Chapter 6 - Lost

"Calm down, people of the 2nd District! Everything will be OK, we'll be fine, and we'll locate those individuals. Wicked people! They deserve death!" said the Duke, slapping me hard in my mind; recently, no one had been listening to him, but with those words, the people roared again in unison.

They agreed with the Duke's statement. We have earned our death. What the hell are these people? They're worse than us, declaring death to persons they have abandoned. Had they not ignored our situation we wouldn't be stealing like this for our dear lives. Honestly, our reasons will never justify what we're doing and what we have done; robbing, but there would be a lot of difference if only they minded us. We wouldn't have gone this far just to survive, if only we were given opportunities like them, we wouldn't be doing such things.

The folks who had before been silent made a sound as though the Duke had delivered an excellent speech. They had been angry before because the guards had forced them not to flee. What the Duke stated, however, was insufficient to prevent the people from being terrified by what they learned about the robbery. Despite the fact that they were pumped, the disturbance continued. Perhaps they believe that now that terrible people have entered them, so they must flee.

"Stand up!" Marcus exclaimed, grabbing my hands from the guards. "Stand up now, let's go!"

When I rose up, the guard I had punched grabbed me again.

Shit.

"No, you have to leave right now! You guys leave! Take Laura, take care of her!" I yelled to Marcus when I couldn't grasp his hand. My heart was thumping so loudly that I had to make a decision right then. A decision that will have far-reaching consequences for everyone. Marcus and Laura will be saved by this decision. But it was a decision that would destroy me.

"Verulia!" Marcus said, but the sentry continued to drag me as though enraged.

Laura, too, yelled, "Verulia!"

I was perplexed, and fear began to rise in my heart. We are all doomed if this continues. Marcus didn't give up on me; he grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the guard. Because so many people are bumping into me, my body is already hurting. I pushed past the guard who was holding me and jumped towards Marcus. When Marcus grabbed me and embraced me fiercely, the panic in my chest doubled.

"Stop being so stubborn!" Marcus yelled angrily as he hugged me, then pulled me away and ran to his car.

Everything went completely wrong.

Laura cries out, "Verulia!" She helped me climb into the back of the car by holding my hand. I attempted to climb into the back of the automobile despite my weakness. Laura screamed in terror at Marcus, who was about to start the automobile, "Marcus! Marcus, Verulia's knee is bleeding!"

Shit. It's enlarged now. I ignored it until we arrived at this location; my wound seemed to worsen without my knowledge when we were inside the shop. When I slipped in the rear of the automobile and fell to the ground, I closed my eyes tightly.

"Verulia!"

My vision had become hazy. My knees became weaker over time. I keep getting kicks from various folks. They are unconcerned about those that fall; they are just concerned with themselves. It's so literally them, they ignore those who are suffering as long as they're doing good and fine. It wouldn't hurt if they take a look on us and submit a report to the palace about our situation. That'd be a big help, but nothing's happened eversince the paupers lost their connection in the palace. Now, there's no hope for us. We couldn't see a bright future so we decide to take survival into our own hands by doing risky things.

"Please, Laura, take care of yourself and my grandmother for me," I begged after collapsing. The rioting persisted, and the Duke had to stop speaking since no one would listen to him any longer.

Laura screamed, "Verulia, no! Please come with us! Veluriya! Verulia!"

I shook. If they insisted on being with me, they would only make everything worse, "GO HOME!"

When the guard dragged me back, I screamed, "Arghhh!" It doesn't care if I'm harmed; all it cares about is getting me away from my friends' car.

Marcus peered out from behind. I could see a mixture of displeasure, rage, and concern in his expression. He seems to want me to run, but it isn't dark, so he can't. Yes, he has this incredible ability to carry out any task in complete darkness. But it's not dark, and the place is packed, so we're in trouble.

"Please take care of Laura," I said to Marcus, "ARRGH!" I exclaimed as the guard seized me hard.

Marcus had a blank expression when his attention returned to driving, so I knew he understood. Laura passes out in the back of the car, crying, as she stares at me who she can't reach.

"Laura, look after my grandmother." I promise I'll return.

"Marcus!" I yelled as the guard yanked me away. He wasn't looking at me anymore, and he was already in the car, but I knew he could hear me. "Marcus, take Laura home safely! Trust me this time!" I yelled with all my might as the guard yanked me away.

"Son of a bitch you won't get off this time from me!"

"Argh!" I exclaimed as he yanked my hair and shoved me into their large automobile. I fought to get out of the car, but the guard rushed fast to shut the door of the large car, which I believe was a truck.

Marcus' truck began to leave the second district as well. I watched my buddies leaving even before the truck closed. Marcus drove his car away from the district, away from me, while Laura cried weakly barely awake in the back.

This may sound strange, but I was in a relief. I was relieved that they were safe. I know it's ridiculous to be happy in the center of a struggle, but I am. Even without me, they'll be returning home. They are free to return home even if I am not with them. I'm glad they left me in the thick of my chaos.

"I found the thief," the guy who had been holding me earlier said to his fellow guards as he thrashed the truck.

My eyes are tightly shut. Is this the end of my story?

***

You never know what will happen later or tomorrow to you. Life is unpredictable, especially when you have no idea what will happen next. I'm a thief, a liar, and a nasty person, and I'm now imprisoned in a situation that I never imagined would happen to me in my entire life.

"I found the thief!" exclaimed the guard, who had earlier dragged me into the midst of the chaos.

They are fully audible to me. And when the truck door unexpectedly opened, I was astonished and terrified. The other guards looked at me blankly since the guard had urged me to accompany him, their gaze wondering if I was the thief or if I had been caught on the cheap. I stopped crying and was no longer afraid. Now is not the moment for me to display my weakness.

Another guard exclaimed, "Liar! She's just a random chick from District 2!"

The guard climbed into the truck and approached me. It was emotionless until it suddenly grabbed me by the hair. When it suddenly shoved me away, I yelled out in pain, "AARGGHH!" I was in a lot of agony when I collapsed to the ground.

"She's just a random female, but she's my kind," the guard said as he shut the vehicle door behind me.

Yuck, he's sick! 

I'm trapped inside. It was so black inside the truck that I couldn't see anything even with my eyes open and staring up.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I forced myself to become more aware. I gently opened my eyes and started walking around. I can now see everything, and my eyes appear to have changed color once more. It happens anytime I try to see in a pitch-black environment where no one can see. My eyes have changed color, and I can now see everything as plainly as if it were bright. As I gazed around, my breathing was quick. I can hide in the large boxes directly opposite the door since I know I can fit in there. But how can I do it when I can't even bend my knees right now?

"Oh shit!" I was startled awake by a sudden knock on the vehicle's side, followed by the sensation of it moving away.

'Shit!' I exclaimed, panicking. What will they do with me? I'm locked inside and have no idea how to get out! 

I couldn't run because my head, torso, and knees hurt too much. But that didn't stop me from getting up and kicking the door open. It created a loud noise that I knew would irritate everyone who heard it, but the truck didn't stop and continued on its way. Even though my feet hurt, I kicked the door open once more. I knocked repeatedly till no one answered and I sat down. The car didn't come to a halt; it appeared that they could take me wherever they wanted.

Can I just pass away now? I noticed a shattered glass from my seat. Wine could be in the boxes! I have complete freedom of movement since I can see everything. That's why I stomped on it and slammed it shut. Its contents are glass mirrors, not wines! What is the purpose of the large mirrors here? I saw myself emerge from the darkness. You may think I'm insane, but I'm imagining myself inside this dark, ominous truck.

I was filthy, my jeans were torn from being yanked on multiple times, and I had already fallen down. My knees were also swollen, my hand was wounded, my wavy, long hair was tangled, and my face was filthy. I could no longer recognize myself as I stare into the mirror.

In front of the mirror, I whispered to myself, "What happened to you..." My eyes welled in tears, I couldn't believe I'd be seeing myself in a situation like this. Like, what have I done to deserve this? I just want to live a life, why am I experiencing nonstop struggles? The people had always admire my unique features, but that also makes them weary since they believe beauty has its own crestfallen. And I'm finally understanding it. I have to admit I have this undeniable beauty, and I guess that makes me unlucky. I have no whit of luck at all, and it's driving me insane.

My eyes glow greenish blue whenever I use my ability, whenever I see beyond the limit and such. I've never thought it'd be this pretty, if I'm not in a tight situation I'd stare to admire myself. But I'm out of luck, and I'm in danger.

As I remembered what had happened earlier, I burst into tears.

"Someone has passed away! Someone has passed away!"

We are not assassins; we do not murder. We haven't even considered killing just to exist in our depravity. If somebody had died in that region, I'm confident it wasn't any of us.

What are their thoughts? Laura and Marcus, did you make it home safely? What about my grandmother? Is she doing well now? What about those on the street? How can I bring them up now, when even my life is at jeopardy?

"The officials are on their way!"

Because I was in the front of the truck, I heard the driver yell. What are our current circumstances? What am I doing here?

"Open the gates! Officials are on their way!"

"Let the gates open!"

Outside, the yells of the guards at the gate could be heard. I heard the enormous gate open because it was extremely loud, and I believe this is unique to the palace. Are we about to enter the palace? I'm more convinced now that I'm in danger. I'm not allowed to enter the second district; how about the Palace? I'd die before ever walking through the Palace's corridors. It's far too valuable, and I don't belong anywhere like this.

"We're on our way!"

"We're driving to the Palace!"

My chest throbbed harder. We've arrived at the Palace! I have to flee because the guards will surely kill me if they catch me! Beggars are not permitted in the Palace, and I am one of them. I'm one of the poorest people in the Kingdom of Eufrata; I'm nothing more than a speck in the sky.

"Open the trucks! Get the packages! What happened to your strategy in District 2?"

"There was a commotion; people grew agitated; plagues spread; they claimed there had been a heist and a massacre; the officers were forced to flee before anything could happen."

"Is that so? Were the plagues caught?"

Plague?

"No. It looks like they're from the first district again."

"Those pests really are—!"

Pests? I clutched the glasses in front of me with both hands. They have no right to dismiss us simply because we are the poorest people on the Euphrates. We are also vagrants and humans, not simply any scourge. We, too, are Euphrates people!

"Where are the mirrors? Take out the parcels!"

"This truck has it!"

I was instantly jittery. ‘Shit. Shit. Shit. What am I supposed to do? What am I going to do now that the mirrors are in the truck? ’

I was already hidden in one of the large boxes when the enormous truck door opened. A bright light struck the cabin of the vehicle; I was already inside the box, but the light stung my eyes. I'm surprised because I could still hide within the box, but that's no longer an issue thanks to the hoped-for safety. My vision restored to normal once I closed my eyes and opened them again. My eyes have returned to their original hue.

"Take the boxes out of the crates and enter the palace!"

When the workmen began to pull the box, I closed my eyes and silently prayed that I would not be discovered.

"This ton of weight!" exclaimed the individual holding my box. I made sure to close the box properly once I entered, so maybe they don't open it anymore.

"You're nothing more than a complaint! If you can't say so, you'll be dismissed!"

"I apologize."

I was instantly sad. Other individuals are not treated equally even in the palace; those in high positions treat inferior people like shits. They have forgotten that they are the ones who keep them alive while sitting in front of their home. I sensed the person carrying the box I was in was puzzled since it seemed heavy in comparison to other boxes, so I felt it come to a halt and lowered the box I was in.

My heart hammered once more.

"How come your girl isn't here?"

If my heart had only crashed before, it is now racing. It was the guard's voice shoving me into the truck!

"What woman? There's no woman there! Are you sneaking into the palace?" the matron who had previously commanded the workmen asked.

"I'm sorry, madam," said the sentry.

"Let's go to work!"

I took up the box in front of me and grasped my ear and head. Why am I hearing all of this? Previously, the inside of the truck was sacrosanct, and I couldn't hear anything. But why can I clearly hear them?

"Oh fuc——" I heard the person holding my box softly as I slightly panicked, so I'm sure I moved the box. I closed my eyes and forced myself to calm down.

I have more difficulties to deal with than the new skill I've discovered. Is this another of my gifts? I silently prayed that I would be able to correctly use my powers and not make a fool of myself, because I could see what was occurring to me right now. I used to be able to see things that others couldn't. Now I'm hearing things I shouldn't be hearing. Now I'm completely insane.

Someone from my box inquired, "Where is this box?"

I was nervous once more; where could I be stranded in the palace? I've never been to the palace before; other street people were fortunate enough to be able to work there before being evicted, but I've never been there since we were evicted. It's not as it used to be since everything appears to have changed. We couldn't travel to the palace any longer, and none of our peasants knew why.

"Wait, it looks like the mirror Prince Zavan is looking for! Just take it to the chin, don't go up or you'll be tossed out at the wrong time," said an elderly voice.

Prince Zavan?

"Yes."

"I'll just be the guard." The old woman said again.

Why does she need to keep an eye on things? I can't get away! The person who lifted me continued walking through the palace until I felt it lower me.

The old woman's voice said, "All right, I'll be the first to watch before Zavan comes to rehearsal."

"I'm leaving," the man stated.

I inhaled deeply; I had no idea where I was in the palace, but I needed to get out. But how could I do it with this old woman keeping an eye on me? I waited a few minutes longer for the old man's presence to go away, but it never did.

"Get the hell out of there."

Was the old woman referring to me? My eyes widened in surprise. How did she know I was hiding there ?

"Get out before Zavan opens you up," she says again. I appear to be the topic of discussion.

Wait, what the heck?