Set in Stone: The Rose Secret

Chapter 24: The Hope ☮️

I woke up for the second time and most possibly the last. Who new the people we trusted most were the people who captured us. If only we never moved back to Bluntwood...

Lianetta was making a commotion, for all that I could see from my blurry vision. She has using her bare feet to try and reach one of our bags. She had the longest legs of the lot. Her toe caught on to a bag strap, she slowly pulled it towards her. "If you get it close, great but our hands are tied up so we can't even open the bag!", Antonia yelled. "Says who?", Lianetta responded.

I watched with my own eyes as Lianetta kicked the bag from her feet directly on to her chest. "Where did you learn that?", Sasha said astonished by her skills. "My Dad is a professional soccer player and all...", Lianetta bragged. She then used her teeth to open the zipper. It wasn't the most sanitary option but when it comes to survival is cleanliness even considered?

She then dug her head into the bag as if bobbing for apples at a fair. She pulled out a pocket knife in her teeth. Convenient. Almost seemed too convenient. We watched in awe as she then tossed the knife from her mouth into her hands. "Did I also mention my mom is a police officer?", Lianetta smiled.

Her hand just barely grasped the knife. She pulled herself closer to Antonia, who was beside her and started picking away at her rope with the knife. It took time, but she was getting somewhere. We eagerly waited for Antonia to be free.

When she stood up we all gave a light cheer. She then untied us one by one. We were all loose. We were unsure if they were still upstairs guarding us or preparing for "the sacrifice". We slowly went upstairs and when the coast was clear we farted across the beach. My legs were tired and my eyes could barely stay open. We ran until we came to the store section of the town, where The Tackle Shop was.

"We must lift the curse ASAP!", I yelled leading the pack. The storm had calmed down but the waves and sky still trembled. I headed for The Tackle Store. We went inside as a rush of cool air hit our faces. As always it was empty. Except for the familiar face of Krista. When she saw us she stormed over. "What are you doing- Blue? Is that you?", her voice trembled. "Are you alright?", she asked worriedly. Blue nodded. Krista ran to the phone and dialled a number.

"Yes. Uhum. Blue is at The Tackle Shop. Thirty minutes? Ok. Bye.", she hung up. "Your parents will be here in thirty minutes", she smiled. "Can we use the back room for something?", I asked. Krista frowned. "I guess, as long as it is important", she said miserably. We all ran through the curtains that divided the store and sprawled out the spell book.

"We must do this before they find us again!", I yelled. I flipped through the pages until I found the right spell. "Wait! Should we do this? Remember, it's the bad guys who gave us the spell in the first place.", Sasha said sternly. "I know but we at least have to try", Antonia said.

We all voted to do the spell. They chose me to be the reader. Even though this seemed like a hoax or a trick because I know magic isn't real, deep down I believed.

I read aloud:

Das Luados parqûe sadana leebod,
Ericnas ferasgo wetelli buildout,
Da ligboni fergoux mibovert sê,
Ferenquat zuani claspogērí duo matchi,
Kliptx buvarama turrat,
Kemma pėllø.

When the last word rolled off my tongue the shop door opened. I peered over the desk. It was Dominic Saltzer, he had a dark look in his eyes. He confronted Krista. In a demonic voice he said, "take time to her!". Krista looked confused. "Who?", she replied. Dominic shoved her aside, making her land on her backside. "Come out!", he yelled. From behind him came his two brothers. They both had the same mad look in their eyes. "We will find you!", they shrieked. Kristas eyes met mine. I signalled her to come over to me and then put my finger on my lips to show silence. The boys were searching the isles as Krista crawled our way.

She led us silently to the back door and out the back. We peered around the store. I noticed Terrance Hedley and Americ Heartstone get out of a black limousine. "They are all here!", I whispered. "I know, all of Hearthstones relatives!", Lianetta gulped. Old Archie Milton in his electric scooter even showed up too! "I don't think the spell did what Marla told us it would. I think it made it worse.", I whimpered. We ran around the corner to jump in my parents car I took with us but guarding it was Mr. Arnoldo. His sweet round eyes were now dark and evil looking. "What do we do now?", Sasha cried.

All of a sudden a white vehicle pulled up beside us. "Get in!", the driver yelled.