~Chapter 45~

Joel

My eyes fluttered open as I began to take in my surroundings. My head hurt terribly, which explained the lump I could feel on the back of my head. What did Kaleb do to me? I blinked my eyes to further clarity and I was in a palace of some kind, but it was freezing and I think everything in this place from the architecture to the floor was made of ice. My hands were cuffed and pinned to the wall though to my surprise, not by ice, but actually irons. There was no slack, so the cuffs were tight against my wrists. Even so, I tried my hardest to wiggle free.

"Don't bother trying to get free," I voice nearby suddenly said, "You're stuck just like me."

I looked around frantically not realizing I wasn't alone, but didn't see anyone.

"Where are you?"

"Over to your left, Joel." The voice replied.

"H-How do you know my name?" I called out again.

I glanced to my left and barely made out someone there also chained to the wall, but with an iron collar around their neck that I could hardly see. The stranger was hard to see almost translucent.

"Are you a ghost?"

"Certainly looks like that, huh?" She replied, "But no, I am not. I'm a prisoner of Maleficent same as you."

It was clearly a woman, but because of her current state, I assumed she wasn't human.

"Who's Maleficent?"

"Oh right, she goes by Corissa now." The woman corrected.

"Who are you?" I asked quickly wanting to get more answers, "I'm Kadri, the sister of your captor."

"She did this to you and you're family?" I asked incredulously.

"Oh she could do this to anyone, but I get the slower treatment because I'm family. She keeps me alive just barely to talk to me and drain my powers slowly. Judging by my translucency, I suppose I don't have much time left."

"I would help you get free if I could." I replied.

"Perhaps I can help you…" She muttered before falling silent as Corissa came down the icy set of stairs to join us.

"Ah Joel, welcome back." Corissa greeted as she slowly approached me tapping her staff on the ground as she walked toward me.

"What did you do to Noella?" I growled.

"I assure you, she's not here, but she'll join us shortly." Corissa sneered.

"Where's my brother?"

"Oh he's picking up where you left off." She replied.

Corissa leaned down to my level grabbing my jaw harshly.

"You disappointed me, Joel. I had such high hopes for you."

"Do whatever you want to me, but leave Noella alone!" I snapped.

Corissa released my jaw and I jerked my jaw back and forth quickly.

"When your brother brought you back, I figured I would just kill you and be done with it, but then I thought that would be too merciful…" Corissa paused turning around to face me again, "So I think it will be more fun to have you watch me murder that girl…" Corissa began to laugh, but then fell silent bringing a hand to her head as if she was in pain. Once she snapped out of it, she looked at me.

"You leave Noella alone!" I spat.

"Patience Joel, don't worry. You'll be right behind her." Corissa replied with a sinister smirk as she laughed her way up the stairs leaving Kadri and I alone again.

AN: Whew, I missed being in Joel's POV. Mother and daughter reunion is coming ...everyone ready? ^.^