Sorry for the delayed update, I've been on holiday. But anyway, here's Chapter 2. Hope you enjoy!
2. Trapped
Anna wasn't sure how long she had been trapped in the cage. The dull swing of the enclosure had rocked her to sleep on multiple occasions and because of this, her sense of time had been truly lost. The lack of windows in the dungeon like room added to the confusion about the time. The young rebel estimated that it had likely been a whole day since she and her men had been captured. This estimate was based solely on how hungry she currently was. She greatly regretted not eating breakfast before she had left Bowerstone Industrial and went on the ridiculous quest to kill Reaver.
'This is all Page's fault,' was the thought going around and around Anna's head. It was no secret that the two women disliked each other. They had never been close, they always struggled to agree on anything, and Anna constantly thought that Page was not suited to be a leader. The current situation that Anna and the four men found themselves in was another bit of proof to suggest Anna was right, Page was not a good leader. In Anna's opinion, she had quite literally sent five members of her Resistance Group to their deaths.
It was almost completely silent in the room, the only noise to keep Anna company was the sound of her belly rumbling. She groaned, placing her hand on her stomach in an attempt to make it quieter. The room seemed to be almost sound proof. Since Reaver had left the only noise she had heard were three gunshots. Worry and guilt rose up in the pit of her stomach when she heard them as she thought about who could have been shot. At first she thought it was three of the men from her rebel group, but that thought almost destroyed her. Instead she went on trying to convince herself that Reaver was doing some target practice or that a gun had accidentally gone off three times in a row. The latter seemed very unrealistic.
As the young rebel fell deeper and deeper into the thoughts inside her head, the door to the room opened and in walked Reaver. He was dressed differently to usual. He had discarded his famous top hat and was dressed completely in black.
"So… Andrea Burton, age nineteen, born in Bowerstone Industrial to mother Clara Burton and an unknown father… how scandalous," Reaver chuckled as the girl was instantly pulled from her thoughts. She looked at the businessman, secretly taking in his beauty. His hair was styled impeccably, and his face was chiselled to perfection. Anna admitted, he was nice to look at, but it was always a shame when he opened his mouth or would pull his gun out.
"And that's all there is to know about me," she shrugged, taking her emerald eyes off the man and looking down at her lap.
"Now we both know that's not true, my sweet," he chuckled darkly, "There's a lot more to you, that's why I kept you alive."
Anna's eyes reunited with the deviants. Her heart began to beat faster and faster with each breath she inhaled. She hated how much this man scared her, she hated how weak he made her feel. But at the same time, what he said intrigued her greatly. She wanted to find out more. Why had he kept her alive? What did he want with her?
"Is there?" she said, her voice coming out quieter than she had anticipated.
Reaver simply nodded before reaching into his trouser pocket and pulling out a crumpled, folded up piece of paper. The rebel's eyes watched him cautiously as he unfolded the paper.
"Andrea Burton, wanted for the theft of," Reaver paused, letting a dark chuckle pass his lips, "My, you naughty little minx, is there anything you've not stolen?"
He turned the poster around, letting Anna see it. They were plastered all over the city. Factory walls that were once left plain were now decorated with wanted posters for herself and her friends in the Resistance.
"Yeah, I didn't steal your ring," Anna shot back. Amused by what she had just said, she let a small smile appear on her face, but it quickly vanished. Anna was not the only one amused by the comment, it even caused Reaver to chuckle slightly. Although for only a short moment, the businessman caught a glimpse of what the girl was really like. She was witty and fearless, this excited him greatly. If he could break down her walls, she would likely be good company.
"That you did not," he replied, before pointing to the wanted poster, "But 200 gold from a cash register." He shook his head, pretending to be disappointed in the young rebel, but his infamous smirk never vanished from his lips.
"Me and my friends deserve to eat just as much as everyone else."
"Ah yes, you and your friends… those bloody revolutionaries," Reaver said, disgust laced in his voice.
"Yes, nothing wrong in fighting for equality," Anna snapped back. The fear she felt moments ago now erased by annoyance. It had always irritated her when she was looked down upon by those more well off. They had no idea what it was like. Most of Albion's population had never had to beg for food or water. Most had never had to lie and steal just to survive, but Anna and her friends had to.
"Hm," Reaver shrugged off her comment, completely uninterested, "Now tell me, I've heard people talking about a man… they say he's Hero," Reaver scoffed, "And he's running around Bowerstone, helping and saving people."
Anna looked at the deviant, her eyes narrowing as she thought about what he had just said. She did recall two men entering the Bowerstone Resistance Head Quarters a few days ago. One of them was a soldier, he was a large man and quite a lot older than the man who walked beside him. That man was a lot younger, likely in his early twenties. She didn't know who he was. He waltzed into the sewers, his dog following at his feet. He carried a sword and a rifle but didn't say a word as Page led both the men into the main room. She spoke to them privately but once they both left, Anna began hearing rumours about the younger man, people were saying he was a Hero.
"Does he have a dog?" Anna asked Reaver, raising an eyebrow.
"I believe he does."
"I haven't heard of such person," Anna lied, smirking slightly as she suddenly felt a sense of control in the situation.
"Oh don't lie to me dear, you know who I speak of. Stop playing games and tell me who they are," Reaver demanded but Anna still had other ideas. If he wanted information from her, then she would give it him. However, she would not give it him while hungry, thirsty and trapped in a cage. This could be here way out, if he was in the mood to make deals.
"Okay, maybe I do know. Maybe if you let me out of here, I'll tell you."
"You're making demands now?" he chuckled as an idea sprung into his head. "Fine," he said dramatically, "I'm having a party this evening and you, my sweet, are going to be my guest of honour."
Anna's eyes widened. She had never been to a party before, unless you counted the times she would go to local tavern with a group of her friend. They were more gatherings than parties though. The young rebel let herself imagine what a party hosted by Reaver would be like. Expensive food, unlimited alcohol and wealthy people. It was completely out of her comfort zone, but if it meant she would be released from the prison she currently resided in, she would have to go.
"I've never been to a party before," she told him. Reaver looked her up and down and nodded.
"I'm not surprised, my dear," he said, "Right first things first, you need a bath, you smell like a sewer. I'll get someone to let you out shortly, tatty-bye."
And with that Reaver strutted out of the room, leaving Anna alone with her thoughts once again. Her mind instantly drifted back to Page and the anger she felt towards her.
'Page will pay for this,' Anna thought as she rested her eyes.
Thanks for reading, Chapter 3 will be up soon!