Code of Shadows

Chapter 16: Oaths

I was wallowing in my own self pity and terror as I watched Papi mumble under his breath. The first wave of whatever he had sent at me had subsided, but he was still talking and that was what worried me. He muttered a few more words forcefully, and that was when I felt true panic. I couldn't see anything, my eyes were clouded over now too. What had he done?

................

When I finally was able to see and hear again, I noticed that I had been moved to a small bed in the corner of the library-ish room. I groaned and rubbed my eyes. Thank goodness I could actually move again. I let out another loud groan as I threw the blankets off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. Why were my muscles so sore?

I glanced sideways and let out a sigh of relief as I saw Ariana bouncing towards me. Thank goodness she was still here. I'm not sure I would be able to endure what happened next if she wasn't here.

"Cait, they explained it all to me. They told me all about you, and the Fantasies, and where you are going. It sounds like a wonderful place. It sounds happy, and peaceful. You are going to have so much fun there! Please send me a post card-" Ariana cut off as Papi and Aala came into the room.

I stared at the two, distrust coming almost instantly. They were whispering to each other and were deep in a conversation. Ariana looked at me again, then shrugged, and skipped over to Papi and Aala.

"You told me to tell you when she woke, well she is awake now!" Ariana then picked up my arm and pulled me towards them, I resisted, but Ariana's 'rocket booster' legs overpowered mine, and she ended up dragging me to stand in front of them.

I tried to take a step backwards, all I managed to do was stumble over Ariana, and half fall.

"Don't worry Cait, Papi will never do what he did ever again," Aala paused then mumbled under her breath, "But someone else might, and you are not prepared for it."

I looked at her in disbelief. "What in the world did you do to me?" I asked.

Papi looked at Aala, then answered. "I did several things. First, I made sure that you were a Fantasy. Then I went through your memories to see your abilities, and if we could move you and your family out Almosa." I shuddered at the thoughts of someone shuffling through my head. "The good news is that there shouldn't be too much of an issue getting your out once we get you past the government."

I looked at him. "Are you pineappling on a stick serious?" Ariana couldn't help but chuckle at what I had said. I smiled, then laughed. It was impossible to resist laughing with Ariana.

Aala smiled and laughed too, and the corners of Papi's mouth curved upward.  

The unstoppable laughter washed through the group. Ariana was having the time of her life, as always, while the past few days of pain and stress washed off of Aala's face.

Papi was now deadly serious.

"Girls, time is precious right now. We need to plan your escape as quickly as possible, before the cameras turn back on, and everyone in the world can see and hear what we are planning." That took the light mood out of everything. Everyone's faces returned serious, except for Ariana's, which didn't mean much. Ariana's face pretty much had a smile glued to it all the time.

I glared at Papi. "Who said that I was actually going to go wherever you are trying to take me-" Aala cut me off.

"I knew she would say that," Aala sighed. "Cait, tomorrow I am going to take you out of your training with Guru and I am going to show you what happens if you stay..."

"Wait, Aasimah," I interrupted. "How are you going to take me away from my training without them getting suspicious?"

"I already set up a weekly event were I take you out of class for various purposes. The Prime Justice agreed eagerly to my plan, and he even said that we could go anywhere we want during this day, so there is a huge bonus!" Aala's eyes were shining when she finished talking.