Samara Shaw

"What a wonderful day to walk around under the scorching sun? If only someone listened to me, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess at the first place. Samara, what do you think?" Ethan complained. He looked over at me, as if waiting for a confirmation but I'd been through just enough, i knew better than to utter a single statement of complain.

I wasn't going back with the same thoughts as i did when i left. It may have felt like i was truly searching for the truth about myself and even if i did not get a single piece of it, at least i knew how much danger I was in. It's saddening that i would have no part in this but they were right when they said going back to Thorne was the best thing for me. I was walking back into my confinement and it would only be more of a prison than it was at first but at the end, i would be a lot safer than I was with them. Truly, Vince would treat me like an enchanted ring locked up in his chamber but it was better to be locked up than to be dead. If there was any other way, i would've turned back but after all my countless thoughts and ideas, nothing worked out.

"Samara, are you okay?"

"No"

"You don't want to go back?"

"Does it look like i want to?"

"You should be glad cause we'll be out gere doing all the work and risking our lives while you sit up in a room like a princess which you actually are if i might add"

"If it's for me then i want to be involved"

"Even if it means dying in the process? If you die, that's it. There would be no reason to be out there and we would be back to where we started. You're actually doing us a big favor by going back and who said it's about you? It might revolve around your life but we're not doing this for you, we're doing this for ourselves and our people. I don't know why you look so much like Astra but if we find out, we'll be out of this mess and Vince wouldn't be king"

"So this is about Accius being king"

"If i wanted to be king, i would've been king a long time ago" That was one of the very few times Accius added to our conversation and probably the only time he did not get angered by it, or at least did not look like he was angered by it.

I didn't know which would be king in both the twins and i never paid much attention to it either. Vince made the people look more like slaves than than actual people. The rules were too strict, i could barely live by them. He made some people like kings and others like dust on the ground, the system ensured good leadership but the people involved were not the right choice. I didn't know what it would look like if Accius became king. He was cold and only spoke when it was necessary but that was the exact reason why i knew there was more to him than i could see. If he would make a good king, i didn't know, but at least he had something his brother didn't.

"Then why didn't you become king? Wouldn't that be better than what your brother is do_"

"I'm sure this isn't about Accius becoming king alone but if it makes you feel better, Accius would be way better than Vince as king"

"Has he ever been king?"

"No but he has been a very good prince, before we got here of course"

"So what changed?"

"Many things"

"B_"

"That you should not know of"

"Why?" The voice that came next did not come from any of us. It was a very familiar distinct voice and right after it was the sound of something hitting the ground. "You're too afraid to let her know how much of a coward you are"

Vince stood behind us, his sharp silver eyes scanning his brother and then back at me. I could always tell the way he felt just by the look on his face and it was easy to sense he was just angry enough to snap our heads off. However, i was certain no damage could be done to me but i feared it wasn't the same for the ones around me. Maybe Accius could move through but the other, it didn't look there was anything protecting him.

Things took a turn for the worse. All this time i worried how things were going to be going back to that building, if only i knew what i was worried about was right in front of me. We weren't even halfway to Thorne yet and the route we passed was different from the first. Who knew we would face this even after all the effort?

"I'm not a coward"

"That's not what it looks like, is it? You had the chance to be king and you foolishly lost the opportunity"

"Opportunity? Is that what this is all about to you? Our life and the future of our people, an opportunity?"

"Bellum is the strongest tribe, you know that, he knows that, everyone does so yeah, it's a great opportunity to rule a tribe like that and you lost it"

"I didn't lose it, I would have taken it if I wanted but my life is worth more than a stupid throne"

Vince let out a small laugh and let his eyes glide over to me. It felt strange and very uncomfortable. I didn't know what it was but the fact Accius wasn't getting anywhere with the conversation contributed to it. I didn't know about Bellum or whatever it is neither did I know what happened before I came into the picture but why would a man, grown and wise, refuse to be king? I knew there was more to this conversation that what I could see on the surface and a lot more about Accius and Astra than I understood but at that moment, all I wanted was a kind of confirmation.

"That's irrational of you brother, don't you think? What's more to a prince than a throne? When things finally go well, I will make you worth less than the dust on the ground and everyone will forget you or that you ever existed"

Those words were the harshest I'd ever heard from Vince or from anyone. They were brothers, twins as a matter of fact, why would one think so low of the other? I didn't understand how this hate came to be but if he succeeded in taking his place as king, I couldn't imagine what would come of his brother.

"But that would only happen if I choose you as king" The words came out before I understood what I said. Surely, the next few days of my life would be in the same building as him and with him in power as well. If I went as far as speaking against him, I could as well kiss my little freedom goodbye.

"Samara" Whatever was meant to be said after that was swallowed or at least that's what it looked like."You look so different. Homeless, you look homeless and I didn't know more I'd say you didn't have a place to lie your head. Is this really the life you want for yourself? Running around with these men?"

"I'm satisfied with where I am"

"You're a queen Samara, you cannot be seen looking like this and your life, your life is worth so much, can't you see it? Everyone wants you dead"

"I am very well aware and I can protect myself"

"You think this loser would save you?"

"Accius is the rightful king" Justin was not supposed to talk and when he did, Vince's attention moved from his brother to him. Fear was evident on his face and the look he got from Vince was just enough for him to take a few steps back.

"I will behead you if you ever interrupt me again"

"No one is beheading anybody and this argument is over" It took every bit of confidence in me to say that and what i did i did because i didn't want anyone injured or dead because of me. I was aware of how much power i had and the influence it had on Vince and every other person there. If i would have to leave with him then so be it but it should not be the reason why any mkre damage is caused.

"It's not an argument and even if it was, it wouldn't be over until I say it is. What has gotten into you Samara? You didn't leave like this"

"I made myself like this"

"They made you like this. You left here a queen and came back looking like a slave"

"I don't care being a slave if it's what it takes to not be in that building"

"Well that's sad and hurtful but it doesn't change a thing"

"You don't understand what this is all about, do you?"

"I'm afraid i don't and i don't care to. You're going back with me and i want no questions. It's either that or your friend here would have his head detached from his body before noon"

"Are you threatening me?"

"I don't care if it's a threat or not, you are going with me or else blood will be shed"

"Are you insane?"

"Say your goodbye Samara, we leave immediately"

It didn't dawn on me the effect of what would happen till that very second. My life was just about to be taken from me and no one could do anything about it. I turned to Accius but he looked just as sad as i did, he too could not do anything. "Help me"

Vince held me by my upper arm while Accius and Justin walked away. It went on like that till they were both out of my sight, leaving just me and Vince in the middle of a thick forest. It was devastating, I could not describe how it felt. Maybe anger or sadness, i didn't know which it was but i felt betrayed. These two came into my life just a few days ago and seeing them walk away was like i lost everything. They didn't owe me anything, all that they did was to help but those moments together, although was a risk, was the best I'd ever experienced in my life. My first taste of freedom.

"I'm sorry Samara, i wish it didn't have to happen like this"