Chapter 13: Annie and Fi and Calendrica and Malvagita

You would think it would grow colder underground, but it really wasn't all that bad. The tunnel was dimly lit with torches in rusty sconces. Annie walked behind me so closely I could hear her hushed breaths as they came out in little bursts. I was nervous as well. Who knows what these evil women were doing to Jack and Clu!!? Wait…what was that?

"Do you hear something?" I whispered to Annie. She shook her head.

We continued walking. The tunnel seemed to go on forever. Then, I heard it again…

"Didn't you hear that!!?" I demanded softly. She started to shake her head, but then a loud noise came wafting up through the tunnel.

"I heard that," squeaked Annie.

"Me too," I whispered, and as we rounded the next corner, we found ourselves looking into a large room.

I pulled Annie with me as we ducked behind a long table. We scrunched down, our backs flat against the wall and our eyes curiously devouring the scene in front of us. Jack and Clu were both chained to the stone wall by their arms and legs, their eyes large and clearly frightened. They had bandannas wrapped tightly around their mouths to prevent screaming. The two women from before stood in front of them, clearly pleased with themselves.

"Calendrica, dear, you are a genius," said Malvagita, running her hand down Clu's face. He stared at her hand, his eyes narrowed.

"He's so delicate and perfect…simply beautiful…" she murmured, smiling sweetly at Clu.

Clu did not return the smile.

Calendrica looked at Jack, her mouth curling into a sneer.

"Malvagita, he's rather…short, isn't he?" she asked.

Don't you call my brother short!!!!!

"And…well…he's certainly not what I would consider beautiful," she said, grabbing Jack's jaw and twisting his head back and forth, "But he does have nice bone structure…"

Nice bone structure my ass.

Malvagita walked over to Calendrica, a scowl on her face.

"He was not my first choice," she said sullenly, "I wanted the tall blonde we saw earlier. I almost had him too, but that Phillips woman took him from me."

Carey? She wanted Carey?

"So why take this one?" said Calendrica, dismissing Jack with a wave of her hand.

Jack snarled behind his bandanna and glared at her.

Malvagita walked over to Jack, "He is the son of Molly Phillips. If I take him it will cause her more pain than she would ever know."

"Take him where?" whispered Annie. I shushed her, eager to hear what the women were saying.

"Ahhhh…" said Calendrica, "now I understand."

She walked over to Jack and ran her hand over his chest.

"He is solid," she noted, "I must admit that."

Malvagita nodded and walked up to Jack.

"You hear that, love?" she cooed, "You're going to be fine after all."

Smiling at Jack she ran her fingers over the bandanna.

"He has the softest most perfect lips ever…" Malvagita murmured, still stroking the bandanna. Jack writhed his head away and tried to lash out at her, but his arms and legs held fast.

"He's too feisty for me," declared Calendrica as she made her way to Clu's side, "I like them docile and mindful."

I stared at Clu. The sparkle had left his otherwise cheerful blue eyes, as though a part of him had died. He didn't struggle as Calendrica stroked his face, nor did he lash out when she ran her hands down his chest. He just looked miserable, like he didn't care what happened.

I had to save them.

I had to save him.