Yes, yes. Once again I have taken eons to update. Lol. I know exactly what's going to happen in the next chapter so hopefully it'll be out quicker, this is more of a transition chapter. Then you discover some stuff in the next one. Thanks for reading everyone! Notes are at the bottom.

Chapter 12

A figure stood, silhouetted beneath the thin beams of light cascading from the small bars atop the cell. In his hands was a long pendulum, ripped from an old clock and swinging lightly in the breeze.

Right….left….right….left….drop…lift…

"Will you stop that?"

"Make your decision. I haven't much time."

The pendulum stilled for a moment as the figure contemplated something, then swung again.

"It's only temporary," he stated. "You can come back for her. He won't hurt her…you know he wouldn't. What he did…you know Verloch; it was probably one of his tests. He's not the type to use his powers for such things. He was probably trying to test out how strong she is."

Merloch shrugged and bent down, massaging his temples. "I'll go," he began. "But only if we can come back for her. I won't leave without her."

The pendulum stilled once again only this time the figure twisted it over his wrist, beneath the thick layer of black. "And what do you wish to do once you have both escaped? Verloch has closed the portals. You can't get back and there is no way of contacting wherever you came from. He is the only one who can make them work again."

Merloch sighed. "We'll figure something out."

Anthion shrugged. "Suit yourself. I must be going now. Be ready, we escape tonight."

Merloch nodded and with a clanging of the door, Anthion was gone.

oOOo

Verloch tilted his glass at an angle, watching as the thick liquid swayed in amongst its cavernous depths.

Sarah frowned, her hands clasped in her lap, folded then turned then folded.

"Who exactly are you?" her voice cut through the silence, like a knife slicing into its target.

Verloch smirked. "You're an intelligent girl. You figure it out."

She frowned again as the room was once again basked in an overwhelming silence.

She decided to settle with a different question. "Where is Merloch?"

"Down the corridor to your left is a room. Into the room and down a flight of stairs there are three doors. Pick the middle one and you'll enter a row of cells. He's probably in one of them," he said absentmindedly, his attention focused on the liquid. "Why do you wish to know, anyway?"

"Is it a crime to wish to know of your circumstances?" she replied.

Verloch looked up and smirked. "It's not clever to answer a question with another question."

"That must mean I'm not clever, then."

Verloch placed the goblet onto the table and leaned back into his chair.

"No, you are clever. I see why our brother chose you for the pact."

Sarah furrowed her brows and fixed him with a hard stare. "What pact?"

"You'll find out in due course. Even dear Merloch needs to remember yet," he replied, vaguely.

She frowned. " Tell me."

He smirked once again. "Curiosity killed the cat."

"I'm not a cat, though."

"That's a very immature come back," he stated.

"And that's a very clichéd answer."

Verloch sighed. "I like you. Both witty and beautiful, he has good taste," Verloch sighed once again. "I thought you would be bored cooped up in your room all day, therefore I arranged for Cathy to take you around the garden. It's very beautiful, I expect you will enjoy it."

Verloch nodded to Cathy who, throughout the conversation, had been motionless. She stood up and indicated for Sarah to follow suite.

They made their way to the door but were stopped by Verloch's voice. "By the way," he said. "Don't think of escaping. You are being monitored. It's not a wise move."

oOOo

Two figures clad in back made their way through the narrow corridors, the only light a torch clasped in the hands of the figure in front, the flames dancing beneath wavering moonlight.

The only sound was their footsteps, clicking against the dirty floor.

They entered a room, a large square room.

"The entrance. It is through there. You will enter a corridor where there are two doors, take the one on the left and you will enter the room which leads to the gate. There is a table in the centre and upon it is a key. Take the key and exit."

Merloch nodded and took Anthion's hand, shaking it lightly. "Thanks for all you've done. I'm forever in your debt."

Anthion nodded, a light smile barely visible in the darkness. "We're brothers. It's my duty. Good bye and good luck."

Anthion pivoted on his heel and went back, through the narrow corridors.

Merloch took in a deep breath and stepped forward, gently easing open the door and entering the rooms cavernous interior. Torches suspended in thick brackets lined the walls, flames flickering over their wooden surface. Two brown doors stood before him. He stepped forward and pulled the left one open, sliding though the small gap it allowed.

He entered a square shaped room, the sides lined with brackets similar to those of the room he had just ascended from. Merloch scanned the room. His eyes rested on the table. It was empty.

"Looking for this?"

His stomach jumped as he turned. Verloch stood by the door, the key dangling from his fingertips. He stepped forward. He swung the key between his fingertips, watching as it cut through the air in a never-ending motion.

"Do you remember the pact, Merloch?"

Merloch frowned. "What pact?"

Verloch smirked. Two words. "Red roses."

It was then that the memories came back.

oOOo

sighs not a very informative chapter, I know, but the next one will have much more in it. Review me people!

I haven't got enough time for really long responses (sorri!) but I'll try to make them longer next time!

Spiked Dragon; thanx for reviewing dude, u rok! I'm glad you're still reviewing and I hope you liked the update! Lol, I like the trout bit 2... Fun 2 write heh…

Siren of the sea; lol…Bob? Heh, I'm glad you picked my fic lol. Thanx for reviewing and I SERIOUSLY appreciate it! Ur review made me laugh! Bob sounds scurry…

Doray; Heya! Sure I'll email you. U rok! Thanx for your comments, they were really nice! Gave me that woozy feeling inside :D And I'm glad you find it…absorbing.. I personally rekon its crap heh, but that's just me ;D

Chisakami Saiyuki; Sorri I cant write u a longer response. And you wrote such a long review 2... Anwyaz, u didn't have 2 stop there, I luv long reviews and THANKYOU FOR READING! Interesting way of getting a name tho…

Kendra; So sorry I cant give you a longer response! I'm rushed, school sucks and your review roked! U write such long reviews, ur probably one of my favourite (if not favourite) reviewers! I'm glad you enjoyed it, your linkages were brilliant. Makes me realise how totally clichéd this plot is heh, but hey, clichés r cool, rite? lol. You'll discover if your predictions were correct in due time…

Dutch Cheshire cat; Thanx for reading and reviewing and don't worry about taking long, its not as if I'm quick with updates heh.

Midtow; that is such a sweet thing 2 say and thanx for reading!

IF I MISSED ANY1 ELSE PLZ LET ME KNOW! I'm 2 rushed 2 thoroughly check!