Chapter 10
Prison Guards
Flora always liked helping Bloom find her parents. But she got in so many fights with Sky, It gets old. Every time is like a déjà vu, until they make up and repeat all again, this new situation reminded her of just that. Now, Layla has always told Flora about Andros. She would go on and on about stories that have to do with her kingdom, childhood, old friend; Annie, or parents. But she never mentioned an arranged marriage, until now when Nabu insists it's true. All the winx, pixies, and specialists were sitting in Ms. Faragonda's office, questioning the stranger as Layla was on the phone with her parents in their dorm. Flora, personally, liked him. She thought he was nice and would be a great friend. But everyone else thought otherwise, except Helia, who stood with Flora silently with his arm around her.
"So Nabu what do you know about Valtor?" Riven spat
"I don't know any more than you do" Nabu said in a friendly-as-possible tone.
"How did you know where we were?" Bloom asked; Nabu just shrugged. Everyone looked at him, including Ms. Faragonda, And Helia Held on tighter, hurting Flora.
"I'm sorry to have to do this to you." Ms. Faragonda began "But we've already made a mistake about trusting someone who appeared in an enemy's lair; we're going to have to put you on lock down until further notice." She said
Flora watched as Sky and Brandon escorted Nabu-who walked willingly-out of the room and followed Mrs. Griselda. Faragonda sighed and leaned back in her seat. Flora examined the room. I remember how professor Avalon was a spy for Darkar, but, could two villains have the same idea? It seems so… Obvious, should I trust him? Or is that what Valtor wants us to think? Flora thought then sighed and noticed a sharp pain around her shoulders.
"Helia" She whispered, he didn't hear.
"Helia" She tried again, he looked at her, "You're hurting me." She whispered
"Oh, I'm sorry" He mumbled and lightened his grip.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Musa asked when Sky and Brandon came back in.
"Well, the most logical thing to do is more research on him-" Tecna began "-And stay on guard, just in case, meanwhile we need to worry more about Valtor and the Trix" Timmy finished for her.
"You two are absolutely right, but, I believe momentarily this is our problem, so it would be better not to get any other students involved. Therefore I'm going to contact Saladin and have you boys stay here, at Alfea, just in case this is more dangerous than it seems. I made a mistake with Avalon but I don't intend on making it again." Ms. Faragonda said. "While I'm doing that I want all of you to go back to your school dorms and pack up some things, I don't know how long this will last. I'll move the girl's dorm closer to the cell Nabu is in; and the boys will be across from them. You will be able to hear if he escapes." Faragonda said, talking mostly to herself "You all are dismissed."
Flora and the Winx walked the Specialists out. Not saying anything and allowing each other to think. Helia hugged Flora, without a word, and all the specialist left
"Great. What are we going to do now?" Stella complained as they walked to their dorm "I mean, I have a life too you know and I don't want to be stuck in a stupid dorm forever. AND IT'S NOT EVEN OUR DORM! So it's not like we can actually get settled!" She groaned
"Well, at least, it's all of us in the dorm, and not just you on your own. And our boy-friends are right across the hall! It could be fun" Flora tried to encourage her friend.
"That's right!" Musa cheered "Don't look at it as being on guard, look at it as a party! With all the people you love!" Musa said
All the people you love Flora thought: the winx & specialist, Helia, and Rose came into her head. Then she realized how much she missed her little sister. She sends letters and makes phone calls at least twice a week, but Flora hasn't seen her since the summer before because she spent fall break with Helia and his family and winter break might be spent here, protecting magix.
"Yes! And if Nabu does escape, he would've made a huge mistake because we're the Winx!" Bloom cheered, ruining Floras train of thought.
When they walked into their dorm, they saw Layla laying on the couch in the living room.
"Any news?" Tecna asked.
"I couldn't get a hold of them" Layla said, tossing the cell phone onto the couch. "So what happened in Ms. Faragonda's office?" She asked.
"To sum it all up, you better start packing" Stella mumbled; Layla looked at her questioning
"What Stella is trying to say" Flora began "Is we're going to be on guard for a little while so we have to switch dorms closer to the cell Nabu is in so he won't cause Alfea any trouble."
"We should probably get started; Griselda will come and get us any minute now." Tecna said.
Flora followed Bloom into their room. Flora then sighed and plopped onto her bed starring at the ceiling.
"Are you okay Flora?" Chatta asked loudly
"Yes Chatta, I'm fine thanks, it's just the situation we're in. It's like we never get a break, and Helia isn't taking it very well."Flora mumbled, getting up and pulling her big pink suitcase out from under her bed and walking to her closet.
"He isn't? He was so silent, how could you tell?" Bloom asked, filling up her own suitcase
"Because He was squeezing my shoulders so hard I thought they'd break. And he is quiet, you're right, but he's never silent" Flora said folding clothes and putting them into her suitcase.
Bloom considered this for a minute "I guess you do know him better than I do" Bloom said "Sky wasn't that happy, either. But then again, who could be? It's Avalon all over again" She sighed
"I honestly don't think Nabu is that bad?" Flora said: Bloom, Chatta, and Lockett all gave her a weird look. "What? You and I, both, have been face to face alone with Valtor; Bloom, and he seems to have everything sort of planned out… You know? And Nabu seemed so… so honest. But I guess I was passed out when he first came, so I'm not one to talk." Flora said zipping up her now full suitcase and wheeling it next to the door with her pillow laid on top of it and plants, that need to be watered, daily next to it.
"Well, Valtor did look shocked when Nabu first came" Bloom said, zipping her suitcase shut as well.
"I guess you could be right." Chatta said
"But, it's better to be safe than sorry" Lockett said and the two pixies grabbed their little bags
When the four of them walked or flew out of their room Griselda walked into the dorm
"You girls ready?" She asked and all the winx and pixies nodded
"Need help with those plants Flora?" Layla asked
"Yes, please, and thanks" Flora said as Layla picked two up.
The girls rolled their suitcases into long hallways and down twisted stair cases. Into a part of the school they had never known about. It was duller than the rest of the school and barely lit. They stopped in front of a dorm that didn't look much different than the rest on the outside, but when they walked in, it was only one long room with lots of lights, six beds and side tables (three beds on each wall) and a couch in the farthest corner- with a coffee table in front of it. There weren't any windows.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Stella complained as she sat on a bed, closest to the door, with orange sheets. "I can't survive in here! There's not enough light!"
"You'll be fine" Griselda said "We've customized each section for each of you. Notice the different bed colors. On the left is Stella, then Bloom in the middle, and Flora in the back. And on the right is Tecna, then Musa in the middle, and Layla in the back."
"Where are we? I can't calculate our location" Tecna asked, sitting on the bed across from Stella with purple sheets, laptop in hand.
"We're in a secret hall under the school." Griselda said "I hope you find it to your liking, Nabu's cell is just around the corner, and the specialist should be arriving any minute, they'll be in the room just across the hall. And for you guys, breakfast at 8, lunch at 12, and dinner at 5. The restroom is down the hall to the right and Laundry room is right next to it, staircase is to the left and there is a phone on the wall for emergency contact, remember that you can go outside, you aren't prisoners. But try to keep two or more people down here, on guard, at a time. You are excused from classes until further notice and this is our secret. Do you understand? You can't tell any other students about any of this. Any questions?" Griselda asked
"Huh, yeah, when are you going to get a new dress? Green really isn't your color." Stella said
"Stella!" Everyone said harshly. She just shrugged.
"Okay, then, I'm going to go wait for the boys, you six-"Griselda started then noticed the pixies "Or, um, twelve. Get settled; I hope you brought things to do, because it's going to be awhile." Griselda finished, and was out the door.
Flora wheeled her suitcase to the pink-sheeted bed Griselda pointed out. She threw her pillow on top of it and set her suitcase against the wall. Layla put the plants next to the suitcase and Flora did the same to the ones she was holding as Chatta set her bed up on the table next to Flora's.
"It'd be nice if we had a decent closet in here" Stella complained
"What is up with you today, Stella?" Musa asked, annoyed, while setting up a radio on the table next to her bed.
"Musa! It is not polite to be so rude to your friends" Tune, Musa's bonded pixie, said. Musa rolled her eyes and sighed.
Flora sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling and blocking out the drama that accrued with all the Winx. When they heard a door open and close across the hall, and Griselda's voice trailing over them, then A guys- Sky's- voice questioning.
"The boys are here!" Bloom sang. And the girls jumped up, waiting.
"They're all so excited!" Amore cheered putting her hands together and holding them up.
"Amore! You're so hopeless!" Chatta said, throwing a tiny pillow at her. Everyone laughed. And waited until they heard the door open and close across the hall again. Then Stella and Bloom darted out the door, with Musa and Tecna bringing up the rear. Flora got up to follow but spotted Layla, sitting on her bed and watching Piff sleep.
"Are you coming Layla?" Flora asked
"No I think I'll stay here, with the pixies." Layla mumbled
Flora remembered how lonely she felt when the boys were around and she didn't have Helia. She felt like the fifth wheel. She nodded and smiled "Right" Flora said "They'd love that. But if you need anything, you know where to find me." She said and began to head out the door.
"Flora?" Layla said when she got to the door frame. Flora turned around
"Yes?" Flora asked
"Thanks" Layla said
Flora smiled at her friend "Any time" She said and walked into the other room. When she got in there Sky and Bloom were laughing at Brandon and Stella, Riven and Musa were arguing, Timmy and Tecna were going over a strategy on defeating Valtor, and Helia was sitting on the couch sketching. Flora walked up and sat next to him and he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, without looking up.
"What do you think?" he asked.
Flora examined the picture. It was a garden, full of tall grasses and various types of flowers. Clear sky with the sun shining over it and a shimmering stream curved in the middle. "I love it" She said "It's so full of life, like you could just step into it."
Helia smiled and ripped the page out "It's yours, then" he said
"Thank you! That's so sweet" Flora said, kissing his cheek and examining the picture in her lap, wondering if she could copy it into her own garden. She considered this and decided to make it her summer project.
Layla walked in then, with all the pixies flying around her apart from Piff, who was sleeping on her head. "Alright all you lovebirds" She said clapping her hands "It's almost midnight, and we have things to consider as we sleep. Time for bed"
"Night" Flora said and walked out the door, showing Chatta the picture. When she got into her room she went straight to the wall above her bed and hung it up with tape.
"You're not going to frame it?" Chatta asked.
"I will when I get back to our actual dorm" Flora said "Or maybe even my bedroom at home."
"Oh" Chatta mumbled and fell to sleep.
Once Flora thought everyone was sleeping, she grabbed her pajamas and went to find the bathroom. Once she got there, she changed into her pink and green night gown then pinned her hair up and slipped on some slippers. She tip-toed out the door and started toward the dorm room until she heard voices. She paused at the door, and then hesitated on rather or not to check to see if everything is ok. She tiptoed towards the voices and peeked around the corner, only to see Nabu out of his cell and Layla with her arms folded talking to him at a distance.
"You could've gotten out of there this whole time?" Layla asked
"Yes, but it seems your friends don't trust me so, although it's not to my standards, I don't really mind being in there" Nabu teased.
Layla smiled at this then made her face serious again "I should get back to bed. Get back in your cell" She said
"Princess, please, just give me a chance" Nabu said and Layla was silent for a moment.
Flora felt a hand on her shoulder; she jumped and almost screamed when the hand covered her mouth.
"Its okay" Helia whispered behind her "It's just me"
Flora relaxed as he let go "Don't scare me like that" she whispered.
He ignored this. "So what do you think?" Helia asked "Should we trust him?"
Flora glanced back at Layla and Nabu, who were sitting on the ground across from each other, keeping a distance and talking about things they had in common- getting to know each other- she saw her friend laughing quietly, smiling, and falling fast.
"Yes" Flora whispered "I think we should"
Helia studied her for a minute, and then glanced at Layla and Nabu, who was keeping a respectful distance. Then he smiled at her "Okay" he said then grabbed her hand "But right now, you're tiered. Let's get you to bed."
"Okay" Flora agreed as they walked, hand in hand, back to the dorms.
"Good night" Helia said
"Night" Flora said and opened the door quietly, tip-toeing into her room and hearing Layla laugh as she shut the door as quietly as possible. She then tiptoed past all her sleeping friends and into her own bed, and fell asleep.
In the morning…
Flora woke up to the sound of an alarm clock beeping. She rubbed her eyes and looked across the room to see Tecna, dressed and showered turning her alarm clock off. She looked around Layla was sleeping soundly in her bed, Bloom was hanging off her bed and sleeping sideways, Stella sleeping soundly and perfectly, and Musa who woke up and gave tecna a death glare before pulling her pillow over her head and going back to sleep.
"What time is it?" Flora mumbled; her voice cracked.
"Four o'clock!" Tecna said "You know what they say; the sooner you turn on your computer, the longer it will last."
"Don't you mean 'the early bird catches the worm'?" Flora asked, sitting up in bed and rubbing her eyes.
"You wish I did." Tecna said "Now you better get ready! Breakfast is in four hours!" She said and turned on her lap top and talked to Digit.
Four hours Flora thought great. She stood up and picked out an outfit to wear (jeans and a pink floral tank top with a white sweater over it). Then went to the bathroom, took a shower, and got ready for her day to begin. When she got back to the dorm, everyone was still sleeping. So she sat on the couch and put her feet up, reading a book.
Flora had just gotten lost in her reading when there was a knock on the door. Tecna opened it and the first thing Flora saw was orange hair.
"Morning Timmy" Tecna and Digit said in unison
"Good Morning Tecna, Digit, ready to get to work?" Timmy said and stepped in, holding up his laptop.
"Of course! " Tecna said then turned to Flora "We're going to try to figure out away to strategize Valtors plan and find away to defeat him in his own act" She explained
Flora smiled and nodded then put a bookmark in her book "I'm going to take a walk" She whispered and tip toed out silently, setting an alarm on her watch. She decided to help wake people up at a more…. Decent time; like six or seven. Not four. She was just about to walk up the staircase when she heard someone whisper "Hey!"
Flora stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around, not seeing anyone.
"Don't pretend you're not there, I heard footsteps. I just have a question." The voice said.
Flora swallowed and walked back down the hall. She saw Nabu, locked in his cell. She swallowed.
"Can I help you?" she asked nervously.
"Huh, yes please, I was wondering when breakfast is. And sorry I thought you were someone else." He said
"Breakfast at eight." Flora said then yawned "And it's fine"
She walked away then, not wanting to get caught. Then she went up the stairs as planned. She had no idea which way to go, but she could get out of the building one way or another. She climbed up stairs and went down hallways until she found a place she recognized. Then, she went outside, only to find it dark and windy. She looked at her watch.
5:45? But...The sun should be rising by now. The weather didn't predict an all-day storm She thought, and shivered at the cold, this is wrong. She watched as windows lights turned on around her, fairies in dorms getting ready to begin their days. She hopped this wasn't what she thought it is, and when she went back to the underground dorm, people were just leaving their dorms to go to the lunch room. Which was bad, she was almost caught, the winx weren't supposed to be seen. So she kept her head down and walked in the opposite direction to get to the first staircase. When she was safe, she headed back to the room and took deep breaths.
When she walked in Musa and Tecna were arguing about waking up. She went to bloom, first.
"Bloom. Wake up sweetie, you're going to break your back." She said voice still shaky. Blooms eyes popped open and she jumped up, almost falling off the bed all together. Flora moved on to Stella, practically doing the same thing. Then Layla. Then she helped Tecna with Musa, getting her to wake by bribes.
"How do you do that?" Tecna asked, shaking her head "It takes me forever."
Flora shrugged "Rose was like that too. I guess, I just had practice." She said sweetly as the others fought over who was taking a shower first.
When everyone was ready, Griselda walked in, handing each person a plate. "Morning girls" She said and walked out, closing the door as they ate. When Sky walked in
"Okay" He said "Brandon, Timmy, Riven, and I are taking a walk, the other students should be in class by now, so, and who's coming with us?"
"Is Helia not going?"Flora asked while making her bed.
"Nope. He's staying on guard." Sky said.
"I'll stay, then" Flora said
"Me too" Layla said and everyone else thanked them and left, followed by their pixies. So Layla and Flora were sitting on Floras bed and Piff sleeping on Layla's pillow on her bed while Chatta was telling them stories of pixie village. When Helia and Nabu walked in laughing, Layla's face lit up.
"You got him out of his cell?" Chatta asked; half mad.
"No, he got himself out." Layla said, chuckling to her self
"Actually, I did it. I was giving him his breakfast and we just… became friends." Helia said taking a seat next to Flora and winking at her.
Flora smiled; happy that, by the looks of it, this is the start of a beautiful friendship. Just like she thought it would be.
"Oh! You haven't met these two yet! Nabu, this is Flora-"Layla began, pointing "- Chatta and Helia." She said, trying to hide her cheerfulness.
This went on for a good two weeks. Everyone would go take walks and Nabu would come out of his cell and talk to them. No one else wondered why they liked to stay down there. They just figured they liked hanging out down there. Nabu always got back to his cell before they came back.
Two weeks later…
"So what's the gossip about you and Riven?" Stella asked Musa who's face turned red and she turned away
"No gossip. I don't do gossip." She said and everyone laughed.
"What about you and Brandon?" Bloom asked.
They were all in their pajamas and sitting on their beds. UN aware of the boys, eaves dropping in the hallway. Musa had music on and they were all just messing around and having fun.
"Oh everyone knows about me and my honey bun!" Stella cheered.
In the hall, Sky turned to Brandon. "Honey bun?" He snickered Brandon turned red.
In the room,
"And everyone also knows about you and yours, Bloom"
Bloom turned red, "Hey!" She said and through a pillow at her.
In the hall, Brandon laughed and Sky turned red.
"Stop it!" Riven whispered "They'll hear you"
In the room, Stella laughed. "But that's why I'm aiming towards the quiet people! Like Tecna over there…"
Tecna smiled "Well... Timmy and I have been working on a new micro organism that may be powerful enough to defeat Valtor, but it could take weeks, maybe even months."
Stella yawned sarcastically "Boring!" she complained than looked at Flora, who was hoping she wouldn't get picked. "Flora! My quiet friend in the corner! Looks like you're our lucky winner!" Stella cheered and all the girls and pixies looked at her.
In the hall, all the guys looked at Helia and he just smiled, and tried to listen as Sky and Brandon argued. Sky threw his hands in the air once, proving a point no one was listening too and hitting the door. "Sky!" Timmy complained "What if they heard that!"
In The room, Oh no. Flora thought they're waiting for me to respond… but … what do I say?
"Well…" Flora began, when they heard one simple bang on the door.
"WAIT!" Stella said. "We have some visitors."She got off her bed and opened the door, with all the boys falling into a dog pile on their floor. The girls laughed.
Saved by the bell Flora thought watching the guys scramble to their feet.
"Huh, we were just, err, in the neighborhood?" Brandon said
"Yeah, Yeah, goodnight guys" Bloom said, pushing them out the door. When they heard an explosion, which flickered the lights, and everyone froze.
"Did…. Did you hear that?" Lockett asked, after a long period of silence.
"Yeah" Layla said then turned to Tecna and Digit "Please tell me that was a techno thing."
Tecna just shook her head when it happened again. All the boys walked back into the room and sat on the couch, this one was longer. When Faragonda walked into the room, looking stressed and tiered.
"Everyone" She said "Valtor is attacking the school, I'm going to need all of your help."
So, what's going to happen now? Will Nabu ever get out of the cell? Will Alfea survive this new threat? Will Flora see rose again? And the biggest question of all, will this be the end of Valtor? Come back August 1st to find out
Authors note: I do not own *Winx Club*
Thank you for all your rates! I can't wait to publish this next chapter! Please rate and If you have any suggestions, I'd gladly take them