His penetrating look caused a shiver to run up Ariel’s spine. Ariel was convinced that she now stood in the presence of the man who had hunted and killed her parents. She also knew that she was now in extreme danger.
Ariel watched in terrified fascination as Largo stepped forward and extended his hand towards Sheriff Hobbs. What may have been a gesture of good manners proved itself to be much more when Sheriff Hobbs removed his hand and Ariel caught a glimpse of greenish paper. Sheriff Hobbs glanced down at the money in his hand and an odd smile crossed his face. His eyes went from Ariel to Largo. He had noticed the energy between the two. He was also smart enough to realise that he had finally brought the kid Largo had wanted. This only meant one thing to Sheriff Hobbs. His gravy train was about to end. With that thought in mind he looked up at Largo.
‘Sorry Mr. Largo, but this one is gonna cost you extra.’
Ariel heard a sharply indrawn breath and looked up to see Largo, his face working trying to process what he had just heard. His eyes were terrifying, a rage that was almost tangible flowed through them. Ariel fully expected that he was about to deliver a killing blow to the Sheriff. Possibly Sheriff Hobbs had realised this himself, he had taken a step back and pressed against the police car. He glanced around nervously as if trying to debate his best and quickest means of escape. The tangible hostility hung in the air for several moments, then Largo’s face changed. Ariel wondered if he remembered that he was not in Walhalla where he was the ultimate power.
He reached into his pocket and withdrew a large wad of bills. Glaring menacingly at Sheriff Hobbs he held them out to him.
Hobbs stepped forward nervously and accepted his bonus. Ariel had never seen anyone so desperate to leave a place as Hobbs looked right then. As he came within a couple of feet of Largo, Ariel heard Largo whisper to him, in a deadly tone.
‘I advise you to leave right now Sheriff, before I forget myself.’
Hobbs nodded and, turning, moved quickly down the steps towards the police cruiser. Fortunately Joliffe was already inside and had the motor running. Clearly he was in a hurry to leave, too.
After Sheriff Hobbs and Deputy Joliffe drove out of the facility Ariel and Largo faced each other. There was no pretense of lack of recognition. The smile had disappeared from his face. She felt tension increase as for a seemingly endless moment Largo stared at her. He was pleased at how easily she had fallen into his control.
Largo smiled at Dariew and Volanda’s offspring. There was not a shred of doubt in his mind; he had in his possession the child whom he had been searching for so long. Her mother’s remarkable bone structure coupled with the unusual slate grey eyes of her father made Ariel unmistakable. Largo was very pleased indeed. A wash of excitement, pride and, above all else, relief coursed through his veins. His excitement was almost palpable. He knew he would be praised by his master for accomplishing the task that had been given him a long twenty six seasons ago.
Standing there, Ariel felt abject terror. She now knew that Largo had planned the raid on the small village near where she had made the leap. She knew he had calculated her destination from the point where Reynaldo had been captured. Ariel felt like a blind, trusting fool for believing that she had been safely travelling through Walhalla, when all the while a trap had been set; a trap that she had walked into too easily. A lump of despair and anger began to build in her chest. What was she to do now?
At that moment the door opened again and a solid boy of about 15 years old emerged from the building and stood beside Largo. From behind beady blue eyes he glared menacingly at Ariel. His small eyes seemed buried in mounds of soft, pink flesh dotted with pimples. The boy had a tiny rosebud mouth, an unusual yet feminine feature in an adolescent boy. It may have been self-consciousness about this feature that added to his swagger. He rolled his massive hips and shoulders as if trying to appear as intimidating as possible.
Largo turned to the boy. ‘Randolph, would you escort this young lady to my office and wait for me there,’ he said glancing at the boy. Then eyeing her backpack, he added, ‘I’ll take her luggage to her room.’
Ariel suspected that her backpack would be searched and, for a moment, was relieved that she had not hidden the charm inside the bag. The boy named Randolph made a signal to Ariel to follow him. He turned his back then hesitated when Largo’s hand lightly touched his shoulder:
‘Randolph,’ Largo began softly. ‘Don’t take your eyes off her.’ He paused and then added, his voice hardening almost imperceptibly, ‘It’s in your best interests to make sure that she feels at home here and Randolph, make sure that she knows she cannot leave. Am I clear, Randolph?’ Raising one finger to point at Randolph’s face, Largo emphasised his next words. ‘I will tolerate no mistakes from you, Randolph.’
The threat was undeniable and clearly understood. Randolph flinched then dropped his eyes and nodded. Again he signalled Ariel, his manner now less confident. His eyes moved uncertainly. Randolph idolised Largo. To Randolph, Largo was everything that he longed to be but knew with all his heart that he never would achieve. Now, deep inside, Randolph also knew what his value was to the man whom he worshipped.
As she climbed the two steps and moved past Largo, the feeling of menace increased dramatically. Ariel felt Largo’s hand reach out and grab her backpack. Ariel gasped as a jolt of electricity passed between her and Largo. An almost tangible vibe of hostility caused the air between them to crackle with energy. Ariel broke eye contact first. Even after she had moved away from him she could feel his eyes boring into her back and she sensed his malicious smile. A strange image of a malevolent, faceless creature suddenly came into her mind. Ariel felt a chill down her back and shook her head. She wondered if this was the creature that Reynaldo had warned her about; but who and what was it? Why did it hate her so much?
Following Randolph into the facility a sense of familiarity filled her. Gazing at the faded linoleum and dull, grey walls, Ariel felt as though she was back in the orphanage. The wide hallways seemed filled with boys and a few girls, all dressed in the same blue shirts and jeans as the boy who had opened the gate. The silence was chilling. There were no smiles or laughter on any of the faces that she passed. Similar to Riverview, the children inside this facility walked close to walls, always looking down. Ariel recognised the same sense of fear and despair as many of the orphans inside Riverview — the hope that they could blend into their surroundings, to avoid unwanted attention; the hope to go through a day without being victimised or punished.
Ascending a flight of stairs Ariel shortened her steps as the bulk of Randolph blocked the stairway. She could hear his heavy breathing as he struggled up the stairs. They reached a hallway and Ariel noticed an almost endless row of plain white doors with small square peepholes in the upper centre of each door. Randolph pointed down the hallway and simply said ‘Sleeping quarters.’ Glancing at Ariel to see her reaction, he added, ‘Better than sleeping on the streets.’ He looked up and down at Ariel’s untidy appearance.
They climbed another flight of stairs at the end of the hallway, Randolph again puffing and wheezing with each step. This hallway was markedly differently to those that they had already passed. The entire hallway was covered in a soft, cream carpet with glossy brown doors leading off on either side. At first glance it looked like an administration area, yet Ariel knew somehow that the offices were unoc-cupied. There were no sounds emerging from any of the doors, no voices, no ringing phones, no sounds of typing or anything else that indicated people worked there. Largo would not want too many witnesses present while he practiced his devilments on his young charges.
Randolph approached the centre door the upper section had a frosted glass panel. It read “Mr. L. Walhalla, Facility Supervisor”.
With her eyes wide and her throat constricted. Ariel froze in shock as she read the name. She felt as if her blood had turned to ice as a spear of horror pierced her heart. If she had any doubt before, the choice of surname was proof that she had just met her parents
’ killer.
Chapter 25
Randolph opened the door to Largo’s office then stood back to allow Ariel entry. Her heart hammering in her chest she walked into Largo’s lair. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. How was it possible that this was the same man who ruled Walhalla? How did he know where Ariel was? How was he able to fill this position, almost as if waiting for Ariel to arrive at the facility?
Her churning thoughts initially prevented Ariel from noticing the lush opulence of the office. Thick carpet covered the floor. Polished wood paneling covered the lower half of all the walls. The top half of the walls and ceilings were painted a delicate eggshell colour. Stunning paintings adorned the walls at regular intervals. A massive dark wood desk dominated the centre of the room, with an expensive leather chair behind it. This man clearly appreciated luxury. The luxurious appointments of the office created a dramatic contrast to the stark coldness of the rest of the building.
Randolph lumbered into the office and gestured to a chair that sat facing the desk.
‘Sit down,’ he said, his hand indicating the chair.
Ariel debated whether or not to defy him. She knew that in a chase she could easily outrun him. However, she did not know where Largo was and how close he was to the office. Finally, she dropped her gaze and moved forward to sit in the chair. Randolph moved forward until he was standing directly behind her. Ariel could hear his labored breathing and could smell his perspiration from his recent exertion. He was too close for her to even consider moving. She glanced down and to her left saw one of his meaty hands dangling not far from her face. Ariel genuinely did not want to feel the strength of those hands and instinctively knew that this boy would not hesitate to demonstrate his power.
‘You want to watch your manners here at Brentonville Correctional,’ he finally said, a hint of restrained violence clear in his voice. ‘Mr. Largo and head prefects like me won’t stand for any nonsense. You should know that I’m in charge when Mr. Largo goes for his regular business trips.’
Ariel’s head shot up at this last comment. So Largo went away from the facility on a regular basis. She didn’t need to be a genius to guess where these trips took Largo. She remembered Reynaldo telling her that Largo had found a way to travel between the realms. She began to wrack her brain as to how she could leap back to Walhalla without Largo knowing and following her.
At that moment the door behind her opened and Largo entered the room.
‘Thank you, Randolph,’ he said, dismissing his prefect.
The solid teenage boy lumbered from the room, sparing Ariel one last malicious glare before closing the door behind him. Ariel refused to turn around and she felt Largo’s eyes boring into her back.
Finally, he walked around the desk. Ariel saw that he carried her small backpack in his hand. For a moment he simply stared at her, then slipping his hand inside he withdrew the chest, placing it on the desk. Walking to a nearby closet, he opened the door and threw the backpack inside the empty cupboard. Returning to his desk he sat down. As he studied Ariel he drummed the fingers of one hand on the arm of the plush leather chair while his chin rested in his other hand. His casual posture contrasted sharply with the dangerous, icy expression in his black eyes. The silence in the room was thick and filled with malice. Largo was the first to break it.
‘I have waited a long time for this moment,’ he commented as casually as though discussing the weather. ‘You are probably not aware of this but I have been searching for you since you were born.
He paused to gauge Ariel’s reaction to this fact. Although there was a small tightening across her cheekbones and a line appeared between her brows her face did not change. Ariel sat silently and unflinchingly returned his gaze. She had decided she would not give this man the pleasure of believing that he frightened her. However, she could not prevent a rash of goose pimples covering her skin at the thought that she had been pursued since birth. Although she had always hated the orphanage, she now knew that it was the only thing that had protected her.
‘You stupid child,’ he said taking in her defiance. ‘Did you think for one minute that you would get away with Reynaldo’s ridiculous plan to take my throne?’
Ariel’s face must have changed when he mentioned Reynaldo for his eyes shone with pleasure.
‘Reynaldo has provided us with some sport the last few days. We tortured him! We beat him! We scarred him! At first he would not talk but you have to understand, your highness, my men are very good at what they do. Eventually they all talk and Reynaldo was no different.’ A slow smile crept across his face as he watched the combination of shock and fear cross Ariel’s face. He knew she was wondering if Reynaldo was still alive and what he told Largo about her. ‘Your hero, your highness, told us everything but your name. What do you wish me to call you, your highness?’
Ariel knew that her eyes flashed with anger. That Largo could so casually discuss the torture of Reynaldo had helped grow her hatred for this man. Yet a small part of her knew that he was lying. Somehow she knew that all of Largo’s boasting of his treatment of Reynaldo was all for her benefit. His repeated use of her title also did not fool her for a second. It was impossible to miss the sarcasm and patronizing tone that laced what should have been the words of respect.
‘It doesn’t matter really,’ he added casually. ‘Reynaldo is dead.’
Ariel gasped audibly, a sudden pain constricting her windpipe. Largo smiled at her obvious distress. He couldn’t be telling the truth, could he? Surely she would have felt something.
Largo studied her face enjoying her pain but it was not enough. He had waited far too long for this opportunity. He had to hurt her more. Her pain was as food to him and he had not, as yet, had his fill.
‘Yes, the last thing he said before he died was that he had always hated your father.’
Ariel gripped the arm of the chair, her knuckles white as she tried to keep herself upright. She felt faint. Part of her knew that Largo was just toying with her. She hoped with all her heart that Largo was lying to her and that Reynaldo was still alive; that it just could not end this way. Yet something about his words struck a nerve. Although Reynaldo had always told her how much he had loved her father, there was something odd about his face when he spoke about her mother, something that told her maybe his feelings for Dariew had been tested and found wanting.
‘You don’t understand, do you?’ Finally Largo hissed. ‘You are mine!’
Ariel could not prevent a small shudder at the malice of his words. His eyes travelled over her face, drinking in her sudden pallor and her widening eyes. Largo fed off her fear.
‘Where is it?’ he demanded suddenly, his voice threatening.
So much was going through Ariel’s mind after everything that he had just told her. Was Reynaldo really dead? Did he really hate her father? Was she now utterly and completely alone and at the mercy of her enemy? A part of her knew that she had to play for time, if only for a moment. She knew he meant the charm, but feigned ignorance.
‘Where is what?’ she tried to sound casual, but her fear betrayed her and her voice trembled. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
Surprisingly Largo smiled.
‘Just the response that I expected. You have the same misplaced confidence as your dear, late parents. Shall I call Randolph back in here?’ he asked with the same smile. ‘I am quite sure he would be able to remove the charm from your possession.’
Ariel recognised the veiled threat and knew that she had no alternative but to hand the Palladox Charm over to Largo. Her stomach churned at the thought that she was giving up her only hope of returning to Walhalla. Slowly, she lifted the heavy chain from around her neck and carefully placed the charm on the desk. Largo grinned.
‘I was wrong. You seem to be a little bit smarter than your parents. Their stupidity led to their deaths.’ Largo began to laugh.
Ariel felt a surge of fury at his casual attitude to the loss of Walhalla’s king and queen. Largo o
pened a small side drawer and nodded to Ariel to place the charm inside. Clearly Largo knew the potential danger that the charm’s enchantment had bestowed. Ariel hesitated then slowly picked up the charm and began to move around the desk toward Largo. His eyes never left hers as she approached him. As Ariel moved closer she became aware of an odor emanating from Largo. It seemed to be a mixture of sweat, some kind of cologne and something that she could not name. Ariel only knew that she would remember that smell for as long as she lived. If evil had a smell, Ariel could imagine, it would be like this.
Slowly she placed the charm inside the drawer, knowing her only chance of escaping had just been taken from her. Largo placed the chest inside the drawer as well.
Smiling at her, Largo closed the drawer then turned a key, locking the charm inside.
‘I suggest you make yourself comfortable here, your highness,’ he added with a sneer. ‘You are going to be here for a very long time.’
Chapter 26
Ariel was escorted to the cell that was to be her room, this time by the same pimply-faced boy who had opened the gates. Waiting until the boy, who introduced himself as Simon, had closed the heavy door and turned the lock, Ariel looked around at her new sleeping quarters. The walls were lined with a chipped, green floral pressed tin. A small barred window was the only source of light in the room. The narrow bed had a thin, filthy mattress and a flat equally-stained pillow. Ariel could not help but wonder how many other unhappy, possibly innocent victims had occupied this room. A stained toilet occupied one corner of the room and a chipped and rust stained basin stood in another corner. The only other furnishing in the room was a small, steel cupboard beside the bed.
Suddenly her knees buckled and she fell to the floor. Her body rolled into a ball as she gave in to her distress and she was racked with sobs. A hot anger and hatred was building in her for the man who now held her prisoner. Her fear and guilt over Reynaldo’s fate added to the fears that she had for own safety. For the first time that she could remember Ariel could not control her crying. Her throat burned as she tried to swallow the pain and anger boiling inside of her. The feeling of hopelessness strengthened her sobs. Although she had always hated the orphanage she had, at least, felt safe there. Now she was a prisoner of the man who had destroyed her family and was systematically destroying her homeland. After several minutes her sobs slowed into hitching gasps and she realised that she was exhausted. She had experienced so much in the last two days and, although she knew that she had to devise a plan to escape from Brentonville, she also knew she needed sleep.
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