My eyes opened slowly, taking in the scene around me. I was in a circular closed room with no windows.
I groggily sat up and blinked. “Daniel?†I said.
There was no reply.
“DANIEL!†I shrieked, trying to stand up. Then I realized I was shackled to the wall with handcuffs chained to the floor.
“He’s not going to come,†said a voice in the shadows.
I nearly jumped out of my skin. “Who said that?â€
“My name is Fauna,†the voice said, coming into the light. It was a lady that looked about my mom’s age, wearing a bright green dress. “I was captured three years ago and never got out. I don’t have much hope for you, either.â€
“Three years?†I gaped.
“Everytime you try to get out, the dungeon gets a little taller. I’ve been trying for years to escape but eventually realized it’s a lost cause.†Her voice was bitter.
“Spectacular,†I muttered. Then I noticed something strange about her. She was a little shorter than me, but attached to her back were a pair of green…wings?
“Uh…are those...are you a…?†I asked tentatively.
Fauna laughed a hollow laugh. “I thought you would’ve guessed by now that I’m a fairy.â€
“Wha–†I slowly backed up. Briar, Philip, Fauna the fairy….
Was Daniel right when he said we were in Sleeping Beauty?
“You look uncomfortable,†Fauna said.
“I—I’m dreaming,†I said firmly. “I’m dreaming.â€
“Believe me, I’ve been telling myself the same thing for years.â€
Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them. “I can’t believe I said that to Daniel,†I whispered. “Now I may never see him again.â€
“Probably not,†said Fauna heartlessly, turning back to the shadows.
Two fat tears escaped my eyes. “I’m so sorry,†I said to no one in particular.
Minutes passed. Hours passed. I had gotten out of my handcuffs, but I was still very much trapped. I was tired and hungry and angry at Fauna for not being more comforting. I had decided that this was my fate, and that I was never getting out.
Then I heard a clattering of plates from across the circular room. A silver platter with some soggy sandwiches slid in under a brick from the wall.
“What is that?†I shrieked.
“It’s dinner,†said Fauna in a dead voice. “It’s disgusting, I wouldn’t eat it.â€
“How did they get it in here?†I said.
Fauna shrugged. “The guards can get things in without opening a door.â€
I ran over to the tray and tried to find its source. Then I realized I was staring right at an open vent.
“Fauna! Come look at this!†I said.
She glanced at me and shrugged again. “I was hopeful the first time, too. It’s no use, kid.â€
I shook my head and ignored her. Looking at the vent, I thought hard. “Maybe I can summon someone to get us,†I said.
“You offend reason.â€
“Come offend it with me,†I told Fauna. I shut my eyes closed tight. If I could somehow get Daniel’s attention, maybe he could find out where I was.
If he didn’t still hate me.
Daniel. Daniel. Daniel.
Nothing happened. I shut my eyes tighter.
DANIEL. DANIEL.
Still, the room was silent.
DANIEL! I screamed inside my head. DANIEL!
The air halted around me. I could sense that something was different. Then I got a random burst of chills through my body, and I knew Daniel was listening.
AMBER! I heard a voice call inside my head. AMBER, WHERE ARE YOU?
IN A DUNGEON, I thought.
WHERE IS IT? the other voice asked.
I HAVE NO IDEA, BUT I NEED YOU TO SAVE ME.
My thoughts were silent. The other voice stopped echoing in my head.
Daniel? I thought.
I’m here.
I’m sorry. I hurt your feelings, Daniel, and I’m sorry.
I’m here, was all the voice replied.
And then it was gone.
Author Notes: Stay tuned for part 5! (there are 10 parts in total)
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