Clockwork

Chapter Fifteen

Waiting. If there was one thing Kyros hated, it was waiting. Waiting for the sun to shine, for the snow to snow, for his tailor to finish, for his mother to shut up, for the bloody jet to catch up with the redhead! Kyros was losing the waiting game. If he didn't have a doctor's note explaining that he wasn't, he would have sworn that he was ADHD.

His food was long gone and his stomach was an empty pit. He could count his ribs which he didn't think was a good sign. He had put on the jet's radio but nothing seemed to catch his fancy. Just as well, because if it did, he would have it stuck in his head for weeks. He tried distracting himself with coming up with excuses why he had left the palace. He even wrote them down. So far his list looked like this:

Excuses for Leaving the palace

Alien Abduction

Kidnapped by rebels

Temporary dementia

I've found the key to enlightenment

What do you mean I left the palace?

BECAUSE I HATE THE QUEEN AND EVERYTHING SHE STANDS FOR

Sighing, he chucked the list to one side. Closing his eyes, he decided to take a quick nap. Sleeping the days away was a good idea. Leaving the palace wasn't. He was slightly regretting his decisions. Sure, freedom was awesome. But not knowing when your next meal is? Not so awesome. Kyros missed roast pork. He was pretty sure he'd eat a roast ferret, he was so hungry. He stayed like this for a while, reflecting on his mistakes.

Suddenly, the sensors of the jet went of.

"Sir, we have locked our target." The Jet's AI announced.

Jumping up, Kyros found a grin plastered to his face. Finally.

"Request permission for jet to merge jets." He said. The AI beeped in reply. Then the telescreen went red.

"Permission denied. Message received: "Who are you?""

"Send message: "Where is my telescreen?""

"Message received: "It's ours now.""

"Send message:" Kyros was irritated now.

"Send message: "Return it now, and you are free to-"

"Permission granted to merge jet."

"Huh." Kyros said.

Dusting himself down, he got up, putting on a shirt he had found left in the jet. He tried to fix his hair but had no luck. Apparently looking presentable was not an option.

Once the doors had locked onto the other jet, Kyros' jet let out a loud wail. Covering his ears and hissing, he slammed the button of the door. Slowly it rose, revealing three faces.

One of the faces Kyros recognised immediately. The red hair was hard to forget. Flanking her were two boys who looked less than pleased to see the Prince. Kyros smiled weakly, giving a small wave.

"Now!" One of the boys yelled. Kyros barely had time to register what was happening before he saw black.

                                                                                                                          *

"Why the hell did you attack him?"

"He's the son of that b***h. Forgive me for not trusting him."

"And you. You went along with it?"

"I'm with Austin on this one."

"Shut it, you'll wake him up."

"Hold it, I think he's coming around."

Kyros opened his heavy eyes, stars still blinding his vision. His surrounding slowly came into focus.

"What the f**k!" He yelled, scooting away from the trio.

"Do you know how much trouble you could get into? Do you know who I am? Where am I? What did you do to me? Who the hell do you think you are? What-"

"Calm down, mate or I'll be forced to shut you up again." Austin drawled, clearly bored. Felicity couldn't help thinking that this was normal for him, after working with Monty.

"To answer your questions, your royal pain in the derriere, yes we are aware what crimes we have committed, who you are ex cetera. You are on our jet, and now have to follow our rules. capiche?" The one Kyros presumed to be Austin said. The redhead punched Austin and walked towards Kyros.

"Stay back!"

"Or what? You realise I'm not going to do anything? It was these two dumbasses' idea to knock you out. My apologies."

"Apology accepted." Kyros snapped, getting up.

"Now if you don't mind, I would like my telescreen and would like to go."

"Not quite." The second boy said.

"We need your help. We figured that you don't agree with your mother due to your recent disappearing act. Are we correct?"

"Go on..."

"What Hunter is trying to say." Felicity butted in,

"Is that we want to start a revolution. And you seem to want to do too."

Kyros nodded.

"And you think that you can go up against the Queen? Good luck."

Felicity noticed that the Prince didn't speak of the Queen as his mother. That was a good sign.

"Here's the telescreen, by the way," She said, handing it over. The Prince grabbed it and eagerly began to inspect it. He frowned.

"Something's wrong with it." He said.

"Well done Flicky," Hunter muttered in the background.

"What?" Felicity asked. It had been fine earlier.

"There's some kind of bug on it. It keeps flashing."

"Give it here, let me see." Felicity snatched the telescreen from the Prince, her cold fingers brushing his. He gave an involuntary shiver.

"Huh. Some kind of-"

"Scarlet, did you or the dear Prince set of an alarm or did we just happen to run into the Iron Guard's flight path?"

"WHAT?" Both Felicity and the Prince yelled. s**t, he must have brought the Guard to them. Seriously, couldn't a wanted criminal get a break? Time to go.

"You there, get us out of here." Kyros said, pointing at Hunter.

"My pleasure." He said, grabbing the controls. The jet shot forwards, throwing those who were standing across the room.

"Hunter, you'd better let me drive, mate!" Austin yelled, struggling against the movement of the ship. Felicity also started to get up, thankful for her soft landing. Something had cushioned her fall.

"Please.. move..." Gasped Kyros. Felicity jumped up quickly, like she had had electricity pumped through her.

"I'm so sorry!"

"It's fine. I'm fine. I just hope your friends can outfly the Iron Guard."

"Already done it once."

"That was you, huh?" Admiration flashed across Kyros' face. Felicity nodded.

"So what did you do to piss them of?" Kyros continue, grabbing the nearest safety handlebar, which happen to be situated behind Felicity. She flinched at the close proximity but thankfully he had missed it

"I stole money from the royal bank." She mumbled. The Prince laughed, his eyes lighting up. Felicity couldn't help staring at him. She knew that half the world had a crush on the Price but only now seeing him up close could she see why. His deep laughter was pretty contagious. She laughed shyly. The jet took a sharp turn, throwing Felicity into the air again. A strong arm wrapped itself around her waist, stopping her before she could go flying into the windscreen. Kyros pulled Felicity against him, yelling at Hunter.

"Where did you learn to drive!" He shouted.

"He didn't," Felicity mumbled against his chest. She was honestly surprised her face hadn't burnt a hole into him, it was burning up so badly. Why did he have to wear such a thin shirt? Thankfully he was wearing a shirt. Oh God, what if he hadn't? Get your head out of the gutter, Argentia! She scolded.

Hunter, meanwhile, was terrified. The Iron Guard seemed to be getting closer and closer.

"I'm gonna have to crash it." He said.

"What? Are you insane?" Austin snapped, frantically pressing buttons to aid Hunter's steering.

"We'll die on impact."

"That's why you and Felicity and the Prince are gonna jump."

"Now is not the time to be a hero, Hunter!"

"You wanna get out of this alive? Oh look, they've got the guns out now. Have you got a better idea?" Hunter growled.

Austin nodded. He opened a compartment, pulling out three parachutes. He placed one next to Hunter.

"Good luck, mate."

"Same to you."

Austin fought his way to Felicity and the Prince, quickly explaining to them Hunter's plan. To his utter surprise, Felicity nodded, grabbing a parachute.

"You two are gonna have to share."

"Oh joy, I'll be strapped to royalty." Austin said sarcastically. Kyros was equally ecstatic.

Felicity walked over to Hunter who was still struggling with the jet controls.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Please be careful. Come out alive, I need you Hunts."

"Go, Flicky. Don't worry, I'll come back and haunt you. Besides, Princey over there owes me my money." He reached over to hug Felicity with one arm.

"Now go!"

He pushed her away.

The door to the jet opened and Austin jumped out without a second thought. Felicity followed, tears blurring her vision. The last she saw of Hunter was his face, set with sheer determination. Then it happened all too fast. The engine exploded, the jet going up in flames.

"NO!" Felicity screamed.

Tears were flowing now. Not Hunter. No, he can't be gone. But one look at the jet confirmed her fears. Felicity screamed until her voice was hoarse, calling his name.

But Hunter did not reply.