Chapter 26: Castle De-explorations

AN: I AM SO SORRY I SHOULD HAVE HAD THIS UPLOADED MONTHS AGO PLEASE FORGIVE ME! Keep an eye on my profile for updates!

-April 10, 2009-

Kassy's POV

I clutched the golden metal bars of the cage, watching a distracted, frowning Sora trail behind a smug Sylvia into the courtyard. I could feel an angry pout forming on my face at the thought of what she could have possibly said to him.

The Queen sighed loudly, "I require rest. Night fell too quickly for my liking. We shall resume the trial at sunrise tomorrow. You there, cards, escort the prisoners to the dungeons. And you cards, escort the others to the guest quarters. If anyone is late tomorrow, off with their head!" The Queen bellowed before rising and walking over to a hedge.

It lowered to reveal a simple golden door with a large elaborately decorated red heart. Two cards followed behind her through the door.

The cage was opened, two cards grasping a tight hold of each of my wrists. Another two cards grasped Alice's wrists.

Sylvia snarled loudly, attempting to pass one of the card guards, "I can't even fucking enjoy the rest of this world! We know nothing about it! Kassy, why did you agree to this?"

I glared over my shoulder, "Syvy, you-"

To my surprise, Sora had gripped Sylvia's shoulder. His expression was angry, unlike his usual peaceful and optimistic one, "Don't worry, Kasandra, we'll fix this."

The cards forced us through the door before I could reply. The other cards led the others in the opposite direction as us. The hallways all looked the same on our way through various doors until we were led down a narrow stone spiral staircase.

The cards threw the two of us into the small cell, proceeding to slam and lock the wooden door behind us. The inside of the brick walls was cold and damp. In the corner of the cramped dirt floor was a small pile of dirty and quite frankly, smelly hay. I clutched the bars of the door, frowning at the retreating backs of the card soldiers as they marched their way up the stairs.

Sora's POV

-A Few Hours Later-

It was easier than I had thought to walk out of the room. When I had cautiously opened the door, Keyblade in hand, I discovered there wasn't anyone in the long, narrow hallway. There was only the sound of angry singing coming from the room Sylvia resided in a few doors down.

I walked down to her room, opening the door without knocking. Sylvia's voice cut off abruptly. She looked up from her lounging position on the bed with the darkest look on her face that I could physically feel a chill run down my spine. I swallowed thickly, "Um... I'm gonna... go rescue Kasandra...?"

Sylvia snorted loudly at that.

"Fuck that. Why bother? We'll see her tomorrow." She groaned, slapping an arm over her eyes, "Fuck, why did this happen? This was not in any version. Sora, do you understand how fucking stupid this is? Of course you don't. Why would you? Just go do your pathetic rescue mission. I'd wish you good luck but fuck if it mattered."

Taken aback, I cringed backwards. I gathered as much courage as I could and stood my ground, stepping closer to the bed, "What is your problem?"

To my credit, a flash of fear danced across her expression for a moment before disappearing as if it hadn't happened. She raised an eyebrow, stonily, "Problem? Nothing at all."

I crossed my arms over my chest, "No, you have a problem with me. And I want to know why. I've never met you in my life and you act as if I've done the worst thing imaginable to you; that I deserve this treatment. What did I ever do to you?"

She ground her teeth in complete silence for several long minutes. Finally, she tilted her head slightly with narrowed eyes, "You have no idea who any of us are. Deserve this treatment? Oh, Sora... You have no idea who you're dealing with..."

A shiver ran down my spine as she gracefully stood from the bed and stalked towards me, "You... Have no... idea... Sora... Sora... Sora..."

I swallowed thickly, backing up until I hit the doorframe. It must have been only a trick of the lighting, but I could have sworn her eyes flickered between her normal eyes and snow white a few times, "Sora... Trust me... You'll get what's coming to you... Believe me... You will see..."

Before I could react, both her palms thrust forward, sending me sprawling out the doorway. When I looked back up at her, she was clutching the door with a glare, eyes as normal as ever, "Don't go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong." And with that she slammed the door and locked it.

I stayed on the floor for a few moments longer, staring at the door, unsure of how to react. Eventually I stood, using the Keyblade for leverage. I took off down the hallway.

Kassy's POV

I sighed for the hundredth time, head against the door, tapping my fingers against it occasionally.

Alice shivered in the corner, hugging herself, tears running down her cheeks, "Oooh... Why did I follow that rabbit? I could have been reading that boring book with my sister in the warm safe quilt at my home..."

I frowned, shivering under another draft, "It's okay, Alice... We'll be out soon... It'll be morning soon..."

She sniffled, shivering once more, "I want to go home! I miss my sister... I miss my father..."

I looked down at my hands in my lap with a frown, "I...I miss my mom..."

It feel silent. The only sounds to be heard were the escaped wind and the occasional shiver from each of us. It was some time later I looked over at Alice to discover she had fallen asleep, although she still was shivering.

I frowned, feeling helpless. Then I heard something outside the door. I stood, ignoring my violent shivers. I clutched the bars, trying to see what made the sound.

I saw red through the darkness; too much red for just a card soldier, "Sora?"

"Kasandra! Don't worry I'm here to get you out!" He spoke in hushed tones as he rushed to the cell door.

"Wait!" I rushed through my words, "Don't rescue us!"

He looked taken aback, "What? But don't you want to escape? I can help!"

I bit my lip, "I know. I do, but just trust me. We'll be fine when the trial starts again tomorrow. It would be worse if she found both of us were gone. Everyone would be punished. It's better if you leave us here. We'll be fine until tomorrow." I barely repressed a shiver from another breeze, "Trust me, okay, Sora?"

He protested for a moment before finally taking a deep breath, "Okay." He looked down. I thought it was safe to shiver for a moment.

Sora frowned, shrugging off his jacket, "You're freezing! Here!"

I shook my head to protest, only to bit my lip, "Thank you..." I took it from him through the bars and hurried to drape it over Alice in the corner. She curled in, ceasing her shivering.

I smiled, heading back to the door, "She needs it more than I do."

Sora frowned, but otherwise remained silent. I sighed, "I'm sorry, but it's really the best way. Just leave us be. We'll be fine."

He blinked twice before shaking his head, "Fine..."

I smiled weakly, "Thank you for trying, Sora. I really appreciate it." The grim look on his face didn't sit well with me, "What's wrong?"

He hesitated, "Well... Just... Just something Sylvia said."

I groaned, letting my head fall against the bars, "Oh no... Just... Sora, she's a good person. I promise you. She can be cruel but it's all an act okay? Just keep calling her out and she'll change eventually. She'll get better."

He took a deep breath and smiled weakly, "Okay. I trust you."

Footsteps began echoing behind him. I gasped, "The guards! Go! We'll be fine! I'll see you tomorrow at the trial! Good luck!"

With a hesitant nod, he disappeared up the stairs.