Under attack?

"Hey, Mommy's princess, your food is ready." Lorna said in a mocking voice while unlocking the doors to the prison.

Rays of the golden sun poured into the prison through a small window as she walked in followed by Lily. A small smile twitched on Zoey's pale figure when she saw Lily.

"Eat while you still can." Lorna dropped the food tray she brought for Zoey with a thud, splashing some of the content on the table. 

"Lorna." Zoey reached for Lily's hand on the table but she yanked her hands away.

"Don't you dare touch me you traitor." Lorna eyed her with distaste and moved away.

"You didn't have to do that." Lily chided Lorna.

"I can act as I like. Who knows I might be six feet below by dusk." Lorna pranced out of the room.

"Hey, don't mind her nasty behavior. She'll come around soon." Lily pulled Zoey into her arms and comforted her.

After a brief second, they pulled away and Zoey wiped the dry tears on her cheeks. Lily patted her slowly while waiting for her to speak.

"What about Mother? When will she come for me?" Zoey questioned in a low voice.

Her mother had not come to visit her nor had she sent her books to read and it hurt her to see her mother ignore her. 

"I really do not know but she summoned us for a meeting tonight." Lily revealed.

"I need to go now." She stood up from the bench.

Zoey gulped hard. Although the dungeon wasn't the best place to be, she wasn't affected by it. All that was on her mind was Zachary. This was the second day and he still had not fulfilled his last words to her. Was he safe?

 She pulled the tray towards herself and started eating. She needed enough strength for Zachary. When she finished eating, she moved back on the bed and allowed sleep to take over after all there was nothing else to do. 

_______

"Zoey?" A gentle voice called her name and she turned towards the direction of the voice. 

"Zach?" She whispered in disbelief when she realized who had called her name.

It was Zachary. Happiness coursed through her and A wide grin spread on her face as she erupted into laughter. She rushed out of bed almost immediately as if she was scared it wasn't real. Her dream had finally come through and her mother would release her soon when she realized her mistake.

"I knew you'd come. I just knew it! Have you met my Mom? She's extremely angry with me because I freed you all but now that you've come back for me, we'll solve everything amicably, everything would be alright." She cheered excitedly, trying to reach her lover but he seemed far, he was far from reach despite being so close to her. 

Her brows arched in a frown and the excitement slowly died down when she couldn't reach him. With each step she took, he seemed so far.

A sullen expression grimaced her face. Unable to hold back the question, she voiced out "Why are you so far Zach?" She asked, her voice almost a whisper. 

It was at this moment that she noticed the stone-like expression on his face, his face was hard and angry. Everything about him seemed so wrong.

His left hand curved around her right hand and he tightened it until Zoey gasped in pain.

Pain coursed through her chest in waves, like a tsunami sweeping across the land, threatening to destroy all she held dear. The pain was unbearable, but she refused to cry out. She didn’t want to attract attention, not when it would only serve to make matters worse. 

Moreover, she did not know if he had seen her mother or not. A sinister smile twitched on Zach's face immediately causing goosebumps to arise on her skin.

"You must be a big fool to think that I am here to save you! Wake up from your slumber, your nightmare just started." His eyes narrowed into slits as she tried to free herself from him but it seemed futile.

"Zach… please." Tears streamed down her cheeks.

She wondered what was going on and why he was acting strange. This was not her Zach.

 Her vision blurred and all she could see was the darkness embracing her despite the hard resistance she had. 

"Zoey!!!" She felt someone shake her vigorously.

"Wake up Zoey. What's wrong!?" The worried etched voice asked and her eyes flew open. 

"Zach! Please save me. Please." She pleaded trying to get up but the hand held her down tight. 

"Will you stop this now? There's no time. Wake up!" The familiar voice warned her. 

Her eyes flicked open almost immediately and darkness welcomed her. She sat up on the bed while scanning the dark room in total confusion. A few minutes ago she had just seen Zach but where was he and why was Lily in her room in the middle of the night? 

Was it a dream? If it was a dream, why did it feel so real and why could she sense that Zach was around? A myriad of emotions flowed through her. She was confused. Bewildered. Anxious. Scared.

She wiped her face with her hand while suppressing a yawn.

"Zoey!" Lily shook her once more. There was no time.

"Yes, Lily. Is everything okay? What are you doing here and where's Zach?" She questioned.

"That's not important right now because we have a problem." Lily said in a panicky voice.

Squinting her eyes at Lily, Zoey shook off the dregs of sleep from her eyes and sat up on the bed. Lily was serious.

"What is it?" Zoey asked.

"We are under attack." Lily revealed.

"What!?" Zoey gasped.

Zoey's heart began to race and questions sprouted in her mind, followed by confusion and fear. Zachary had promised to come back and she knew deep within that he was going to come. Has he finally come?