In Prison (short)

Darkness reigned in the prison, my sweaty hands fumbled for the cell lock. My heart pounded as the prisoners' snoring and moaning projected a potential future before me. Only my high rank saved me from the mass cell. Even bastards deserve respect when their father is the king himself. But if it were up to my brothers, I would be in the torture chamber right now. The lock pick trembled in my hand and I swallowed my bitter saliva. I have to get out to take my revenge!

The thin metal scraped against the lock from the inside until finally the door opened with a loud click. I jumped, hoping no one had heard. Peeking out, I found no one in the narrow corridor. I crept to the fork in the hallway, where the light from the hallway barely filtered through. I knew that below me, near the torture chambers, there was an entrance to the secret tunnels. No one was there at this time of night, and the guard change was still a while away. I turned the corner toward the stairs, but then I came face to face with the night guard, Petrell. I hadn't expected him, my blood pounded in my eardrums, my legs tensed, ready to run. The guard's eyes widened in surprise as he reached for his sword. Slowly, I raised my hand and smiled foolishly.

"Well, what now? You're going to cut off your childhood fwend, eh?" I asked, tilting my head to one side as a drop of sweat rolled down my back. The sound of defeat in my head called for surrender. Petrel took a step back, his mouth agape.

"K-king's fool, you should be in your cell," he stammered. No way! I took a step back, but he came after me with his sword in his hand.

"Stop, and n...!" Petrel shouted. I was afraid he would alert the guards above us. Hastily, I used my magic to conjure up our best memories from the depths of his mind.

His face relaxed, his hand dropped, and his mouth curved upward, but then I heard voices filtering down from above. They were getting closer, breaking my concentration, and Petrel shook his head. He seemed confused. Suddenly, I lunged forward, dodged his sword, and punched him. But he grabbed my arm and threw me against the wall. My head hit the stone painfully. I saw stars and fear gripped my heart. I kicked randomly. My foot sank into something soft, and Petrel doubled over.

With trembling limbs, I scrambled down the stairs toward freedom.