Here's the new chapter! I'm starting school again soon, but I'm going to try and keep as consistent with my updates until this story is finished! I'm determined. Thanks everyone who has been helping me along in this process, my beta readers, and my faithful reviews, also to those who offer their support by just reading. Thanks so much!
Enjoy!
Chapter 23: Oblivion
Sofia walked slowly beside her stepmother, holding her hand as Vlad led them away from the room of torture. He was told not to carry the woman back to the cell, but it was permissible for her to lean on him since it would make the return trip faster. Anya's shoulder slumped as each step jarred her frail body. There were no visible injuries, but her haggard expression revealed the pain she endured.
Salty tears stained Sofia's face. Her throat was dry and hoarse from screaming and begging the witch to stop. She wasn't sure how long they were in there; it had to have been hours though. Vasilia was relentless in her ministrations on Anya, while Sofia was forced to watch. Her head had been locked into place by some sort of spell, and she couldn't close her eyes, except to blink, as she witnessed the atrocity. She pleaded countless times for the witch to stop, crying out that she'd give her the amulet, but Vasilia would not listen to her cries and continued assaulting Anya, saying that it was Sofia's punishment for not giving her the amulet sooner.
When they got back to their original cell block, Vlad forcefully pushed Sofia into her cell, causing the small, exhausted girl to fall to her hands and knees. He was a little gentler (if you could call it that) with the woman who had just endured hours of torture; instead of pushing her, he walked her into the cell and released her. Because Anya was so weak, she collapsed on the floor in a heap and Anastassia came running to her side. Vlad swiftly exited the cell and closed the door with a loud clang, giving the family a stone cold stare through the bars. He then turned away from them and lumbered up the stairs and out of the dungeon.
Anastassia helped her mother roll over onto her back and gingerly touched the woman's cheek. Anya's breath was shallow as she tried to sit up. Her daughter shook her head. "No, you rest now."
Ian crawled over to her and cuddled up next to her. Anya smiled weakly at her children before she lay back on the floor and closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling slightly with her breath.
Sofia was paralyzed from shock; unable to tear her gaze away from the dirt, uncontrollable shivers wracking her body as she was unable to comprehend what was going on around her.
"Sofia," Anastassia called.
Sofia heard nothing more than warbled noise as if she were underwater. There was a faint ringing in her ears and she could only hear the sound of her own heartbeat and shallow breathing. Another warbled sound reverberated inside her waterlogged brain; distant clanging followed the muddy speech. Sofia leaned on her hand and turned herself around so that she sat on the cold dirt. She glanced to her right and saw a blurry vision of her little sister pounding on the prison bars. Sofia tried to focus, but her brain felt like it was doing loops. She blinked sleepily and slowly rocked her head back and forth before she collapsed onto the dirt, everything fading from her senses.
—
Sofia awoke a few hours later. Her mind still felt foggy but it was nothing compared to the incapacitating feeling she had experienced before. She sat up slowly and looked over at her family, cuddled together in a heap with a few blankets between them and the hard dirt as well as one that was draped over them. Sofia scooted backwards until her back was against the wall and then hugged her legs to her chest. What she would give to hold her own mother again; and father, and Amber and James. They must be coming for her soon. Exhaustion overcame her body and her eyelids began to droop. Almost immediately, horrific images from the seemingly endless hours in the other room flooded her brain again. Anya's body heaving and contorting as Vasilia stood there with a grimacing smile on her face, as if she was watching a cockroach writhe in pain. The ragged screams of her step-mother rang in her hears like clanging cymbals, too loudly for any other thoughts to break through. Sofia jolted her eyes open and rocked herself back and forth, trying to stay awake.
"Go away. Go away, go away, go away!" she whispered, trying to calm herself. She tried to think of anything else-Amber, James, Dad, Mom-but the images stayed the same in her mind, and whomever she thought about would end up taking Anya's place in the horrific memory. She put her hands on either side of her head. "No, no, no, no, no! Please stop; make it stop!" Sofia whimpered as tears fell from her eyes.
A distinguishable click sounded from the dungeon door. Delicate, echoing footfalls padded on the stone stairs as Vasilia stalked down into the cellar. She raised an eyebrow and smirked when she saw the young girl. Sofia didn't hear any of it as she continued steadily rocking and muttering to herself. Vasilia walked over to Sofia's cell and cocked her head at the child. The poor thing had no idea she was even there. A wicked smirk spread across her face. This is what she was hoping for.
"Sofia, you know this is your fault, right?" the woman said, examining her fingernails.
Sofia neither ceased her movement nor acknowledged if she had heard the sorceress. Vasilia raised an annoyed eyebrow at the girl. "Ugh, you're of no used to me if all you're going to do is sit there and babble to yourself," she declared with a wave of her hand. "Sofia, I know a certain spell that does wonders for night terrors. Just give me your Amulet, and you'll be free of them."
Sofia's rocking slowly came to a stop. Trembling, she looked up at the woman. "And my family. You'll set them free," she said, her voice still sore and scratchy.
A smirk slithered onto Vasilia's face. "Am I hearing that you'll give me the Amulet?"
Sofia unfolded herself and sat up straight. "Make the images stop and free my family, and then I'll give you the Amulet."
The wicked smile stayed plastered on Vasilia's face. A small purple cloud of magic stirred around her hand as she flicked her wrist, causing the door to the other cell to creak open slightly. "There. They're free. Now give me the Amulet." The witch extended her long, pale fingers.
Sofia stood shakily, grabbing the bars for support, "You won't go after them. You'll leave them alone and never bother them again."
"Of course, Sofia. I wouldn't dream of it," the witch smiled devilishly.
The princess glared at the woman for a moment, trying to deduce whether she could be trusted. "Promise."
"You have my word." The sorceress drew a cross in the center of her chest. "I will no longer pursue your family if you give me the amulet."
Sofia's upper lip turned up in a slight snarl as she eyed the woman cautiously.
"Come now, Sofia. I may be cruel, but unlike most mortals, I am true to my word," the witch stated, lowering her hand. "Your family will see no harm so long as you give me your amulet." Her tone was low and steady as she extended her hand once more.
Sofia narrowed her eyes and took careful steps towards the woman, studying her as she did. When she got to the front of her cell, she steadied herself and then glared at the woman for a moment.
Vasilia held her gaze firm as the princess approached, not wanting to give any the girl any inclination to go back on her offer.
Sofia sighed , still glaring at the witch. "Fine." She reached behind her neck and undid the clasp;, then laid the amulet in her hand and balled up the chain. With the necklace securely clenched in her fist, she stuck her hand through the bars. Vasilia slowly put her hand underneath the child's and raised a cautious eyebrow at her. Sofia's hand stayed put and she opened her hand just enough so that part of the chain dangled in midair. A small smile tugged at Vasilia's lips and the chain glanced against her finger before Sofia jerked it back.
The witch retracted her hand slightly irritated, but also somewhat amused by the princess's stubbornness. "I don't mean to insult your integrity, Sofia, but I'm sure you understand why I need to your amulet first."
"The terrors. Fix them," Sofia uttered, her voice barely more than a hoarse grumble.
Vasilia rolled her shoulders back and straightened her back. "It seems we've come to an impasse." She hummed as she began pacing back and forth in the cell. "You won't give me the Amulet if I don't cure you, and I won't cure you if you don't give me the Amulet." Vasilia stopped in front of Sofia's cell. "This spell I speak of requires me to lay my hand on your pretty little head. So, this is how this is going to work. You're going to extend the Amulet to me while I place one finger on your temple. The second I remove my hand, you are to drop the Amulet and we both get what we need."
Vasilia's magenta eyes blazed as the two shared an icy stare and Sofia contemplated her decision. Her family was already free, but if she didn't hold up her end of the bargain, Vasilia would probably torture Anya again. She breathed deeply and stepped toward the woman again, cautiously sticking her hand through the bars again.
Vasilia smiled. "I knew you would see reason," she said as she took a step toward Sofia and touched her right index against the young girl's temple. "Now, I know it's the last thing you want to do, but think about all those nasty little images that keep coming to your mind."
Sofia scowled at the woman, but squeezed her eyes shut and did as the sorceress instructed. As the memories flooded into her mind, Sofia felt something like a slight prick on the inside of her brain near Vasilia's finger. Sofia winced as the memories seemed like they were being sucked into a vortex of white light. After a few seconds, Vasilia withdrew her finger, causing Sofia to recoil. Her grasp on the Amulet slackened and the small, fuchsia gem dropped into the witch's expectant hand.
A yellow stream of light, like a glowing hair, floated out of Sofia's head as Vasilia held it between her index finger and thumb.
"There, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Vasilia inquired through pursed lips.
Sofia glanced around her, somewhat disorientated. "Wait. What did you do to me?"
Vasilia gazed at the floating strand in her hand. "It is my experience that removing the memory of a traumatic moment severely reduces the symptoms you were experiencing earlier. Those things are a pain, aren't they?" the woman leaned forward and eyed the girl.
Sofia said nothing and Vasilia smirked at her, turning away from the cell. "Well, thank you for your cooperation, Sofia. Once I am through with your Amulet, I will release you. Do svidaniya." She glanced back at Sofia as a cloud of purple-gray smoke began to pool around her feet. "Oh, I almost forgot," she said, holding up one of her elegant fingers. "Tell your family to exit through the castle. It will be much easier than taking that long, dark tunnel." The cloud of smoke then slowly engulfed her entire body. Sofia watched from her cell as the image of Vasilia's devilish smile slowly becoming enveloped by the smoke seared itself into her mind. That was it. She relinquished her precious Amulet to an insane, power hungry sorceress. She freed her family, but who's to say that something worse wouldn't happen to them in the assuredly ensuing chaos? She had to make sure they got to safety.
Sofia stood up as straight as she could and glanced through the bars of the prison. "Anastassia!" she called softly.
There was no response.
"Anastassia!" Sofia called a little louder.
This time, Sofia saw the pile of cloth stir. "Sofia, what is it?" the little girl asked while rubbing an eye with her small fist.
"Get up, and get out of here! There's no time to lose!"
"What are you talking about?" the younger girl asked, furrowing her eyebrows inquisitively.
"Just open the door to your cell!" Sofia whisper-yelled.
Anastassia rolled her eyes, but walked slowly over to the door. "I don't know why you think that the door is just gonna o—" Just as the little girl touched the door, it easily swung open. The little girl looked shocked and said nothing for a brief moment before she spoke. "Sofia! How did you do that!?"
Sofia sighed and looked up at her little sister and motioned to the now empty space on her chest.
"You gave your Amulet away!? What were you thinking?!" the child yelled, throwing her hands in the air.
"I did it so you guys could get free!" answered Sofia, somewhat harshly before taking a breath. "It was the only way to get you out of here."
Anastassia looked down and chewed on the inside of her lip thoughtfully before she glanced back to the older girl for a second. She then went to her mother and shook her awake. "Mama, come on. We can leave now."
Her younger brother poked his head out from the blanket first and joined Anastassia in trying to rouse their mother. Soon enough the woman slowly opened her eyes and gave a quiet grunt as she awoke.
"Mama. Come on, we can leave now," Anastassia repeated.
Anya lifted her head lazily and mumbled quietly. "What are you talking about?"
"Vasilia let us go," the small girl explained as she glanced up at Sofia.
"What? Really?" Anya slurred.
Anastassia held Sofia's gaze for a moment before nodding at her mother. "Yes. Come on, we have to go now." Anastassia grabbed her mother's hand and helped her sit up. She was obviously delirious, her movements labored and sluggish.
"It's all right, my little bell; mama can help herself up," she said slowly and laboriously. "Oh, Ian, my sweet boy, let's go home." She scooped up the child into her arms and hugged him close to her chest.
Anastassia gazed at her sister as she took hold of her mother's hand and started leading her out of the cell. Before the three could get the key to the secret door, Ian reached his hand out to Sofia and uttered a sad cry. Anya glanced at her son and adjusted him in her arms before seeing Sofia.
Anya looked at her with a blank stare for a moment before speaking. "You? When did you get here?"
"What?" Sofia breathed, baffled. "Anya, I—you don't remember?"
Anya looked at the girl with an apologetic frown. "Remember what?"
Sofia was speechless and looked to Anastassia, desperate for any sort of explanation, but the little girl cast her eyes to the floor and said nothing.
Anya observed the interaction of the two girls. "Stassia, do you know this girl?" she asked. Ian wriggled in Anya's arms. "Ian! Stop wriggling, I don't want to drop you!" she exclaimed, struggling to keep her grip on the infant. He got free from her grasp and slid down her front to the floor. He then crawled over to Sofia's cell and grabbed one of the bars with his tiny hand.
"Ian, you have to get out of here," Sofia told him, kneeling down to face the tiny boy.
He looked up at her with shining eyes and whimpered, his bottom lip poofing out. Anastassia came up behind the boy and laboriously picked him up from under his arms, pulling him back as he fought her. "Come on, Ian. We have to get out of here before Vasilia changes her mind!"
"Wait!" Sofia exclaimed, reaching her arm through the bars. Anastassia shot her a scornful look and Sofia recoiled, tears threatening to form in her eyes. Her little sister was right. They had to leave before Vasilia did whatever it was she was going to do with the Amulet, or who could tell what would happen? "Exit through the castle. Vasilia won't stop you."
"What about you?" Anya asked, picking up her son again. The little boy continued to reach for his elder sister as tears formed in his ice-blue eyes. "It seems Ian is very fond of you. Stassia, surely we cannot just leave her here."
"Mama, if we try and break her out, Vasilia will come after us," the small girl said, looking up at her mother.
Anya opened her mouth slightly like she was about to protest, but then let out a sigh and offered a minuscule smile to Sofia. "Do not worry. Vasilia may have an unquenchable lust for power, but despite what she may say, she does not like to get blood on her hands. I'm sure you will see your… family… again soon." Anya glanced at the ground, like she was taken aback by something, and touched a hand to her head.
Anastassia furrowed her eyebrows deeply and took hold of her mother's hand. "Come on, Mama. Let's go." The little girl pulled her mother along as the woman gazed at Sofia as confusion and apprehension danced across her face.
The trio ascended the stairs as Sofia gazed hopefully at Anya while the woman continued staring at her until they disappeared from view. Sofia heard the sound of the door open and close, leaving her alone in the dark, cold dungeon.
