Chapter 8   Escape!   author: Henos - red , Thenna - blue , Veyanne - yellow  
Henos took his sister in his arms and made a decision. This couldn't go on, that was clear.

"Come, let's go home then," he said and he pulled his sister along with him. They climbed out of the window, like he had done so many times before. There was a ledge that led sideways to an exhaust pipe. He helped his sister in and climbed after her. it was damp and dark, but he knew the way through the maze of pipes. At least up til some point. Soon they reached the dropshaft where he had hesitated so many times. Somehow he knew this was the way out, but he didn't try it before, because he wasn't sure if he would ever be able to get back. Now that they were together, he didn't mind that anymore and he explained about his plan.

"I know this is a gamble, but I really believe this shaft will bring us to the basement and from there we will be able to get out."

Thenna nodded, a bit frightened with the prospect of leaping into a dark unknown pit, but she wanted out so much, she didn't care. besides, she trusted Henos.

They jumped hand in hand and rushed through the darkness with increasing speed. It was impossible not to scream. Yelling and shouting they fell down, the wind blowing in their face, faster and faster, until suddenly the shaft bent upwards, catching them and slowing down the wild ride. It was exactly as the boy had anticipated: they came out in a dark and moldy corridor, dimly lit by fluorescent fungi.

Panting and excited from the drop, they looked at each other with flushed faces and then went on down the hallway, looking for the exit they so desperately needed.
 
"Where are they then?", the Witch Queen's eyes bored into male servant.

He kept his head down. He stared at the floor. He hated what he had to say next.

"We don't know, your wickedness. They left through the vents.", the servant cringed, expecting pain.

"The ones that lead down?", Kendra asked curiously. There was a hint of joy in her voice.

"Yes, evil one. The trail ended at the top of a long steep tube.", the servant hoped his queen would not be angry. She had killed many a messenger who had brought bad news before.

"Then they're miles under the surface. They're as good as dead.", Kendra's voice carried no concern at all. She seemed relieved. She was. The young girl had disappointed her. But then all her pupils disappointed her. She knew the lessons had been a waste of her time.

Thenna stopped suddenly.

"Henos!  Somebody is coming," she whispered.

Pulling on his arm, she led him into a dark hallway to hide.  They could hear the approaching foot steps... there were two people.  The children flattened themselves against the wall as a boy with a tall man passed by.

Thenna had started to follow them when Henos stopped her.  The boy seemed vaguely familiar... but Henos couldn't quite place him.  He placed a finger to his sister's lips to quiet her until the echoing foot steps faded.

"Why did you stop me?  We might could have followed them and found the way out."

"It's not safe, Thenna."

Her eyes meet his in the darkness... the hand was itching again.  She scratched and dug into her palm to no avail; it wouldn't stop.

"She's trying to watch me," Thenna cried hysterically.

"Who is watching you?"

"I don't know..."

She started slapping the palm of her hand against the wall.  Over and over again until it started to bleed.  At first, Henos was shocked by her bizarre behavior.  Then he grabbed her wrist and stopped her; putting his arms around her and giving her a hug.

"I just... I just want her to stop... I don't like her watching me...," she cried.

The sorceress tried again. Nothing. The children had gone too far underground.
She feared for the worst.

He wiped the tears from her face and gently said..

"Let's go!"

Hand in hand, they ran down the main hallway.

Turning left....turning right.....the hallways get darker.....there seems to be no end to this labyrinth......soon the children stop out of breath......

"Let's rest here."

They drop to the floor and catch their breath.

"Any idea where we'll go to once we get out of here?"

Henos looks at his sister.

"We could go home, but that would only mean they would come for us again. Maybe we should think of something else....."

"Looks like everybody wants us dead or brainwashed..."

The twins sigh in unison....