Emilia lays on the ground of the cave unable to move. Borden sits beside the elder and the prince. Chloe sits beside Emilia humming while a stone pot rest above a fire boiling the contents Chloe throws in.
“The prince has proven that he is more than just a survivor. He guided the entire group of newbies to the lake. He even used his military tactics. To help them, “Borden announces, “He will lead us to war, to victory after the execution of Emilia.”
“Thank you, Borden. I know many of you are rolling your eyes and do not support me. I would like to apologize for the harm I have caused you. Like those inside the wall, I feared you instead of trying to understand you.” Victor uses his deep strong voice to speak before all the beasts.
“Perhaps if we understood this transformation, we could’ve found a way to turn beasts back into humans. Well, it is time to remind those inside the walls that we helped to build that we built their walls, homes, gardens, and palaces.” Victor looks in the eyes of his onlookers.
“We took care of their kids, cooked their food, protected their lands, and more.” Victor continues as Chloe lifts the pot with her concoction pouring it onto Emilia’s wound. Though the concoction stings Emilia’s open flesh, the warmth feels good and calming on her bones gently molding itself back into place.
“Run Emilia,” Chloe whispers in Emilia’s ear as she moves in front of Emilia blocking those who can see Emilia including Victor and Borden.
The elder lays like a cat but coughs. When he moves his paw, he hits a small rock. The floor between Emilia and Chloe descends like a decrescendo leading to an unknown dark path. Lose dirt falls into the creases and slides down the slope.
The elder nods, and Chloe looks back at Emilia to nod. Emilia scans the room. Alone? No one will go with her? Must she always be alone? What if she gets hurt again?
Two plastic eyes look back at Emilia. Teddy hides behind a beast and nods. Teddy will always be with Emilia, and Chloe too.
Quickly and quietly, Emilia dashes down the hidden passageway. Victor’s voice becomes muffled as Teddy slips through the closing slope falling face flat. Dirt rises like dust around Teddy. Slowly, Teddy gets up rubbing its face. Immediately, Emilia hugs the bear who hugs her back. Teddy climbs on Emilia’s back; she dashes down the tunnel.
“And now, Emilia’s execution!” Borden announces. Both Borden and Victor turn to Emilia only to find the imprint of her body in the dirt.
Borden rolls his eyes and plants his butt on the ground. This is why the beasts lost enthusiasm. They didn’t seem to hear Victor announce his plans to conquer the kingdom. Borden should’ve known. Everyone finds ways to survive.
“I’ll find her.” Victor tells Borden, “Lead the first group to the wall. Take it down. I’ll lead the second group to attack when I get to the wall.”
Victor dashes out of the cave, leaving his fellow warriors behind. Borden, however, looks to the elder and Chloe. No doubt they helped the beast escape. Beasts shouldn’t be killing other beasts anyway. Plus, Emilia is Victor’s problem now; let him deal with it. But killing Emilia won’t do a thing.