Missing

Chapter 18

The clanking of footsteps made their way to Einaris' cell. The sun's elevation in the sky suggested it was around midday. She slid off her bed and scanned the room for some kind of weapon. Her eyes landed on the knackered wooden chair positioned by the cold wall. Einaris gripped it tightly and pulled it to her chest, the legs pointing outwards.

*****

Einaris was pushed roughly into the helicopter seat despite her struggling. Einaris kicked and screamed as they tied her hands with thick rope behind her back and around her body. She felt a twang of pain which she knew to be Pax being taken as well. With a final grunt of annoyance, the man slapped her hard across the face, leaving what she thought was probably a

large red mark, and slid the door shut with a slam. Einaris was left in the passenger seat, breathing heavily, the oblivious pilot flicking switches and muttering into a headset.

She snapped her head to her left as the opposite door opened and Raina slid elegantly into place beside her. Einaris balled her fists behind her back wanting nothing more than to strangle the woman who had been kidnapping Elementals for so long. However, she kept her composure as much as she could, despite earlier, knowing full well that if she was seen to be helpless or angry it would come across as weak. Better to act like she had the upper hand and was intent on using it.

In the co-pilot seat, a man she had never seen before entered and sat calmly, as if he was taking a trip in a public aeroplane. He was bald save for stubble around the base of his small head, and his eyes both looked in separate directions. He gazed around the helicopter, finally landing on Einaris, giving her the impression, he was not quite sane.

"We land in half an hour." he said to no one in particular. His voice gave her the chills, and she fought the urge to try and strangle him too.

"Good." said Raina. "The sooner we begin, the better."

Einaris glared at her, daring her to glare back. Her blue flower dress glinted in the low light, and her dark hair perfectly framed her face. Finally, she lifted her gaze and turned to Einaris, her long eyelashes flicking slowly.

"Whatever it is," growled Einaris. "Whatever you think you're doing, it won't work. I won't give you what you want."

She gave a small smile, as if to a troubled child. "You will. And what we want is simple."

Einaris felt her heart beat faster in her chest but fought to keep a stone-like face.

"We want you to tell us about the day after you died."

*****

Einaris is standing at the edge of a wide cliff, the gentle breeze caressing her face and ruffling her clothes. The smell of the sea spray from below makes her smile and the grey clouds dapple the sunlight on to the water in pools of gold.

Einaris is content. She closes her eyes and listens to the sounds of the water crashing against the jagged rocks below, before opening them and noticing a figure beside her.

She recognises him yet can't quite place what he looks like. He smiles warmly but doesn't meet her gaze. Instead, he stares out to sea, as if looking for something. She furrows her brow and turns to him, about to ask him who he is, when he speaks.

"Listen to her," he says. Einaris' smile drops slowly from her lips as she tries to figure out who he's talking to. She notices the sky turn ever so slightly darker and the wind pick up. The man turns to her, still smiling, yet his eyes seem pained and... horrified. "Who ordered this?"

She doesn't understand, but before she can reply, the sky turns dreadfully stormy and the sea whips higher and higher until it reaches the cliff top. The wind buffets about like a tornado. Stronger and stronger, until Einaris is dragged slowly towards the edge.