OBTICEO

Chapter 1 : GUILTY

DISCLAIMER:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or just used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced, distributed, published, transmitted, modified, displayed or created in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the author.

Hope you enjoy the story!

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"Your Highness, the members of the Sesgado finds the defendant GUILTY!

"Members of the Sesgado, this court dismisses you and thank you for a job well done!" said the Queen to the Sesgado, the one who is in charge of investigating cases in Elletra. In an instant, I was sweating real hard, this can't be true! My father is innocent! I know it! My father did not kill the King! They are friends, really close friends!

In our world, Elletra, when Elletran commits a crime, the one who did the crime will not receive the punishment instead one relative will take the punishment. All types of crime result in one punishment, lifetime imprisonment to an island called Erebus.

In my father's case, there is only one relative left, ME! I am not afraid of being imprisoned, I worry for my father. I am afraid that he would blame himself, I know my father did not kill the King, I just know my father so well. But it seems like the Sesgado and Judge don't know that. What will happen to us now?

And the Queen!

She didn't even try to defend my father. She knows well of my father and the King's relationship, they were like best friends, Brothers even!

I don't understand! Everyone knows how great of a man is my father! Why is no one on his side? I don't understand! What will happen to my father if they take me away? He only has me as a family! What if something bad happens to him? Who's gonna take care of him? Father! What's going to happen now?

After Sesgado's decision, questions bombarded my mind and fear filled my heart.

I noticed the number of people inside the court started to decrease until I, my father, and five Kavan are the only ones left.

I turned to my father who is still sitting in front. I walked towards him, wanting to tell him that I'll be fine and that I know he's innocent.

"I'm sorry sweetheart! This is all my fault! If only I stayed si--"

"Papa, it is fine. I know you aren't capable of killing anybody, especially a close friend. I trust you Pa, don't worry" I cut fathers words and hugged him. I want to hug him all day but I know it's too much to ask.

"Sweetheart you don't understand! They will take you away! FOREVER! If only--"

"Pa stop it! I'm fine. They will take me away, YES!, But I can take care of myself, you raised me Pa! Have faith in that" I cut his words again still hugging me. I wanted to cry. But I know I have to be strong not only for myself but also for Papa. I never thought I would be taken away from my father. I was hugging Papa really tight when the Kavans went near us and separated us.

"She needs to come with us now! We have to leave already. We'll take her to the dungeon, where she will spend the night, and tomorrow, she will be transferred to Erebus. Get ready!" one of the Kavans said, grabbing me in my arms. Three Kavans are stopping Papa from going near me and two are dragging me to a door probably taking me to the dungeon.

I glanced at my father mouthing 'it will be fine'. I can see him tearing up. We never got separated. There are times he would work until late at night doing the King's orders but he always comes home every day. I hope my father would stay healthy. I know I would still see him tomorrow before they transfer me to the island.

After exiting the court we are now in the hallway walking towards what I think is the end of the hallway. We stopped in front of a wall and one of the Kavans take out a small thing and pressed something in there.

The wall started to slide open and a stairway leading to an underground dungeon came into our vision. I never thought that the dungeon is found here.

We went down the stairs and saw a huge darkroom. The lights are very dim that made the entire room look creepy. There were about 60 single cells with a single bed that doesn't even have foams. It is just a metal bed, nothing else. No comfortable foams, no blanket, no pillows. Nothing. If I sleep in those, it would be really cold.

I saw some people in the cells, they were looking at us. Most of them are from low-ranked Elletran. They were fascinated seeing a high-ranked Elletran being held by Kavans and imprisoned in the dungeon. I didn't feel ashamed because I was confident that my father did not kill the King.

We stopped in cell 43, the Kavan who was holding my left arm opened the cell through a key and the Kavan holding my right arm pushed me hard inside. I did not face them after pushing me in. I don't want them to see the tears that are starting to form in my eyes.

"Not so high now, aren't you?" I heard one of the Kavan said before leaving while laughing at the situation I am into. After a couple of minutes of standing, I decided to sit, not on the bed but on the dirty floor of the cell, I hugged my knees and started crying. I thought I was strong enough but I wasn't. I badly want to stop the tears falling on my cheeks but I couldn't. I admit I am scared. Scared of being away from my father, scared of what will happen tomorrow and scared for what will happen to our lives.

I stopped crying in the middle of the night. Not because I wasn't scared anymore but because I am tired of crying all day. I still couldn't accept the situation. I am not strong enough to face the punishment.

I got up from where I was sitting when I heard loud noises. I tried to see what's making the noise and saw some Kavans handling food to the prisoners. Even though the cell is not comfortable at least they give food. I suddenly felt hungry after crying. I patiently waited until the Kavans reached my cell.

"Here's your food!" the Kavan shouted handing the food to me recklessly. I even saw some of it spilling because of it. They were no tray that's why. And the Kavan's finger is touching the soup inside the bowl. He is holding it incorrectly. My face turned disgusted looking at the Kavan's finger but I am in no position to be picky and I am really hungry.

I was about to touch the bowl when he suddenly retrieve the bowl. I looked him in the eyes wanting to ask what he was doing.

"Oh! I forgot you came from a wealthy family. A HIGH rank" The Kavan said emphasizing the word High. I suddenly felt a glimpse of joy. Does it mean I would have better food? Is that a privilege? As far as I know, I am not the first high-ranked Elletran to be sent on Erebus. It must be special treatment, we came from a wealthy family after all.

"Too bad we don't have good food down here so it's better if you won't eat at all besides, we don't want you passing out due to food poisoning now, do we? Since you only eat good and delicious food, might as well I, eat this!" the Kavan said putting my bowl of food back in the trolley planning on eating my food. What? What will I eat? Nothing?

I disappointedly sat down on the hard bed. I tried laying down and tried finding a good position to sleep. I've never been hungry before. Maybe I should sleep so that I won't think of hunger anymore. So much for the night. I hope Papa is sleeping well and eating good foods. After all a high-ranked committing a crime doesn't mean losing all his wealth.

Goodnight Papa!