Chapter 5: A prince in danger
I am so exhausted.
My back hurts from transporting goods to the kitchen. Mr. Stone made sure that I would never be in his kitchen again or work again for that matter. Almost everyone I met in this castle is trying to end my life.
I exhaled heavily before lying on the bed to contemplate on my new found life as a sorb. It's only a minute before tears began falling from my eyes as I realized that I'm stuck in this room for the rest of my life. I tried to think positively into the matter and convinced myself that everything will be alright but staring at the ceiling somehow gave me an absurd idea. I'm gonna escape from this damned palace!
I stood up, grabbed my jacket and immediately went out of my room. I walked slowly into the hallway without making a sound while I wiped the tears from my eyes. There must be a way out here somewhere.
My eyes wandered on the forested part of the palace. Even if there's a wall there, I can walk myself up using a rope or a ladder without attracting a guard's attention. I just need to find a blind spot to execute my plan.
Mr. Stone never got the key to the store room back. He said, I'll be working there everyday anyway. I dig into my pocket for the keys and opened the door to the pantry. If there's no ladder here, I'll use the rope I saw a while ago.
I tried to look for a ladder but sadly, no ladder is stored here. I'm forced to get the rope but it's better than nothing. It's easier to carry a rope anyway.
The forest might be 15 hectares wide with the walls extending towards the exit of town. Nevertheless I was still determined to escape even though I'll end up being lost.
Here goes nothing.
---
Only ten minutes has passed and I heard a faint sound of people running. Nobody should be here in the forest at this time of night. Or is it? I aligned myself with one of the trees to hide my body. The footsteps are now getting closer. Do they know that I am attempting to escape? Well that's what I thought until I heard some faint gunshots in the distance. Shit. I never expected this. What the fuck is happening?
I heard two gunshots again. I tried to peek from the corner of the tree and was shocked to see the prince running. His hands on his stomach. He was definitely shot or he's having a severe case of diarrhea and that needs to find a bathroom quick. I chose believe the former
Abort mission. Abort mission. Today might not be the perfect day for me to escape. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow. But my mind is now focused on the prince. Who is chasing him? And more importantly, Should I help him?
Fuck. Even though I loathed him, life is at stake here. He could die. My conscience will never be clean once I let this man die without doing something. But... I could die! Arrrgh! I hate this dillema.
I heard somebody coming. The hell with it. I tied the rope to a nearby branch and hid again on the opposite tree. I just hope this plan is going to work or else I'm dead.
I saw two people running towards my direction. I gulped when I saw them holding a gun. Oh god! Oh god! I firmly held the rope in my hands and recited a bit of prayer.
If I die before I sleep. Pray the Lord my soul to keep.
They are getting nearer and nearer. It was a good thing they are not running side by side because I can't take them both down. As the first man went past my trap, I finally pulled the rope for the second man to trip.
I heard him groan in pain on the ground while his companion continued to ran without ever noticing that his partner was down.That's when I went out of my hiding to snatch his gun away.
"Who are you and why are you chasing the prince?" I mustered all my courage to speak without croaking and to hold the gun without shaking.
The man laughed as if he heard a funny joke.
"As if you have the courage to use the gun little kidâ"
Bang! Bang!
I shot him in the legs twice.
"I'm not kidding you dumb fuck! Anyway, I have a life to save." I said before leaving the man who is now cursing in pain.
One thing that I learned from books is that you should never ever give your enemies the time for them to escape or turn the tables around. Moreover, I hate it when people underestimate me just because of my age. I'm not a child for their information.
Even though I have no experience with a gun, I know how this thing works. Sardona is a place of war and I have seen many people die because of this.
I shot the man in the legs to make him limp and to avoid following me. I would never kill a man. That's what I promised myself before leaving our home which is now slowly perishing with wars and corruption.
I followed the trail of blood that is now illuminated by the moonlight. The sight of it made my skin crawl. I did not sign up for this but somehow I feel obligated in saving the prince. The adrenaline rush made me run faster and faster. I have a life to save. The one I hated nonetheless.
It was then that I saw them. My heart began to pound like drums on a tribal ceremony. Shit.
"Give me the Royal key or I'm gonna grab it myself" The armed man said to the prince who is now lying on the ground.
"Try me." Even now that he's in trouble, the prince still have the guts to act brave and mighty. Like that will save you.
"Fine. It seems like you have made your choice." The man, now ready to shoot Prince Gregory, aimed his gun directly to the prince.
"Hold it right there." I interrupted and pointed the gun to him. It appears like the gunman was well-trained because he managed to shoot it my direction without looking at me. But I was anticipating this. Growing up in a violent place somehow makes you fast enough to avoid flying bullets.
I immediately went into hiding. Good thing the trees are broad enough to hide my body. He tried to shoot me multiple times but I'm lucky enough to dodge them all. And that's when I heard it.
The clicking of his gun that indicates he has no bullets left. It's my time to shine.
"Put your hands in the air!" I commanded him but instead of complying, he smiled mischievously and brought something out of his pocket. I dived straight to the ground thinking that it was a gun but I was wrong. It was something that looks like a dart pin. In a fast manner, he pinned it on the prince's neck.
"Till next time royal warrior..." He grinned at me before running back into the wilderness. I waited for several minutes to make sure that he's really gone before approaching the prince.
Prince Gregory is now on the ground, groaning in pain. He was holding the now bloody pin that pricked his neck. I helped him sit on the ground to examine his bodyâuhâI mean wounds.
"Shit." I cursed to myself. "This is an Achilles Poison." I exclaimed as I saw the bloody pin on his palm.
"The what?" The prince replied in a slurry manner. Uh oh. I hope it's not too late.
"It kills anyone in a minute or two after injection. Shit. Shit. Shit." I was starting to panic. "I need to do something immediately or else you'll die!" I have read this somewhere. I swear I have read it once. Think James, think!
"What? What?" he growled. Unlike me, he was now desperate. His tanned neck is now losing its color. It's taking its effect faster than I thought. Without thinking about it properly, I screamed:
"The poison needs to be sucked out of your body!" I thought he's gonna protest to the idea thinking that it's stupid but he didn't.
"Do it.." he said, his voice was now soft. Curses. I think I'm gonna witness someone die today.
"What?" I shot back. Is he thinking that I should suck his neck? What am I? A vampire?
"I said fucking do it!" On second thought, let's give him a minute more to die. He grabbed my head in desperation and now I was face to face with the devil. "Suck the bloody poison! You hear me? Suck theâ"
"Okay! Okay! Fine! But I still think it's gross." I replied to the now convulsing prince. Oh god. I should have invited Dracula to my escape party. So much for my 18th birthday.
---
Enjoying reading this story? Vote. Comment and follow me. I also recommend you to read my other story entitled The Mysterious Mr. Black. Thanks.