The sound of heavy, clanking footsteps was what finally brought me back to consciousness. I lifted my head lazilly, and squinted my eyes. I was in a cell similar to my old one, with rock walls and floor, but that was where the similarities ended.

I was lying on a soft, black blanket atop a firm mattress with matching pillows. There were blue and purple rugs on the floor, and a desk off to one side. There was a radio on the desk, along with some pencils, pens, a sketchpad, and a laptop. What the…?

The door was the same, but now the crystals were blue. I sat up, more awake now. I was wearing soft, black sweats and a tank-top, and I gagged. Oh god, who changed me!? I hoped it wasn't Douxie.

The footsteps passed my cell and moved on, to some other prisoner by my guess. I stood and clutched my head, my vision blurring for a moment. I could see fine again, so I slowly walked to the desk.

There was a paper on top of the lap-top, and I cautiously picked it up. Neat, but quick handwriting was across most of the page, but I didn't recognize it.

Skye,

I know how bad this looks, but I can explain. I know you probably don't want anything to do with me, and I understand. But you have to know this. Gunmar is attacking Arcadia in five days.

Im sorry this happened, but I couldn't blow my cover. I had to make them think I was still loyal. I'm so sorry for bringing you to this horrible place, and I hope you realize I did it to help.

Only the Trollhunters can stop Gunmar, especially now that he is more powerful than ever. I left a secret key in a box under the mattress, you just have to touch the crystals and the door will open.

Please, Skye. You need to save the others. You are literally mankind's last hope. I know this is a lot to take in, but you must work fast.

I'm so sorry for everything, and I hope you can forgive me. I miss you so much and I'm so happy we had that time together. I probably won't leave this place alive, Gunmar is very observant. He will find out I'm not loyal, I just hope you are safe by then so I can stick it in his nasty one-eyed face.

I know this isn't really the most romantic place or time, but you're the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm sorry.

-Douxie

I stared in shock at the paper. What!? But- I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't believe it. This was just another trick to scare me into giving him what they wanted. Even though it seemed sincere, I couldn't be tricked by it.

But, there was a part of me that wanted to check under the mattress, just in case. I put the paper in my pocket and hurried to the bed, and lifted it.

Sure enough, a small black box was sitting on the stone not too far to reach. I picked it up and slowly put the bed down, and sat on it. Holding the box, I slowly unclasped it and opened the lid. Inside was a small, blue crystal similar to the ones at the door. It looked familiar to a ring-pop, because of the ring attached to the bottom.

I picked it up and turned it over in my hand, and felt the smooth, heavy material. It was about five pounds and very sturdy. I stood, placing the box on the bed and walked over to the door. Slowly, I reached out my hand with the key and pressed it to the door.

A soft squealing noise made me jerk, but I kept the key on the crystal. The door opened quickly, and I poked my head out. I slowly took the key off, and the door instantly closed. Huh.

Why would he help me? Unless… the note was sincere. Unless Douxie was telling the truth, and he was really a spy. I did but didn't want to believe it. Why would he attack me then? Why not turn on them then?

I rubbed my temple, confused. I looked up again. The door was still, no electricity coursed through it. I turned on my heel and walked to the desk, and noticed some clothes on the chair for the first time. I took them, and changed.

I was wearing a black t-shirt with some tight jeans. Wonder where they got the clothes, I dismissed the thought. I walked to the desk and hesitated, before tearing out a piece of paper and grabbing a pencil.

By the time I was done, I had a cold, hard resolution. I would leave. I would get the info to Blinky. I would save the others. I grabbed the laptop and opened the door.

With a final inward glance, I exited, the key leaving the door. Glancing down the hall, I realized I was nearly at the end of it. There was only one more cell before the end of the corridor. With a shrug, I quietly jogged down to the end of the hall.

Reaching the end, I paused before peering out. Empty. I looked back and forth one more before hurrying down to the left. I passed many cells, only a few were full. " Hey!" I stopped and looked over to my left. Jim was clutching the crystals on his door.

" Jim!" I exclaimed quietly. He was still in his armour and had dirt smeared across his face. Running over, I touched his crystal with the key and it opened. Jim gave me an impressed and surprised look. "Where did you get that?" I shook my head.

" It doesn't matter, we need to find the others." Nodding slightly, Jim turned right and sprinted down the hallway. Stumbling, I hurried after him.

We passed many other cells before Jim stopped. We were back where the doors were orange, so I figured my key wouldn't work, but I tried anyway. I pulled it out from my pocket and touched the orange door.

Nothing.

Jim leaned into the door, not quite touching it. " Claire?" He whispered. " Jim? Is that you?" I heard Claire's scratchy voice reply. She stood up and walked into the light so we could see her. She looked the same, only a little more dirty.

" I can't believe it! Are you okay? Are you hurt? If they hurt you I'm going to kill that son of a-" Claire held up a hand to quiet Jim's rambling. " I'm okay," She assured him. They stared at each other for a tender moment, before I shoved the laptop at Jim.

" Hold this, and stay here. I'm going to get a key." Jim nodded and looked back at Claire.

Rolling my eyes, I hurried down the hall. Right before I reached the end, three guards came behind the bend. We all stopped and stared at each other, before one guard raised his spear and charged.

The others followed in hot pursuit their weapons raised as well. My eyes widened and I turned, sprinting back to Jim. " Look out!" I shrieked as I reached him. Jim turned and gasped, nearly dropping the computer. I took it from his hands and held it in front of my chest.

Uhg! Where is my amulet? A large sword appeared in Jim's hands, and he let out a wordless yell. Raising his arms high, he ran at the three trolls. I only hesitated a second before chasing after him.

Jim dispatched one easily, his blade slicing right through its stomach and turning it to stone. The second dodged his attack before getting impaled in the chest. I ran up to the third and slapped it across the face with the laptop, again, and again, and again.

Finally Jim came up and sliced through its abdomen, turning it to stone. I turned and frowned. " That one was mine!" Jim smirked. " What were you gonna do, slap him to death?"

" Maybe," I mumbled. Jim burst out laughing and I smiled. Picking up a spear, I strode over to Claire's cell and opened it. The shadow sorceress burst out and into Jim's arms, her shoulders shaking.

She sobbed into his shoulder, and Jim stroked her hair. I turned, feeling sick. Everything seemed to remind me of Douxie. I didn't know why! I didn't want to think about him right now, didn't need to. I needed to get out of this place. After a few minutes, Claire's sobbing stopped and I felt a hand on my shoulder, again reminding me of the wizard.

I threw it off aggressively, my mind caught up. I turned to see a hurt look on Claire's face. " Sorry, I'm just really jumpy." I lied. She nodded, and took Jim's hand. My mind flashed back to the Hero's Forge, and how he had reprimanded Douxie about giving me a flower. I turned and clenched my fists. " Lets go. We need to find Toby." My voice was cold and hard.

" I know where he is, follow me." Claire stated, running in front of me. Jim passed me too and grabbed her hand again. We walked at a brisk pace, never pausing when random prisoners called out to us.

Reaching a cell, I inserted the spear which I had kept. The orange crystals opened quickly, and Toby slowly stepped out. " It's you! I can't believe it! Jimbo!" He exclaimed, running up to Jim and hugging the Trollhunter. Jim laughed and hugged his friend back.

Claire joined in and the three of them hugged each other. I stood about five feet away, my head down. I just felt so lonely. A hand touched mine. I looked up to see Claire pulling me towards them with a smile.

I gratefully followed and joined in, warm hands on my back. We stood that way for a minute, before we finally broke apart. I stepped backwards, and pulled the spear from the keyhole. " We should get going."

Everyone else nodded in agreement. We began to walk again, all of us talking and even joking. Crazy how people can find good in the worst. Sometimes, I can't even find the good in the good, but these people are amazing at it. They joke, and smile, and laugh together.

I let the three of them do the talking, mostly responding with small chuckles and nods. We walked through the halls, not passing any guards. After a while, a strange feeling enveloped me.

Where were all the guards? The other prisoners? All of the cells were quiet and empty. " Guys, be quiet for a moment." The talk quieted immediately. We stood in silence for a minute, before I lifted a foot to walk. But right as my foot hit the rocky floor, an agonized scream made me stumble. I turned around but Jim, Claire, and Toby were all standing there, fine. The scream came again, this time it cracked in the middle.

I looked forwards again and winced as the screams echoed in my mind. I gasped as a voice accompanied the screaming. " Quiet down, traitor! You tried to free them! I always hated your master… now I'll kill you too!" I recognized the deep voice from when I fought Douxie. Oh no, they found him out! I thought at the same time Jim growled.

" Gunmar."

A scared impulse made me jump as the others walked up beside me. " We- we have to help him!" I gasped as Douxie screamed again. " We don't even know who 'he' is!" Toby protested. I shook my head. " It's… it's Douxie! He's being tortured!" I looked down the hall from where the voices echoed.

The others gave me incredulous looks. " But- he brought us here!" Toby yelped. Jim nodded. " Is it really a good idea to save him? I mean-" He added at my shocked look. " he did bring us here. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

My eyes opened wide. Wha- The note! I realized. I shoved my hand into my pocket and pulled it out, smoothing it in my hands. " I- I found this in my cell before I escaped. He gave me the key…" I handed the paper to Jim. The others crowded over his shoulders and read it.

I looked away, tears brimming in my eyes. They wanted to let him die. Hopefully the note would convince them to help me…. I would go with or without their help. I decided that the second I left my cell. I would try to help him. We all could leave this place.

" Skye… we had no idea…" Jim said. I sniffed and wiped my eyes. " You didn't want to think he was on the good side. You knew there was a chance."

I heard Claire gasp. " But- you're the one who fought him! We saw all of it!" I turned. " But, I told you to run!" Toby shrugged.

" We were gonna help you, but we got caught! And obviously we weren't going to leave you!"

" Skye, why did you attack him if you thought he was on the good side?" Jim asked. I hesitated.

" Because- because I didn't think he was. I felt betrayed. I was hot headed. But when I saw this, I realized what was actually happening." The others looked at me, their faces hard to read. Toby looked around. " Wait, do you guys hear that?" We all went silent. " No…?" Claire said. No noise… oh no… " Douxie," I gasped.

A sick feeling of dread and fear overcame me. My eyes wide, I turned on my toes and sprinted, my feet slipping slightly on the floor. " Skye, wait!" I ignored Jim and kept running.

My heart was going a mile a minute.

My eyes were shaking.

My breathing was ragged.

My mind was racing.

I had to find him.