Chapter 9

The room was eerie dark, the princess’ small frame shaking as she moved into a seated position. The only sound in the small cell was Elika’s harsh breathing, her pulse quickening. She scanned the darkness in panic, desperately searching for anything that would give her comfort. For some sign of life. She pushed herself into the corner of the cot-like bed, her back connecting with a padded wall. She was deserted, alone in the darkness. Her whole body continued to tremble as she stood, moving into the centre of the cell. She repeatedly glanced into every corner, the walls seeming to close in on her. The princess gasped, her legs quaking with fear.  The distant screams of her family assaulted her ears, causing Elika’s panic to increase.

 She searched around the room again, this time for her family. The cell remained abandoned, the princess completely alone. And yet, she could clearly hear the desperate cries of her brothers as though the