The Elusive Prince

Chapter 15: I'm Not a Damsel in Distress!

TW: Terrorist attack, guns, blood and violence. It's not too graphic but if you're sensitive with these topics please proceed in this chapter with caution. 

Merideth

All there was was chaos as the crowd got crazier the more the sound of gun shots got closer and here was me and Blake just standing behind one of the walls close to us earlier watching the scene unfold as the sound of despair got closer. I was feeling dizzy as I saw a few bodies fall down on the ground, painting the floor red as they got caught in the rain of bullets clearly not running fast enough away from the danger.

I looked at Blake for a few moments who was looking queasy as he took in the bodies in front of us clearly not used to this violence, before deciding to pull out my phone to try and contact maybe Cassian who got separated from us and maybe Amity to check if their wing got attacked too or even Sir Hexford to ask how they were fairing about this crazy situation we are in but only to get disappointed as the phone showed that there was no signal. Dang it, did those attackers seriously jam the signal inside? They must have really planned this attack through and I can't help but feel a little impressed but at the same time scared because these people had some smarts to actually plan this and had the strength to actually see their plan through in the end. But why the mall? What's their ulterior motive? Where they hired gunmen? Or where they terrorists who are doing this for a cause or to prove a point? Or worst, the people of Shriner infiltrated Wiyelt and is now doing this?

I was deep in thought about this whole attack and who could possible be behind this plan as I absent-mindedly clicked on the emergency button of my watch , when I feel Blake shaking me and brought me out from my trance.

"Your Highness, we might have to change spots." He said but before his words registered in my mind, he was already pulling me along with him away from our spot and into one of the stores close to as but was relatively empty as the rain of bullets went and hit the very place where our bodies were supposed to be standing in earlier. That was really close. I turned to look at Blake and gave him a small smile which meant thanks and he just smiled tightly back at me.

Was that shooting intentional or was it just because they were moving closer now? Were they just shooting at random or do they have a specific target?

I covered my ears as the sound of bullets continue to come closer. Blake looked at me before looking at counter we were hiding at before going back down probably seeing something. He looked at me before pointing for us to move to one of the giant potted plants located at the entrance so we can escape if the gunner does come in our hiding spot which I think he will, basing on Blake's expression.

We placed ourselves behind the plant which thankfully was big enough that we couldn't be seen even from outside the glass walls. The door swung open as one of the gunners walked it, clearly surveying the area looking for innocent people that were hiding. The guy was wearing a black suit and carried a big gun which was slung on his back as he looked around. I dared to look higher to see the face only to see that they were wearing a mask of sorts. It was a dark and light grey colored mask with red paint running down the eyes in a spiky nature and some sort of thorns poking through the top of the mask. It wasn't an intricate design but I haven't seen such design before on the dangerous groups I saw. Well technically not see more like learned because I have never been in a terrorist attack before until now but you get my point.

He was still looking around before heading out and talking into a walkie talkie saying that this place was clear. Well it wasn't but thankfully he was dumb enough to think that there weren't two people hiding or maybe we were just too good in hiding.

I can feel Blake let out a sigh silently as the man exited the establishment. I also did the same thing because we were safe, for now. We still need to move away though because even if they said this place was clear they might check in again and I'm not going to sit behind this plant forever and wait for this to be done.

Blake peeked slightly to the glass door beside the plant which was covered with the leaves, and let the leaves mask us again.

"Okay Your Highness, there seems to be a two people out there probably guarding this area, all armed with guns. I don't know how we'll sneak out because we can't really go anywhere and we can't stay here either as it is too risky." he explained and I'm glad we're thinking the same thing. I need to treat him when we do get out of here.

"So what're we going to do?" I asked but was also starting to formulate a plan myself. Blake was in deep thought and so was I before he brightened slightly, probably already having a plan in mind.

"I have a plan but it involves us fighting them." he said which made me surprised because no normal person will offer a princess to fight which was kind of refreshing because a lot of people underestimate me just because I was a princess. I'll definitely treat Blake out after this.

"That sounds good. I assume you had training?" I asked which made him nod and I just smiled because that was great. He told me the full plan after confirming that I could fend off for myself. We were to get out here, take out the few guys manning the place outside and bolt out to the north wing where Amity were at and hopefully bump into them.

I agreed and we finalized the plan before slowly crawling down to the door because only an i***t will announce that they were sneaking on you so now we're on the floor which was filthy but survival was more important than hygiene at the moment.

We crawled slowly and waited until the guys outside turn around and opened the door and lunged at them. Blake caught the other one in a chokehold while I gracefully swift the other guy off his feet, literally, as his head hit the ground hard enough to cause a concussion. I looked at his unmoving body and proceeded to go through his suit pockets for something but these bastards knows what they're doing and didn't bring any sort of item that can identify them. Well they did have a pistol though so I'll be taking that in case I need to shoot someone.

Blake was also checking for the other guy but found nothing. I nodded at him before pointing my chin towards the store we were at and dragging their unconscious bodies inside and barricaded it with the plant from earlier. Thankfully Blake has the strength to do so. Finally done with that we headed closer to the north wing which surprisingly didn't have anyone guarding it. Weird, I thought but just continued on.

We had to do a few stops when we heard footsteps but other than that it seems as if we were walking in the park which made me suspicious. Blake was currently checking on one of the stores, looking for anyone inside when I heard it. 's**t I was right about being suspicious' I thought as the bullets came flying towards me.

I ran away from where Blake was, which probably not the best choice but there were bullets after me so I have reason to panic. I rolled down and successfully avoided the rain of bullets but now I have exposed my position. I am still on the ground, in a crouching position when they sound of guns firing stopped and was replaced with the sound of footsteps approaching me. That must be one of the gunners. s**t think Merideth think. I was about to reach out to where I was keeping the pistol but stopped when I saw shoes stop in front of my face.

"Well look who it is? If it isn't the Princess of Wiyelt? Why are you outside your majesty? Aren't you supposed to be inside a fancy ass school right now?" the voice said mockingly which made me grit my teeth. He was closer now and I managed to look at his face which was covered with the same light and dark grey mask with red lines painted down on the eyes. He saw me looking at his face so he decided to plant his feet on the back of my head and pushed my head back on the ground which made me groan because that hurts and the floor was dirty. I need a nice bath after this.

"Get your grimy feet off me." I managed to let out but he just laughed and strengthened the force on my head which made me groan a bit because that hurt. This person will pay for this when I get a chance.

Before I could get that chance though he already called his friends and then I was handcuffed and blindfolded in a blink of an eye and now I couldn't reach the pistol, was useless and blind. Where did they even get these things? Dang they must have been really prepared for this.

"Take her away. She can be some sort of leverage. Just our luck she's dumb enough to stand in the middle of a f***ing hallway in the middle of an attack. Probably weak too. Nothing but a trophy." that bastard just laughed as he led me to his other friends and my senses were tingling to fight back and headbutt his masked face in but I know that was foolish seeing as I was alone and their attention was still on me. I'll just to wait for the right time to attack and then I can show these bastards that I'm not some token princess. But for now I'll have them believe that because it was easier that way. The weaker they think you are the less eyes will be on you which makes it perfect to plan a surprise attack.

He lead me further away from the north wing and into a different one with me hearing the screams more as the guns continued to fire. Before I knew it they pushed me harshly to the ground which made me groan. These people are uncultured, treating a lady like this. The masked guy that cuffed me earlier left me there on the ground and just scoffed before leaving me. I just laid there for a few minutes just thinking about this whole attack.

I don't know if I was alone because I didn't hear any noises that indicated fear or panic. There were some earlier when we were passing somewhere but it was more of begging for their life. Thankfully, I think they were just hostages because there were no more gun shots. 

They must taken me somewhere else because I was more important because all I ever hear are a bunch of guys flexing about the amount of people they shot which made me disgusted because who in their right mind would talk about the amount of people they killed? These heartless people certainly do.

As if sensing my disgust, I heard someone come closer and kicked me again before laughter rang out. These people really are heartless and probably are sick sadists that like seeing people suffer. Now I really think I need to let some of my anger out before it overcomes my rational mind and don't plan my escape throughly because I really don't want to mess this one up.

"Did your mother not teach you how to treat girl properly? You must not have a girlfriend if that's how you are treating girls." I bit back without really knowing who it was directed to because I was blind currently. I hear the laughing stop and I must've hit a nerve at that because next thing I know I was kicked harshly in the stomach which sent me tumbling into the side as I groaned in pain. He seems unsatisfied with that because he stalked into me before continuing on the kicking. Dang I must have hurt his feelings with that statement. Poor guy must have no luck with girls if he reacted like this. He must be a pathetic person.

The kicking continued and the whoops behind me got louder as they cheered on but then the world suddenly turned silent as the kicking stopped. Thank the heavens for that because any more of that and I would've passed out.

"Stop that. She's importsnt and we need her for ransom. We don't want to have damaged goods can we?" the voice supplied which seemed familiar but the pain from the kicks made me unable to think properly except about how my body hurts like heck.

I can hear the murmurs ring out, probably agreeing but the guy kicking me just scoffed and did one last kick before moving away. I groaned because of course it hurts but my complaints were later drowned as another round of gun shots rang out the place and as quick as it came, it stopped just as fast which made me confused.

The first few minutes, all there was was silence until I heard a guy tsk and then footsteps and a lot of sounds of bodies being pushed around as if someone was going through them. I held my breath as panic and fear sets in my heart as I prepare the for the worst.

Before I can do anything though, someone came close to me and then there were bright lights as they took the blindfold off. I blinked a few times to let my eyes adjust to the bright lights after I was deprived of light and then I was met with emerald green eyes hiding behind the same mask that these terrorists were wearing and stared into me which made the breath I was holding get stuck once again because those eyes, the same eyes I was looking for that day was now staring into mine, as if checking if I was okay. When he saw the recognition cross on my face, he gave me that damned smile that got me frozen that night and which made me gasp a bit as I register another set of unknown emotions dance behind those eyes. 

"Hello Merideth."