Hi. I finally have the new chapter 5 ready. This chapter isn't a whole lot different than the first chapter 5, but it is a little. Please read and review. Again, thanks to those of you who've reviewed my story. Please R & R this chapter too!
It was day three of endless torture. Jasmine ached everywhere. Perhaps she should learn to keep her mouth shut, and only speak when spoken to. She never realized one person could hurt so much. Her stomach growled. "Just a few more days," she said aloud. "And I'll prepare you the biggest banquet anyone's ever seen."
Her stomach growled even more, thinking of what to place on the table. Fruits, meats, even vegetables sounded delicious right now. Was this what some of the poor people had to endure? Jasmine felt sorry for them. She would invite them to the banquet, she decided. She noticed too, not for the first time, how incredibly dry her mouth was. She would give nearly anything for a sip of precious water at the moment.
Her thoughts were shattered at the sound of the door slamming. "Hello, princess," came the chilling voice. A shiver ran up her spine, as she knew what was coming next. With the whip in one hand, he beckoned to her with the other. The shackles un-bolted themselves from the floor and Jasmine sailed through the air, toward the torture area.
Today, he had brought with him more torture devices. Ja didn'tsmine recognize them, but they looked very painful. She was beginning to grow numb, not her body, her mind, her soul, her heart. If she ever loved anyone again it would be more than a miracle. She drew a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and awaited the first blow.
Aladdin sat by the window in his hovel. He looked out upon the streets and sighed. He had been wondering all day about Jasmine, as he had since the day he left the palace. He wished he knew where her bruises had come from. Somehow, in a part of his mind, he knew she was blaming everything on him.
He sighed again. His friends had remained with him, and he was thankful for their company. If Jasmine would only allow him to talk to her once more…. It was no use though. He'd been living a dream for far too long now. It was bound to end someday.
Who, though, would cause Jasmine so much pain? He ran through a mental list of possibilities. His only instinct now though was to run to Jasmine and protect her. If he ever found the scum who caused her pain… He sighed yet again. He felt weak, powerless.
The sun was setting, casting foreboding shadows across the streets. Al was wondering where Genie was. He had gone to check on Jasmine, he was worried too. And after Al had told him about the bruises, he insisted on checking on her. Abu and Iago had gone to sleep, wrapped up in carpet.
Genie came floating in though the window, as if he had heard his friend's thoughts. "Al, we got a problem. I went to the palace, and talked to Rajah…"
"You talked to Rajah?" he asked, confused.
Genie nodded. "And he told me that Jasmine's been missing for three days!"
"What!"
Genie continued. "And, he said he saw her leave the palace floating on a cloud! Al, it had to have been magic, and it wasn't mine!"
"Then who…"
"Could you quiet down over there? I'm trying to get some sleep!" the bird exclaimed.
"Who else do we know that can use magic?" Al asked his friend. Genie rattled off a short list of names.
"Will you be quiet already? Jeez, I wish I was back at the palace in my own bed!"
"You mean your cage?" Genie wondered.
"No, I mean my bed! B-E-D! Birdy bed."
"Iago," You don't have a birdy bed." Al stated.
"Do to." The parrot told him sleepily. "It's in Jafar's old lab."
"Jafar?" Al was visibly shaken.
"Al, relax, Jafar's history." Genie said.
"But what if he wasn't." Al mused. "What if somehow, someway, someone brought him back? He would know magic. And he's evil enough… Genie," he asked, "Can you sneak me into the palace?"
"Sure Al, why?"
"I have to see that room!" he told Genie.
"What for? There's nothing in there. Just a bunch of old junk." Iago told them.
"I've got a bad feeling about this!" Al told his friends.
"Well, you to go have fun, and bring my bed when you come back, alright?" The bird cozied back down on carpet to finish his nap.
"Oh, no you don't!" Al said, plucking him up. "You're coming with us." He woke Abu too, and soon they were off.
When they arrived, Carpet flew them in through an open window. They sneaked silently about the palace until they came to the concealed spot in the wall. Iago pressed the hidden switch and led them in.
"Hey, what's all this?" Al wondered.
"Oh it's old junk Jafar made. You know, potions and stuff." He ignored them and walked right over to his bed. "Still here, and good as new!"
Abu noticed a broken vial on the floor and brought it to Al's attention. "What's this?" Al asked, picking it up.
"Hmm, oh, that's just a potion Jafar made. I knocked it over last time I was in here. Don't worry though, the stuff's to old to work."
"What was it for?" Al asked the bird.
"I don't know. You'd have to look through the books. Let's see." Al showed him the vial. "O.K., that'd be this book." He pointed a feather at an old, worn volume. Genie pulled the book out.
"Uh, page XXI," Iago read from the label.
Genie blew on the book to remove some dust. Then he opened it to the page and read. "It's a revival spell." He told them. "'If the wizard, warlock, or other such magical being who performed this spell is met with an untimely demise, simply cover an object belonging to the being with the result from the following spell and the magical being will return to life!' Al, this has to be it!"
"Wait a minute!" The parrot squawked, "This stuff is old! How can it still work?"
Genie took on the guise of a professor. A blackboard appeared behind him. "Now pay attention class. All magic potions created through the use of spells usually last for about a hundred years. Too many people- and parrots," He picked Iago up for emphasis, "Believe these spells or potions have a shorter shelf life, and are irresponsible around them." When he finished speaking, the blackboard faded into the background with his professor look.
"We have to go!"Al said urgently. "If it is Jafar, we have to save Jasmine!"
"Right!" Genie agreed. Carpet scooped everyone up, and left the palace to search for Jasmine.
Jasmine, meanwhile, was receiving yet another beating. Her tormenter glared at her as he threatened her with another lash from the whip. Now," Jafar said calmly, "We're going to begin training. When I ask a question, I want a clear, precise answer. For example, when I ask, 'Who is Master?' you will reply with 'You are'. And when I ask, 'Who is dirt?' you will say, 'I am'.
She looked up at him then, a questioning look on her face. However, she said nothing. A loud, painful smack met the side of her face and she winced. "Who is Master?" Jafar demanded.
"N-not you." Jasmine told him, bravely.
Another smack landed across her face. "I will ask you once more, princess," He spat. He spoke slowly. "Who. Is. MASTER?"
Jasmine sucked in a deep breath. "You are." She spoke the words meekly, resigning. She would never believe it though. She would be free once again. And soon. She tried to ignore the searing pain that shot through her then.
"Who is dirt?" Jafar asked.
"I-I am." Jasmine said, shaking.
"Yes, you are." Jafar told her, mockingly. "Now, once again, who is Master?"
"You are," Jasmine told him tiredly.
Her shackles were undone and she was brought to the bed. She sighed inwardly. 'Just a little longer.' She told herself. 'I just have to endure this a little longer….'
I think in the next chapter I'll have Jasmine realize who her tormentor is. Or at least realize that it isn't Al. I'll try to update soon too. And let me say thanks a bunch for your reviews I believe they are helping. :)