Chapter 5

“How are you, my dear?” Asked Mrs. Watson as she slowly walked over to the chair next to Bridgette and sat down, covering her legs in a red checkered blanket. A little lost in thought, Clara grabbed Bridgette’s hand and asked again.

          “Mrs. Clara, I don’t know how we got here,” Bridgette answered with tears welling in her eyes.

          “We took an adventure, Dear, that’s how we got to this lovely, secret, cold, magical kingdom in the middle of nowhere.” She laughed as she grabbed her handkerchief, so Bridgette could wipe away her tears. 

          “I’m worried about Raiden, and I know it’s silly, seeing as how I just met him.” Bridgette wiped away her tears as she stared at Clara. 

          “When I was seventeen I met a tall, lean, blonde-haired, green-eyed twenty-three-year-old man. I was walking in the park with my Scottish terrier, Jax when this man bumped right into me. He asked me to dinner and by dessert, I was head over heels for this clumsy handsome man. We married a week later and we celebrated our sixty-fifth anniversary, six months ago before I decided to take this adventure.” Mrs. Watson smiled as Jasper walked over to Bridgette and kissed the top of her head. She stood and patted the shoulder of Dr. Hawthorne as she headed off to the other end of the room to get food, Jasper sat down and grabbed Bridgette's hand. 

           “I know my favorite niece, let me guess, you are scared that you might never see your true love again? Bridgie, to find love, true love, is rare and I’m so glad that you have it!’’ Dr. Hawthorne stated as he looked his niece over. A knock on the door startled them as a guardsman walked in through the white and gold-lined double doors. 

            “There’s been a breach, we'll start taking you all to a secure location.” A broad, bald, man yelled as he and another guardsman grabbed Mrs. Clara, Calvin, Dr. Jasper, and Ajay, and they hastily tore them away from the others in the group.

              Jasper cried out, “Don’t worry Bridgie, they’ll be back for you!” 

As the doors closed the other silent guardsman finally spoke, “There will be a guard outside this door, when the others are safe we will come back for you!” His voice was very eerie and dark and he oddly had a smile when he closed the doors. Bridgette walked over to the other side of the blue-colored room to join Miles and Dr. Sean when a sudden sharp rapid knock hit the door. Before anyone could make their way over, the doors burst open, and in stepped Yolandi and Zornan.

             “Oh Darling, expecting someone else?” Questioned Yolandi as she snapped her fingers. Three of her loyal servants dressed as guardsmen walked in, as they slipped bags over their heads. They are quickly tied up and rushed out of the room. Across the grand dining room and through many other hallways the others were being herded away from anyone around. 

              “Guard, where is my niece? Are you going to get everyone else?” Asked Dr. Hawthorne his voice strained with worry as they were shoved into a small room. 

              “Could I trouble you for some tea, Dear? I think it might help calm some nerves.” Mrs. Clara asked as she entered the room and sat in the only available chair. No answer came from the guardsman as this did not ease Jasper at all, but he was quick on his feet. Calvin opened his mouth to ask a question but Jasper quickly held up his hand and grabbed a small dagger left behind by a forgetful guardsman. As he slowly walked up behind the unbothered man and plunged the dagger deep into his temple. 

              “What are you doing?” Screamed Dr. Dubois as he stepped away from Dr. Jasper, in fear. Jasper held up a finger to his lips while he checked around the corner. He motioned that it was clear as everyone started to follow with a bit of reluctance from Calvin, “I don’t like this one bit, Mrs. Watson.” He whispered heading down the hallway. 

              “I have full confidence in the doctor. He was a corporal in the army before he became a doctor.” Clara responded, grabbing onto his hand as they quietly headed through the halls. 

              “You might want to arm yourselves, we have to be cautious.” Dr. Hawthorne advised everyone behind him, handing a candlestick to Mrs. Watson as she passed it to Calvin behind her.