She left me. I didn't realise how much that would hurt. Although Madgick and I only spent a short amount of time together, I had grown used to her companionship. With her, I was not alone. With her, I felt strong again. With her, I had a friend. Now I'm trapped with nobody by my side, in a world I doubt I'll ever fully understand. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I could aid her in achieving freedom. She was in pain, and may have died if I hadn't helped her. I squeeze my eyes shut as images of Madgick's blood and wound flash to mind. Besides, even if that detestable acid spider, Val Cath did not attack her with that strange weapon, she would still have been unsafe. She didn't understand what she was dealing with — who she was dealing with. No, I'm happy she escaped. I just wish I could have gone with her.
"Answer me!" I blink, and bring myself back to the present. Val Cath is leering over me, his dark brown eyes filled with a barely contained rage. "How did you find us? Who are you working for? Who is that mage that you speak of?" I flinch away from him, but my ropes won't let me go far. I grit my teeth. Stay calm. Stay calm. Stay calm.
"I don't know his name," I lie. "I met him when I was very young. He told me that his daughter died from the Valdorian disease, but I can't remember any other details." Val Cath grins wickedly.
"I would start remembering, my dear girl. Otherwise, the human scum dies." He turns towards the space where Madgick sat moments before, and stares in silence at the empty area. Then, without warning, he turns back to face me ... and slaps me across the face. I gasp in pain, my bound hands flying to my cheek. It stings. A lot.
"Where is she?" Val Cath hisses. I gulp, my eyes darting around the room. The guards haven't moved. They're too well trained. Even after witnessing Madgick's injury... Madgick. I have to be okay for Madgick. To make sure she's safe. Blinking away my tears of pain, I smile at Val Cath.
"I guess the "human scum" got away," I say smugly. Val Cath's face turns red. Another slap. Another gasp of pain.
"Do not speak to me like that, child." I grin. I'm not scared of him anymore. If Madgick could beat him, so can I.
"You're not going to find her," I say, "she's gone." He nods.
"Unfortunately, I fear you are right." My heart soars. Maybe he's given up. Maybe he'll let me go as well!
"However," he continues. That stops my burst of energy. "I don't need a human girl to persuade you to talk." He flicks his wrist, and suddenly I'm paralysed. I can't move at all. I can't even blink this time. My arms, my legs, my fingertips, my nostrils... Everything is stationery.
"Guards, you know what to do," Val Cath says smoothly, his anger now undetectable. Four of the soldiers grab my arms and legs and haul me towards a door in the far corner of the gigantic warehouse. One kicks it open with their heavy boot, and I'm shoved through, followed by everyone else. We're in a stairwell. The flight of stairs seems to extend endlessly upwards, and I can only glimpse a pinprick of light above. The soldiers march upwards, dragging me along with them. Soon we reach another door. It's also kicked open. We're on a rooftop. And the soldiers carry me towards the edge.
"I have found during my long lifetime, that there is nothing as precious as oneself," Val Cath narrates. I can't see him, but his voice comes from behind me. "People pretend to be heroic. They say they care about others. That they are not selfish. But everyone's selfish. And do you know what they are most selfish about, Araya?" He pauses for effect. "Their lives." The soldiers hold me over the edge. I stare down in terror at the ground below. It's hundreds of below me.
"Answer my question, or you die." I try to struggle. I do. So hard. But I can't. I'm stuck and I can't do anything. I've failed. I've failed. I'm not even sure what I've been fighting for. But I've failed.
Suddenly I can move my head. That is all. I turn my gaze towards Val Cath, and see that his fingers are splayed.
"Speak," he growls.
"I-I don't know anything. I'm s-sorry. Please, I just—"
"Drop her," the captain snarls. I feel the guards grips loosening on me. They're about to hurl me to my death. I feel numb. Empty. Like nothingness has enveloped me.
"Stop!" a male voice yells. The guards freeze, their gloved hands still clutching me. I take in a shaker breath, before turning to see a tall young man with blonde hair staring angrily at Val Cath, who looks absolutely shocked.
"What have you done with her, Val?" the man asks quietly. His hands are clenched into angry fists by his sides.
"You." Val Cath takes a hesitant step backwards. "H-how are you here? Where have you been all this time?"
"That is none of your business. Answer my question."
"But Elias—"
"I do not go by that name anymore. I no longer consider myself a Valdorian. Call me Vincent. Now, where is Madgick?"