Layla's Capture

"Huh? where am I?"

Layla awakens to find herself in a darkened room, it is plain and there is no life to be found, everything was still and quiet, there seemed to be no point in talking aloud, there was no one there, though she did have the company of an overwhelming headache.

"Hello" A dark figure walks towards her from the opposite side of the room, and it wasn't a calm greeting or a welcoming one, it was cold and filled with anger. Moving as far away from the figure as possible she reached the wall.

I could call for help, but there would be no point there is no one around this room or place, it's completely deserted, and even if there was someone how would I know if they were on my side or with whoever they are.

Frantically trying to stay calm she kept her eyes on the figure and stepped in different directions with each step the offender took, still searching for a way to escape she ran her hands along the walls, surprisingly she reached a doorknob, turning it she opened it and ran out only to find herself in another dark room.

"There is no point running Layla. For every knob you turn there will be another room, face it, you will never leave this place, you are mine and you will not escape, even your friends will not find you."

"How do you know my name and why did you bring me here? I don't even know who you are."

"Ah, yes, you may not know who I am, but I know who you are. It has been years since I first saw you, why we even talked, I was sure you'd recognise my voice. Maybe that bump to your head was hared than I thought."

"You didn't answer my question about knowing my name and why I am here, tell me NOW!"

"Oh dear, I've seemed to upset you, you're so cute when you're flustered. Now where was I? Oh yes, I know you because we were close at one stage, and I brought you here simply because I had the desire to do so."

We were close when we were young, I don't remember anyone this cold towards me. I never did anything to hurt anyone.

"What have I done to you, why are you so cold? I don't even remember anyone from when I was younger except for my parents and a friend who taught me how to enjoy different styles of dancing."

"You mean… you don't remember?" the voice is calm and not so harsh, there even seems to be a hint of sadness to the tone.

"Well it is a bit hard to remember someone by their voice, who I apparently haven't seen since I was young."

"Oh yes well I guess it would help if there was some light." The voice was now quieter and gentler, more inviting than repelling. He claps his hands and the lights turn on.

"Now do you remember who I am?"

"No sorry" saying with a bit of a laugh.

"What may I ask is so funny?"

"Well as much as lights make things brighter in here, it doesn't change the fact that you are wearing a cape covering your face."

"Oh…" laughing as he pulls his hood off.

His face looks vaguely familiar, but not enough to know who he his, I know I know him, I shouldn't trust him though, his mood changed so quickly from cold to warm.

"I'm really sorry I just can't think of who you are."

"… I was hoping you would remember, I was born in Andros just like you, and we were close before you moved away."

"Y… you, you're not Plette? Are you?"

"No! no I'm not that annoying guy, he moved ages ago, I was sure you'd remember me, it's me Malem."

"Ma… Malem? I thought you moved"

"I did, but I came to find you, I realised I needed you with me."

Oh great my first boyfriend is back to haunt me, sure I liked him in those days, and when he left I was heart broken, but I'm over him, and it was only 2 days, but can't tell him that, he might change back into that angry person he was when I woke up.

"Please say something."

"I don't know what to say, it's been so long."

"Come, let's go for a walk"

Back at Alfea

"Ms Faragonda, Layla had disappeared!"

"Disappeared?"

"Yes, she's gone."

"Does anyone know what could have happened?"

They all shake their heads, then Bloom stops and whispers something to Sky.

Malem, you don't think he's behind this do you?

"Bloom? Care to share something with me?"

"Actually I have an idea of something, but you should know about him already."

"Him? Who are you taking about?"

"Malem of Andros, he has been following Layla the last few days."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"You didn't know? He said you had a letter informing you of his business about the whole thing. That was all he told me."

"Ok, off you all go, I will deal with this, go back to your dorms and the boys will go with you, just in case… oh never mind, just go."

"What do you think that was all about?"

"I don't know Flora, but what I do want to know is why Bloom didn't tell us about this."

"Guys don't get angry with me, he said it was his job, I didn't want it to go any further."

"Or you just couldn't be bothered telling your friends, but let Sky in on it."

"What? The only reason Sky knows about it is because he was there with me when I first saw him." Running past them small tears begin running down her face. Sky shoots them a quick look of disgust and runs after her.

"What's their problem?"

"I think it's called hurting Bloom's feelings Musa, she's just as upset as all of us are."

Tension rises between the girls and they all stop talking. Conner is dragging behind.

If only I had gone with her, just those few steps, I must find her, but where do I start. Arh, this is so hard…