The Fallen Heir

The young girl brushed her brown hair away from her eyes and glared at her captor. She was small for her age, standing at only five feet, and frowsy in appearance. Her clothes were caked in dirt and her face was bloody. The blond boy lounging on a chair a few feet away only laughed, a heinous laugh that sent shivers down the girl’s spine. His impeccable clothing and general appearance did nothing to calm her nerves, if anything, they heightened them. She tugged against the chains holding her in place. Her wrists were rubbed raw and pain flared everytime she moved them; she suspected they were broken or sprained. Her enhanced hearing picked up skittering noises from the wall. She froze and concentrated, cocking her head towards the wall. There it was again! Soft scraping sounds, like someone rubbing their nail against a rock.

The boy watched her with lazy contempt. “You know, those chains were built for your kind.” He said, breaking the silence at last. She glared at him again. “I’m well aware, thank you.” The scratching was getting louder, and she was trying not to hope. Surely they didn’t send a rescue mission? Why would they, she was just a commoner. The boy shrugged, dragging a hand through his hair and settling back against the desk. “I just thought I’d make you aware. You wouldn’t want me to be a bad host, would you?”

Rolling her eyes, the girl huffed. If he thought he could win her over with jokes and teasing remarks, he was wrong. The boy leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him. “What I want to know, dear Charlotte, is why in the world you came? Surely you weren’t trying to,” a grin spread across his face, “kill me?” The girl, Charlotte, sucked in a breath. “You will die, Colton. And when you do, the world will rejoice.” She spat. Colton shrugged, still grinning. “Whatever you say, my dear.”

He strode over to her and yanked her up by the hair. Charlotte whimpered softly. “But know this: when I die, I will die with the knowledge that you never got to see it.” He hissed in her ear, wrapping a hand around her throat. Charlotte gasped, fighting for breath. “Colton, Colton please! I’m your sister, doesn’t that-“ He glared at her, his gaze full of fury. “You were my sister. Until the day you sided with those miserable do-gooders. We could’ve ruled the world, Charlie! But you had to go and ruin it for both of us.” Charlotte scrambled against his fingers, the edges of her vision going dark. She barely ed the sound of the wall breaking until it was collapsing around her. The pressure on her throat was gone, and she clambered to her feet, gasping. Hurried footsteps ed in her brain, followed by two more sets, all heading in the same direction. She blinked away the pain and looked up.

Someone was rooting through the desk, they looked up and grinned at her. Bolt. He was a welcome sight, his red hair tousled and blue eyes gleaming with rage and sadness. A wave of relief washed over her. Bolt tossed her a key, she unlocked her manacles and rubbed her wrists gratefully. “Alright, Charlie?” He asked, hugging her tight. She nodded, “I’m fine, Bolt. Where are the others?” He pulled back and regarded her with a solemn gaze. “Val and Keery went after Colton, and Noah and Pam stayed behind as watch.” Charlotte nodded, straightening as two people came into the room, dragging a third between them. Val and Keery, twin brother and sister. Same black hair and green eyes that twinkled with mischief. Same mouth that quirked into a smirk when they were telling jokes.

Val dumped Colton on the floor at Charlotte’s feet. Keery looked over at her, “Alright, Miss Charlotte?” She smiled and nodded. “I’m fine. Thanks Keers.” He gave her a two fingered salute and backed up to the desk, leaning against it. Val, Bolt, Keery and Charlotte stared down at Colton, his silvery blond hair dusty with grime. Bolt hauled him to his feet. He glared at Charlotte. “When I burn this world,” he said, eyes sparking with hatred, “you will burn with it. All of you will. And I will stand on your ashes and laugh.” Charlotte felt a shiver down her spine, but she kept her face blank. “Take him away.” She said to Bolt. He nodded and led Colton away, Val and Keery following after.

Charlotte swept her gaze around the room. If she concentrated, she could what it used to look like, before the accident. Before the disaster that had claimed her parents and almost claimed her and Colton. Before the world had come crumbling down at her feet. She turned on her heel and followed the others back through the tunnel, away from the remnants of her life.