Contention

He brought the horse ride to a standstill when we got to the back of the castle, as in the way that led away from the castle and not into its beautiful environment. There was a small old dilapidating building there. He pulled me down gently from the horseback and took me into the dilapidating building. Its stairs were falling and everywhere made a creaking sound like it'd fall and crumble any time soon. Inside the building, there was a lot of dust and cobwebs filled everywhere. The furniture stank of age, and the doors and windows looked fallen apart. The floor was rotting too because as we walked on it, it felt like we could sink if we stepped on it too hard, the walls already crumbled at an angle and the ones which were still standing straight had several insects build their homes on them. The building must be nothing less than 30 years old I suppose. Maybe it was even more than. I wonder why it had not been either refurbished or destroyed into rubbles. I wonder what we were doing in there. He pulled my hand towards the door of a room in the building, I think the largest, and with one flick of his fingers, the rotting door came off and landed on the floor that didn't look any stronger.
"Careful, just let me hold your hand" he said to me when I moved back after hearing the sound of the door. "Are you choking?"
"Not really, I'm fine" I replied. The truth was i badly wanted to puke. The house was so old and in so bad a condition that it made me feel extremely nauseous and uncomfortable.
"We'll not waste time here, I'll take you inside soon, come on" he called to me, stretching his hands towards me and I tried my best to suppress the nausea that was building up in my throat. I held him and we entered the room whose door he had just detached. "I promise" i said as he grabbed my hands tightly yet affectionately. The truth was it was not only the state of that building that made me nauseous, the fact that I was to be this man's supposed mate, the fact that I was sleeping in that castle that night, the fact that his room was also going to be my room made me want to puke all my intestines out. Still I let him hold my hand.
The room had many empty rotting skulls hanging from the window down, but most of the rotting skulls had fallen to the floor. Most of them even looked like if you touched them, they'll dissolve into sand. In fact there was a heap of soil on the floor, that means most of them had turned to soil over the years.
Other than the skulls, nothing else looked sinister. Ignore the skulls, it was just an empty large room in a very, very old house. The windows were still standing even though you could kick them off with a blow.
"What do you see here, Ariana?" He asked me after he let me scrutinize my environment to my satisfaction.
"Skulls" I replied because my throat was uncomfortable. If I opened my mouth again, I was sure to puke.
"Do you know who they are? I mean, do you know which people died here?" He asked, looking at my face. He rubbed my face just then when he saw how uncomfortable I looked.
I shook my head. How on earth did he expect me to know that?
"They are skulls of people who ended up ruining themselves" I looked at him as if to ask what he meant but I didn't want to open my mouth anymore until I was sure we were out of this eerie, rotting building. He continued when he noticed my mouth was sealed
"They were interested in seeing their future before time or the future of their wards and what it entailed, they were interested in twisting the hands of fate, and fate taught them a lesson.. They died in the process of seeking help from the supernaturals. They sought help to know their future and for those that already knew, they sought further help to change an item in it, or even all of their future. It's either they were killed or they were turned into vampires or possessed by the witches, that's for those who seeked help from the witches. So, this killed them. They never were able to even reach the future they so badly wanted to know or change" I sighed. He was indirectly telling me that I'd end up there if I didn't give up trying to save my sister's future or being too curious about the future.
"They did not know that they had no power to change what their future held for them, because it has been fixed by a supernatural, and they trying to alter it would only hurt them. In the first place, they shouldn't have tried wanting to find out what their future looked like. It was not necessary. The future is in the hands of the god who shaped them" he continued, and I slowly nodded. Now I was feeling light-headed. It felt like I was in a trance and listening to a spirit talk, because I could still hear him but his voice was echoing so loudly in my ears now. I was about to pass out.
"Most of them had good futures but they wanted different ones. Like for instance, some of them already saw what handsome young men they got married to, with their happy future marriages but because they were greedy, they wanted better man, better futures and so, they run to witches and wizards and instead of getting the help they so badly wanted in altering their future, they were possessed or taken as preys by these evil supernaturals" He stopped when I fell into his arms subconsciously.
"I don't want you to end up like this" he said and lifted me in his arms, walking out of the building immediately. I had already passed out because I didn't remember what happened next. When I opened my eyes, I was in the Master bedroom, the one I had been earlier, and I was wearing my pajamas instead of the royalty dress for the royalty walk I had earlier on, and no one was in the room with me. I yawned and stretched and breathed in fresh air. I was glad we were no longer in that building. It irked me. But still, I wondered how I was now putting on my pajamas. My backpack was on the dressing table, and it lay there unzipped. The undies I had on had been changed. I cringed at the thought of being undressed by the Prince Robin. It upset me so much but there was nothing I could do.
"My Lady, are you awake?" I had heard Elaine, the head maid's voice at the door. Oh Elaine! She must be here to treat me or make me feel better.
"Yes I am" I said, stretching my limbs. I seemed to have grown taller overnight. It was still so dark, so maybe I had not slept for long. I pulled out my phone, and hurriedly checked the time. It was 5:36am. Wow! The prince had unfrozen the time now! It was 5:36 am back in the real camp world now. I still had two hours or three more to sleep before preparing for the journey back to the campground cabins. I needed to prepare to compete with Nick, the vamp, no not as a human to vamp now, but as two presumably supposed intelligent 'students'. Just two students representing their schools in a competition. That was it, but my mind couldn't help thinking there was more to it.
"My Lady, can I come in please?" She asked. I had been lost in thoughts
"Oh yes please Elaine!" I was beside myself with shock as to how much I had adapted to the royal aura in this castle in just five or six hours of being there.
She walked in, locked the door and made a low bow before kneeling before my bedside, before me actually.
"Do you know where he is, Elaine?" I asked trying to avoid the look she gave me. She looked at me like the satisfactory look that a bride's friends gave her after her wedding night especially because she has married the hottest guy in town. That look. It was uncomfortable for me..
"You mean Master?" She asked with a shocked tone.
"Yes, the prince"
"Wasn't he with you all night, My Lady?" She said and i swallowed a lump that has formed in my throat. I swallowed yet again when she was not going to add any other words. I looked away and towards the window.
"My Lady, did I make.you uncomfortable?" She asked and came to sit on the bed with me. I didn't say a word, I just kept staring out the window that was slightly open. The moonlight was dimmer.
"Errmm...My Lady, actually, Last night, after I helped you change into your pyjamas, I..." I turned back sharply. "Did you say you wore me this pajamas?" I asked, relief clearly written on my face.
"Yes, don't get mad at me please. It was with his consent, My Lady. He asked me to prepare you for bed" she looked down and it seemed like she was crying.
"No I'm not mad at you at all. Tell me, was I unconscious for too long?" I asked again, now relieved it wasn't the Prince Robin who touched me
"You were unconscious for many hours but then you got conscious and asked me to prop your pillows because you needed to sleep. You didn't even take the tea, all you wanted to do was sleep, so I just let you be." she said and covered her mouth as though she shouldn't have divulged that much information
"What tea?" I was so curious. I nudged her to speak up.
"Herbal tea for pain relief, Jodi made it. It was her turn to make it last night" she said. "I'm sorry My Lady" i wondered why she was treating me with so much respect; I wasn't even Prince Robin's mate yet, I was just there on a visit.
"Was I in pain?"
"No...it's a tea to relieve any pain you might have encountered in your consummation night" she said blatantly. What? Well, yeah, I had the body of a teenager but it didn't change the fact that I was still a child. Did Prince Robin actually touch me in the night? Would he actually do things with me? It was too upsetting to imagine, so I just changed the topic.
"Where is he?" I asked for the umpteenth time.
"I don't know, My Lady. Should I find him for you?"
"Yes please" she got up, made a short bow and disappeared out of my room. I needed to talk to him but I didn't even know how to ask such sensitive questions. It was hard to think of.
In few minutes, He was in the room with me. It didn't take Elaine too long to find him. Perhaps he heard our conversation even and had provided himself easily. She stood at the corner waiting for any more orders, but I told her she could go to bed. She left after making two bows, one for me and for him.
"Are you okay?" He asked me after she left. I nodded and swallowed.
"I was awake all night and I was in the library upstairs reading, throughout the night, after I made sure you were fine" i heaved a sigh of relief even though I did not completely believe that.
"You needed a lot of sleep, so I had to let you be" , He added. What did he mean by that? How did that sound to you?
"Thank you" I said anyways and turned my back on the bed to lay down again. Now that he was in the room, I didn't want to fall asleep yet. I turned my head to the other side again to find him on the bed with me in a matter of seconds. His body was warm.
"You need to stop being afraid of me, Ariana. I will never do anything to hurt you" he said, his breath warming up my ears. I nodded slowly and swallowed again. There was not much I could say.
"I promise" He said rubbing my shoulder slightly. I nodded again. Then he got up and went to sit by the mirror.
"You were sleep-talking last night" He half laughed. I turned towards him and shot him a deathful glance. There I went again--being too curious.
"What was I saying? And how did you know since you were in the library throughout the night?" I questioned, refusing to believe his words.
"Ariana, I hear everything from upstairs. It's pretty easy; i don't have to try. You were talking to your mom, telling her how much you enjoyed staying here at the castle, telling her how well you were treated by me and the maids, telling her you do not want to return home anymore" he said, and half laughed again.
"No way! You're lying!" I yelled and tugged at the bedsheets to hold my rage together.
"No I'm not! I heard you pretty clearly! Do you sleep-talk a lot at home?" He asked, facing me now.
"Leave me alone, you made it all up" i said and laid my head back on the bed.
"I'm serious, I didn't make anything up. I loved it, the excitement in your voice as you spoke to her, it was satisfying" he said and sighed.
"That's a lie, I don't enjoy staying here and I do want to go home now, badly!" I said on the verge of tears. "I want to go home" I said again tearfully
"I'm sorry" he said. His breath was on my cheek. He was on the bed with me again. He always scared me and apologized after. "Stop feeling bad, please" he pleaded, kissing my cheek. That was the first time he'd do that.
"You should go back to sleep. The big event starts at 10:00am, you need strength for the whole thing" He said and stood up, he was dressed in pajamas that looked like it cost a lot. Now I wondered if he was talking about the inter-school competition or another event happening in the castle.
"Goodnight" he said and made to leave
"Goodnight" i replied and watch him leave. Then I went to shut the door tightly. Now I could sleep peacefully. Did i really sleep-talk? I thought.
Mom did say I do that, back at home but it was pretty uncommon, I mean I could only remember her saying it once or twice and not more. It felt so embarrassing even though some parts of what i said was true--i did like being in the Castle, it was beautiful and so surreal, everything was honorable here.. At first, I had felt unwanted by his parents but later, I felt at home even though it was not right. He did treat me well too; that was right. The maids treated me well too--i was in love with them already, they were like my friends already, especially Elaine whom I took more interest in because of her smartness and because she was the head maid. They were all beautiful, surrily beautiful even with very long, soft and straight dark hair.
There--There was the lie--i didn't not want to go home; I mean, I wanted to go home badly even though I liked the castle already. I wanted to go home and tell Mom many things about my experiences. I wanted to see my twin sisters, and play with them. I wanted to see how Mike was faring--i still cared about him, he had been very good to me before he messed it up. I just hoped we could make peace. I wanted to but I was still very upset and hurt. I wanted to see Jack too. He must have been treating mom very well. I didn't care about seeing Cameron. Not one bit.
I thought about everything that had happened to me and would still happen and i thought about Prince Robin's words "Don't try altering the future; let it be. The future is in the hands of the god who formed and shaped you.... I don't want you to end up like these skulls"
I sighed. Was I really going to give up my plans just like that? It was a mistake, my own mistake checking out the future of my sister, Jamie but now that I already knew it, how could I let it be?
How could I let a stranger cart her away and destroy her life while I watch because it is 'her future', 'her fate'?? It was hard. Pretty hard. And I knew I couldn't do that. If I disobeyed Prince Robin's warnings about helping my sister alter her future, it was probably going to make us enemies of each other because I would not need to be mated to him(my thoughts), and I'd have to seek the help of someone else because it was mandatory that I risk it because I had already made the mistake of knowing her future. . It was going to be dangerous and hard being enemies with him, but it was even going to be harder living under the same roof with your sister, whom you know would be abducted as a child and maltreated and destroyed at a young age, sooner not later, and you're there, not doing anything about it. Don't you think that was indeed harder?
All these thoughts clouded my head until I fell asleep. I felt a tap on my legs and that was what made me open my eyes.
"Hey, you'll be late for the big event, Get up" it was a girl's voice. And no it wasn't Vicky or Maria. It was Mitchell, the fourth person staying in my room, and no I wasn't in the castle; I was now back in the cabin. All I remembered was sleeping on the master bed in the castle but now I woke up in the cabin.
"We are already being called for breakfast" The sun shone brightly and I looked around me, Lucas was dressed up, Mitchell too, Vicky was not in the room, I was the only one still in my pajamas.
"Hurry! Go have your bath" she said to me while wearing her socks.
"Oh yeah! Thank you so much" I said, jumping down from the bed. What was going on? How did I get back to the cabin? Did they know that I hadn't slept in the cabin or being on the campground the previous night? I ran straight into the bathroom after pleading with Mitchell to wait for me, because I didn't know the way to the dining hall. Outside, a lot of students were already prepared, while some were preparing.
"Do you know where Uncle Robinson is please?" I asked her as I walked to the bathroom but it was Lucas who replied me
"Is that what you should be talking about now? You're our representative; you should go get yourself ready. What's with you and uncle Robinson?" He asked with irritation in his voice, and I wanted to snack his face and yell 'You won't understand"
I went to the bathroom and had a cool bath which barely lasted four minutes. When I returned to the room, Lucas was already out. I mouthed some words of thanks to God because if he was still in the room, I would not be able to dress up. Whoever mixed boys and girls in the rooms did not do too well. I wondered why the person did what he did. Mitchell was lying down, fully dressed in our school uniform but without her shoes, she was lying down, reading a book. I tried to sneak a peek at the title of the book but her long fingers were hiding it.
"You have to hurry, Ariana" she said. She sounded kind. She was not from my class; in fact she was about four years older than I was.
"Yes please, sorry I'm keeping you waiting" I said , doing many things at a time. In roughly ten minutes, I was ready. She even helped me style my hair into a fine ponytail. And as we walked out of the cabin upon hearing our counselor's yells over the gramophone: "Everyone should vacate the cabins and move to the dining hall for a quick breakfast. Make sure you lock your doors and windows too to avoid anacondas from entering your properties" These words were repeated many times. It was starting to get embarrassing, so Mitchell pulled me out with my hair and my half tied shoe laces, and bolted the door firmly, then pulled me with my hair towards the exit of the campground. We didn't want to miss the others who were walking towards the dining hall already.
"Thank you for waking me up"
"It was my third attempt; you were stubborn and wouldn't want to get up" she said with a smirk on her face
"Thank you for not giving up" i said, sighing. If she had left me, maybe my nightmare about being left alone would have materialized.
"Stop thanking me; I'm not that nice. I was working with strict orders" she said and hastened her steps towards the others, purposely leaving me behind. Of course, I was wondering too. I didn't meet with kind people that easily, except of course they wanted something from me, or they were working under strict orders like she put it.. I shouldn't be surprised. But, strict orders? Was she like an assistant counselor or something? Who could have mandated her to wake me up? Could it be Uncle Robinson? Thinking about it, and the fact that I was roughly dressed, maybe coupled by my weight slowed me down, so I ran to catch up with her, and the rest of the students while picking up one of my pair of shoes that had fallen off my feet because the laces were not yet tied. The cabins were quiet and totally empty when I looked back, and for the umpteenth time, I was secretly grateful that I was not left alone.
When I looked back the second time, I saw the one-eyed young man--the camp counselor we met on our first day at the camp. He was following us.
It was 8:30am when we got to the dining hall. The dining hall was a bit far from the cabins but trekkable. It was so big and beautiful and didn't look anything like the wooden cabins back on the camp ground. It was named Alien Contention Dining Hall. I took out my phone when I realized everybody had entered the hall, and quickly took a screenshot of the sign post. I didn't know if we were not allowed to use phones in there. It was not part of the rules as far as I was concerned, but maybe I didn't even know all the rules. It made a click sound and I hurriedly covered the speaker. I looked around to see if anyone had heard it, but everyone was already taking their seats and chatting their time away, they were obviously minding their business and looked unconcerned with whatever was going on at the entrance of the hall. I took many shots of the building and my environment and only stopped when I was satisfied with the pictures. I wanted to call Mom. But what if these people could hear our conversation? Was I going crazy? These people were normal people, the people who weren't normal were the roayl people from the castle where I visited with Uncle Robinson (Prince Long Sword or Prince Robin or 'Master') the previous night, or was that a dream? Was all of it a dream? Had I been simple dreaming all through the night? I swear I was uncertain. Since I didn't even see him, I thought maybe it was just a stupid dream. Still I was glad to be back in the camp even though I didn't know how I got back there.
I moved to a corner and dialed mom's cell number. She picked at the first ring.
"My darling daughter, I was about to call you! What a big coincidence" she said , sounding excited.
"Good morning Mom" i said. "How are you?"
"I'm good. Today's the competition, yeah? Make sure you do everyone proud. I trust you darling" she half laughed. I could hear Cameron's voice in the background. That means she was back home.
"I'm nervous mom" i said.
"Why are you nervous? You've always been a confident, smart girl. I know this is your first public performance but I promise you, you'll do well. I'll be here watching you on Realplayer" she said grinning from ear to ear.
"Are we going live?" I gasped.
"Your teachers said you probably will. Don't be nervous, baby. I believe in you. Where are you now?" She said. I felt someone behind me and I quickly turned back. It was the one eyed young counselor.
"Hello?" Mom said but I pressed my hands on the speaker to reduce the volume.
"Hello?"
"What are you doing here? Everyone has been served inside, c'mon, get back in now" he said. The one-eyed young man.
"Okay sir" i said and hung up. "I'm sorry for that" I added, stuffing the phone back in my skirt pocket.
"This is not the time to make calls. You're Ariana Peyton, right? The representative for Enchanting promises high school?" He said, pointing at me, and looking at his face, I began to wonder if indeed he had lost his right eye, and how it had happened. "The Award-winning Model daughter? Yeah?" I wanted to say "Duhh", but I said,
"Yes sir" instead, and walked past him straight into the hall, where i was greeted by a strong aroma of something that couldn't be delicious for sure
Immediately I found my seat, I heaved a sigh of relief because he hadn't even talked about the phone. He had only said 'this is not the time to make calls', I was afraid that if he had seized the phone, I'd lose contact with my world-- the world I understood and grew in, and I'd be stuck like forever with these bunch of weirdos.
There was a plate of meal before me, with cutleries and a bottle of what seemed like juice. I stuck my fork into the meal and sniffed it with my boss. Holy Moley! It smelled like the insides of an animal, accompanied with what looked like chicken wings, only that I was sure it was not chicken. It still dripped blood. It looked raw. I wanted to throw it at whoever served it. I could shove it in their face.
Apart from the fact that it smelled like rotten fish, it was unrecognizable. What food was this? I sniffed it again and made a irritating face. Everyone laughed. I heard them laugh quietly and jeer at me.
I looked up and realized I had been the object of attention right from the time I entered the hall. My face flushed at the sides with so much embarrassment.
"What is it?" Someone asked, and although i knew the question was directed at me, I didn't respond. I didn't even look up from my meal.
Everyone soon went back to eating, and the way they chewed and swallowed whatever it was we were served unnerved me. What food was this that smelled like dirty gutter and these people did not find it weird? Maybe all their noses were blocked or they were just weird, or was I the only weird one here? They all probably found me as weird as I found them? I looked around to see if anybody else felt the way I was feeling but everybody in the room was either slurping or chewing their food and relishing every 'bile' on their plate. I saw one even ask for more. Was i missing something?
I picked my fork again and wanted to try at least a spoonful but I couldn't. Mitchell was sitting very near me, and I could see her eating so satisfactorily. I peered at her meal to see if I was served a different thing but it was the same thing. It was the same thing on everyone's plates. Everyone was eating and minding their business now.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I looked up, I saw a familiar face. It was the man from home. The man who told me he wanted me to research something and that he'd pay me well, and when I had asked what it was, he had said "We'll talk about it in the camp". Now he was here. I didn't even know him, and I still wondered why mom was so happy that I got a job with him. It was pretty weird.
"Did you lose your appetite?" He asked and I felt like smacking him on the face. I had so much appetite but I'd never eat trash. Yes, I ate any food but not something that smelled like dog poo. I'd rather starve to death than eat shit. I asked him to bend down to my level so I could whisper into his ears,
"Sorry, what's the name of this food? It's disgusting" I managed to say. Actually I wanted to say worse things but I didn't know what to expect. Is this what I would be fed with throughout summer? I'd better plan running home.
"Alien wings plus Hot pepper intestine sauce" he said. He had one of the pieces of alien wings in his hands that he had eaten halfway.
I looked at him with bewilderment. I had never heard that such food existed. I was too sure it only existed in this camp.
"It's really delicious" he said munching the half eaten piece in my presence. "Eat" he commanded. I had to control myself not to shove it in his face.
"Wait, I know you!" He said, looking closely at me.
"Really? You know me?" I asked with my every word dripping with sarcasm.
"The job still waits for you, and if you don't mind, I could help you with whatever thing you need. We'll talk after the award night. Now, please eat" he said and left without looking back. I dropped my fork and looked away, waiting for everyone to be dismissed.
And them, the bell rang and the woman who I supposed served the meals, announced: "It's time for us to go to the venue for the big event. I hope we all have our passes with us. The pass is our identification code. If you do not have the pass, you know the consequences. You could incur the wrath of our counterparts"
What the hell was this woman talking about? What pass? What consequences? Why was I always confused? And where was uncle Robinson? I wiped my face with my towel and bent down to tie my shoes laces. I was almost done tying my laces when I heard her say:
"I need you all to raise your pass and let me see them" And to my shock, everybody in the room raised a greenish card up, each one of them! while I just started morosely wondering what the heck was going on around me. Everyone turned to face me just then.
"Ariana May Peyton! Get up!" She ordered. It was Miss Amanda. Or Mrs. Whatever.
I stood up nervously. "Why don't you have a pass?" She asked and I started to stutter. After a while, I stopped trying and just looked at my shoes whose laces were now properly tied by me.
"Luciano, please lead the rest of the students out of the hall. We should not be late for the event" The man who offered me a job bowed and asked everyone to follow him, and without planning it, everyone formed a curved line that looked like a row of lazily parked vehicles and followed him out of the hall. I was left alone with Miss Amanda.
She had a stern expression on her face and i didn't know whether to apologize or be quiet.
"Follow me!" She said and walked towards the inner part of the hall. I followed her quickly because she was walking too fast. I was so scared of being left alone in this hall which now looked deserted and creepy. She entered into a room and sat at the desk. It looked like an office.
"Do you realize you're the number one man in Enchanting Promises right now? Especially today?" She said sternly. I nodded. "How do you want to be let into the event without a pass?" She asked.
"Ma'am, I didn't know that we needed a pass" i said with a strain in my voice.
"Really? Weren't you here last year?"
"No"
"Wait, are you a spy or something?" She asked. "Are you here on a mission to spy on us?" Everyone booed.
"Excuse me ma'am?" I was shocked beyond words. I was starting to have an headache from the turmoil that was building in my head.
"You don't act like one of us. You're acting all weird! Why didn't you eat breakfast?" She asked shaking her head.
"It was strange, ma'am. I've never seen that kind of meal before" i replied honestly. She opened her mouth in shock.
She dipped her hand into a container behind her and stretched her hands towards me..it was a leg, and no, it wasn't the leg of a lamb or pig, it was a leg of another baby animal, maybe an animal I don't know.
I didn't take it from her. "You don't eat hunted meat too?" She asked.
"Tell me, who are you?" She asked, shrugging and I started to feel very uncomfortable.
Just then, uncle Robinson appeared at the door and I was so grateful that I almost actually thanked him for coming. He pulled me up and told Miss Amanda. "Leave her alone..she is a newbie. Stop making her so uncomfortable" he said and pulled me out, and towards the road that led to the venue of the big event.
"You're almost late" he said. "Don't mind Amanda. She's an asshole" i didn't know what to reply with, so I just swallowed saliva. He took me past a road that I suppose was the back of the venue. Then he snuck me in and asked me to sit in one of the empty seats at the front.
People who sat in front already had their passes checked, so I was safe. The venue was a very big hall that was very exquisite and beautifully organized. The students from the other school had also arrived even though it was only 9:00 in the morning.