[Selina's POV]

Clash. A metallic rod hitting me in the head causing my consciousness to flicker. I slowly opened my eyes to see a man with a crooked nose and a bald head staring at me with a contemptuous smile, revealing his unkempt teeth.

"Finally up, bitch?" He chuckled in satisfaction as I tried to get up, but the wounds on my head prevented me.

He used the metal rod in his hand to hit me, creating another new wound on the back of my head from where blood flowed out.
Not a single sound of protest came out of my throat. I was mentally exhausted and my body is numb.

However I heard yelps of fear in my favor, followed by a loud, familiar voice.
"No! Leave her please!"

I turned my bleeding head to the side. It was Amirah. Her eyes and nose were red and puffy. Her face showed agony and pain as she ran to my side and held my head.

"I told you not to bother me, bitch!" The man yelled and slapped Amirah harshly on her face. Her response was still none expect for holding my body tighter as if she wanted to protect me

"Please, let her go" Amirah begged, and her voice nearly broke. "I will do just as you say so please! Don't hurt her!"

The man rolled his eyes with sigh of displeasure and threw away the rod to a corner. Some girls squealed in fear and moved further away.

"If you weren't the daughter of the chief of justice. I would've beaten you to death" He growled at her and walked out after he locked the gate so that nobody could escape.

I held the back of my head as I hissed in pain. Amirah glanced at me in worry as she lightly gripped my arms and helped me sit back up slowly.

"I am so sorry selina..." She looked down to hide her tears but I guessed she's probably blaming herself. She did that throughout the book and personally...I knew how this feeling was.

I reached out for her hand and held it tightly "It's not your fault so don't apologize"

"B-but... because of me...you are in this state" She sniffed "Bruised and multiple wounds"

"I am fine. It's not that bad." I sighed "It's no use blaming yourself. We should think of a way of getting out of whatever we are." My eyes darted around the room only to find and realise we were in a dungeon.

Aside from us, there were around seven to ten people present here. Consisting mostly of young children to teenagers of both boys and girls. 

Where on earth were we even? I looked back at Amirah while she was wiping her tears "Where is this place? Weren't we going to the academy?"

"We are actually....at a..human trafficking site. The train we were on was hijacked" She kept her gaze to the floor as she spoke out the second most shocking news I heard till I transmigrated.

I widened my eyes in shock "Human trafficking?"

She nodded her head slowly.
God damm it! Out of every problems we could've faced with we had to end up here? Seriously?

I can't recall the plot well enough but I know this incident wasn't supposed to happen now. It happened in the middle of the annual hunt hosted by slononia sliverville academy.

From what I can recall with this bleeding head of mine, this dungeon must be underground since human trafficking is a grave crime in this world which can result to execution.

So to do all illegal things, the people made such underground sites. But I can't be so sure since one wrong decision can led can cost me my life, along with the others present here.

"Where were we currently when the train was hijacked? The inhabitable areas?" I inquired.

"Yes, it was" She replied with a confused look on her face but I realised where we were exactly. Her words had confirmed my doubts. I could do something.

"I think I know where we-" My words got cut off by cry of agony which came out of my throat along with a trail of blood from my forehead.

Amirah widened her eyes and held my body to prevent it from shivering. I clenched my jaw, hoping it would help me endure the pain.

I saw her ripping some cloth from her dress and she tied it up against my wound on the forehead to stop the bleeding. Then she hand pressed against my wound and slowly the pain reduced.

"They put a seal on my powers so I can't heal your wounds completely. I hope you are alright Selina" She gazed at me in concern. I gave her a slight nod, taking a deep breath.

"It's fine. So as I was-" before I could continued she interrupted me by grabbing my hand.

"You shouldn't talk or move much now or else your condition may worsen" She tried to convince me. I didn't know for what reason we were here but it must be something related to politics, since her father is the chief of justice in the book.

"And if we don't figure this place out, we will be sold off as slaves. I would rather have my wounds worsen that than" I argued back because if I didn't, not only will all of us will be sold off and I will lose the only chance to live my life without any guilt or regrets. I will fail to give myself a life I'd truly love.

"But-" She was about to object but I didn't bother listening to her and turned to the kids who were sitting in group at a corner.

I inched towards them slowly. Most of them swayed away in fear, however there was one girl who looked like the oldest in front of them who gazed at me in suspicion.

"What is your name?" I asked politely but the girl remained rigid towards me.

"What do you want?" She glared at me while she protectively covered the others with her arms, as if trying to sheild them from me.

"Information. That's what I want" I stated straight forwardly with a little smile which made the girl examined my face carefully.

"Of what?" She raised an eyebrow.
I couldn't help but smile more at how confidently she was speaking. She looked like 14-16 of age and to have this much confidence at such age, it is both amusing and sad because of what life must have made her face.

"About this place. I need some confirmation so that I can find a way to get us out" I added my reasoning at the end so that she would let her guard down a bit.

"Us? You mean all of us?" She asked with wide eyes which were filled with suprise and a spark of hope. A hope to get out of this horrible place and be free once again. I chuckled and nodded my head.

"Of course all of you. I can't leave behind my benefactors, can I?" I added playfully while smiling. A way of confirmation which I learnt in my 30 years of life.

The girl started to give my words a thought when Amirah came by my side and tried to pull me back.

"Selina, you can't move in this state!" She chided, her voice loud but the moment she realised it she looked at me in an apologetic way "Sorry I didn't mean to yell. It's just your condition is...bad"

Then she glanced at the girl who seemed lost in her thoughts and back at me. "Selina...I don't think she would know about the structure of this site" She spoke hesitantly

The next moment the girl gazed at me blankly "So you want to know the structure of this place?" I nodded

"There isn't much to say about it. As you might've figured out, this place is underground and is used for human or to be exact creatures trafficking" She calmly stated. My reaction was a simple nod since I knew about this already but Amirah was in shock hearing this.

"Creatures? You mean magical creatures? Like dwarfs, elves, spirits?" Amirah exclaimed in suprise but the response that girl gave was just a chuckle.

"It's been happening for ages now, nobles like you wouldn't know of course" She shook her head while laughing. Seeing such a calm reaction of who could be sold off as a salve, I couldn't help but wonder what she faced through life at such age.

"Doesn't anyone know?...what about your clan leaders?..." Amirah asked. Her face a mix of worry and guilt, since her kind was the one doing such things.

"Nope. These people are skilled at kidnapping" She turned to me again "Anyways, there is nothing much to these place expect a labyrinth. A maze used to trap anyone who escapes from this dungeon"

"Maze? We could escape through it magic but spells don't nor mana works here" Amirah stated at which the girl nodded her head in agreement.

I put a hand under my chin as I tried to put the bits of information and form a escape plan.

This trafficking site is underground and there's a labyrinth present to prevent us from getting out. There also seems to be only a single dungeon with no guards present so there could be two possibilities.

Either they think because mostly kids are here, they can't do anything which is one of the reason they abuse the kids or very less people are involved in this crime.

Nevertheless both of the factors can be advantageous to us if we use it correctly.

The labyrinth could be a problem but there has be something to remove the maze since it can be only created through magic. So all we are left to do is somehow get out of here and there's a common but great plan for it.
I smirked "Guys, I have a plan"

📜🥀

Along with some kids I was standing at a corner of the cell. Holding the metal rod behind my back as I watched Amirah cast a spell which would make some wounds appear on that girl's head.

She volunteered to be the one to act as injured. I don't know if it's because she's the oldest among all or the fact she has multiple wounds on her body already. It was pretty obvious who was beaten the most but helping a person when you are powerless will just add more trouble and cause worse situations to that person.

So I didn't argue with her and agreed. She wouldn't have listened to me even if I tried to convince her a thousand times. Letting her do what she wanted is a better option.

Maybe then I won't be guilty if something...
I shook my head, vanishing the thought out of my mind. It was the time to take action and prepare for a fight, not guilt tripping myself. I needed to focus.

The moment everything was set, according to the plan everything got into their roles and started the act.

Few children were around the girl, tears rolling down their faces and some were trying to wake her up by sprinkling water droplets on her face but there wasn't any movement of her.

I know I shouldn't be thinking this but she is incredibly great at acting. In my world she could've passed well off as a child actor. I wasn't even suprised at this point seeing her skills.

I was mostly suprised by how those young kids started crying on command. Doing that in such age....I could only imagine how horrifying must have been the things they went through.

My face remained blank but my heart...ached since those feelings that they have felt aren't that foreign or unknown to me.

I guess no matter how much I tried I won't ever be able to...and wishing I could help them meant nothing in this situation but that's the only thing I could do. The only thing I could offer them.

Amirah got up and as she walked forward, gripping onto the bars of the cell she yelled on top of her voice "Is anyone there?! A girl isn't breathing! Please we need help!" But there was no response. No one who hear the plea of hers.

"Please! Somebody help us!! If she doesn't get treatment she might die! Please someone save her!!!" She once again shouted with a louder voice but no one was to be seen.

I stared at the gate from the dark corner, waiting for someone to enter and watching as the act planned by me took place.

Amirah kept on shouting and pulling the bars of the cells in attempts to break it. But obviously she couldn't as it was only a fake action to make the situation look more real.

Few moments later, a single pair of footsteps was heard everywhere and a man who's nearly around mid-forties was seen outside the cell.

He yawned and lazily glared at her "Why the hell are you shouting mad woman?"

"Please help us. A girl has fainted and she isn't waking up! She might die! Please do something!" Amirah cried out desperately, making sure her voice manages to fool him.

"The girl better be of worth or else I will slash that mouth of yours for breaking my sleep" The man warned her before he opened the lock on the gate and stepped inside the cell.

He lazily walked and sometimes even stumbled towards the girl lying on the cold ground. The kids surrounding her started crying a bit louder at which the man cringed his face in annoyance.

"Is she a virgin?" He glanced at Amirah with a bored expression.

My blood started to boil at the question. These bastards who determine someone's value don't even deserve a place in hell, if only I had a gun I-

I clenched my jaw and fists to keep my temper in check because the only thing I wanted right now was to beat him until death. Even so I couldn't do that, it would ruin the plan.

I glanced at Amirah as I knew she must be feeling the same as me. She looked back at me and I shook my head in indication of a no.

"Yes. She is." Amirah gulped, trying to shallow away her disgust and anger.
The man didn't bother saying anything further and examined the girl's body. Then he took something out of his pocket which seemed like a ointment and applied it on her wounds.

The kids and Amirah looked at me and I signalled them to remain in their positions with my free hand. I slowly walked towards the man step by step while I held the rod in my grasp still.

I reached behind him and stood silently without much movement. Luckily the rascal didn't realise my presence until a few minutes later.

The second he turned his head to look back I raised the rod high and stroked it upon his head hard enough to make him senseless. In a instant the man fell on the ground beside the girl as few drops of blood flowed out of his head where I hit him.

The girl shot her eyes open and stood up by my side as I proclaimed "Everyone we are done here. Let's go"

Everyone nodded at my command and walked out of the cell while I tied the wrists and legs of the man with ropes. I also tied to his mouth with a cloth to make sure he doesn't make any sound when he regains consciousness.

Then I noticed the keys in the pocket of his pants. I took it away and examined it, it was the key to the cell. After I checked everything was good, I too joined them outside the cell and locked it.

"Selina, you are okay right?" Amirah asked to which I gave a small nod.

"Absolutely" I turned to the girl and found that she was staring at me so I asked.

"What's wrong?" I raised my eyebrow. The girl simply shook her head and blinked her eyes.

"My name is Mia" She said bluntly as she stared at me.

It took me a moment to realise that she just told me her name, me a stranger. It suprised me so much that my eyes widened and stared back into hers.

"Did you just reveal your name? To a stranger?" I looked at her in disbelief. Amirah was also shocked along with me.

"A stranger doesn't help people like us. You deserve to know my name atleast" Mia shrugged while me and Amirah glanced at each other in disbelief "let's move forward"

Mia stepped forward and started to led the way while all of us followed her from behind since none of us knew the way.

While passing by I made sure to take a good look of our surroundings, to not miss anything or anyone in case I needed to take actions. Soon enough we arrived at a labyrinth made of plants and trees with some flowers blooming in between.

"What is this place even? Weren't we supposed to go to the labyrinth?" Amirah questioned as she stared at the green walls of plants all around us in confusion.

"This is the labyrinth" Mia states with a mere shrug which made Amirah glance at her, her brows frowned in confusion and disbelief.

"This place is more of a garden, where were they thinking?" I sighed heavily in frustration.

"Don't know. Must be one of awesomely idiotic ideas of humans" Mia scoffed whereas I narrowed my eyes when she mentioned 'humans'. There was something in her tone, as if she wasn't a human herself at all.

I slightly raised my eyebrows as realisation hit my mind. There was a high possibility that all of these kids present here...might not be human. This is a fantasy world so it's most likely...they belong the mythical creatures clans...but...then why are they here? Where are their powers?....

I glanced at each one of them and by seeing their condition I guessed their powers might have been sealed. They have suffered for a long time....

I blinked and pushed my thoughts at the back of my head. I took a step forward and observed the walls of plants, it had some roses blooming in between along with thorns so we won't be able to pass through them.

"Selina, we can't pass through these walls without being wounded. Do we have to walk around the labyrinth?" Amirah inquired to which I nodded my head.

"There isn't another option for now" I replied and all of us started walking forward, in hopes of finding a way out.

📜🥀

Hours after hours passed but we kept on moving onto the path laid before us. We took several turns, both right and left but there didn't seem to be a way out. Just a deadly garden of labyrinth in front of us.

Some of the kids collapsed few times so me and Amirah had to carry them in our arms but our energy and strength was  decreasing minute by minute, especially due to the lack of food and water.

"I suggest you two should take some rest. You look on the verge of collapsing" Mia suggested, her face was blank but her voice contained a bit of worry.

I was out of breath and exhausted so I sat down on the pathway after putting the kid in my arms down but Amirah didn't do the same. She was still holding the kid.

"Amirah, you should take a break" I breathed heavily.

"No. I am fine. I can go on" Amirah closed her eyes and inhaled before standing up straight once more.

"If you keep doing that, you will collapse before I do. Your magic isn't there to help you" I massaged my temple to reduce the headache I was facing.

Amirah stared at me for a while before she put the kid down and sat beside me, taking deep breaths and I closed my eyes  The others also sat down along with Mia to rest for sometime.

"You both know...we never expected we would get out" I opened my eyes when I heard a kid speak and found a little boy sitting beside me. Soon a girl joined and sat on my other side.

"Y-yeah, we had been stuck there for months now" The girl looked down as she spoke. I sighed and wrapped my arms around both of them.

"Don't worry...you all will get out...we will" I reassured them with a warm hug and smiled lightly.

"Thank you...um...didi" Both of them hugged me back which made my smile widen. Both in shock and happiness. It was the first time anyone had thanked me....

"You are always welcome..." I softly spoke as I patted their head. However the moment I looked up, all the other kids ran to me and hugged me tightly as to thank me.

Some were on my lap and some beside me. I was nearly crushed by all of them hugging me at once but I didn't mind it....it made me feel nice....to see their smiles...

For once I felt I did something good....for others..and this hug....it was so warm and comforting as the sunset...I wanted to remain like this forever. The feelings...I was experiencing were unknown to me...but I never wanted to let go....of them...nor this moment. So I let them hug me as much as they wanted.

But then I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up and saw Amirah looking at us with a pout "C'mon, I want a hug too"

The kids looked back at her and laughed before pulling her into our hug too. She looked at me with suprise before both of us laughed out.

But that peaceful moment didn't last for long. Soon enough all of us heard faint noises of multiple footsteps and several shouts of men.

"We need to move, they are coming" Mia stated as she stood up and took a look around us. Me and Amirah glanced at each other before we got up and took the youngest kids in our arms.

All of us started walking fastly which didn't take long to turn into running. We were running forward as much fast we could but it wasn't helping since everyone among us were already tired due to walking for past three hours.

We ran faster and faster but we could still hear the noises which invited danger to our direction come closer and closer along with each step.

"Guys think of something! We will get caught at such rate!" Mia said as all of us stopped running since we were so slow, it was the same as not running at all. Our legs had started to ache. We couldn't get out like this.

"Amirah! Isn't there any way we could get pass this labyrinth?" I turned my head to face Amirah while I gasped for air due to the lack of oxygen in my lungs.

"I don't think so since even by pure holy magic, you can't get out of a labyrinth" Amirah replied back, panting.

"There must be something!" I yelled in desparation, my voice reflecting the panic inside myself. She closed her eyes and went silent for a while to think properly.

"Shadow Magic" Amirah opened her eyes and gazed at me intensely "We can slip through these walls by shadow magic only since shadow can bend" Hearing that I froze in my place.

My eyes widened themselves in shock as I looked at my shaking hand. Shadow.....shadow....shadow..magic. Aren't those strange powers of mine...shadow magic?...is that what it is called?....If so... should I use...

No...I can't use my powers...I don't even know how to handle them....I will make us end up in trouble...I might end up... hurting someone...

I gazed at the kids, mia and Amara. All of them had panic plastered onto their faces. None of them could use magic even if they had it and those faint noises can be clearly heard now.

I was the only one who has magic at the current moment. If I don't use it now then....all our efforts...will be in vain... we'll be captured... tortured...sold off...and this kids...they might even get...

I was horrified at the thought. I know I should do something...I know I could do something...but...what if I make a mistake?....what if we still don't manage to escape?....what if my powers...go berserk?...

I don't know... My mind is completely blank...I am clueless.....what should I do?....

𝙏𝙤 𝘽𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙙.....