The Dark Prison - Chapter 15

Instructions

The days simultaneously went by slow as molasses and fast as quicksand. Most nights, we had a dream connection, which was mostly just relaying information. The group had teleported to Ren’s cave and were slowly trying to find us. It was well into December before anything interesting happened again. We were woken up at what seemed like an early hour by the silent guard and their companion. I was still trying to wake up as Chaiyn and I were dragged out of our cells and down the hall. “Where are you taking us?” I whispered once I was more awake. The Silent Guard shook their head and the other guard muttered, “Be quiet. Don’t ask questions.” The two guards led us down the hall that led to Jessica’s chambers. We were shoved inside, and the silent guard stayed inside at the door and the other guard left. Jessica was on her throne, twirling her necklace around her fingers. She was wearing the same outfit she’d been wearing when I’d first been called in here. There were only two differences in the room - there was a door that was slightly ajar (I could’ve sworn I saw a chair or a piece of machinery) and there was a person at the foot of Jessica’s throne. Shadow Sanchez. I had mixed emotions at the sight of my old friend. Relief, that she was alive and okay. Anger and betrayal, that she’d turned on us. And guilt, for being the reason she’d betrayed us. Judging by her expression, she had mixed emotions about me, too. Jessica stared at The Silent Guard. “/Loquace/, leave. This doesn’t concern you.” “He can stay,” Shadow said quietly. Jessica glanced down. “As you wish.” “And you can go,” Shadow finished. “/Excuse/ me? You forgot that I give the commands here.” “And I have some say, as you just demonstrated. Now get out.” “You /need/ me, Shadow. You cannot order me around like a mere peasant.” “No. /I/ don’t need you. I know how that machine works. I can do it myself and disappear within the hour. /You’re/ the one who needs me and the leverage you gain by having me here. So either leave and keep me here, or stay and lose my services forever.” Jessica looked like she was about to explode, but she slid off the throne and disappeared down a dark corridor in the back of the room. Once we no longer heard footsteps and heard a door slam, Shadow relaxed. “Okay. She’ll be gone for ten minutes at most, so that’s all we have,” she said, slipping the hood she had off her head. “Pax, you can talk now,” she continued. “I’ll talk in front of Jessica,” The Silent Guard - now not so silent - muttered. “I just haven’t had anything important to say.” They reached up and pulled the hood and mask off of their face, revealing curly brown hair, light skin with freckles, and sparkling brown eyes. He was really tall - something I hadn’t noticed before - easily double Raza’s height. And Raza was tall for a twelve year old. “I’m Paxton Taylor, but you can call me Pax,” The Silent Guard said. “And I know your names already. You’re Wolf, you’re Chaiyn,” he continued, gesturing to each of us in turn. Chaiyn nodded. “Manipuler?” he asked. Pax blinked, then nodded slowly. “Yeah. And Telepath. You’re a Sight-Seer, right? I forgot that the mask blocks our auras." “What’s a Manipuler?” I asked. “I can control people. Usually it’s just verbal commands, but since I’m a Telepath mental commands work too. Shadow, we’re wasting precious time. Say what you need to say, and say it quick.” Shadow nodded and walked over to us. “I’m sorry. But Jessica… She made an offer I couldn’t refuse. No, I can’t tell you what it is. She’d kill me. But I’m not against you, and I never really blamed you for all that stuff. I just… I have no real justification. Just know that I’m kinda a double agent right now.” I nodded. “If worst comes to worst, whose side are you on?" I wasn’t sure if her silence implied that she didn’t know, or she would be on Jessica’s. I optimistically assumed the former. (story cont below)