Jacen’s POV:
Sydney’s in her coronation blue dress, which is badly torn right below her knees. She’s looking like someone hurt her horribly. She’s much thinner than I saw her some days ago. For her, it must be more than a week. I miss her. I can’t see her in this state. How can I let her suffer for these many days? This is terrible.
“We need to find her soon. Why the hell she’s in a cell?” I shouted at the crystal, which obviously won’t reply to me.
“There’s no use in yelling. The spell is ready. Now we can enter the portal. Can we, Amanda?” Kassidy asked, and closed all the large spell books on the desk. I can’t take my eyes off Sydney. She is suffering. I won’t let it happen if Iam with her. But she’s far away from me. Finally, it’s time to reunite with her. I want her to run into my arms. When she’s back with me safely, I will bring her home to Slateville. I want to kiss her. I want to feel her next to me. I miss her touch. If only I can reach her in hell.
“Yes. But I can only do this spell.” Amanda said, strolling with the stick. Can she, do it? In her old age.
“But... can you do it? You retired because you can’t able to hold the spell for too long till everyone gets into the portal.” Nina asked with hesitation.
Amanda stopped walking and blackly stared at the spell book in the distance. I can tell she has a little doubt in herself. She’s too old to do a hard spell. First of all, why do we need a spell? Sydney went inside just like that. Can’t we do that?
“Why do we need a spell? Can’t we go inside the portrait-like how Sydney did?”
“No. We need a spell to transport you to the right location. So, let’s start this.” Amanda strongly said and flipped some pages in the book. When she stopped at a particular page, she looked at us.
“I will use this spell now. Get inside before the time runs out. I don’t have much power to hold it.” she said with a shaking voice. The next moment, she started murmuring something in some other language.
“Mom, are you coming?” Noah asked at the last moment. I stood still without getting into the portrait.
“Iam not coming, son. I need to make sure you all coming back safely. Don’t waste time. Go,” Nina ordered while looking at Amanda’s face. She’s reciting the spell in difficulty. We can’t waste our time.
Noah nodded and entered the portrait, followed by Amelia. They both disappeared within seconds slowly. Suddenly, a shiver ran down my spine. I feel something different going to happen. I don’t know whether it’s good or bad. I remembered what Amanda told me. She said she can’t predict my future. But she told one thing. It is ---
“Go, Jacen,” Nina’s voice brought me back to the present. I panicked. Why am I wasting my time? Amanda is losing her power.
“Iam coming too. Come on,” Kassidy called me, standing on the edge of the hell portrait. I stopped my stupid thoughts and ran towards the portrait. Everything seems slow when I started running. I have no idea what am I going to encounter in hell. When my feet touched and entered the portal, I heard a loud noise in the hall. I didn’t turn back. Kassidy was behind me. She got hold of my hands and jumped with me. Soon, we are in the middle of the world and hell. I can only see the darkness on the other side. But I heard my mom and Amanda’s voice on this side.
“Amanda, are you alright?” I heard my mom’s panicked voice.
“Yes. I lost the connection. Iam sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen.” that’s the last word I heard. The unknown fear inside me came true. Iam not going to find Sydney. Iam going somewhere else in the hell. Damn it.
Sydney’s POV:
PRESENT-DAY:
“How did you find me, Noah?” I asked. My voice is barely audible.
“It’s a long story. I met the Queen of hell. I have the keys. I will get you out of here,” Noah replied, and worked on the cell lock. Where is Jacen? Where’s my mom? When did Noah meet the Queen? I can’t able to meet her. I started crying. Iam so grateful right now. I thought my friends will never find me.
“Oh, my god. You are looking much worse than I saw in the crystal,” Noah muttered to himself and opened the door to the cell.
“What crystal are you talking about?” I silently asked while Noah helped me and hugged me tightly.
“Never mind about the crystal. Iam so glad we found you,” he said without letting me go. I hugged him back happily. Finally, I had happy tears.
“Sydney?” I heard another familiar voice. It’s Amelia.
“Thank god. It took us a day to find you after reaching hell,” she said and hugged me instantly.
“How did you find me? Where is Jacen? “I asked with expectation. I don’t how Iam going to face him after breaking up with him. I expected Jacen’s entry. But there’s no sign of him from any direction.
“Sorry, Sydney. My brother didn’t make it here,” Noah said after a minute of silence.
“Why? He’s safe, right?” I asked.
“He’s in hell too. But he can’t able to make it here in the castle. Don’t worry. We will find him and Kassidy,” Amelia said.
“Kassidy’s here?” I asked in disbelief. I can’t believe she’s also here to save me. I must have missed a lot of things when I’m not present.
“Yes, she is. Why the hell did you jump into the portal, Sydney? You didn’t even tell us. You have no idea what happened when you were not there?” Noah shouted at me. I blankly stared at him without giving him an answer. I never have seen him getting angry.
“Fight as much as you want. But could you please get me and my sister out?” I heard Mason’s voice in his cell.