"We are going to bring my new friend, Doris, along with us. Okay?" The old man said as the masked man worked to unlock his cell.
The masked man turned to look at me; I could only see the darkness of his eyes and I didn't recognize them. I got a strange sensation coming from him; I didn't think he was dangerous though. But he seemed urgent and wanted to get out of there as soon as he could.
"I'm still trying to figure out how I'm getting you out of here unseen," the masked man said, turning away from me.
I heard the latching of the cell door and the old man stepped out.
"Well, you can figure out how to get her out too," the old man said with a sly smile.
"I only have a few minutes before they realize I'm in here," the masked man said. "That sleeping powder will wear off quick."
He must be talking about the sleeping powder he gave the guards so he could sneak in here.
"It's fine, honestly," I said to them. "I shouldn't go anywhere anyway. Not with everything happening. They will notice I'm gone, and it'll only make things worse."
The old man frowned; sadness crossed his gaze for a moment.
"You're a strong woman, Doris," the old man said.
The masked man glanced at me and cocked his head to the side.
"Oh yes, I heard of you," he said, assessing my face. "You're the one that poisoned William's lady."
I frowned and shook my head.
"I didn't poison anybody," I told him, trying to remain a firm composure.
"She was wrongly imprisoned," the old man said, coming to my defense. "Just like I was."
I couldn't help but wonder what they accused him of to land him in the king's prison; I also wondered what duties he was responsible for around the palace. But there wasn't much time; the masked man seemed eager to get out and I didn't blame him.
"Well, if that's true, William will figure it out," the masked man said with a shrug. "He's holding the trial tomorrow, I hear."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"It's doubtful he'll figure anything out," I muttered. "He hates me."
I heard the masked man chuckling.
"It doesn't matter how he feels about you," he said. "He would never let the wrong person be punished for something they didn't do."
"I will have to agree," the old man chimed in. "William might be pretentious, but he's a fair man. If anyone can find the rightful perpetrator, it'll be him."
"You really think Prince William would help me?" I asked, a bit of hope lingering in my tone.
They both looked at one another and back at me.
"I think William will help ensure that true justice has been served," the masked man said. "So, if you really are innocent. I wouldn't worry too much about it."
I felt a faint flood of relief; it was nice to know that at least they had faith that William wouldn't let me be wrongly punished. But I still couldn't help but worry a little bit.
"Jack said he's going to be back," I murmured. "He's trying to get me to confess to something awful."
"Jack's an asshole," the masked man muttered.
The old man snorted, trying to hold in his laughter.
"You should have seen the poor girl earlier," the old man told him. "I don't think there was a bone that wasn't broken."
"You gave her your blood?" The masked man asked.
The old man nodded.
"Maybe you should give her some more, just in case she needs it for later," the masked man suggested as he went towards the front of the prison. He was rummaging for something among the drawers that lay against the wall until he came across a small mason jar.
"Good idea," the old man agreed.
He went back into his cell and grabbed the same rock; I noticed that his hand was already completely healed from when he sliced through it earlier.
He slowly filled the jar with some of his blood before closing it and passing it to me through the bars.
"Hide this somewhere he doesn't see it," he told me, motioning for the bed in the corner of the cell.
I nodded and shoved the jar under the pillow.
"Like I said," the masked man said as I returned from hiding the blood. "The trial is tomorrow; if you really are innocent, William will find out and find out who actually did it. All you have to do is survive the night."
I sighed, feeling relief again.
They seemed hopeful that William would be able to serve me justice and find out who actually killed Melody. If these two strangers can have that much faith in William, then I can have faith in William. Above all, I had faith in Martin and Daniel to help prove me innocent.
Daniel had mentioned that they were working on gathering evidence and finding out the true killer. I had to believe that they would be able to do it and I would be able to get out of here.
"Thank you for your reassurance and kind words," I said to them. "And for the blood." I smiled at the old man who returned my smile with his own.
"Of course, Doris," he said softly. "I need you to stay strong though. At least for tonight. Don't let Jack break you. Don't give him what he wants."
"Justice will come for him in due time as well," the masked man said, folding his arms across his chest. "I know of it."
I smiled and stared down at the ground where my blood was beginning to dry and stain the concrete floors.
We jumped at the voices outside of the prison doors. It sounded like an extremely angry Jack, and he was speaking to the guard that had fallen asleep due to the powder that the masked man shot in his face.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Jack hissed to the guard.
"I... uh..." he stammered, sounding confused. "I don't know..." he said, keeping his tone low.
"To me, it looks like you're sleeping when you are supposed to be guarding the prison," Jack hissed.
"I'm so sorry, your majesty," he said, breathlessly and still sounding confused. "I honestly have no idea what happened. I don't even remember falling asleep."
"Am I going to need to throw you in the prison too?!" Jack asked, anger seeping through his tone.
"N...no, your majesty," the guard said; I could hear the fear in his tone.
It was incredible the kind of power Jack had over people; he could make a grown guard cry in fear. I shuddered at the thought, hating that my future was being tied to this man.
I turned back to the masked man and the old man to tell them they needed to leave, but they were already gone. I looked around wildly, seeing if I can spot them. But neither of them was anywhere in sight; I breathed out. I was relieved that they got out.
I just hoped they remained safe.
I silently sent a small prayer to the moon gods that they got out safely and remained safe for the rest of their days.
"It won't happen again," the guard said, his tone begging for forgiveness.
I can hear the scoffing sound that Jack made.
"See that it doesn't," Jack hissed.
Jack pushed the doors of the prison open, and he stormed in with another guard, the same one as before, following closely behind him.
I stumbled backward in the cell; pressing my body firmly against the wall and braced myself for Jack's presence. He stopped in front of my cell and eyed me carefully; he scanned my body, leaving an icy chill that crept up my spine.
My hands trembled as I kept them pressed against the wall.
Jack scoffed as he realized my wounds were healed, but he didn't say anything about them. He just rolled his eyes as the guard unlocked the cell door; allowing Jack to enter with the guard following him.
"Chain her back up," Jack ordered the guard.
I flinched as the guard came toward me and grabbed me; lifting me off the ground with ease and shoving me against the wall where the chains were located.
Jack stepped closer to me as the guard finished latching and tightening the chains around my arms and legs. Jack's breath hit my face and made me gag at the repulsing stench.
"Now..." Jack said through his gritted teeth and clenched jaw. "Let's see what new information you came up with."