Chapter Six

My head pounds and my whole body aches as I open my eyes to an unfamiliar setting. Mind reeling, I inspect the empty small room I'm in and stare fixedly at the immense wooden door standing proudly in front. Looking around I see no other furniture, the only objects around me being the heavily laid brick walls and a thickly barred window. How did I get here?
I think further back and instantly a swarm of memories attacks me, emotions flaring through my body with every new recollection. Altaïr. Watching him leave. Turning around. The hilt of a sword. Then nothing. Darkness.
I attempt to stand but an aching headache sends me flailing back onto the floor. I bring my palm to my forehead, as if trying to force the pain away, and draw back as my hand makes contact with a now almost dry red substance. Anger powers me with energy as I half walk and crawl towards the only means of escape – that single door. How dare someone capture me like this? How dare they lock me away? How dare they hurt me? I start to bang my fists against the hard wooden door but it's not too long before scrapes start to appear on my dirty skin and send me back to feeling hurt and miserable. Hopelessly I sit on the dusty floor, furious and in pain as tears escape my eyes and wash away dust clinging onto my skin.
Suddenly the door opens and I have to leap out of the way to avoid getting hurt further. A man with a blood red cross emblazoned on the centre of his armour walks into the room, sword jangling at his hip. Angrily I look back at him, my fiery hazel eyes making contact with the deep blue of his.
"Where am I? Who are you? Let me go!" I shout, but the man just sneers back at me.
"We can't let you go. We need you. Now stop being such a nuisance."
The man begins to turn away and I realise that this is my moment. In a clumsy attempt, I try to barge past him. Instantly he unsheathes his sword and with one quick motion the blade is thrust under my chin.
"You don't understand do you?
My breathing quickens as the sword is pressed harder against my neck. We remain there eye to eye for a few more moments as I stand there petrified. Satisfied, the man draws the weapon away before pushing me backwards. Breathless, I stumble into the hard brickwork behind me.
"I'm pretty sure I understand," I snarl back. "You took me here against my will. I demand you release me! Now!"
The man stares back at me, his face emotionless.
"I'm afraid I can't do that Khara."
How does he know my name? Before I have time to think of theories, the man continues.
"We have certain instructions to keep you in solitary confinement. The person who has given us those commands doesn't ever want to see you ever again. I believe you've actually met him too."
Already filled with anger, I snap back at him, completely forgetting the situation I was mulling over before. "So who is it? Give me a name! I demand I see them!"
Mischievously, a smile forms across the man's face and I wait in suspense as he begins to form his words. "You're naive, aren't you Khara?"
I say nothing, letting the question pass as rhetorical.
"The person who sent us to capture you, are you sure you want to know? I think it will break your heart to pieces. How many times has it been broken before, Khara? All those false promises? You're just a toy for some people. This might be more for you to-"
I cut him off easily, far too enraged to care. "You don't know anything about me!" I shout, even though I know what I he said was the truth. But how does he know all this?
"Khara, Khara, Khara," the man taunts as he walks slowly towards me. "I know a lot about you. Now this is my final warning. You might not like what I'm about to tell you. But if you really want to know who has sent you away..."
The man smiles, but it's not a friendly one. I glare back, determined.
"Yes. Now give me a name."
A moment passes and my heart burns as I realise how alone I feel without Altaïr even if I haven't known him too long. It's like all my past relationships each broke a piece of my heart and Altaïr came along and repaired it again. Now more determined to escape and to get back to him, I glare back at the man as questions arise in my head, but I don't ask them just yet. Did they capture him too? Is he fine? I miss him already. Maybe he's searching for me right no-
"His name is Altaïr."
My heart shatters.