"How did you know we were here?" Fiyero asks in shock.
The man rolls his eyes. "You told us all your hiding places."
"I didn't share this one."
"Oh come on, Fiyero, how stupid do you think we are? We've got more experience than you."
Fiyero looks down at the ground in shame. He really thought they were safe here.
"What are you doing here?" Glinda asks bluntly. "Where's the other traitor?"
"That's not the way to talk to me," the man says sternly. "I'll secure our guest first. Then we can talk."
"Guest?" Boq asks, surprised.
He steps outside for a moment and carries the wizard over his shoulder into the room. The wizard is still unconscious. "Yes, I have the Wizard as a guest with me. Now we make a plan to get out of here. This is no longer our business. There's a big government takeover going on. We have nothing to do with it and we don't want to get involved."
The three seem surprised, but Glinda quickly recovers. "What are you talking about?"
''Isn't it more important to know why he has the Wizard? And why the Wizard looks like a normal man?'' Boq asks still flabbergasted.
The man rolls his eyes. "No, there are more important things for you guys."
"Well, I think having the Wizard with you during a government takeover is also important." Boq mumbles.
"Here's an arrest warrant for you," he says, handing them the arrest warrant.
''What?'' Glinda snatches the paper from his hand and looks at it. The boys look over her shoulder.
"This is not good," Boq says as he sits back down. "I'm just a little spy with little experience. I just want to survive. This has gone too far. Who are you anyway?"
"Exactly, that's why we're stopping now. We're going to grab everything we need and leave Oz. We already have a plan." Says the man who completely ignores Boq.
"No," Glinda says angrily. "It's our fault that our friends are in trouble. We won't abandon them." Glinda looks at everyone determinedly.
''Glinda I don't think you see the seriousness of the situation.''
''I don't think you see the seriousness of it.'' she says angrily. ''Elphaba is in the palace with that horrible Madame Morrible because of us. If there really is a government takeover, then we have to stop it.''
The boys look at each other questioningly. ''Uhm I'll tie up the Wizard before he wakes up.'' Boq says awkwardly. ''Never thought I'd ever say that. Or even see him,'' he mumbles further
''Yes, I'll help.''
''Fiyero, you and I still have to talk about our contract. You promised not to say anything to Glinda.'' The man says sternly
Fiyero swallows and nods quickly. He doesn't know what he finds worse, the looks from Glinda or her father.
''We're not done with this discussion yet, father," Glinda says with audible and visible anger
XXX
Nessa is angry, and that's putting it mildly. Nessa is beyond furious, and even that's an understatement. If she gets out of here, the first person in charge is going to hear exactly how angry she is. First, her sister abandons her, then her boyfriend says he's leaving to arrange a surprise but hasn't returned after three hours, She has searched everywhere she thought he could be. She went to the hospital, with the special wheelchair taxi, but no one could find him. She is worried sick. And when she goes to the palace to complain about it to her sister, where she only end up spending the night in a room. Her neck hurts, she hasn't been able to wash, and she's hungry. If those barbarians who live in the palace think she's going to touch that stale old bread, then they clearly don't know Nessarose Thropp well enough. Her father is definitely going to hear about this. She's going to write a complaint letter so long it will take them a whole day to read it.
But more than anything, Nessa is scared. She's afraid that something has happened to Boq, afraid that something has happened to Elphaba, and she's afraid of what everyone will do to her. What in Oz is going on? She wants to go back to Shiz. She wants to go to her father and cry. She wants her sister to take care of her again. She's so hungry. Unconsciously, she reaches for the piece of bread, but her anger is much stronger. No, she'll wait.
The door opens, and three men walk in. Nessa glares at them. If she's going to become the new Governor of Munchkinland, then she needs to prove herself now, even if she feels terrified inside.
"So, tell us who you are and what you're doing here," says the man who slowly walks in.
''I demand to see my sister.'' Nessa says as she looks the man in the eyes. She quickly looks away, because she succumbs to the pressure.
''I'll say it again,'' the man says in the same tone. He knows that this will be an easy interrogation. He has had the whole night to think. This morning he received a small briefing about her behavior. He expects that she will not be a danger to him.
Nessa swallows. "I am Nessarose Thropp, and I demand to see my sister." says Nessa in a smaller voice
The man raises an eyebrow. She does look a bit like Frex, but that can't be. He wasn't informed that Frex's daughter had left Shiz. "Nessarose is at the university in Shiz. Your story doesn't add up. You're a terrible impostor."
Nessa gulps. How does this man know about her? "I'm Nessa. My boyfriend brought me to the Emerald City as a surprise."
"Where is he?"
Nessa's eyes fill with tears. "I don't know. I'm so scared." So much for the tough act, Nessa thinks sadly.
The man nods thoughtfully. ''Maybe we can look for him.'' the man says kindly.
Nessa's eyes widen. ''Really? That would be great. Thank you.''
The man grins evilly. ''In return, we want the truth. Who are you.''
Nessa rolls backwards unconsciously. ''I'm Nessarose Thropp. Please find my boyfriend.''
The man laughs. ''You can choose, do you want to see your boyfriend or your sister?''
''What? That's not fair. Please. Let me go to my sister. She knows what I have to do, to find my boyfriend. That's not a difficult task'' Nessa asks confused. She was happy for a moment that everything would be okay. Everything was a mistake and everything will be okay. Why is that man so mean. "Who are you anyway?"
The man grins. "If you listen to me carefully, I'm your best friend. Otherwise, I'm your worst enemy." The man enjoys the panic that Nessa radiates. This is too easy, he thinks with satisfaction. Maybe something good will come of Madame Morrible's actions after all. I haven't had this much fun in a long time.
"My father won't like this," Nessa says with a trembling voice. All Nessa wants now is to leave the palace. The man cannot be trusted.
The man laughs. "Oh, I'm not worried about your father."
''How?'' Nessa asks, bewildered. It seems as if this creepy, strange man knows her father.
The man grins. He likes to see panic in someone's eyes. Especially with the Animals, that panic is the greatest. He notices that Nessa - his prey - is in panic.
"That's none of your business. It's a question for you whether we know your father. We know the answer.'' the man says sternly. ''If I were you, I'd be more concerned about whether I trust you," he says, looking at Nessa intently.' .
Nessa looks frightened. "When will I see my sister?" Nessa asks after a short pause.
"You mean the green girl?"
Nessa nods. Maybe it will be okay after all. Nessa thinks hopefully. Elphaba makes sure everything is okay, she's good at that. She always has.
"I don't know when you're going to see your sister. The choice is yours. Either we go find your boyfriend or you can talk to your sister. You can't have both. If anyone comes back, I want the answer.'' He steps out of the room. The men quickly follow him and close the door behind them.
Nessa feels her heart breaking. ''But... But you can't leave me here like this.'' Nessa screams through the door. ''You have to take me to my sister. Please let me go.'' Nessa starts to cry
XX
Boris rubs his chin. This is very useful information. If she really is Frex's daughter, he'll have to treat her better. But she could also be a good way to control Elphaba. He needs to act quickly. To make sure she's telling the truth, he can always check with Madame Morrible.
He chuckles wickedly. Yes, that's what he'll do. Nothing's more fun than annoying that dreadful woman.
But first, he needs to talk to the green girl.
''Make sure she has something to drink and eat,'' he tells the guards. It can't hurt to start bonding with the girl now, Boris thinks. ''And give me an update on the invitations that were sent out yesterday. There are very urgent matters that I need to discuss.''
XXX
Elphaba wakes up with a start. She looks around in confusion. She doesn't recognize the room. Two people stand by her bed: a woman in a white coat and a man dressed in dark clothing. Behind them are three Gale Force soldiers. "What's going on?" She whispers
"I'm glad you're finally awake. For a moment, I thought you were in a coma. Luckily, we had some smelling salts."
Elphaba rubs her head. "Coma? How? What happened? she asks, confused.
"Take your time waking up. The memories will come back on their own." The man knows he has to use a different tactic now than he just did with Nessa.
Elphaba only feels more confused. What does she remember? Walking through the Emerald City with Glinda, through the great doors to the Wizard's throne room, Glinda's betrayal. Elphaba is once again overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. Glinda's escape attempt with Boq? Sweet Oz, Boq too. She vaguely remembers Fiyero's voice, but she has no clear images.
The man smiles as he looks at Elphaba. "It seems like it's all coming back to you. Tell me, what do you remember?"
Elphaba looks at him defiantly. "Where is everyone?" Elphaba asks in a hoarse voice as she pushes herself up on her elbows. "Who are you?"
The man laughs. "Let's just call me Flex for now."
"Flex?" Elphaba lowers herself again.
"Yeah, don't you think that's a nice name?"
Elphaba says nothing. She doesn't trust any of this. Meanwhile, the nurse is measuring her bodily functions. She puts the blood pressure monitor on her arm.
The man is still grinning. ''I still don't have an answer to my question.''
''What question?''
''What do you remember?'' he repeats.
''Not much.''
Flex raises his eyebrow.
''I don't have an answer to my question either. Where are my friends?''
Flex laughs loudly. ''You mean the friends you left behind?''
Elphaba bites her lip. Flex has a point. ''So you know who I'm talking about. Where are they?'' she continues, hoping the man didn't see any of her doubts.
''You're going to tell me.''
''I don't know.''
''Are you sure they're your friends, if they left you behind?''
''That's not how it happened.'' she says angrily. ''Gal...''
''Sorry, I need to look in her mouth.'' the nurse says apologetically.
Flex looks irritated but nods. ''Okay, let's get back to the conversation.'' he says when the nurse is done and writes down some things. ''I'm here to offer you a job.''
''A job? Why? Are you an assistant to Madame Morrible?''
Flex laughs so hard that the men look at each other as if their boss has gone crazy. ''I'm an assistant to Morrible. That's a good joke. Did you learn that at university?''
Elphaba tenses her muscles. ''How do you know I'm at a university?''
Flex comes closer. ''I know more than you think.''
Elphaba trembles.
"Alright, let's move on to the important matters. The point is, Oz is getting a new leader. I would like to have someone next to me with power"
Elphaba suddenly sits up straight, startled. A new flood of memories rushes back—Madame Morrible telling her that the Wizard is her father.
"Yes, I know. I was surprised myself when everyone chose me, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make," Flex says smugly.
Elphaba eyes him suspiciously. "Where's the Wizard?"
"That's a good question, one I was hoping you could answer."
Elphaba shakes her head.
"No idea?"
Elphaba has enough suspicions, but she trusts this man even less than a cent. She shakes her head again.
Flex narrows his eyes. ''You don't know where your friends are, you don't know what happened, you don't know where the Wizard is. What do you learn at university.'' Flex starts laughing at his own joke. ''You obviously learn very little under Morrible's guidance.''
Elphaba swallows. ''How do you know Madame Morrible?''
Flex suddenly looks serious. ''That's none of your business.''
''You keep bringing it up, so maybe it's important for my memory.'' Elphaba tries to get some information from that creepy man.
''Tell me why you're here?''
Elphaba thinks for a moment. That information can't hurt. She just shouldn't mention Glinda. ''I was invited by the Wizard. Thanks to Madame Morrible I have a chance to stand next to him.'' Elphaba says with mixed feelings. At first she was so proud but now she feels an emptiness, if that man is really her father, why does he look so scary. It was only a head. Why did he never look her up. No, Madame Morrible must have lied. It can't be otherwise. Elphaba feels a tap on her head.
''Glad you're back with us.'' Flex says sarcastically.
''Sorry.'' Elphaba says quickly. She rubs her head
''I asked about the girl who was with you.''
''Girl?'' Elphaba asks surprised. Meanwhile her heart is pounding in her throat.
Flex nods. ''I understand from the doorkeeper that you begged to let a friend come in with you.''
Elphaba thinks quickly. How is she going to get out of this. ''It was a girl I met in the city. She would do anything to see the Wizard. I thought I was doing her a great favor.''
''Yeah, yeah,'' Flex says suspiciously. ''Why would anyone want to see the great Wizard?''
Elphaba's eyes widen. ''Because he's wonderful. He makes everything better. He's important to Oz.''
Flex shrugs indifferently. "Well, he's not that important. You, on the other hand, are much more interesting." Flex smiles.
Elphaba swallows. "I'm really not."
Flex laughs out loud. "You're so modest. You should brag about your powers."
"I'd rather not," Elphaba replies curtly.
"I'm done," the nurse says as she puts her things in the bag. "She has a concussion, but otherwise she's healthy."
Flex turns to the nurse, satisfied. ''That's good to hear, nurse.'' Flex says happily.
"If you don't mind, I want to go now." Elphaba throws the covers off her.
Flex keeps smiling. "I do mind. You're staying here a bit longer."
Elphaba's eyes widen. She tries to jump out of bed, but the Gale Force soldiers quickly move to her bedside. Two grab her arms, and another holds her legs.
"Let me go!" Elphaba shouts as she struggles to break free. Meanwhile, the woman fastens brown straps around her wrists. Soon, she's tied to the bed with her arms pinned by her sides.
"Where did you think you were going?" Flex asks with a grin. Flex looks impressed at the nurse.
"What do you want from me?" Elphaba feels scared, but she doesn't want to show it. Anger is much better now.
"Oh, and here I thought you were clever," Flex says mockingly.
Elphaba glares at him, furious. "You won't get away with this."
"Who's gonna stop me? You? You have to be saved by your friends first? Where are they anyway? I just want to know some information about your friends. Where they are, what their names are, how they escaped from the Gale Force?'' Elphaba looks around in panic. She's not going to betray her friends, that much is clear. Even though she doesn't know if she has any friends after their last fight. She has to give that man some other information, so she has time to escape. ''I don't know. So please let me go.''
Flex smiles. ''Look, I don't like it when you lie to me.'' Flex leans closer to Elphaba's face. ''We can do it the hard way or the easy way. The choice is yours. All you have to do is tell her the names of your friends.''
The nurse feels her heart pounding in her throat. Her hands are in fists. She has to be patient and hope for the best.
''I will never tell you.'' Elphaba hisses, feeling very small inside.
Flex growls. ''I can always ask your sister.''
Elphaba, with newfound strength, struggles harder to break free. "You stay away from my sister, do you hear me?"
Flex laughs as he walks away. "This is even easier than I thought. Nurse, make sure she's well-fed. She needs to be strong for when she casts her first spell."
"I'm not casting anything!" Elphaba shouts after him.
''My dear Elphaba. It's very simple. You're going to do as I say, or I'll make your life and your sister's a living hell. I need information about your friends and you're going to do as I say. It's quite simple, even Morrible could have taught you that in college.'' Flex leaves without another word.
''I never will. You leave everyone alone.'' Elphaba shouts after him. Oz, how angry and scared she feels. She hopes Galinda is smart enough to leave her behind. Her heart shrinks at the thought. But anything is better than being in the hands of that horrible man.
"Um, Flex?" the nurse quickly asks as she follows him out the door.
Another alias I have to remember, Boris thinks irritably. He really needs to stop with this. "Yes? I'm impressed, by the way. At first I felt bad that you interrupted me. But I thought it was good that you helped to tie her up.''
The nurse starts to blush. "Could the Gale Force help me restrain her while she eats? She needs to sit up straight, and I don't want her escaping. This isn't what I usually do, but I don't want to disappoint you, of course," the nurse rambles on.
"No problem. Ask for as much help as you need."
The nurse nods gratefully and quickly walks away.
''Maybe she's still of some use to us.'' Boris mumbles.
''Boss,'' a fearful voice sounds behind him.
Boris feels a certain joy. Lovely, that fear around him.
''Yes?'' he asks as he turns around.
''I was wondering why you want information about those friends? You already know their names.''
Boris smiles. ''Good that you asked. I want to know to what extent Elphaba will cooperate. I have to be sure that she is telling the truth. The same is when she is going to speak the spells, I have to know that she is going to read what I want. As soon as she breaks to say the names of her friends, I know that it is time.''
''But, but why are you being so difficult?'' the guard takes a step back. I.. I mean, torture is done so quickly.'' he stutters fearfully.
Boris shakes his head. ''No, that is no use with her. She is used to protecting herself from violence. Her weak spot is the people she cares about. That is why Nessa has now become a handy pawn.''
The guard nods doubtfully. ''You will know.''
''I have read the documents well and I have observed her. Believe me.''
The guard nods quickly. ''I will never doubt you and I will remain loyal to you.''
Boris smiles, that is how he prefers it.
XXXX
Madame Morrible is still lying in her bed. If she's going to be on kitchen duty, she might as well stay in bed for as long as possible. Boris will soon come asking for her help. Those students are harder to control than he thinks. He will have to beg her.
Madame Morrible smiles. She certainly won't make it easy for him. How dare he push her aside like this.
As if he knew she was thinking about him, Boris walks in. "Good day, Madame Morrible," he says, sounding pleased. "I hope you're not getting too comfortable here. They're short on staff downstairs."
Madame Morrible glares at him. "Are you just here to annoy me?"
Boris thought for a moment. "Yes, actually. But I do have a question. The answer might determine how quickly you can work your way back up."
Madame Morrible looks at him expectantly.
"Is Nessarose Thropp in the Emerald City?"
"Nessa?" She hadn't expected that question at all. "No, but then again, I didn't expect Galinda either," Madame Morrible says thoughtfully.
Boris looks frustrated. At least she's being honest, he thinks. "What does she look like?"
"She's in a wheelchair, long brown hair, usually wears a headband. She resembles her father, Frex."
Boris nods approvingly. So the girl is who she claims to be.
"Why? Is she here?"
Boris has already turned around. "That's not for you to know. You have one hour before you're expected downstairs. Since the staff has already eaten, and the sick won't be served for another hour, you'll get nothing."
Madame Morrible glares at him angrily. She needs to stay calm a little longer. Elphaba won't give him what he wants. He'll need her help eventually, and then he'll have to beg on his knees.
XXX
The nurse sighed deeply before entering the room. She had a cart full of food. She had to make sure Elphaba got all the right nutrients. Oz knew she would need them. She looked at the two men who followed her into the room. Elphaba was still struggling to get off the bed.
"I'm not eating," Elphaba said angrily when she saw who had entered. Her stomach immediately growled.
The nurse laughed. "It'll be okay, sweetheart. Just cooperate, it's best for everyone," she said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible.
"It's best for all of you. Not for me."
"For you too," the nurse said, trying to convey a message with her eyes.
Elphaba didn't seem to get the message. "Why do you work for that man anyway?"
The nurse sighed deeply. This was going to be a difficult task, she thought wearily. ''Girl listen to what we say.'' she strokes Elphaba's hair.
Elphaba pulls her head away. ''I will never do what you say.''
The nurse signals to the guards. ''You hold her head, while I try to feed her.''
''Oooh yeah, this is the way to gain my trust.'' Elphaba says sacrastically.
The nurse ignores her. She grabs a piece of fruit and puts it in Elphaba's mouth. Elphaba spits it out immediately. ''You don't think I'm going to eat your poison.'' Elphaba screams angrily. She twists her face, because the nurse pinches her cheeks hard.
The nurse laughs. ''Do you really think we're going to poison you? Bor, I mean Flex, wants information from you. Where are your friends? Do they have the Wizard?''
''I don't have any friends. Ask anyone, I'm the weird green girl. No one wants to be associated with me.'' Elphaba says with pain in her voice.
The guard laughs. ''I can imagine.''
The nurse gives him a stern look. ''And that blonde girl and the boys?''
''I don't know what you're talking about.'' Elphaba says stubbornly.
The nurse pinches Elphaba's cheek even harder. ''Do you know now?''
''No.'' Elphaba whispers.
The nurse is deeply impressed. ''I can assure you, this is not poison. It's just fruit. Eat it.''
Elphaba carefully considers her options. She is very hungry. But how can she believe anyone, after everything that has happened. She carefully opens her mouth.
The nurse smiles lovingly and strokes Elphaba's hair, as if it were a little child who has done something good. The guards loosen Elphaba a little. They look at each other with relief.
"Can you taste that? It's just fruit." The nurse puts fruit in Elphaba's mouth again
Elphaba nods slowly. She's still scared. She wants to leave. "Can you untie me?"
The nurse shakes her head. "Sorry, honey, but you're staying here until Flex gets what he wants. You need to get your strength back so you can cast a spell."
Elphaba's eyes widen. She keeps her jaws tightly clenched.
The nurse sighs. "Come on, don't be so stubborn. Tell me where your friends are and where they've hidden the Wizard."
"Never." Elphaba hisses angrily. Despite everything, she'll protect Galinda.
The nurse shakes her head. "Then we'll do it the hard way. This is your choice." The nurse holds the fork again and holds it to Elphaba's mouth. Elphaba keeps her mouth shut.
The nurse picked up a cup of liquid food. "Hold her mouth open and I'll pour this in," she tells the guards.
The men grabbed Elphaba's chin and nose. Elphaba opened her mouth and the nurse poured as much as she could until Elphaba started coughing. The men let go, allowing her to breathe. They repeated the process until the cup was empty.
Elphaba looked around the room angrily, tears in her eyes. The nurse lovingly stroked Elphaba's hair. "You did this yourself. If you cooperate, we won't have to force you. Flex doesn't mean any harm by the straps around your wrists and ankles."
Elphaba tugged again.
"If you listen, we'll take them off."
"Oh yeah, sounds like a vacation," Elphaba mumbled in a hoarse voice.
The nurse smiled. "You can take the supplies. I'll just check her blood pressure." What idiots these men are. The nurse thinks. You can't measure blood pressure at all when the person is talking. In this situation, all blood pressures are too high. It has no added value at all. But the nurse doesn't say any of that. She hears the men tidying up. Just a moment. she thinks. She has all the information she needs. In a way, she regrets leaving Elphaba behind. But it is the only solution. She needed this information, for the safety of her own family. She hopes that Elphaba will keep going. The poor girl needs hope.
The men nodded, happy to leave. They hadn't expected such a small girl to be so much trouble. They hoped Boris would finish his plan soon, so they could get rid of the green one.
"Are you proud now that you did this?" Elphaba asked, still angry.
The nurse smiled reassuringly. "You see, if you cooperate, everything will go more smoothly. Don't be afraid," she said, ignoring Elphaba's question. She quickly looked around. "Know that I'm on your side," she whispered when she was sure the coast was clear.
Before Elphaba could ask what she meant, she felt a sharp pain in her arm. She felt the liquid coursing through her veins and the world went black.
The nurse brushed Elphaba's hair from her face. Even though she knows Elphaba needs hope, she can't bring herself to give her false hope. Part of her hope is that she can free Elphaba. But she has to think of her own safety first. "Know that everything will be alright. Don't be afraid," she whispered again. Quickly, she hid the syringe and left the room. She finished her rounds, so no one would suspect her. She knew Flex, wouldn't visit Elphaba anytime soon. But thanks to the injection, Elphaba would sleep for at least a day. Even with smelling salts, she wouldn't wake up.
By late afternoon, the nurse slipped out of the palace. She ditched her uniform, took off her glasses, and ran through the streets of the Emerald City. She hoped she'd bought enough time to make her escape.
XXX
A/N Thanks for reading the story and the great reviews. They make my day.