When stars betray

Chapter 4: PHYSICAL CONTACT

Laden and his guardian find shelter in a cabin in the outskirts of the city, they have to go back to the underground or they were doomed. “Open the portal, we have to go now.” Says Laden’s guardian. Laden closes his eyes, his hair gradually turns black, he focuses. A small spark is seen in open air. A portal is forming. The guardian tells him to keep going but Laden just couldn’t focus enough. “I can’t do it!” Laden says in pain, “We don’t have time! They are coming after us.” his guardian responds as the doors to the little cabin crash open.

Back at the castle, queen Vaelis is pacing forth and back frustrated, “do you have any idea how dangerous he is to you?” says Vaelis to Iris. “mom, I didn’t know” answers iris while sobbing as the guards bring in Laden and his guardian. Iris turns and looks at Laden in guilt, Laden looks at her but this time it wasn’t his calm and cold look, it was a look of pure anger and hatred.

“What is your mission?!”, Vaelis’ voice echoes through the hall in which the grounders are being interrogated. There is no response. Laden just looks down and tears start dropping from his eyes. Iris watches from the corner, guilt rushes through her body, she is disappointed in her own self, how could she do something so dumb, she thinks to herself. “Mom, I can explain…” she utters. “Go to your room, Iris. Nana, take her to her room and you are dismissed. Leave by morning.” The queen commands in anger as Nana picks Iris up. Iris is screaming at this point that let her mother let Laden go.

Crying in her room by herself, Iris stands up and attempts to open the door but it is locked shut. So she opens her window to escape. Her room is on the top floor so it will be a hard task. She climbs out to the roofs and makes her way to the ground. She must apologize to Laden and ask for a second chance. Hiding in the flowers and small bushes around, she keeps quiet making sure no one finds her.

“Lock them up! Until further notice.” orders queen Vaelis. Her only child was in so much danger for so long without her knowing. She feels disappointed in herself. The guards force Laden and his guardian aggressively through the door. As they move out, Vaelis walks upstairs to check on her daughter and comfort her but to her surprise, she isn’t in her room. A breeze of wind lifts the blinds to Iris’ open windows, Vaelis screams, “Iris!! Find her immediately!”. The guards rush out and begin scouting out the whole castle in search of Iris.

Iris hears footsteps and peeks through the bushes seeing Laden being taken away. She gets out and runs towards them, the other guards rush towards Iris calling out for her but Iris only has one mission in mind, save Laden. As she runs towards Laden she screams, “Laden! I’m so sorry, I didn’t know it would cause this much harm!” she extends her hand to grab Laden’s but Laden screams, “Nooo!”

As Iris’ hand finally reaches and touches Laden’s, her eyes are almost blinded by a very bright white light and a deafening sharp sound and then… everything goes black and silent. She hears screams fainting away, her heart beats fast and then she feels her body getting lighter and lighter. Her consciousness slowly slipping away. She tries to scream but no sound comes out of her mouth. She wonders whether Laden is okay and then finally, she falls deep asleep.