~ Chapter 8 - Capture ~

Instructions

Three sharp knocks on our hotel door wake both me and Wisteria in the morning. Sleepily, I pad up to the door. Stifling a yawn, I push open the door, coming face to face with- Holy Spirits. Suddenly I’m wide awake, eyes fully open as I take in the row of Palace uniforms outside in the hallway. I slam the door shut in the first one’s face, using a couple of chairs to barricade it shut. I slide the lock shut and hope that’ll slow them down. “Wisteria!” I shout, arousing my friend, who is still asleep. “Palace guards. Window. Now!” That wakes her. Pulling on her mask and cloak, she joins me in an effort to force the window open. We’re only on the first floor. If we can get this open, we can escape and make a run for it. Squeak. Squeak. Sqeeaak. With a sudden click, the window snaps open, and I follow Wisteria out of it onto the street below. Palace soldiers surround us, and I frantically look for a path to safety. Spotting a gap in the red uniforms, I make a break for it, jumping through the crowd and I scramble up a cobbled path. In dismay, I look back, to see Wisteria still trapped within the soldiers, hackles bared and fur on end. Her eyes lock with mine and I see the pure terror within them. There’s no way I’m going now. Leaping back over the heads of the cats, I gather my energy into creating dozens of thorned vines, which slash at the Palace cats with vice, knocking about 15 out of the way. “No!” Screams Wisteria. “Go without me, Azzie, go without me. You can get /help/.” No chance. “Please, Azzie,” she says and I jump to get to her. I murmur an apology as I reach her, before lashing out at the soldiers trying to grab us. I curse. There’s just too many of them. I keep fighting, but we can’t keep up, and soon one of them shouts a hex and we’re frozen in place. The soldiers haul us onto their cart and we ride towards the Palace. We’re not even put in the same cell. I’m in with the other Dreamwalkers come for execution. There’s 5 in today. I look round. A little emerald green cat, not more than 8 moon cycles old, by the looks of her. A pastel blue tom cat, with tired grey eyes, and what looks to be his mate, a banana yellow tom cat with burnt amber eyes. Next to them is a black cat wearing a blindfold. And- “Aunt Aria?” I exclaim in shock. Taking a better look, I realise that yes, this is my Aunt that I left behind at the Village. She’s thin, worn out and looks half starved. “Azalea. I was wondering if I’d see you,” she says, voice sharp as always. I push my muzzle against hers, and a purr rumbles in my throat. “How long have you been here?” I ask. Her eyes fill with sadness. “I’ve…almost had my time down here. It won’t be long until they come to get me. My eyes widen in shock. No… Almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, one of the Palace guards comes. She unlocks the door, beckons Aria out and locks it behind her. I know that this is the last time I’ll ever see my Aunt alive. “Bad luck, kid.” Comes the rasping voice of the blue tom. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Tears stream silently down my face. “Who’s next?” I ask quietly. When no response comes, I ask louder. “Who’s next?” A sad little noise comes from the young green cat in the corner. “Me,” she says. I feel bold, confident. “Next time that guard comes to take you away, we’ll overpower her. Escape. We’ll find my friend and go.” I say, but the blue tom shakes his head. “No, kid. That won’t work. We can’t use our powers in here.” “We are cats, no? We have claws. We can use them. 4 against one.” The blue tom sadly shakes his head, but the other two seem up for it. They have nothing to use, after all. “I’m a journalist.” The yellow tom pipes up. “Quite a well known one. I’m Banana Wickles, if you’d heard of me. But, if we get out, I could spread the word about this. Make sure it doesn’t continue.” He smiles. We wait in silence. When the time comes, we quickly overpower the single guard and search the rest of the prison for Wisteria. [ I know, this happens quickly, I’m lazy hhh ] “I’ve found her!” An excitable young voice comes from Down the corridor. I catch a glimpse of a familiar grey pelt and break down in relief. “Wisteria!” I call as I reach through the bars. “How do I unlock the door?” She gestures to a little red button on the outside of her cell, and I press it. The door swings open, and I press my muzzle against hers in relief. “I’m so glad you’re safe!” I whisper.