I watch a look of shock cross Araya's face, before anger and despair replace it. She points a shaky finger at him and says in a low voice, "You traitor. I trusted you, and now!" her voice rises and she looks as if she wants to attack the man. However he doesn't seem fazed in the slightest. "So what if I betrayed you? It's not like you mean anything to me, girl." Then he turns his gaze to me and a cold smile lifts the corners of his mouth. "And who is your little friend? Is she an intruder too?" "No, leave her alone. She hasn't done anything-'" "Well, that won't be a problem. Killing one more person shouldn't be too much trouble," the soldier talks over Araya and then he raises a hand. Immediately Araya, the dog and I are thrown backwards; as if we've been hit by the strongest gust of wind in history. I feel as if I am being propelled through the air, like someone has pressed a fast-forward button on my life. I have enough time to think how unnatural this is, before my body slams into a wall. I feel like screaming in pain, but instead only a groan of pain escapes my lips. I lie still, wave after wave of pain washing over me. I can't hear anything. I can't see anything either, since my eyes are shut tight. I don't even know where Araya is. Araya?

This thought shoves me rather violently, back to reality. The first thing I notice is how silent it is. I can't hear marching footsteps as the soldiers get closer and closer to me and my friend. I can't even hear cars driving by in the distance. All I am aware of is my fast breathing. It sounds very loud in the sudden silence. My teeth are chattering, though from the impact or the shock, I don't know. I try to make my lips move, I try to say her name, but my body is unresponsive. I gasp in air and my chest gives a throb of pain. I wince and then try again. "A-a-'" No, I can't do it. I would have shaken my head if I were able to move. No. I must do it. "A-a-Araya?" It sounded more like a groan, but I hope she heard me. However there is no reply. I take a deep breath - much to my discomfort - and force my eyes open.

I can't see much from my y precarious position. I can see the wall I crashed into and a shoe. I clench my fists and move my head a fraction. I immediately regret it, since it now feels like my brain is on fire, but at least I can see more now. I can see Araya. She is lying curled up on the ground, her blonde hair falling over her face.

I am about to try moving my hand so I can shake her, but suddenly I hear a sinister laugh behind me. I immediately snap my head around, and then let out a strangled cry that I can't keep in no matter how hard I try. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. However when the mist of pain clears from my vision I find that I am able to see what I couldn't see before. The soldiers are all standing behind us, the sunlight gleaming off their armour. I would have cringed away if I hadn't had more sense. "I must say, kid, you are rather resilient, unlike your friend. It looks like she's dead already, which is such a shame if you ask me. I haven't even started what I planned for her. Looks like she's weaker than I thought." I glance back at Araya, but only with my eyes. I will not make the mistake of turning my head again. I wish the horrible captain hadn't seen me scream like that, since I can feel that this is not a good time for showing my emotions.

Pain is still clogging my system, so it takes me a while to digest exactly what the soldier just said. Then I feel tears prick the back of my eyes. I grit my teeth. I will not let them fall, no matter what. I never cry. I stare at Araya. She still hasn't moved. Is she really dead? It's hard to tell from this angle, but... I look back at the soldier captain. I remember Araya's expression when she recognised the man. I still don't know what exactly he means to her, but I sense that I'm doing her a favour when I open my mouth and croak, "Y-you, are... l-lying..." The soldier claps his hands and I grimace. "Oh well. You are courageous. Standing up to me, the captain of the Valdorian army, just wow!" I almost wish I never said anything, but then, from the corner of my eye, I see Araya stir. She groans softly and then her eyes focus on the captain. "V-val c-Cath," her voice is even more shaky than mine, probably because she just woke up. I feel relief swell up inside me. Of course, Araya had just passed out. She wasn't dead, at least not yet.

Araya had paused, but now I mouth "go on" at her. A faint smile flits across her face as she takes a deep breath. "V-val Cath... I, I... hate you." I expect the captain to grin and make some kind of remark, but instead he frowns. "Enough playing around. Soldiers!" The squad immediately steps forward. I try to wriggle away and press myself against the wall, but it is no use. The Val Cath guy doesn't even issue a command. The soldiers just reach down and scoop me and Araya up. I feel myself shaking all over from the pain as they turn and start marching down the street, leaving the dog behind.