What do I see? A square stone room, with no windows and a barred door. A small, dirty matress in one corner. A toilet and sink in the other. And, in the middle a table and chair. Where I'm sitting now, staring at one of the blank stone walls.
It's okay, I can get out of this. It's just a pesky little room. I've been trained for this sort of thing at the guild for years. But then again, the guild trained me for Alyncia-shaped trouble. Nobody could ever have suspected that I'd find my way here. Into the human world. Into a human city. Into a human prison. Yes, the Valdorians put us in a human prison. I guess the magic that brought them here from Alyndia isn't working anymore. Or perhaps they don't want us in Alyncia. If we're imprisoned there, people will stop them from doing things to us. Bad things. Like torture. Like murder.
Not for Madgick though, I remind myself. She's safe. The Valdorians need her. If only somebody would tell me that she's oay...
The Valdorians came out of nowhere. There were dozens of them, blocking off the entrances and exits to the street. Madgick, a barely conscious Jamie and I stood no chance. They placed us in restraints, shoved hoods over our heads and threw us into what I assume was a car. The car moved for houofs. Then they stopped and pulled back our hoods. We were at a huge stone building in the middle of nowhere. The soldiers marched Jamie and I inside, and two took Madgick in another direction. I called out for them to stop and bring my friend back. They didn't listen.
And now I'm in the room. Merciful magic, why oh why am I in this room? I should be out there, stopping Vincent — or whoever is destroying the city. I should be helping Madgick! I push myself to my feet, and storm over to the door.
"Let me out, you big dragon turds!" I scream. "Let me out" No answer. I rattle the bars angrily. It's no good. They're bolted tight. If I could still cast spells, I'd already be out of this hellhole and back at the city.
But you can cast spells, a small voice in my head says indignantly.
No I can't, I reply. Magic doesn't work in the human world, remember?
Magic doesn't work here, because you believe it doesn't work.
I sigh. Why does mini-me have to be so stubborn like not-mini me? I'm seriously going to regret this.
"Gravitas Magnus: Apply Force." Nothing happens. I slam my fist angrily on the metal. I knew that this was a complete waste of — holy muffie! It works! The bars are bending upon where my fingers meet. I press my shaking hands to their cold surface, and push outwards. Pop! The bars fall to the ground. I'm free.
Jamie has to be close by. The guards brought us in together. I'll free him from his cell, and then we'll break Madgick out together. I race out my door, and turn left along the corridor. I peek into cell as I pass. That one's empty. So is that. That one has a creepy man staring at the wall and muttering about how he's going to get his revenge. That one contains two people: a woman and her son. And that one contains Jamie.
I almost cry out with joy. I rush to his door and wave delightedly at him. He doesn't notice. He's lying on his matress staring blankly at the ceiling wearing a dispondant expression.
"Jamie!" I whisper. He doesn't hear me.
"Jamie!" I say louder. He looks up, and a wide grin spreads across his face as he sees me.
"Gravitas Magnus: Apply Force." The bars pop out of place, and Jamie darts through the space. I barely know the guy, but I give him a hug anyway. After a surprised moment, Jamie hugs me back. I pull away.
"I'm sorry for getting you mixed up in all of this," I say regretfully. He shrugs.
"I have a knack for getting into trouble. What can I say? I'm good at everything. Even getting into troule." I laugh, and punch his arm playfully.
"So . . . what are we gonna do now?" he asks. "Save your friend? We can't just leave her here."
"Of course we'll save Madgick!" I say indignantly. "I would never think of anything else."
"Cool," says Jamie. We continue down the corridor, peeking through the bars of cell doors as we go. Then we turn left onto another corridor. We reach a stairway, which we climb. Another corridor. More stairs. A sign reads "Last Floor."
"Hopefully Madge is up here," I say worriedly.
"She has that be," says Jamie. "We'll find her. I can't believe we haven't been caught."
"Hey, you two!" a voice shouts. "Did you seriously think you wouldn't be caut?"
"Hot digidy dog," Jamie sighs. Three guards aproach us. They each wear the Valdorian uniform, and carry weapons like the ones that shot Madgick on their shoulders. Jamie and I look at each other. And then we run.