnt your lesson,' she said as the car stopped. Rina got out and opened the door. The woman climbed out elegantly, followed by the man. Dannielle, however, sat motionless, gripping the leather seat in her fear.
She didn't have much longer.
Rina walked along the corridors of the empty mansion. Behind her, Jo followed anxiously.
'Are you sure Rina?' she asked as they climbed the stairs silently. Rina nodded solemnly.
On the door of the third room, Rina knocked quietly.
'Come in,' Dannielle's small voice came. Opening the door, Rina found the eight-year-old sitting cross-legged on her bed, holding a photo.
'Rina…?' Dannielle seemed in a bit of a daze.
Rina immediately grabbed the child's hand while Jo opened the cupboard.
'Listen to me, Danni,' Rina said, her face close to the mind reader's surprised one. 'Those two don't need you anymore. They're going to get rid of you tonight, but I'm never going to let that happen. You are going to escape. Jo and I can delay them, but I can't guarantee how long exactly. You need to leave right now,' then turning to the maid, Rina said, 'You found them?'
Jo nodded and shut the door. In her shock, Danni had dropped the photo and Rina now picked it up. Smiling at her were two girls; one about 3 years in age and the other about 7 years old. Rina's eyes widened as Dannielle changed into dark clothing.
'I found it in one of my old backpacks. Do you know who they are?' Dannielle asked, oblivious.
'Y-Yeah,' Rina said, staring at the photo sadly. 'It's you and your older sister.'
Dannielle looked at the horizon where the sun had just set. The cold air surrounded her; her breath coming out in little white puffs.
Flashback
'Whatever you do, do not stop! If you stop, they'll catch you, they'll find you. Do not stop and do not come back,' Rina's eyes looked sternly at Dannielle.
End flashback
Dannielle gripped the bag that was slung on her shoulder.
Flashback
'Stay safe and do what you believe is right. A bird shouldn't be caged. Birds should be free to fly in the sky,' Rina said, holding Dannielle close. 'Don't let yourself be caged.'
End flashback
'I won't be caged Rina. I promise,' Dannielle whispered, looking back at the grey mansion and the black stretched limousine that was exiting the driveway.
As the car turned the corner, Dannielle turned and ran towards the city.
'And I won't let you be caged either,' Dannielle thought determinedly.
'How was the evening, sir, madam?' Rina asked politely as the couple entered the car.
'Pitiful. Those so called "executives" had no manners at all,' the lady huffed. She was wearing an elegant black dress and a white fur coat over. Her hair was pinned up in an elegant way, while expensive jewellery adorned her pale skin.
The man was silent, in his seemingly perfect suit and unaffected slicked back hair.
'I-I see,' Rina stammered and began to drive home, silent prayers in her head.
'Brat! Come down here at once!' The woman snapped once they had entered the home. There was silence. The woman was setting down her bag, the man taking off his tie and Rina had her eyes closed, her concentration focussed outside.
'Brat!' The woman yelled again, annoyed that Dannielle hadn't immediately answered and come down.
'Where is that atrocious child?!' The woman growled, climbing the stairs.
Slamming the door open, she found an empty room. Dannielle wasn't there. Her bed was made up, and everything seemed in order.
'Rina!' The woman spun around. 'Where is she?'
'I do not know ma'am. I went to pick you up from the dinner function,' Rina answered, as if it were a prepared speech.
'JO!' The woman roared; her anger was at its peak. If she found Dannielle now, the poor child would have no hope.
'Yes, madam?' Jo answered, appearing in the doorway a few moments later.
'Where is the child?' The woman asked angrily.
Jo seemed to realise that they were in Dannielle's room and then answered innocently, 'I thought she was in her room. I'm sorry madam.'
The woman's eyes flared up. Rina stepped in front of Jo.
'It is not her fault madam,' Rina answered, silently praying that they wouldn't find Dannielle.
Seething in her anger, the woman stormed downstairs. She searched every room in the giant mansion and looked out in the garden as well. By the time she finished her hair was a large mess, her high-heeled shoes were covered in dirt and her make-up was smudged in various places.
'She's run away, that brat!' Letina screeched. Jeretis was still as emotionless as before.
'Jeretis! Do something!' She screamed. Jeretis closed his eyes, while she glared at him, breathing deeply
Jeretis, his eyes closed, put his left hand to the left side of his face and then pulled the hand across to the right.
Opening his eyes, he grinned evilly, strangely different. Turning to the woman, he bowed politely.
'I must say, dear, you do look distressed,' Jeretis said, smiling, rather amused.
'Now is not the time Referal!' Letina snapped.
'Oh~?' Jeretis/Referal asked, coming close to her. 'Is that what you really want?' he asked, his hand under her chin, tilting it back.
'Urgh! I married you for a reason, Referal, now do what you were supposed to!' she snapped, pushing him away.
'Find the child, is it?' asked Referal, sighing and straightening his suit.
'Yes, now be quick!' Letina cried, already plotting all the punishments she would give to the "ungrateful brat".
'Oh no,' Rina whispered her eyes full of fright. Jo turned to her, her heart aflutter.
'What's wrong, Rina?' Jo asked, biting her lip and glancing at the man who had suddenly changed.
'It's Referal. Jeretis' second side. He's a powerful magician. He'll be able to find Danni!' Rina whispered, biting her lip hard and clenching her hands into tight, anxious fists.
'What do you mean second side?!' Jo cried looking at Referal who appeared to be concentrating.
'Jeretis is endowed as well. He has a nice, kind side, Jeretis. But he also has an angry, evil side, Referal. Referal will kill Dannielle!' Rina gripped her upper arms, horrible images flashing through her mind.
'The child is near the cathedral at the present moment,' Referal said, opening his eyes.
'Let's go. Now. Rina!' Letina called and began to march out the door.
Rina whispered something to Jo who, although fearful, nodded and entered the kitchen.
As they approached the car, which was parked directly in front of the front gate, Letina hit some sort of invisible wall.
'What blasphemy is this?!' Letina shrieked.
'Sorry, but I can't let you follow her.'
The two, Letina and Referal, turned to see the usually timid and gentle Rina looking fiercely determined.
Realising what Rina was doing, Letina screamed out in rage.
'You traitor! After all these years and you dare defy us?!' Letina yelled. Referal seemed amused, likely to the fact that Rina was risking her life to do this.
Rina, however, appeared calm. Silently, she pulled out a short metal pole which she pulled out to extend.
Jo appeared, shakily carrying a metal frying pan. She seemed scared, and nervous, but at the same time determined.
'JO?!' Letina was shocked.
'I – I won't let you hurt that poor child anymore!' Jo cried, tears sliding down her face.
'You are both making a big mistake,' Referal said sighing.
Rina looked at him, her eyes serious.
'No I'm not,' she said, 'I am making the best decision I have ever made in a very long time.'
Mr. Sakagawa was reading his annual financial reports when his secretary's voice came through the speaker of the phone.
'Mr. Sakagawa? It is Ms. Letina. She wishes to speak to you. She claims it is of utmost importance,' the secretary said.
'I see, put her through then,' the man said.
Appearing as a slightly overweight 35-year-old business man with a balding head and thick eyebrows, Mr. Sakagawa smoked a cigar as he put away his reports.
'WATARU!' Letina's voice blasted through the speaker, making the smoking man jump slightly in his chair.
'Good lord Letina, whatever could be the matter?' the man asked, crushing his cigar.
'That rebellious brat of ours has run away! And we're trapped in our mansion!' Letina cried.
'What do you mean trapped?' the man edged forward, curious.
'One of our servants, Rina Rewald, unknown to us until just now, is endowed. She is attached to the child and can create shields. She has created one around our house and will not drop it, no matter how hard we beat her!' Letina shrieked.
'So you want me to find the child?' Mr. Sakagawa asked calmly, seemingly knowledgeable as to how to deal with the crazed woman.
'YES!' Letina cried. 'Get that "special force" of yours to find the wretched child. The shield will probably drop soon, but the child goes further away by the second! We must catch her immediately!' they seemed to be losing connection.
'Very well. I owe you anyway, so I shall find this child of yours. I will contact you when I have caught her,' Mr. Sakagawa answered, hanging up before Letina could answer.
Pressing a button on the phone, the secretary answered.
'Yes, sir?'
'Call the Xader Force. We have a mission,' he said, settling back in his chair. 'We meet in the courtyard in five minutes.'
'It is 10:30 sir, the Xader Force are asleep. They may take a little longer than five minutes,' the secretary replied.
'Yes, yes, I know. Just get them to go as soon as humanly possible,' the man snapped.
'Yes, sir,' the secretary replied meekly and hung up.
The man took another cigar out of his pocket and lit it up. After a moment, he pressed the button once more.
'Yes, sir?' the secretary answered.
Speaking with his cigar in his mouth, he said: 'Connect me to my son.'
The phone rang twice before a small voice answered, 'Yes?'
'Boy, we have a mission. The daughter of the Morens has run away. Come to the courtyard in two minutes,' the man said.
'Yes, father,' the voice answered.
Hiroshi put down the phone. Lowering her eyelids, she smiled just the slightest bit.
'Dannielle Moren…huh?' She gave a soft, short chuckle as she pulled on a black coat. 'I guess you took my advice.'
Looking out the window to the moon, she sighed.
'Birds aren't meant to be caged. Those that are lose the ability to fly,' she smiled wishfully. 'Keep pecking at that lock and maybe, just maybe, it'll break open and you can fly once more.'
ShadowRose18: It. Is. Finally. Done. (Dies)
Okay, it is like… midnight and I've been sleeping late for the past like… 4 weeks, so my eyes are about to close, but it is finally finished! Phew!
Before I forget: this chapter is dedicated to xRhia for writing an awesome story "Premonition", which she needs to update!!! :'(
Sadly, since Fanfiction is a tard face, I can't put in links, so look for the story Premonition by xRhia and read it and review the latest chapter so that she can update and I can read the next chapter! (Takes deep breath).
Anyway, now I sleep because I have a full day of studying tomorrow for the end of semester maths test D: And finish like…three projects T.T
Well, maybe I'll read Pride and Prejudice first (I'm going to study it soon)
…
CAN'T BE BOTHERED! (Falls asleep)